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Im >60 and found my unicorn bike 2k miles away.

Cafe Racer

Cafe Racer

King of this hill
Joined
Jul 1, 2002
Location
San Francisco
Moto(s)
...fall in love with me.
Name
Miguel
BARF perks
AMA #2881773
The bike is located about 2k miles away. I was thinking of flying out and riding back to SF. I will need to fly there. Towing back is not a great option.

The bike doesn't have much capacity so I plan to bring a tank bag and backpack and stay in motels. I dont want to strap items on amd scuff the bikes finish

It will likely hit rain so I will wear my Aerostich gear. I'll also bring a patch kit for just in case.

My question to you good folks, if you were traveling to pick up a bike and ride home, what would you do to prepare? Space is limited.

I hope to announce the bike in a few days.

Miguel
 
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For not a lot of money you could have it shipped - have you looked into that? Forward Air, Haul Bikes, and several others do this. If it’s more of a sport bike, which it sounds like it is given the lack of ability to carry stuff, you’re likely not going to get many miles in a day - how many are you thinking? How many days on the road?

Do the math: gas and tire wear for 2000 miles. Then add 4-5 nights in a motel and meals. You’re going to rack up a few hundred dollars right there. I’d bet you could get it shipped for less than $1000.

Anyway, what would I do to prepare? I’d make sure the bike was inspected and in solid mechanical shape before I got on the plane (I’ve done this - and backed out of one deal when I found out it wasn’t quite as good as advertised after I’d bought a one-way flight). Maybe sign up for AAA for emergency roadside/towing if needed.

And then figure out how much stuff I’m going to need beyond a toothbrush and an extra pair of underwear and extra t-shirt, and make sure it’ll all fit into a 25-30 liter backpack.

Can’t wait to hear what the bike is - such a tease… :)
 
I've made the ride from Atlantic City, NJ to California in four days. After riding to get there in some poor weather.

2,000 miles? That's a breeze! Most important item...credit card.

Two nights max. Gas is only a problem if there is shortages. Do watch your consumption when going wide open throttle is plains states. Tank gets dry fast.

Frogg Toggs for wet. Extra gloves. Dry bag to strap down what you think you need but I'll bet you never use. During flight, use dry bag as 'luggage'. Buy your underwear, sox, etc. there. Buy a souvenir T-shirt for the next day on each leg.

I'd ride whatever it is back if close to a major airport. My wife an ex-airline employee.

Oh yeah, a helmet com device is good for directions, Bluetooth'd from phone. Also, listen to local FM stations. When the zzzt of lightning fills your ear, the next thing will be a weather alert. You won't know whether you are in Muchzapasuki County, but the gas station will.

edit to add, don't wear the backpack
....and I'm pretty sure we've met so you know I was over 60 when I went coast-to-coast and back.
 
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If it were me, I'd either have it shipped, fly there and get a uhaul, or have it looked over by a local shop.

Or maybe just test the fates (and my credit card) and climb on and :ride
 
Sounds like the makings of a great adventure! That is the only reason I can imagine riding back vs shipping. I'd add a good camera so you document everything and spend hours editing a video and post it on YouTube for us to review :cool:

My own OCD for everything having to be perfect and sorted gets in the way of great adventures for me. I wish I could be more in the spirit of David Freiburger; "Don't get it right, just get it running".
 
Just to add to the shipping consideration…I just recently ( last month) contacted Haulbikes.com and was quoted $1197 round trip from Pleasanton to NJ and back to ship my bike.
I’d assume one way would be half of that.

The kicker is it’s on the truck for 3 weeks meandering around the country doing other drop offs and pickups.

A direct shipper I contacted was charging $1500 one way but the travel time was 1 week or less.
 
in 2004 I flew to San Diego to buy my 2002 SV650 and rode it back that day. I didn't bring anything but my helmet and gloves. Wore jeans, redwings and a leather jacket. It was a long day but exhilarating. From Sandy Eggo to the bay is about 500 miles and I think that is about the limit for a day of riding particularly on the slab. If you do fly and ride the lighter you travel the better, the reality is a cell phone and a credit card is really all the tool kit you need.
 
To actually prepare as per your request.

Photo of the tires born on date is good.

Figure out my route and any potential spots that can help with a mad unicorn issue.

Evaluate range and effectiveness of route for necessary unicorn juice stops.

Find motels close to bars to enhance nightly shenanigans.

Put my kid on notice for emergency broken unicorn pick up.

Put the Mrs on alert that you are coming home with unicorn power. :sex
 
planegray said:
If it were me, I'd either have it shipped, fly there and get a uhaul, or have it looked over by a local shop.

Or maybe just test the fates (and my credit card) and climb on and :ride
Click to expand...
I like this idea. Fly out. Uhaul pick up truck. Buy a wheel chock and ramp. Pack a cable/locks, straps and air tag/gps unit.

Depending on how much time you have, stop and see the sights.
 
(SEVERAL HINTS ENCLOSED)

Thanks everyone for the advice. Funny how obvious some of the advice really is but you need to be told by someone else to actually see it.

The bike was serviced at the dealership with a fresh new set of 60/40 tires. Also a new battery installed and oil service performed.

Option 1
Flying and renting a pickup is an great idea that I didn't even consider. I like the idea because it probably the fastest way back to SF considering that the bike only has a range of 150 miles.

Option 2
I have AAA and an AMEX so I shouldn't need much more than proper gear and a good bike lock since its sort of a bee line ride home. Biggest issue besides the limited range is the lack of frontal wind protection and cruise control.

Option 3
Having it shipped by a carrier at appx $800 is good but I didn't realize that it might take awhile as the hauler needed to pick up freight and drop off and unload and reload and..... yeah, i dont know about waiting 2-3 weeks. Its like waiting for the wife to give birth to the first kid.

I will be making the deposit on the bike tomorrow. Once that is done I'll make the announcement. Feel free to guess the bike. If you are correct, I'll treat you to lunch when you make it up to SF.

More tomorrow
 
My prep would be figuring out the best route to get home and bringing rok straps and painters tape to strap things to the bike. One change of clothes for off bike a few under layers, toiletries and whatnot. Maybe a backpack for extras. Credit card camping (motels) is the good life, as is any part of life where you are road tripping is also good. So basically, congrats on the bike and enjoy the adventure getting it back home!
 
greenmonster said:
Just to add to the shipping consideration…I just recently ( last month) contacted Haulbikes.com and was quoted $1197 round trip from Pleasanton to NJ and back to ship my bike.
I’d assume one way would be half of that.

The kicker is it’s on the truck for 3 weeks meandering around the country doing other drop offs and pickups.

A direct shipper I contacted was charging $1500 one way but the travel time was 1 week or less.
Click to expand...

needles said:
I'm having a GS 1200 shipped from the bay to Savannah GA for ~1200... hard to believe you can do it cheaper than that, but you run the risk of not being able to see it.
Click to expand...

Shipping coast to coast is about 800-1K depending on how fast you want it (enclosed). Prices have all moved up. 12 months ago, I paid $550 and $650 respectively, from PA to Bay area. This week I contracted for $900 from Illinois and looks like I'll be in about $700 for another from Dallas, Texas. Moving things are has gotten pretty pricey, IMO.
 
Yeah but when you figure in the cost of 3 meals/day + motel room rates + gas + slabbing for hours and hours maybe the shipping cost isn’t so high.
 
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