Selling a motorcycle quick, or shipping?

OddlyOrdinary · February 23rd, 2013, 10:55 AM

Hey Guys, so I had an immediate job offer that requires me to move from Texas to California. For a car I drive a Ford Explorer, which means that Budget/uHaul/etc won't rent a trailer to me(due to the 1990s firestone tires thing) even though my Explorer is from the late 2000s.

So the situation is I'm trying to sell my motorcycle crazy quick, I realize I'll lose money on it. Any suggestions on how to sell one quickly, it stinks because the weather has gotten colder again in Dallas. Has anyone sold a used bike to a dealer? What was that experience like?

Another question would be the possibility of having my bike shipped. The move would be 1,700 miles which makes me think cost of shipping would be 1/3rd or greater the cost of the bike itself. I'd guess my bike is worth 2,600-3k. If you've done a long ship I'd be interested in hearing about it.

Side note, the search on the forum really sucks.

csmith12 · February 23rd, 2013, 11:06 AM

Gratz!

uship.com (an ebay company) a real option because the cost of a replacement bike will be more in CA. Should be around a 3 big face shipping note.

As for selling real quick, nothing beats a good price and posting on local forums, CL and and word of mouth.

Try this page for searching. http://www.ninjette.org/index2.php?pageid=google

Good luck with your move and new job!

CC Cowboy · February 23rd, 2013, 11:07 AM

Looks like $400.00.

http://www.joehauler.com/pricelist.shtml#jh01

I take that back. Looks like $114.00.

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog...bumper+carrier

csmith12 · February 23rd, 2013, 11:07 AM

Sounds like you need some new tires on the cage too.

Alex · February 23rd, 2013, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OddlyOrdinary

Side note, the search on the forum really sucks.

What problems are you having with search?

Motofool · February 23rd, 2013, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OddlyOrdinary

Hey Guys, so I had an immediate job offer that requires me to move from Texas to California.........

Very frequently, the new employer is willing to pay for some of the relocation's expenses, specially when there is a hurry.

Did you ask?

Did you consider riding it or buying a trailer (which you could sell in California)?

xSean13 · February 23rd, 2013, 12:01 PM

Cram that thing into your explorer.

SMman · February 23rd, 2013, 12:11 PM

I shipped my CRF and my daughter's TTR from NB, Canada to MB, Canada. Its 4000 kms (2485 miles). A bike shop in NB loaded both bikes and a bunch of parts, stand, gas cans, etc. into a crate from a BMW motorcycle. The move went very well with zero damage.

That's crazy they won't rent you a trailer. How about a hitch mounted motorcycle carrier?

Yakaru · February 23rd, 2013, 12:43 PM

HaulBikes is bringing Momaru's bike from the East Coast all the way to Cali and BACK for 1k for our track day/tour of cali. It would probably be 300-500 for your bike from TX, I'd bet.

http://haulbikes.com/

Our other leading contendor was Wolverine:

http://www.wolverinetransport.com/

Ship it -- way cheaper than buying a new bike.

Motofool · February 23rd, 2013, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xSean13

Cram that thing into your explorer.

Or into a U-haul van or box truck

OddlyOrdinary · February 23rd, 2013, 01:35 PM

Hey guys, thanks for the suggestions. I didn't realize the cost of motorcycles in California was more expensive, I might try to ship my bike then. I was thinking I would sell my bike and then buy another later after I had settled in, but a >1k difference makes it worth it to ship I think.

Yakaru, do you know how you got your bike moved so cheap? Looking at their site makes it look like 585+30% to ship.

I put up an auction on uShip so we'll see how that goes.

Yakaru · February 23rd, 2013, 01:46 PM

Dunno where you got the 30% from? Basically for us it is a Zone 2-Zone 8 and then Zone 8 to Zone 2 -- $675 each way but a discount for a roundtrip.

xaple · February 23rd, 2013, 01:54 PM

Why not get your own trailer, it will cost less than shipping and you have it for later or could resell it?

CC Cowboy · February 23rd, 2013, 03:09 PM

Will you be able to register your non-California bike once you get to California?

Alex · February 23rd, 2013, 03:12 PM

For people that are moving to California, there is an exception for the vehicles that they bring in. He will have no trouble registering the bike.

psych0hans · February 24th, 2013, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OddlyOrdinary

Side note, the search on the forum really sucks.

Use the google search option from the drop down menu

Dragone · February 24th, 2013, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xaple

Why not get your own trailer, it will cost less than shipping and you have it for later or could resell it?

Or u-haul van with the bike and goods in the back and trailer your explorer.

leed · February 24th, 2013, 02:10 AM

+1 for buying trailer. I opted to buy a trailer for $200 and drive my bike from NC to IL along with some of my other household goods. Mind you, I did this 900 mile trip with my Subaru Impreza as my tow vehicle. 200 dollars is less than renting a trailer even if you could.

csmith12 · February 24th, 2013, 07:58 AM

Get a HF coupon and see who has this in stock.

CynicalC · February 24th, 2013, 09:11 AM

If he's moving here in a hurry you can he almost sure he'll be renting. In which case storing a trailer likely won't be possible. Another option is just putting the bike in storage until you have time to deal with it later? Are you renting a moving truck or leaving some stuff behind for now? Maybe leave it with a friend or something?

lgk · February 24th, 2013, 09:22 AM

wouldn't sell it, CA has some nice roads to take advantage of.
cram it into the trailer.

February 23rd, 2013, 10:55 AM	#1
OddlyOrdinary ninjette.org member Name: Asdf Location: A Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 SE Ninja 250 Posts: 83	Selling a motorcycle quick, or shipping? Hey Guys, so I had an immediate job offer that requires me to move from Texas to California. For a car I drive a Ford Explorer, which means that Budget/uHaul/etc won't rent a trailer to me(due to the 1990s firestone tires thing) even though my Explorer is from the late 2000s. So the situation is I'm trying to sell my motorcycle crazy quick, I realize I'll lose money on it. Any suggestions on how to sell one quickly, it stinks because the weather has gotten colder again in Dallas. Has anyone sold a used bike to a dealer? What was that experience like? Another question would be the possibility of having my bike shipped. The move would be 1,700 miles which makes me think cost of shipping would be 1/3rd or greater the cost of the bike itself. I'd guess my bike is worth 2,600-3k. If you've done a long ship I'd be interested in hearing about it. Side note, the search on the forum really sucks.

February 23rd, 2013, 11:06 AM	#2
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	Gratz! uship.com (an ebay company) a real option because the cost of a replacement bike will be more in CA. Should be around a 3 big face shipping note. As for selling real quick, nothing beats a good price and posting on local forums, CL and and word of mouth. Try this page for searching. http://www.ninjette.org/index2.php?pageid=google Good luck with your move and new job! __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

February 23rd, 2013, 11:07 AM	#3
CC Cowboy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Whodat Location: Ware Is.,MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14	Looks like $400.00. http://www.joehauler.com/pricelist.shtml#jh01 I take that back. Looks like $114.00. http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog...bumper+carrier __________________________________________________ If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough!

February 23rd, 2013, 11:07 AM	#4
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	Sounds like you need some new tires on the cage too. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

February 23rd, 2013, 12:11 PM	#8
SMman ninjette.org guru Name: Danger Location: Canada Join Date: Jan 2011 Motorcycle(s): 15 CBR300R, 14 BWS50, 09 FZ1, 09 Ninja 250, 06 CRF450R Motard, 03 ZX-6R Posts: 422	I shipped my CRF and my daughter's TTR from NB, Canada to MB, Canada. Its 4000 kms (2485 miles). A bike shop in NB loaded both bikes and a bunch of parts, stand, gas cans, etc. into a crate from a BMW motorcycle. The move went very well with zero damage. That's crazy they won't rent you a trailer. How about a hitch mounted motorcycle carrier? __________________________________________________ 15 CBR300R, 14 BWS50, 09 FZ1, 09 Ninja 250, 06 CRF450R Motard, 03 ZX-6R 636

February 23rd, 2013, 12:01 PM	#7
xSean13 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Sean Location: Middle TN Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250r (sold) / '03 CBR 600RR Posts: A lot.	Cram that thing into your explorer.

February 23rd, 2013, 12:43 PM	#9
Yakaru The Violet Vixen Name: Yakaru Location: Issaquah, WA & Las Vegas, NV Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): Perigee (250), Hotaru (250), Saturn (300), Pearl (300), Zero (S1000RR), Chibi (Z125), Xellos ('18 HP4R) Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jun '16	HaulBikes is bringing Momaru's bike from the East Coast all the way to Cali and BACK for 1k for our track day/tour of cali. It would probably be 300-500 for your bike from TX, I'd bet. http://haulbikes.com/ Our other leading contendor was Wolverine: http://www.wolverinetransport.com/ Ship it -- way cheaper than buying a new bike.

February 23rd, 2013, 01:35 PM	#11
OddlyOrdinary ninjette.org member Name: Asdf Location: A Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 SE Ninja 250 Posts: 83	Hey guys, thanks for the suggestions. I didn't realize the cost of motorcycles in California was more expensive, I might try to ship my bike then. I was thinking I would sell my bike and then buy another later after I had settled in, but a >1k difference makes it worth it to ship I think. Yakaru, do you know how you got your bike moved so cheap? Looking at their site makes it look like 585+30% to ship. I put up an auction on uShip so we'll see how that goes.

February 23rd, 2013, 01:46 PM	#12
Yakaru The Violet Vixen Name: Yakaru Location: Issaquah, WA & Las Vegas, NV Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): Perigee (250), Hotaru (250), Saturn (300), Pearl (300), Zero (S1000RR), Chibi (Z125), Xellos ('18 HP4R) Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jun '16	Dunno where you got the 30% from? Basically for us it is a Zone 2-Zone 8 and then Zone 8 to Zone 2 -- $675 each way but a discount for a roundtrip.

February 23rd, 2013, 01:54 PM	#13
xaple ninjette.org guru Name: Daniel "God" Location: South Florida Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: 326	Why not get your own trailer, it will cost less than shipping and you have it for later or could resell it?
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

February 23rd, 2013, 03:09 PM	#14
CC Cowboy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Whodat Location: Ware Is.,MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14	Will you be able to register your non-California bike once you get to California? __________________________________________________ If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough!
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

February 23rd, 2013, 03:12 PM	#15
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	For people that are moving to California, there is an exception for the vehicles that they bring in. He will have no trouble registering the bike. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

February 24th, 2013, 02:10 AM	#18
leed ninjette.org sage Name: David Location: Loves Park, IL Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): Time will tell Posts: 969	+1 for buying trailer. I opted to buy a trailer for $200 and drive my bike from NC to IL along with some of my other household goods. Mind you, I did this 900 mile trip with my Subaru Impreza as my tow vehicle. 200 dollars is less than renting a trailer even if you could.

February 24th, 2013, 07:58 AM	#19
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	Get a HF coupon and see who has this in stock. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

February 24th, 2013, 09:11 AM	#20
CynicalC ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Colin Location: Bay Area Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): '96 EX250 Posts: A lot.	If he's moving here in a hurry you can he almost sure he'll be renting. In which case storing a trailer likely won't be possible. Another option is just putting the bike in storage until you have time to deal with it later? Are you renting a moving truck or leaving some stuff behind for now? Maybe leave it with a friend or something? __________________________________________________ Ç¥ñï©ª\| ßÿ Ñâ7µ®é. Äñt¡~§º¢Ïä\| ßý Çhøî©è.

February 24th, 2013, 09:22 AM	#21
lgk ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Norfolk, VA Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 EX250, 2014 EX300 Posts: A lot.	wouldn't sell it, CA has some nice roads to take advantage of. cram it into the trailer. __________________________________________________ Ethioknight Memorial Fund- Sticker sale http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=111700

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