Transporting a Motorcycle

M

Mikeru

New Member
I need to be able to pickup a motorcycle I'm buying from a dealership that is far away enough that I don't feel confident or comfortable enough in my riding skills to have someone drop me off and I ride the bike back. Being a noob inexperienced rider with 8-10 hours of seat time (all of which from the CSM motorcycle safety course), I think this would just be asking for trouble.

I'm aware that one can buy/ rent trailers designed specifically to transport motorcycles with, but unfortunately this is not an option for me since it would require me to buy and install a trailer hitch and wiring harness for my car which isn't really designed for such (although from Googling it has and can be done if all these things are installed).

The only other option I've thought of is to rent and drive a UHaul vehicle to the dealership and transport the bike home with. In which case I'm not sure whether renting the U-Haul Pickup Truck or Cargo Van would be better to accomplish the job... being that it is a 250cc bike, it isn't huge or extremely heavy, so I'm sure it would be loadable into either the pickup truck or cargo van, but what I'm more concerned about is how safely I'll be able to transport a bike in either of these with the least possibility of the bike being damaged enroute home... so likely I'll have to call up U-Haul and see which they suggest.

If there are any other options or factors I should consider, I'd gladly take any advice or suggestions you have about transporting motorcycles.

Thanks.
 
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desertrat

desertrat

0_0
Mikeru said:
I need to be able to pickup a motorcycle I'm buying from a dealership that is far away enough that I don't feel confident or comfortable enough in my riding skills to have someone drop me off and I ride the bike back. Being a noob inexperienced rider with 8-10 hours of seat time (all of which from the CSM motorcycle safety course), I think this would just be asking for trouble.

I'm aware that one can buy/ rent trailers designed specifically to transport motorcycles with, but unfortunately this is not an option for me since it would require me to buy and install a trailer hitch and wiring harness for my car which isn't really designed for such (although from Googling it has and can be done if all these things are installed).

The only other option I've thought of is to rent and drive a UHaul vehicle to the dealership and transport the bike home with. In which case I'm not sure whether renting the U-Haul Pickup Truck or Cargo Van would be better to accomplish the job... being that it is a 250cc bike, it isn't huge or extremely heavy, so I'm sure it would be loadable into either the pickup truck or cargo van, but what I'm more concerned about is how safely I'll be able to transport a bike in either of these with the least possibility of the bike being damaged enroute home... so likely I'll have to call up U-Haul and see which they suggest.

If there are any other options or factors I should consider, I'd gladly take any advice or suggestions you have about transporting motorcycles.

Thanks.
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Pickup, a few tiedown straps and a ramp and you should be good to go. Don't even need a ramp if you have a couple buddies to help you unload.
 
Dupontster

Dupontster

Would THIS face lie?
I am heading out to Pa right now to get one....I have a small trailer that I am transporting it on....Just make sure whatever you do to strap it down right....Stand it up and put 4 straps on it...Two in the front and 2 in the rear...Make sure all 4 are pulling close to even...Really no big deal....I will go get it for you but it wouldn't be until tomorrow or saturday....Today is taken...
 
M

Mikeru

New Member
Dupontster said:
I am heading out to Pa right now to get one....I have a small trailer that I am transporting it on....Just make sure whatever you do to strap it down right....Stand it up and put 4 straps on it...Two in the front and 2 in the rear...Make sure all 4 are pulling close to even...Really no big deal....I will go get it for you but it wouldn't be until tomorrow or saturday....Today is taken...
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Ah, thanks for the advice on strapping it down.

The bike isn't at the dealership yet, won't be in until the end of the month, but I appreciate the offer :). Have fun in PA.

letsgosailing said:
Call Motovation Cycles in ^Mechanicsville they transport bikes 301-472-1811
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Cool, I'll have to check out what they'd charge.
 
R

rich70

STEELERS NATION!!
Where are you picking it up from and where do you live? Do you have any friends that will ride it home for you?
 
desertrat

desertrat

0_0
onebdzee said:
You bought a bike that you haven't sat on yet and are afraid to ride the 45 minutes home?....WOW
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I used to get my dirt bike out to races by positioning the front tire in the trunk, removing the chain and tying it in, letting the rear tire roll on the road. Beverly hillbilly style. I might have taken the front tire off now that I think about it.
 
R

rich70

STEELERS NATION!!
onebdzee said:
You bought a bike that you haven't sat on yet and are afraid to ride the 45 minutes home?....WOW
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I bought my first bike without ever having riding one before. My best friend bought one, so I wanted one too. Someone traded one in at my dealership, I liked it so I bought it. Never rode one but I had to have it. My buddy rode it home for me and I taught myself how to ride by just riding in my neighborhood. Now 20 years later, I'm still crusing!
 
onebdzee

onebdzee

off the shelf
desertrat said:
I used to get my dirt bike out to races by positioning the front tire in the trunk, removing the chain and tying it in, letting the rear tire roll on the road. Beverly hillbilly style. I might have taken the front tire off now that I think about it.
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I think mine would fit in the back of my truck if I put the tailgate down....zman's fits back there with it up
 
glhs837

glhs837

Power with Control
If motovation doesn't work out, send me a PM, my schedule is pretty booked, but I might be able to help you out.....when I bought my bike, it was a sight unseen deal with a private seller, up in Romney, WV, and I used the trailer rather than deal with a temp registration on a bike I wasn't %100 I was going to buy.

Heres a post I made over on the Vstrom forums about the best way to strap a bike down

How to strap your bike to a trailer. W/Pics :) - Stromtrooper Forum : Suzuki V-Strom Motorcycle Forums
 
SD1492

SD1492

New Member
Don't own a bike, but saw this thread and wanted to add something. Make sure after you have straped it down and have started to drive, after about 2 or 3 miles pull over and check the straps to make sure they're still tite. I actually saw a dirt bike on the side of the road with the guys truck and trailer about 500 feet infront of it. The bike was tore up. I stopped to help him out putting it back on the trailer. Man was he pissed, but he had no one to blame but himself as he did not pull over after the first few miles to make sure it was straped down good. Hopefully this doesn't happen to you, just do your self a favor and check. It only takes a few minutes and you might be surprised at how loose the straps can get after hitting a few bumps. Good luck...
 
bohman

bohman

Well-Known Member
SD1492 said:
Don't own a bike, but saw this thread and wanted to add something. Make sure after you have straped it down and have started to drive, after about 2 or 3 miles pull over and check the straps to make sure they're still tite. I actually saw a dirt bike on the side of the road with the guys truck and trailer about 500 feet infront of it. The bike was tore up. I stopped to help him out putting it back on the trailer. Man was he pissed, but he had no one to blame but himself as he did not pull over after the first few miles to make sure it was straped down good. Hopefully this doesn't happen to you, just do your self a favor and check. It only takes a few minutes and you might be surprised at how loose the straps can get after hitting a few bumps. Good luck...
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This is good advice. I don't own a bike either, but have transported plenty of stuff strapped on the roof of a car/van and it's surprising how loose the straps can get even after you thought you had it tight. Go a couple miles, re-tighten, and then it should be fine after that.
 
B

basshawg95

New Member
bad advice

onebdzee said:
You bought a bike that you haven't sat on yet and are afraid to ride the 45 minutes home?....WOW
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as an MSF instructor, i preach 'being confident' in your ability to ride. that comes with time. you're being smart by arranging to transport it home. once you get it home, practice on a quiet street or parking lot until YOU feel comfortable taking it out in the world. don't let idiots like this guy influence your decision............
 
desertrat

desertrat

0_0
Mikeru said:
Ah, thanks for the advice on strapping it down.

The bike isn't at the dealership yet, won't be in until the end of the month, but I appreciate the offer :). Have fun in PA.



Cool, I'll have to check out what they'd charge.
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You could always just get a truck and an old matress and lay it down. No gas in tank of course.
 
Dutch6

Dutch6

"Fluffy world destroyer"
basshawg95 said:
as an MSF instructor, i preach 'being confident' in your ability to ride. that comes with time. you're being smart by arranging to transport it home. once you get it home, practice on a quiet street or parking lot until YOU feel comfortable taking it out in the world. don't let idiots like this guy influence your decision............
Click to expand...
onebdzee = guy? :killingme
 
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