So, I'm sort of in a dilemma right now :-\...as some of you know I am going to be taking my msf course next weekend [beer]...well I have found an amazing monster ;D, and I'm possibly going to be buying it on the 15th-16th [thumbsup]...the problem is that it is 3-4 hours away from my house and I'm trying to decide between spending the first time I'm on the streets bringing it back home on the highway [moto] or figure out another way to get it home ???. I'm going to be driving by the place that has the bike during a family trip(because all of us are back from college) so we will have a dodge caravan...plz help!
Do you know how to ride yet? If so then RIDE IT!
Congrats on the new bike! [thumbsup]
I do NOT recommend that you ride it home yourself. That is really too much for a new rider.
Options include:
- renting a trailer
- paying for delivery (if it is a dealer)
- asking a friend to ride it for you. [moto]
Where do you live? Maybe someone local to you can help.
I would think that you could find a nice Monster much closer to where you live now that school is out and hopefully you'll have some extra time to look for one. I wouldn't suggest riding 4 hours on the Highway if you are a new rider without much experience. The Highway is bad news even for experienced riders due to the way the cagers and the Semis fly all over the place.
I would try and find a DMF'er to ride it back for you. [moto]
If no one can help I might be able to help you.
if you have some seat time... ride it... if you don't... bum a pick up off of a friend. a 4 hour drive is worth a good deal on a monster. You could also make a trip of it. ride two hours... spend the night somewere... take your time. I dont know how senic the rout is. The day i picked up my first bike i rode to VEGAS!!!! 4 hours... Not a good idea... but i would do it again in a heart beat [thumbsup]
For those of you who are suggesting he ride it, he stated that he has yet to take his MSF class and has never ridden on the streets.
So a 3-4 hour freeway ride is really a BAD idea.
yep, I would have my endorsement, but it would still be the first time I've ridden(besides the msf course). If anyone is interested in riding a monster from Portland area to Sammamish, that would be great. Otherwise I'll have to go back after my vacation to pick it up in a truck [bang]. I guess that I could rent a uhaul to transport it...but getting someone to ride it would be cheaper :)
post up in the NW section. you may be able to find someone to help you out there [thumbsup]
Quote from: Mac_48 on May 28, 2008, 10:36:56 PM
yep, I would have my endorsement, but it would still be the first time I've ridden(besides the msf course). If anyone is interested in riding a monster from Portland area to Sammamish, that would be great. Otherwise I'll have to go back after my vacation to pick it up in a truck [bang]. I guess that I could rent a uhaul to transport it...but getting someone to ride it would be cheaper :)
In Dallas renting a Uhaul motorcycle trailer is $15/day, but you must return it to the location from which you picked it up. A 5x9 UHaul trailer is just $30. It may be a more reasonable cost than you think. Good luck!
Yea, Uhaul is the way to go, as long as you have something to pull it. Just watch out because the one that I rented had the tie down's on the wall and not the floor. It took me a while to get my bike secure enough for my taste, but I tend to be anal about stuff like that.
Quote from: Mac_48 on May 28, 2008, 10:36:56 PM
..but getting someone to ride it would be cheaper :)
You obviously don't know how much beer I can drink!! [evil] [beer]
If not ridden by someone you trust then uhaul it. When I got my first bike 12 years ago I had a friend go to the neighboring state to test ride it when we went up there in a borrowed work van to pick it up. Then when we got home went to a motorcycle shop to borrow their ramp to get the bike down off the van (the guy had a ramp where I bought it). I can almost feel your excitement!
As others have suggested, I'd recommend trailing it home or getting someone with more experience to ride it back for you. There wouldn't be anything worse than crashing your new ride and possibly getting seriously injured for your first real ride on the street.
Once you get it home, stick to back roads for a while, take it easy, and DO NOT give anyone a ride for a long time. You really need to have a good grasp of riding before you decide to risk someone else's life.
No matter what you decide, ride it, have fun, and be safe. [thumbsup]
BTW - I drove over 700 miles, one way, to go pick up this $900, non-running bike. There is no shame in trailering.....as long as you don't make a habit of it. [laugh]
(http://www.desmodemon.com/paso_trailer.jpg)
Ok, safety is the number ONE thing to consider.
When I bought my first monster 5 years ago, I was a complete n00b too. The bike was 2 hours away, so I had to ride it home. Freeways aren't too bad - usually straight with good visibility. Towns are where you could get into trouble. But when you GET it back, it's in town where you are going to learn to ride it.
So.
You seem to have some options, which is nice. I'd make the decision based on what makes you most comfortable. If in doubt, drive - or have a friend pick it up.
good luck!
Roy
Quote from: msincredible on May 28, 2008, 10:10:02 PM
For those of you who are suggesting he ride it, he stated that he has yet to take his MSF class and has never ridden on the streets.
So a 3-4 hour freeway ride is really a BAD idea.
+1.
I bought my Duc in PDX too, and had it delivered by them. Costs extra for the delivery to my door, but hey, I'm pragmatic about these things.
I suggest having a very-experienced, trustworthy friend ride it, or trailer it.
I personally don't think the freeway is where you'd have problems. Everything is going the same direction, and the bike is more stable at speed. I think the problem is when you get close to home, with lots of stops and starts, cross traffic, fatigue, numb hands, and lack of any mental clarity.
Play it safe this time.
That and he's never seen those speeds on a bike. Assume traffic is going 70-after the MSF you've seen maybe...20? 70 is scary on a naked bike if you've never done it. Heck, so is 50. I recall my first ride on the highway. I almost shat myself....I hadn't seen 55 yet-traffic was blowing by me....I was convinced I would be blown off the bike.
Most of us have been riding a while....it's easy to forget that it was scary and not at all easy when we started.
When I bought my first bike it was over 2 hours away through the mountains and across the valley floor. My wife asked how I was going to get it home. I just looked at her as if she was speaking some foreign language.
I had only about ten hours of street time on my brother's bike from years previous and a friend's bike but I had years of dirt bike experience.
So ultimately, if it's a question in your mind about safety, etc. then get someone else to ride it.
My first bike was just under 2 hours away, and the only riding I had done previously was at the MSF course. The first thing I did after I paid for it was find a big empty parking lot and get comfortable with the clutch, brakes, riding position, etc. From there I took it onto some smaller streets and eventually took some back roads home. 80KPH (50MPH) felt crazy fast, so there were a lot of upset people behind me. :o I took a break half way and made it home without a problem. I would NOT suggest going on an interstate or major highway with it on your first ride! See how comfortable you are after the MSF and make your decision then. If you aren't comfortable, truck it.
Idk if comfort should be the defining condition. He might feel comfy, but he's still clueless on the street....
The MSF teaches you how to operate a bike, at low speeds, in a parking lot. It's nothing like riding on the street....
My 'expert' opinion remains: trailer it home or have a friend who has ridden lots get it there, and build up slowly. Any new bike, even for an experienced rider, takes getting used to. My 900 was quite a surprise, from the power, the brakes, and the clutch, as well as turn-in characteristics.
There's no reason to chance binning it on the way home before you even get to show it off to the neighbors, or clean it up, or check tire pressure, or remove the reflectors...
Same boat here when I bought my 620. Dealer was an hour away, on had MSF course and had gone no faster than 30km on a 125.
My options were take the 401 home (average speed 80mph) or take some back roads (avg speed 50mph). I didn't know any fellow riders to ride for me and cheap ass dealer would not deliver. No pals with trucks or tow hitches (I gotta get some new friends).
I took the back roads home and had the wife follow me in the car to act as a blocker. Went slow at first and received the finger many times for being slow. Gave it back to show you are being an asshole. (Hey my first wave on a motorcycle).
As others mentioned was very nervous at 80km/hr for the first time, the bike doing all kind of weird shit (am I gonna crash) white knuckled on the bars. I was exhausted that first ride. Also thrilled...in a new bike owner sort of way. Riding into the small towns was the problem. Stalling at the lights (cursed late clutch engagement). Hearing the snickers of the Mrs behind me ("Told ya not to buy a motorcycle").
But survived....could be the time of your life or well you the get the idea...
Best of luck, but choose the safest option for YOU!
Thanks for all of the replies ;D I feel a lot better about my options now...i'm on the fence between renting a uhaul truck(the van doesn't have a hitch) or asking someone to ride it for me. The last thing I want to do is get in over my head and make myself feel crappy about getting the moto :-\. the big reservations I have about asking someone to ride is everything isn't final. I may get there to find out that someone bought it while I was waiting to go(since I want to wait until I have my endorsement) [bang]. If all works out though, I'd be willing to buy a cube and a train ticket home(if they need one of course) for the person who rode the monster home for me(it's the least I could do).
Quote from: Serenitynow on May 29, 2008, 05:31:54 AM
You obviously don't know how much beer I can drink!! [evil] [beer]
Unfortunately I have the joy of a high tolerance too [beer] cheap beer=solution
Quote from: msincredible on May 28, 2008, 10:10:02 PM
For those of you who are suggesting he ride it, he stated that he has yet to take his MSF class and has never ridden on the streets.
So a 3-4 hour freeway ride is really a BAD idea.
Soon after my MSF I picked up my 620. It was a short non-freeway ride and I got a friend to be my outrider, which really helped my confidence, but it was still a challenge - I saw a damp-patch on a right-hand corner, was too timid to lean, and crossed over to the other side of the road - fortunately I got away with it. I then spent some time in a parking lot, practicing emergency stops and different manouveres. I had some 'moments' where I nearly laid the bike over (badly anticipating fork dive and the like) but got away with it, and learned loads about how the bike responded to input as a result.
I've now put 4000 miles on a Monster without any incident, and I'm sure taking it easy and building up my experience was key to that.
^^^ all that might sound like I'm some sort of nervous rider dweeb. I really don't think I am, but I don't want to fall off or damage my Monster, and I'm pretty sure you don't.
Take it easy, take a cautious approach to putting your first miles under your belt and it will pay off.
Recommendation: don't make a 4 hour ride on unfamiliar and busy roads your first experience outside MSF.
First off what was the model monster you plan on picking up. Second, trailering would be the best recommendation. Highway riding is not a good place for riding a motorcycle for the first time even thought its where I feel a whole lot more comfortable riding the freeway, then any other place.
-panthro
PS Past that msf course
same thing happened to me. definately a good idea to NOT ride it.
my brother and i picked mine up with his GMC Sierra, and an ATV trailer.
It's an S2R 800....I took one look at it and couldn't keep it out of my mind so I decided to go for it ;D I've waited so long to get into motorcycles, I can't believe that it is actually happening....maybe I'm in a dream...someone pinch me :)
Quote from: Mac_48 on May 29, 2008, 11:35:13 AM
Thanks for all of the replies ;D I feel a lot better about my options now...i'm on the fence between renting a uhaul truck(the van doesn't have a hitch) or asking someone to ride it for me. The last thing I want to do is get in over my head and make myself feel crappy about getting the moto :-\.
Do NOT have someone else ride it for you. You don't know anyone particularly well, so it is a recipe for complications and disaster. Even a little weird thing in either direction (they get injured somehow, or your bike gets "that one mark that won't rub out") will add something to the getting of your bike that can never go away. People = complications.
Now, having some of these fun volunteers ride along in the tow, singing to make the miles fly, helping make sure the tow is solid and good - THAT is a great idea.
Having someone experienced help transport it is a great idea, they'll know what not to tether.
Having someone not on your insurance ride YOUR new bike - terrible, horrible, bad, idea.
I was in the same boat 18 months ago. I found the perfect S2R 800 but it was about 3+ hours away.
I recommend trailering the new bike. I didn't know anybody and didn't want to screw up my insurance by letting anyone else ride it home for me.
I had a couple of weeks before I was going to check out the bike, so I bought a tow hitch for about $100, which was mine whether I ended up buying the bike or not. I also bought a couple of ratchet straps and a set of canyon dancer tie downs (about $30 total). I also made a very simple front wheel chock out of some old wood.
I booked a U-Haul trailer for a one way trip. I tried to rent a U-Haul motorcycle trailer, but there were non left. The U-Haul guys are usually pretty good and they recommended one of the other trailers and it worked fine.
The wife and I went and viewed the bike, I think I was going to buy it the whole time no matter what.
I bought the bike and rode it to the hotel, where the wife and I were staying (we made a weekend out of it).
It was night and I froze my A$$ off and I really wasn't that comfortable on strange roads at night.
So anyway, I trailered it all the way home without a problem the next day. I don't regret trailering it home at all. It was basically freeway and 70mph all the way home and cold.
Trailer it, the U-Haul trailers are pretty cheap even for one way.
Good luck and have fun! Once you get used to it you'll love it! [moto]
Quote from: Mac_48 on May 28, 2008, 10:36:56 PM
yep, I would have my endorsement, but it would still be the first time I've ridden(besides the msf course). If anyone is interested in riding a monster from Portland area to Sammamish, that would be great. Otherwise I'll have to go back after my vacation to pick it up in a truck [bang]. I guess that I could rent a uhaul to transport it...but getting someone to ride it would be cheaper :)
Hey Mac, I'm sure one of us in the Portland area can help you out. Post up over there and see who can assist.
First of all I have to compliment your choice of bike. Just beware that it is plenty of bike for a beginner. Be careful but enjoy!! [thumbsup]
I would definitely recommend trailering it home. If someone else on this board volunteers help you out with a trailer that's awesome. If not I'd do the U-Haul thing.
Just don't be embarrassed to ask the dealer or someone with some experience help you tie the bike in properly. A shifted motorcycle that tips over or breaks loose will pretty much ruin the day for you. (Although probably not as much as a road accident might).