how to get a new bike home

[gojira]

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.

[junior varsity]

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.

[Popeye the Sailor]

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.

[Blackout]

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.

[Aminul]

  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.     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.

[Popeye the Sailor]

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....

[junior varsity]

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...

[burt69er]

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!

[Mac_48]

Thanks for all of the replies   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) .  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).

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

Unfortunately I have the joy of a high tolerance too cheap beer=solution

[Snips]

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.

[CougarSlayer]

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

[corey]

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.

[Mac_48]

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 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

[m0t0g0th]

Thanks for all of the replies   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.

[Aus_X]

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]