Is buying a bike 15 hours away a realistic option

[bdm7250]

The total length of my truck with the tailgate down is 97".
The reported wheelbase of the 2007 Pitbull is 78" (I would ask the seller to measure this to ensure accuracy).
Add another foot for the front wheel and we're at roughly 90" which *should* fit in my truck.
Worst case scenario I drive down 15 hours, I really don't want to, I detest driving.
He's considering cash on top of my bike which would make the deal far more attractive to me, ride down 15 hours, ride back 15 hours.

Let me know if you'd like to use a trustworthy transporter. PM me if you would like his number, he does regular runs between New Hampshire and Florida carrying high end cars. I have used him on 6 bikes.

 

[woodbutcher]

The total length of my truck with the tailgate down is 97".
The reported wheelbase of the 2007 Pitbull is 78" (I would ask the seller to measure this to ensure accuracy).
Add another foot for the front wheel and we're at roughly 90" which *should* fit in my truck.
Worst case scenario I drive down 15 hours, I really don't want to, I detest driving.
He's considering cash on top of my bike which would make the deal far more attractive to me, ride down 15 hours, ride back 15 hours.

a little FYI, wheelbase is the distance between front and rear axle, what you need to know is the wheelbase + half the front tire + half the rear tire. ends up making that puppy a lot longer than the bed of the truck. along with the fact that the back tire would be sitting on the tailgate.

 

[bdm7250]

a little FYI, wheelbase is the distance between front and rear axle, what you need to know is the wheelbase + half the front tire + half the rear tire. ends up making that puppy a lot longer than the bed of the truck. along with the fact that the back tire would be sitting on the tailgate.

Don' need this...

 

[bdm7250]

Put a mattress in the. Ok and lay the bike on its side and strap it down and hang a lumber tag off the back wheel

Now there's an idea...

 

[Nukeranger]

Ehhh...I think the closest member is Hew? Down in New Orleans. Probably almost 2 hrs?

Who you thinking is closer?

Sent from my 2PS64 using Tapatalk

Eric, your right.....I'm 2 hours and 15 minutes away from Columbia, MS. Right now my weekends are booked up until I retire June 1st which is coming up pretty quick.

 

[Reddickracing]

You close to making a deal?

 

[No H2O]

I want to ride that puppy back myself, that's the whole experience.
I'll do a one-way car rental is what I'm thinking.

 

[SCOTTx88]

Don' need this...
View attachment 56897

Looks like Toyota doesn't make a strong tailgate.

 

[SCOTTx88]

Rent a trailer, load yours in. Get driving. If he doesn't want yours, put yours in back of truck and dog in trailer.

 

[what?]

i'm in NJ and the seller was in Tampa area.

 

[SEAL-rider]

I want to ride that puppy back myself, that's the whole experience.
I'll do a one-way car rental is what I'm thinking.

I would not ride a Big Dog that is new to you further than 75 miles from home for at least 2-3 rides. If something goes wrong out on the road you won't have any resources to solve problems. Harley dealers and general repair shops are not going to be able to help you, and will often do more harm than good. These things need to have all the little gremlins sorted out before they are trustworthy.

 

[bdm7250]

I would not ride a Big Dog that is new to you further than 75 miles from home for at least 2-3 rides. If something goes wrong out on the road you won't have any resources to solve problems. Harley dealers and general repair shops are not going to be able to help you, and will often do more harm than good. These things need to have all the little gremlins sorted out before they trustworthy.

Could always plot out his route with active members in close proximity, with all the help on here you'd never be stranded..

 

[HMAN]

I agree with SEAL. You would be better off (and less stressed) if ya go with a trailer. Biggest hassle will be loading and tying down. Once you are home you can venture a bit further each time till you and the new Pup bond.

 

[Thejanitor000]

Had the same issue but my ride was 6 hours (Atlanta to Covington, Louisianna). Spent several months looking and finally found "the one" but I wasn't comfortable spending that kind of $$ on something I hadn't laid my own eyes on. Like Reddickracing, I bought mine from Shawn at Outlaw Cycles as well. Take a few pills to knock you out on the flight or grab a cutie and make a vacation out of it.

 

[No H2O]

You would be better off (and less stressed) if ya go with a trailer.

Twice I've had (not the cheap ones) straps unratchet. Luckily I saw the bike starting to lean out of my rear view mirror and pulled over in time.
To me, looking out the window ever two seconds and studying the angle of the bike (for 15 hours) will be far more stressful.
If the deal gets made I'll go with bdm7250's suggestion and look for members from MS to DC. I figure this would be a good chance to hang out with some cool folks along the way and break up the 15 hours.

 

[Reddickracing]

Yea when I tow mine on my open trailer I got 2 straps on the front 2 in the rear and 2 more as backups up front. Im bout 3 hours from there and prob less than 2 hours from where you will coming back up from to cross I-20 so I can help you in this area if you need anything

 

[pknowles]

Bolt on a condor chock and quit worrying about it falling. I still use straps with the condor just in case.

 

[Unsprung]

Bolt on a condor chock and quit worrying about it falling. I still use straps with the condor just in case.

Exactly what I use and can also be used in the garage without the kickstand. Don’t overthink it, but I will admit I stopped and checked my straps regularly since it was an enclosed trailer and I had no visuals.

 

[SEAL-rider]

if you don’t trust straps, back them up with rope. A well tied truckers hitch is very reliable.

 

[Milco]

I bought a bike 12 weeks from my homeadress