August 10th, 2015, 08:48 AM | #1 |
Daily Ninjette Rider
Name: Steve
Location: Hollywood, FL
Join Date: Jul 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250R, 2015 Vespa GTS 300 IE Super, 1989 Honda Elite 80 (SOLD) Posts: 402
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Best way to move our bikes?
We're moving to Miami in a few weeks, which means we need to figure out how to get the bikes down there, my ninjette and my wife's Vespa. We're renting an RV to drive ourselves and our menagerie of cats and dogs down and our stuff will be going on a moving truck. I think there's two options:
1. Have the movers take the bikes This seems expensive from what I've seen, and I'd be concerned about them being handled properly. 2. Trailer them behind the RV This seems like the best option, but I don't have a trailer and the U-Haul website said it would cost $700!!?!? to rent a motorcycle trailer for a one-way move. This makes it look like buying a trailer is the best option, as I'd like to have one anyway and it seems like I can buy one for less than $700. I don't have any experience with trailers, though - this one looks like it would work: http://www.harborfreight.com/automot...els-90154.html Do you just put plywood decking on top and strap the bikes down? I've also seen ones that have a sort of track that the tires go into. Any other options, experiences, or trailer advice?
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August 10th, 2015, 08:59 AM | #2 |
Motorcycle Nurse?
Name: Jacques
Location: Gulf Coast
Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250R, 1998 Ducati 748L #77/100 Posts: 606
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A plain open utility trailer by uhaul will work. No need for a motorcycle specific trailer
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August 10th, 2015, 09:00 AM | #3 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Hansveer
Location: Bombay, India
Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r - Track whore, Ninja 300 - SOLD, KTM RC390 - Orange Hulk, Ducati 899 Panigale - Red Devil. Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
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August 10th, 2015, 09:02 AM | #4 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Kevin
Location: Portland, OR
Join Date: Oct 2013 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R, Tiger 800 XRT Posts: 828
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Can you fit them inside the RV? Might be a challenge to find appropriate anchor points for tying down, but if you can that's what I'd probably do.
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August 10th, 2015, 09:05 AM | #5 |
Daily Ninjette Rider
Name: Steve
Location: Hollywood, FL
Join Date: Jul 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250R, 2015 Vespa GTS 300 IE Super, 1989 Honda Elite 80 (SOLD) Posts: 402
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Hmmmm I hadn't considered this, there might be room. Have to investigate the floorplan and the entry/exit logistics.
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August 10th, 2015, 09:07 AM | #6 |
ᗧ•••ᗣ•ᗣᗣ•••ᗣ
Name: Nick
Location: NY
Join Date: Nov 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R and 2014 Triumph 675R Posts: A lot.
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Best Option:
step 1) Don't rent the RV step 2) Sell the dogs and cats step 3) Ride bikes down step 4) Use money from selling animals and not renting RV to buy another bike lol JK
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Spoiler for topic:
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2 out of 2 members found this post helpful. |
August 10th, 2015, 09:10 AM | #7 | |
Daily Ninjette Rider
Name: Steve
Location: Hollywood, FL
Join Date: Jul 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250R, 2015 Vespa GTS 300 IE Super, 1989 Honda Elite 80 (SOLD) Posts: 402
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Quote:
3 out of 4 cats are streetcats that we took in, and the dogs are large and quite possibly the worst-behaved dogs in the world.
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August 10th, 2015, 09:13 AM | #8 |
Certified looney toon
Name: Teri
Location: 39°52'40.7"N 118°23'53.8"W (Northern NV)
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 102k+ miles -- 2014 CB500X, 42k+ miles Posts: A lot.
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Check CL, I always see bike trailers around here. My dad picked up a small boat trailer that the owner converted to be a bike trailer by adding a chock up front. Best part it was only around $200.
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August 10th, 2015, 09:14 AM | #9 |
Daily Ninjette Rider
Name: Steve
Location: Hollywood, FL
Join Date: Jul 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250R, 2015 Vespa GTS 300 IE Super, 1989 Honda Elite 80 (SOLD) Posts: 402
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The U-Haul utility trailer is $731 also. The rates are just crazy for one-way trailer rentals.
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August 10th, 2015, 09:42 AM | #10 |
Participant
Name: Dave
Location: South of Seattle
Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): '94 K75 std Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Aug '15
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August 10th, 2015, 10:14 AM | #11 |
Blind 250 Loving Whore
Name: Tom
Location: Chesapeake, VA
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250R, 02 FZ1, '20 Fat Bob 114 Posts: A lot.
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Ya that's how uhaul makes their money. It's $15 if you return it to the same place but "oh you want to return it to a different state? $10,000."
Better off buying the trailer. |
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August 10th, 2015, 12:09 PM | #12 |
٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶
Name: asdfman
Location: SF, CA
Join Date: Nov 2014 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250 held together by duct tape and zip ties Posts: 122
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August 10th, 2015, 12:39 PM | #13 |
n00b with the b00bs
Name: Jen
Location: Southern California
Join Date: Jan 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2007 EX250, 2008 EX250, 2001 ZR-7S, 2010 ZX-6R Posts: 470
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There's also uship.com
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1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
August 10th, 2015, 03:46 PM | #14 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Tom
Location: Northern Virginia
Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2001 Ninja 250, 2019 Harley Ultra Classic, 2001 Suzuki SV650 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jan '16
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Something like this, make sure you grease the bearings before you leave.
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/m...158398466.html Or this: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/m...149542015.html I'm sure you can find similar in your area. |
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August 10th, 2015, 04:45 PM | #15 |
Blind 250 Loving Whore
Name: Tom
Location: Chesapeake, VA
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250R, 02 FZ1, '20 Fat Bob 114 Posts: A lot.
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August 10th, 2015, 08:29 PM | #16 |
Daily Ninjette Rider
Name: Steve
Location: Hollywood, FL
Join Date: Jul 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250R, 2015 Vespa GTS 300 IE Super, 1989 Honda Elite 80 (SOLD) Posts: 402
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I've found a few good ones on Craigslist, that looks like the best option. The only issue is that we'll be renting the RV with a hitch, and I don't have a hitch on my car to pick up one from Craigslist. Maybe I can arrange a delivery.
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August 11th, 2015, 12:44 AM | #17 |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: Johny
Location: Fairbanks,Alaska
Join Date: Jan 2015 Motorcycle(s): VFR800 Posts: 9
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August 14th, 2015, 11:30 AM | #18 |
Track Clown
Name: Chris
Location: Kingman, AZ
Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): '08 250R, 21 MV F3 800, Kawasaki 400 build Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Sep '15
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what kind of RV are you getting? Probably could get the Vespa in it. then get a hitch-haul transporter.
Hitch Haul |
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August 14th, 2015, 12:38 PM | #19 |
Cat herder
Name: Gort
Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location
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The HF trailer is going to be about the cheapest way to go if you can't fit the bikes inside the RV. I have the same one you linked to and it works just fine to transport my bike to the track, behind an econobox.
Yes... you assemble it and put plywood decking on it. Or just get one used. That's what I did. The trailer itself can be found for $249 with coupon all day long, so they hold resale pretty well. I paid IIRC $280 for a used one... still a good deal because i didn't have to build the thing. Add registration to that. You'll need ramps, and wheel chocks are a good idea. So is a spare wheel. You don't need rails. Do your homework on strapping the bike down. You do NOT want to crank it down as tight as you can, unless you really like changing fork seals. As others have noted, they do make racks for the back of the RV, but they're really made for dirt bikes. Don't know if I'd trust a street bike on one. To be honest, it's probably smarter to sell the bike and the scooter and just get new ones when you arrive. Ninjettes are entry level motorcycles, not something rare and irreplaceable. Same with Vespas.
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August 15th, 2015, 02:26 PM | #20 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Tom
Location: Northern Virginia
Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2001 Ninja 250, 2019 Harley Ultra Classic, 2001 Suzuki SV650 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jan '16
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I would think most people selling a trailer on Craig's List would deliver it for an extra $50 or so if you aren't too far away.
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August 15th, 2015, 04:35 PM | #21 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Kevin
Location: Stockton California
Join Date: Feb 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250R Posts: 362
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If you do buy a Harbor Freight trailer: (1) Repack the wheel bearings with grease before so much as moving it. They can come from the factory fairly dry and with a low grade quality of grease.(2) Don't trust their rated capacity to be accurate. I knew someone who bought one, loaded to less than the stated capacity, and at the end of the trip their was a bow in the axle. Personally, I think they're junk. Spend the money to buy a used cargo trailer or pay to have the bikes shipped and insured.
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August 15th, 2015, 06:13 PM | #22 | |
Participant
Name: Dave
Location: South of Seattle
Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): '94 K75 std Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Aug '15
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Quote:
I have a 1994 trailer that a buddy of mine bought new and I helped assemble that year. He sold it to me 16 years ago. I've popped the bearing caps a couple of times over the years to inspect the grease, but never had to add any. The last few times I've used the trailer for an 86 mile freeway run, I've checked the bearings post-drive by touching around the bearings to see if they are warm or hot: everything has been fine. Sorry to hear you got short changed on the grease. My trailer bearings are still ok. Still, a good cautionary tale and good suggestion to check for adequate grease. |
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August 15th, 2015, 06:15 PM | #23 | |
Participant
Name: Dave
Location: South of Seattle
Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): '94 K75 std Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Aug '15
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Quote:
I bought mine used, too. |
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