Rent a trailer or must you use a shipper?

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Monkey · #1 Unread post by **Monkey** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 9:41 am

Hey everybody!

I will use this message to say hello and thank you for putting this great resource online. I am new to motorcycles, so new in fact, that though I have my license I've not yet a bike.

I am looking to get a good starter bike and I have done my research to know that 250-650cc is an okay size and I know I want a cruiser type Motorcycle. I have notice that these bikes because of their frugal fuel consumption are hard to come by so I have a great opportunity to expand my search market pretty soon as I will be driving (in my car) from Florida to Indiana.

My question is, if in the middle of tennessee I find a good bike and I want to buy it, what can I do? Uhaul motorcycle trailers are only for in town use. Do utility trailers work just fine? What do I need to get if i decide to do this?

The other possibility would be to buy it, lock it up in storage and then fly down and drive it back, but would you guys reccomend a long road trip for a beginner? It would also be more expensive.

Having a professional shipper is also costly and I would rather just take it home with me if I see one I like as I drive this long distance.

Thanks guys

the_sandman_454 · Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:04 am

This will probably be a solo trip I imagine? If not, you could just have someone else drive the car and you could ride the bike after warming up/practicing getting used to how it handles in a parking lot someplace nearby.

Any trailer should work provided it has a few tie-down points to use.

Monkey · #3 Unread post by **Monkey** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:11 am

yeah this is a solo driving trip.

So any of the regular trailers that uhaul rents, the kind you are allowed to one way rent, would work? Are there any pictures or instructions of towing a bike in a regular utility trailer?

I would be scared of tying it and having it fall n the trailer or worse, the road.

Lion_Lady · Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:18 am

If you can borrow a utility trailer that is long enough - diagonally - to accomodate the bike, you should be fine.

When strapping down, compress the front forks slightly. Tighten everything, and then pull over and re-check, retighten, everything after 15 minutes or so. Recheck whenever you stop.

Pay attention that the straps don't run between any bodywork pieces or can get pinched. It doesn't take much road vibration to wear thru a nylon strap.

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Monkey · #5 Unread post by **Monkey** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:22 am

Oh man...this makes things easier. I still must admit, short of my jetski and its specialized trailer I wouldn't know the first thing about tying it so i would be scared of that...Anyone have pictures? and trailer size suggestions for a 250cc bike or maybe a bit larger.

im excited now...but i dont want my new bike falling of my trailer.

Lion_Lady · Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:53 am

Four straps. Use the ratcheting kind. Spend money and get good ones, not the $8 set from Walmart.

On our BMW's We usually use the front fork legs as one anchor point, and then the rear frame as the second anchor point (where the pillion pegs are attached). Anchor one side front, then the other side, rear, then the go back to the front and then the rear.

Snug everything down good. Then make sure the bike is upright. Adjust as needed. Go back and snug once more.

With any luck, the seller has some idea how to tie everything down.

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Monkey · #7 Unread post by **Monkey** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 11:07 am

Now, I have learned that most uhauls only rent covered trailers for one way. How tall is a bike like a honda rebel, virago 250, boulevard c40, etc?

and would a covered uhaul present any other problems? it seems to make it easier if it has tie down points.

thanks! You are so helpful.

Lion_Lady · Mon Jul 28, 2008 11:10 am

Hmmm, HOme Depot rents utility trailers...

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Monkey · #9 Unread post by **Monkey** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 11:16 am

for one way rentals? I would need to pick it up wherever it is and then return it in an indiana homedepot

any other places that rent one way trailers?

Lion_Lady · Mon Jul 28, 2008 11:30 am

Why not just do round trip? Buy a couple bags of play sand (less than $5 each) to put on the trailer so it doesn't bounce around so much on your way there...

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