how to get a new bike home

[Mac_48]

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 ...well I have found an amazing monster , and I'm possibly going to be buying it on the 15th-16th ...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!

[Blackout]

Do you know how to ride yet? If so then RIDE IT!

[somegirl]

Congrats on the new bike!

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.

[DoubleEagle]

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.

[Popeye the Sailor]

I would try and find a DMF'er to ride it back for you.  [moto]

[Labbedds]

If no one can help I might be able to help you.

[Dareduc]

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

[somegirl]

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.

[Mac_48]

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 .  I guess that I could rent a uhaul to transport it...but getting someone to ride it would be cheaper

[herm]

post up in the NW section. you may be able to find someone to help you out there

[XJBaylor]

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 .  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!

[psycledelic]

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. 

[Serenitynow]

..but getting someone to ride it would be cheaper

You obviously don't know how much beer I can drink!!

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!

[Desmo Demon]

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.   


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.   

[roy-nexus-6]

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