Winter Escape
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Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 65
Likes: 44
From: Kalama, WA
Winter Escape
Hi yall again,
I really enjoy the forum input, most of the time. Its always varied, interesting and sometimes (?) maybe just a little opinionated.
I live in SW Washington and have about had my fill of our winter weather and am planning a temporary escape. I have several options on the table and among them are to pack up the bike, take or ship it south and ride for two or three weeks to dry out and warm up.
Bike options include:
1) Ship my bike to a friends place in Arizona, fly down, ride, ship it back and then fly home.
2) Fly down, rent a bike for 2 or three weeks and fly back home.
3) Put the Fatboy on a trailer and tow it down, ride and tow it back.
I know some are going to say to just ride it down but my days of riding in pouring down rain and riding over mountain passes in the snow are DONE! This is to be an escape, not an endurance test.
On another note, if I decide to trailer Dragon to warmer climes I have looked at trailers and have been surprised to see that about half of the motorcycle trailers are solid axels with no springs which just doesnt seem right. What are your thoughts on that?
Looking forward to comments, Randy
I really enjoy the forum input, most of the time. Its always varied, interesting and sometimes (?) maybe just a little opinionated.
I live in SW Washington and have about had my fill of our winter weather and am planning a temporary escape. I have several options on the table and among them are to pack up the bike, take or ship it south and ride for two or three weeks to dry out and warm up.
Bike options include:
1) Ship my bike to a friends place in Arizona, fly down, ride, ship it back and then fly home.
2) Fly down, rent a bike for 2 or three weeks and fly back home.
3) Put the Fatboy on a trailer and tow it down, ride and tow it back.
I know some are going to say to just ride it down but my days of riding in pouring down rain and riding over mountain passes in the snow are DONE! This is to be an escape, not an endurance test.
On another note, if I decide to trailer Dragon to warmer climes I have looked at trailers and have been surprised to see that about half of the motorcycle trailers are solid axels with no springs which just doesnt seem right. What are your thoughts on that?
Looking forward to comments, Randy
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 1,153
Likes: 1,283
From: Texas Hill Country
I've had my bike shipped twice for work related relocations and wasn't happy either time. Since then truck and freight logistics has absolutely gone to hell.
They won't load your bike in Washington on the same truck it will arrive at in your final destination.
It will be shipped to an undisclosed location where it will sit and wait for other freight headed in your direction. Your bike may go through several re-mix centers piling up all sorts of delay and possible damage every time your pallet is loaded and unloaded.
Shipping companies don't tell you this going in. Some even make unrealistic "guarantees" about delivering on time. However once they take possession you are at their mercy.
The next tip if you decide to ship it. Take detailed photos of your bike at both origination and destination. Look it over very carefully at delivery being sure to note any shortages and damage. If you don't catch this at delivery then you are stuck with it. It's called a point of exchange inspection and you don't want to get caught holding the hot potato cause you'll end up eating it.
When you consider expense and inconvenience some find it cheaper to just rent a bike for a few days or a week at destination.
They won't load your bike in Washington on the same truck it will arrive at in your final destination.
It will be shipped to an undisclosed location where it will sit and wait for other freight headed in your direction. Your bike may go through several re-mix centers piling up all sorts of delay and possible damage every time your pallet is loaded and unloaded.
Shipping companies don't tell you this going in. Some even make unrealistic "guarantees" about delivering on time. However once they take possession you are at their mercy.
The next tip if you decide to ship it. Take detailed photos of your bike at both origination and destination. Look it over very carefully at delivery being sure to note any shortages and damage. If you don't catch this at delivery then you are stuck with it. It's called a point of exchange inspection and you don't want to get caught holding the hot potato cause you'll end up eating it.
When you consider expense and inconvenience some find it cheaper to just rent a bike for a few days or a week at destination.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 65
Likes: 44
From: Kalama, WA
I was thinking about that, maybe even a box trailer so the bike would have some protection and a little security.
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 363
Likes: 160
From: Kennesaw, GA
That's a tough one. But, I think I would:
1. Rent a trailer or borrow one if you have a friend with one
2. Rent a bike. I'd just much rather ride mine, but sometimes a change is fun.
3. Ship it. I would be a nervous wreck shipping my bike. I can count on one hand the number of people I would trust with my bike and I lost a finger when I was younger...
1. Rent a trailer or borrow one if you have a friend with one
2. Rent a bike. I'd just much rather ride mine, but sometimes a change is fun.
3. Ship it. I would be a nervous wreck shipping my bike. I can count on one hand the number of people I would trust with my bike and I lost a finger when I was younger...
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Thread Starter
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Advanced
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 65
Likes: 44
From: Kalama, WA
Renting a trailer is the direction I'm leaning. My pickup has a canopy on the back, and I put a cot inside which opens up another option, I can sleep in motels, or the back of the truck unload the bike and go for a ride for a day or a week or whatever. This isn't just about the ride but more about the trip. I'm tired of sitting inside and looking out at the rain and yuck. I am also nervous about shipping the Dragon but have "talked" with others that have had good experiences with shippers. I lost the tip of a finger; I wonder if that means I can count to 4 7/8 on that hand and would that mean a 7/8 person or maybe just a short one?
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 363
Likes: 160
From: Kennesaw, GA
Renting a trailer is the direction I'm leaning. My pickup has a canopy on the back, and I put a cot inside which opens up another option, I can sleep in motels, or the back of the truck unload the bike and go for a ride for a day or a week or whatever. This isn't just about the ride but more about the trip. I'm tired of sitting inside and looking out at the rain and yuck. I am also nervous about shipping the Dragon but have "talked" with others that have had good experiences with shippers. I lost the tip of a finger; I wonder if that means I can count to 4 7/8 on that hand and would that mean a 7/8 person or maybe just a short one?
