One of the questions I'm asked almost every week is:
"Should I buy the Bed Buddy or the Hybrid Moto Rack?"
It's a great question because I designed both systems, but they were created to solve slightly different problems.
The original Bed Buddy has been hauling motorcycles since 1997 and is still one of my favorite products. The Hybrid came years later after listening to customers who wanted more flexibility without giving up the strength and simplicity that made the Bed Buddy so successful.
So...which one is right for you?
The answer really depends on how you use your truck and what you expect your rack to do.
How the Bed Buddy Was Born
Back in the 1990s, I was racing motocross several times a week. Like most riders, I hauled my bikes in the back of my pickup truck.
After loading and unloading bikes hundreds of times, I kept running into the same problems.
The front wall of the truck bed would flex from tightening the tie-down straps against the sheet metal.
The factory tie-down points were never in the right place.
The front wheel wanted to turn while driving down rough roads, causing the tie-down straps to slowly lose tension.
Loading multiple bikes meant routing straps through spokes, over tires, around handlebars, and crisscrossing them across the truck bed. Every trip became a tangled mess of tie-down straps.
Eventually I reached the point where I thought...
"There has to be a better way."
So I built one.
Why the Bed Buddy Works
The Bed Buddy wasn't designed to be flashy.
It was designed to solve real problems.
The heavy-duty crossbar reinforces the front bulkhead of the truck bed, preventing the sheet metal from flexing and becoming damaged after years of hauling motorcycles.
The three TIG-welded wheel slots position each motorcycle exactly where it belongs.
Keeping the front wheel perfectly straight is one of the biggest keys to transporting motorcycles safely. When the wheel stays straight, the tie-down straps stay tight—even after hundreds of miles on rough highways and back roads.
Just as important are the tie-down loops.
Instead of routing straps through spokes, over tires, or crisscrossing them across the truck bed, the Bed Buddy places every tie-down point exactly where it should be.
Loading becomes faster.
Unloading becomes easier.
And the "tie-down spaghetti" disappears.
Nearly 30 Years of Proven Performance
The Bed Buddy has now been manufactured by the same American team for nearly three decades.
It's built from high-strength steel alloy, precision TIG welded, and finished with a durable powder coat.
Over the years, tens of thousands of Bed Buddy Moto Racks have been installed in trucks across the country.
Even after all these years, it continues to be one of our best-selling products.
That tells me one thing.
Simple ideas that solve real problems never go out of style.
Why I Designed the Hybrid Moto Rack
As much as riders loved the Bed Buddy, I kept hearing another request.
Customers wanted more flexibility.
Some riders only carried one bike.
Others wanted three.
Some wanted adjustable wheel chock spacing.
Others wanted to haul bicycles, e-bikes, or different types of cargo.
Then van owners started asking if they could use the same system inside their Ford Transit and Mercedes Sprinter vans.
The Bed Buddy was intentionally designed as a dedicated motorcycle rack.
The Hybrid became something different.
It became a modular transport platform.
The original version was called the Pro Track Moto Rack.
Customers loved the concept, and over the years I continued improving it until it evolved into today's Hybrid Moto Rack.
What Makes the Hybrid Different
The Hybrid uses a proprietary modular track with components that can be added, removed, or repositioned in just a few minutes.
Every component mounts directly to the face of the track, making changes quick without removing the entire system.
I also redesigned the wheel chocks and developed the Moto Vise Wheel Chocks.
They're width adjustable, modular, and designed to securely hold virtually any width tire.
Because every component is bolted into place, the system is also theft resistant. It takes a wrench to move or remove components, so they stay exactly where you left them.
The Hybrid isn't limited to motorcycles either.
I've seen customers use it for:
- Dirt bikes
- Adventure bikes
- Dual sport motorcycles
- Mountain bikes
- BMX bikes
- E-bikes
- Cargo accessories
- Custom equipment
It gives riders the freedom to configure the system around the way they ride.
More Than Just a Truck Rack
One of the biggest surprises with the Hybrid was how well it worked inside vans.
Its low-profile, space-saving design made it the perfect solution for Ford Transit and Mercedes Sprinter owners looking for a clean, secure way to transport motorcycles while preserving valuable cargo space.
Today, the Hybrid is just as comfortable in a van as it is in a pickup truck.
Quick Comparison
If you're looking for a quick overview, here's how I generally explain the differences.
| Feature | Bed Buddy Moto Rack | Hybrid Moto Rack |
|---|---|---|
| Introduced | 1997 | Evolved from the Pro Track platform |
| Design | Fixed welded rack | Fully modular system |
| Best For | Riders who want a simple "set it and forget it" solution | Riders who want maximum flexibility |
| Expandable | No | Yes |
| Adjustable Wheel Chocks | No | Yes |
| Van Compatible | No | Yes |
| One-Bike Configuration | No | Yes |
| Three-Bike Configuration | Yes | Yes |
| American Made | ✔ | ✔ |
| Limited Lifetime Warranty | ✔ | ✔ |
Which One Do I Recommend?
This is probably the easiest question to answer.
If you're looking for a simple, incredibly rugged motorcycle rack that you'll install once and use the same way every time, I'd recommend the Bed Buddy.
It's the definition of a "set it and forget it" system.
If you're the type of rider who likes options...
Maybe you change trucks.
Maybe you haul one bike this weekend and three the next.
Maybe you own a van today but a pickup tomorrow.
Or maybe you simply like configuring things your own way.
Then I'd recommend the Hybrid Moto Rack.
It was designed for riders who want the freedom to build a system around the way they ride.
The Good News...
Here's the nice part.
There really isn't a wrong choice.
Both systems are proudly manufactured in the United States.
Both are designed by riders.
Both reinforce your truck bed.
Both securely transport motorcycles of virtually any size.
Both are built with premium materials.
Both are backed by our Limited Lifetime Warranty.
And both are supported by people who actually use them.
The difference isn't which one is better.
The difference is which one is better for you.
Still Not Sure Which One Fits Your Needs?
Every rider's setup is a little different.
Different motorcycles.
Different trucks.
Different riding styles.
Different priorities.
If you're trying to decide between the Bed Buddy and the Hybrid, give me a call or send me an email.
After helping riders transport motorcycles for nearly 30 years, I've learned that everyone's situation is a little different.
I'd much rather spend a few minutes helping you choose the right system before you order than have you guess.
That's how we've done business since the beginning, and I don't see that changing anytime soon.