Best way to haul motorcycle 500 miles back home?

Hi,

I just bought a brand new sport bike and I have to drive about 500 miles there (and 500 miles back!) to go pick it up. I need some advice on how to do this the best and most cost effective manner.

First of all, I've done quite a bit of research online, so please don't say to do that. Second, I found that my best plan is just to go with a U-Haul motorcycle trailer (open/uncovered).... which is what I have planned but I really wish I could use an enclosed trailer instead. The reason I am not going enclosed is because I hear they aren't designed for such and there are no anchors on the ground to secure the bike etc....

I just want to get anybody's opinion who may have been in this scenario. Also, I have never really towed anything of significance before, let alone 500 miles (the trip there would be with an empty trailer of course), but I'm not terribly concerned with small cargo like this. I just don't wanna cruze 500 miles down the Rockies and get rock chips in my new skins left and right.

Lastly, I'm running a DC shortbox with a 6" lift.

Any and all help welcome!

 

Fly out.
Ride home.
Take a friend with you.
He drives, you ride home.

 

Why not put the bike in the back of your truck?? Or did I miss read your post??

 

+1 on riding back. Plus it'll be broken in by the time you're done with 500 miles. Just hope it's not your first bike.

 

6" lift and 5' bed.

 

6 inch lift? Nice..
Check out the enclosed again.. I'm sure they have some that have anchors

 

So? I've hauled my sport bike several hundred miles in my short bed. Leave the tailgate down and the rear tire sits on it just fine. Get a good ramp and push that bike up into the truck. That's why you have a truck!!

 

If you use a trailer you'll be stuck going the slower speed limit.

Just saying..

 

^^^ This.

If you don't want to ride it home, invest in $20 worth of ratcheting tie-downs and leave the gate down on the return trip.

 

My old cbr could fit in bed easily. My current cruiser def would not. I have towed my cruiser in a u haul trailer. I would opt for an enclosed one but yiu could always cover it with a tarp or two. Good luck

The other obvious thing is just ride it. Even if u need to take a few breaks.

 

My 848 fit fine in my bed. If there's a sloped driveway or a good curb you can park from, even with your lift a ramp will work fine.

 

In the truck. We put a Harley vrod in mine. Tailgate down, strapped in, and used a 2 post car lift to put it in the back.

 

I think my cruiser exceeds the Tacoma's weight limit.

 

I use my first gen to haul my motorcycle.

 

wtf do you ride that is half-ton+?

I know for sure that my kawasaki kzp-1000, vulcan 1600, and bmw r1200gs could fit (angled) and strapped down no problems.

I personally have never ridden a 1000lb+ bike, but I recognize they are out there.


http://www.motorstown.com/images/boss-hoss-502-02.jpg

 

Probably around 800 or so.

 

500 miles would be a long ride on a rocket, but I am sure you can do it. If not, rent a enclosed u-haul trailer and tow it back.

 

By the way if you have issues fitting it in your bed, when my brother deployed, we hauled his bike back and didn't want the tailgate down since he had other stuff in the bed. We deflated both his tires and was able to clear just fine sideways. Ft. Hood TX. to Monterey CA...

You could save on the rental fee this way.

 

Nice bike! But still, angled in the back should be fine for 500 miles. I have ramps from when I owned 4 honda quads that would handle the loading no problem.

 

Ignore the ruffians. Try to get a sport bike into a Tacoma with a 6 inch lift and a short bed and you will have a wrecked bike. Tow it on the uhaul trailer and be done with it. AN uncovered trailer is fine. It is uncovered when you ride it.