Pulled the Trigger..Now I need to get it home
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 751
Likes: 3
From: Monterey, Louisiana
I have purchased two bikes in other parts of the country, , First was a 62 panhead dual glide in Detroit in 1981 took my van drove up and picked it up. I was up there when I saw the bike and purchased it in mid summer, went after it over the Labor Day Holiday back then brought it back to Louisiana,
Second time I purchased a bike from an FBI agent in Marina Del Ray, Ca. Flew out inspected the bike, and made memories riding it back to Louisiana.
Besides fly up pick the bike up and go on up to Sturgis you would be about half way there from Alabama. You will enjoy the ride back home, besides that is what you bought a road bike for is to ride!!!
Second time I purchased a bike from an FBI agent in Marina Del Ray, Ca. Flew out inspected the bike, and made memories riding it back to Louisiana.
Besides fly up pick the bike up and go on up to Sturgis you would be about half way there from Alabama. You will enjoy the ride back home, besides that is what you bought a road bike for is to ride!!!
Tourer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 483
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
http://www.heritagemotorcycleshipping.com/
a guy that bought my heritage from Georgia used this company and so did i when i got my glide from Kentucky.
they come to your driveway and pick it up, very convenient. they look over the bike and check for any visual flaws so when it is delivered they can tell the buyer this is what it looked like when it was loaded. it was around 700 so do the math and figure your time. but i will say if you fly up there you can look it over and test ride it before you take it for sure. I'm assuming they listed it as a turn key bike. If you show up and she rides and runs like $hit you could tell them to keep it but that would be worst case scenario. i thought bikes were usually cheaper down by you since you can pretty much ride year round!
a guy that bought my heritage from Georgia used this company and so did i when i got my glide from Kentucky.
they come to your driveway and pick it up, very convenient. they look over the bike and check for any visual flaws so when it is delivered they can tell the buyer this is what it looked like when it was loaded. it was around 700 so do the math and figure your time. but i will say if you fly up there you can look it over and test ride it before you take it for sure. I'm assuming they listed it as a turn key bike. If you show up and she rides and runs like $hit you could tell them to keep it but that would be worst case scenario. i thought bikes were usually cheaper down by you since you can pretty much ride year round!
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 537
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Congratulations. I bought my first bike (CBX Super Sport) in 1982 in Norfolk Va and rode it home to Ft Lauderdale, it was a huge bike and I was not an experienced rider so it was not a good idea but I made it and have some great memories! I sold my 20 year old Ninja 750 on eBay awhile back, the guy showed up with helmet no plate and forgot his license He rode it back to Orlando 3+ hour ride and was happy as a clam when he got home
I say find the cheapest way to get there and ride it home, you are buying very new bike from a HD dealer and your getting the warranty. I say plan the longest route home you can find using HD dealers as way points that way if you have any issues you will be close to a dealer and if you don't have any problems you can pickup a few souvenirs of your first ride.
I say find the cheapest way to get there and ride it home, you are buying very new bike from a HD dealer and your getting the warranty. I say plan the longest route home you can find using HD dealers as way points that way if you have any issues you will be close to a dealer and if you don't have any problems you can pickup a few souvenirs of your first ride.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,187
Likes: 11
From: Ladera Ranch, CA
Oh man, I would DEFINITELY inspect that thing at the place of purchase before you fork over the dough......then road trip it home. Map out your trip along a route where there are dealerships or reputable indy's in case you run into problems. Sounds like a fun "get acquainted" trip with your scoot!!
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 103
Likes: 3
From: RI
I bought my current motorcycle on ebay and a family member did the same. One was in NY the other PA. I also bought my truck (new) from a dealer in Ohio through eBay. All times they have been great transactions without any of the BS involved with dealing with people and dealerships as the price is agreed to before you even show up. For the motorcycles we used the uhaul motorcycle trailer and did the trip as logisitically it was the easiest. 9hrs away, i would do the same, or fly depending on airport locations. The uhaul trailer is dirt cheap and an easy weekend trip.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Bellevue Ia
Dubuque Harley is now a good dealership, Its owned by the same guy that owns the harley dealership in Sauk City Wisconsin. The former owner had money problems and unhappy employees, That was 5 or more years ago. Dubuque has a airport and I'm sure Harley will come and get you to pick up bike. Its on warranty so if anything is wrong Harley should fix it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 25
From: Santa Fe NM
By all means FLY and RIDE...
I've done it many times.... Have found some GREAT deals on ebay. When I lived in CA I've purchased bikes from IL, OR, AZ, NJ, MN, and FL rode all but two home.
I've done it many times.... Have found some GREAT deals on ebay. When I lived in CA I've purchased bikes from IL, OR, AZ, NJ, MN, and FL rode all but two home.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 2,419
From: USA
I'd either trailer it or ride it.
Getting tags to legally ride it home would be a big deal to me. Some states do not issue temporary tags to out of state owners. Would be a sad day to fly out there and find yourself unable to ride it home. Make *sure* you can do this before you buy tickets. There is also the question of reliability. Leaping on an unknown bike for a 900 mile ride, might be a bit more of an adventure than you want.
Trailering it involves driving and towing. Nothing more. If you've a friend with a good trailer, great. Otherwise, rent a uhaul special and go. Either haul the trailer out and back on a local rental, or do a one-way. Compare the prices, it can be substantially different. Could also be an excuse to buy a trailer.
Were it me, I'd be most inclined to trailer it back. But, riding it back could also be fun, as long as I were mentally prepared for a possible adventure.
Getting tags to legally ride it home would be a big deal to me. Some states do not issue temporary tags to out of state owners. Would be a sad day to fly out there and find yourself unable to ride it home. Make *sure* you can do this before you buy tickets. There is also the question of reliability. Leaping on an unknown bike for a 900 mile ride, might be a bit more of an adventure than you want.
Trailering it involves driving and towing. Nothing more. If you've a friend with a good trailer, great. Otherwise, rent a uhaul special and go. Either haul the trailer out and back on a local rental, or do a one-way. Compare the prices, it can be substantially different. Could also be an excuse to buy a trailer.
Were it me, I'd be most inclined to trailer it back. But, riding it back could also be fun, as long as I were mentally prepared for a possible adventure.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 480
Likes: 14
From: Wellsburg, IA
I looked at that same bike 2 wks ago. I assume its the same bike and its mint. I would offer to ride it down to you, but I just had a cervical fusion done last Thurs. So, I'm out. Enjoy. If I remember correctly, they had $19,999 on it sitting on the showroom floor.