Risk Racing Lock-N-Load Pro Mounting Plate: My Hands-On Review

Quick outline

  • Why I needed the plate
  • How I set it up in my truck and trailer
  • What happened on real rides
  • What I love
  • What bugs me
  • Tips you’ll thank me for later
  • Who it’s great for
  • Final take

Why I grabbed this plate in the first place

I ride a KTM 250 SX-F most weekends. Sometimes a Honda CRF250R joins the party. I used the Lock-N-Load Pro already, and I liked how it grabs the foot pegs, not the forks. But switching it between my 2017 Silverado and my 6×12 enclosed trailer was a pain. Bolts out. Bolts in. Repeat. I felt silly doing that dance.
For anyone hunting down the same solution, the latest pricing and availability are easy to check on PDV Racing. Racer X even covered the launch in a detailed piece that walks through the improvements—check it out here if you want the official scoop.

So I bought the Risk Racing Mounting Plate. The goal was simple: make one clean base in each rig and slide the system on and off fast. Haul Saturday. Home Depot run Sunday. No messy straps. No fork saver. Just click, clamp, go.
For an even deeper dive into the mounting plate itself, check out my full hands-on review of the Risk Racing Lock-N-Load Pro Mounting Plate.

Setup: easy, but measure twice

Let me explain how I set it up.

Truck bed (2017 Silverado, 6.5 ft bed):

  • I laid a bed mat down first.
  • I set the plate where the rear tire sits in the low grooves. That keeps the bike centered.
  • I marked holes with a paint pen.
  • I drilled pilot holes, then the full size holes.
  • I added a thin bead of silicone under the plate. It helps seal and stops little rattles.
  • Hardware went through the bed and into locking nuts. Tight, but not crazy tight.

If you’re more of a tailgate-pad hauler, you can see how the setup compares to a pad-only solution in my Fox Racing Tailgate Pad field test.

Enclosed trailer (6×12):

  • I lined the plate up with the center line of the trailer.
  • I checked door clearance with the bars and pegs. Wiggle room matters.
  • I used the floor cross-members when I could. Stronger that way.
  • Same deal: pilot holes, sealant, tighten, done.

First plate took me about 40 minutes, mostly measuring and fussing. Second plate took 20. You know what? A tape measure is your best friend here.

Visual learners, listen up: before I ever drilled the first hole I spent a few minutes watching unfiltered, phone-shot clips from other DIY haulers to see exactly how their setups “snap” together. If that kind of raw, amateur footage helps you too, you’ll appreciate this collection of snap-amateur clips. Beyond the entertainment value, the quick overhead and side-angle shots can spark ideas for camera placement when you film your own installs or share progress with riding buddies.

Real rides, real bumps

I tried it three ways:

  • Local track day: two bikes, back-to-back motos. I clamped the KTM and a YZ450F in the trailer. No straps. No bar rub. We hit a washboard gravel road and a sharp turn. The bikes didn’t budge. Not even a hair.

  • Mountain trail weekend: long highway run, rain on the way back. I checked bolts after 200 miles. Still tight. The finish on the plate looked the same. No flaking. I did wipe off mud stuck in the plate slots. Small thing.

  • Quick solo after work: truck only. I slid the Lock-N-Load Pro onto the bed plate, pinned it, clamped the bike, and left in under two minutes. That part felt sweet. Like a pit crew, but just me in a hoodie.

After logging those miles, our crew usually grabs dinner and hunts for a little nightlife to unwind. If your travels ever route you through southeast Iowa and you’re curious about an open-minded social scene, the up-to-date community hub for Ottumwa swingers at One Night Affair can clue you in on local meet-ups, clubs, and events so you know exactly where to go once the bikes are washed and the gear is stowed.

What I love

  • Fast swap: I keep one plate in the trailer and one in the truck. The Pro slides on and off each plate in seconds. No more full re-install.
  • Solid hold: Less fork stress. My seals say thank you.
  • Clean bed: When I remove the Pro unit, the plate sits low. I can still haul wood and mulch. The rake doesn’t catch on anything if I slide it in sideways.
  • Adjustments are simple: I’ve clamped a KTM 250 SX-F and a Honda CRF250R on the same setup with tiny tweaks. No drama.
  • Quiet: No squeaks or clangs once it’s snug. The silicone trick helps.

What bugged me (a little)

  • You’re drilling: That’s normal for trailer floors, but your truck bed may make you think twice. I was fine with it. Still, it’s a choice.
  • Dirt collects: Mud and sand sit in the plate slots. A quick hose blast fixes it, but yeah, it builds up.
  • Toe tap hazard: With the Pro unit off, the plate sits low, but I still caught my boot once. Not a big deal; I learned.
  • Price: It’s not cheap. Not wild, but not a bargain bin thing either. The time saved made it worth it for me.

Tips I wish I knew on day one

  • Dry fit first. Sit the bike where you want it, then mark the plate holes.
  • Use a small bead of silicone under the plate and around holes. Keeps water and dust out.
  • If your bed is thin, add washers under the nuts. Spreads the load.
  • Bring a 13 mm and a 10 mm wrench (or whatever your hardware needs) and a torque wrench. Snug, not gorilla tight.
  • Re-check after your first drive. Mine didn’t move, but it’s good practice.
  • If you use E-track too, leave room so the plate and E-track don’t fight for space.
  • Off the bike, if you enjoy building your own rigs, you’ll probably dig the sim racing cockpit I put together; the planning mindset is exactly the same.

Who it’s perfect for

  • Weekend riders who switch between truck and trailer.
  • Folks who hate straps slapping the paint or crushing the bars.
  • Families hauling two bikes with different peg heights.
  • Anyone who wants a clean bed during the week and ride-ready gear on the weekend.

A tiny contradiction I’ll own

I said drilling the bed is fine. Then I worried about it. Both things can be true. I didn’t love making holes, but I do love the speed and the hold. After a few trips, I forgot about the holes and smiled at the time I got back.

Final take

The Risk Racing Lock-N-Load Pro Mounting Plate solved a real headache for me. It made my setup fast, neat, and strong. It’s not perfect—mud collects, and drilling is a thing—but the trade-offs feel fair. If you want quick swaps and less fuss, this plate earns its spot.

Would I buy it again? Yep. I did, actually—I own two. One in the trailer, one in the truck. Done and done.

—Kayla Sox