Cycle Hauling, Transport & Tour Service to Out West?

[WingmanRT]

At the Easy Rider show here in Charlotte a few weeks ago, I ran across a company (http://lynnisenhour.com/) out of Winston-Salem that has a service where they will transport your cycle (on pre-scheduled tours) with other bikes, and then take everyone on planned rides. For example, Sturgis, SD; Daytona Bike Week; Calif Coast; Las Vegas (Grand canyon, Hoover Dam, etc.).

My wife dreams of the Jackson Hole Wyoming/Montana/Yellowstone trip. You pay for your airfare, and hotels and they transport your bike and coordinate the tours. I talked to Lynn the other night and he said that Wyoming has been sold out since Nov and has 9 on the list for next year. Worse, when he found out I had a Spyder, possibly two, he talked about charging me triple per Spyder, based on the amount of room it takes up. I get it. Don't like it, but get it. He told me if I was up his way that he would love to get my bike in his truck to check for spacing for other Spyder ryders.

The fee is already pretty steep, but double or triple is out of the question to make a trip affordable. By the time you add airfares and hotels and food, this is becoming a second mortgage. (Before you say it, NO, I am not going to drive my Spyder 2000 miles to Wyoming to ride another 1500, then 2000 back. Besides the fact that I don't have a month to do it in, I value my ass and bike a little more than that. If you are retired or don't have work commitments or think I am a candy ass, I can live with that. ) I can rent Harleys out there, but I didn't buy one of those because I like my Spyder better. What's the point of owning a Spyder if you have to rent a Harley? Plus, shipping is almost cheaper than renting for a week. I have started looking into a trailer but who wants to drive 4000 miles pulling a trailer?

Here is my question: Has anyone heard of another services like this that will take your bike, round trip, for a reasonable amount of money? I don't need the tour, but do need the transport. I have found shipping companies that will do it it from anywhere from about $600 per bike. per direction, all the way up to $1000 each way, each bike. If you know a bike shipping company that is reasonable, that may work. How can I ship 1-2 Spyders out to tour Wyoming without breaking the bank?

[captblack]

Try this: http://www.uship.com/

Drivers bid for your job and you might get a good price.

[WingmanRT]

Try this: http://www.uship.com/

Drivers bid for your job and you might get a good price.

I'll take a look at that. Thanks.

[FrankPa]

trailering it. With airfare for two, etc, might be a wash!

[rcdurango]

I have this trip hopefully in the plans for the summer.

[TuckMiddle]

At the Easy Rider show here in Charlotte a few weeks ago, I ran across a company (http://lynnisenhour.com/) out of Winston-Salem that has a service where they will transport your cycle (on pre-scheduled tours) with other bikes, and then take everyone on planned rides. For example, Sturgis, SD; Daytona Bike Week; Calif Coast; Las Vegas (Grand canyon, Hoover Dam, etc.).

My wife dreams of the Jackson Hole Wyoming/Montana/Yellowstone trip. You pay for your airfare, and hotels and they transport your bike and coordinate the tours. I talked to Lynn the other night and he said that Wyoming has been sold out since Nov and has 9 on the list for next year. Worse, when he found out I had a Spyder, possibly two, he talked about charging me triple per Spyder, based on the amount of room it takes up. I get it. Don't like it, but get it. He told me if I was up his way that he would love to get my bike in his truck to check for spacing for other Spyder ryders.

The fee is already pretty steep, but double or triple is out of the question to make a trip affordable. By the time you add airfares and hotels and food, this is becoming a second mortgage. (Before you say it, NO, I am not going to drive my Spyder 2000 miles to Wyoming to ride another 1500, then 2000 back. Besides the fact that I don't have a month to do it in, I value my ass and bike a little more than that. If you are retired or don't have work commitments or think I am a candy ass, I can live with that. ) I can rent Harleys out there, but I didn't buy one of those because I like my Spyder better. What's the point of owning a Spyder if you have to rent a Harley? Plus, shipping is almost cheaper than renting for a week. I have started looking into a trailer but who wants to drive 4000 miles pulling a trailer?

Here is my question: Has anyone heard of another services like this that will take your bike, round trip, for a reasonable amount of money? I don't need the tour, but do need the transport. I have found shipping companies that will do it it from anywhere from about $600 per bike. per direction, all the way up to $1000 each way, each bike. If you know a bike shipping company that is reasonable, that may work. How can I ship 1-2 Spyders out to tour Wyoming without breaking the bank?

First of all, your wife is right. I did that trip, 6,600 miles or something like that, three years ago with 5 others that joined up in Jackson Hole and went from there. GREAT time. Secondly, I'll bet I know a nice, quiet, reserved old guy who would ride one of your bikes out there for expenses, including air fare back to NC. Bike has to have a back rest. I'd even ride to your place from GA at no charge. I need a max of 5 minutes notice! Not quite sure of the economics for you, but I'm ready.
Tuck

[ARtraveler]

The uship company referred to above has been featured on one of those "reality" shows--Shipping Wars.

After looking at a couple of the shows--I am not sure that I want the lowest bidder hauling across country for me. There were a couple that looked like they knew what they were doing, but the jury is out--as far as I am concerned on the other featured haulers.

The trip your planning is beautiful, but just like you, I don't want to drive thousands of miles just to drive more thousands of miles in one trip. Not enough time, and driving worn out is also not fun.

[WingmanRT]

The uship company referred to above has been featured on one of those "reality" shows--Shipping Wars.

After looking at a couple of the shows--I am not sure that I want the lowest bidder hauling across country for me. There were a couple that looked like they knew what they were doing, but the jury is out--as far as I am concerned on the other featured haulers.

The trip your planning is beautiful, but just like you, I don't want to drive thousands of miles just to drive more thousands of miles in one trip. Not enough time, and driving worn out is also not fun.

I contacted Uship and posted the specs and did not receive one bid. I think because it was of the return trip issue. If I just wanted to ship one way, that may have been less of an issue. but one way and then back a week later. ????

[SpyderAnn01]

Have you considered renting one out there? We have a sponsor here who rents Spyders in Colorado and Arizona.

[joet82]

I'm sorry, but you bought an RT (TOURING model), but you're not willing to do any TOURING on it? I guarentee I value my Spyder just as much as you do, if not more, and I have put 36K on it in 20 months. And I plan on putting another 4400 on it in April when I go to SpyderFest. In my opinion, Spyders, wether Touring or Sport, don't deserve to be garaged or trailered.

Sorry if this seems Soapbox-ish, but it just irked me a little.

As for the site Uship. I have used them once with no problem. I shipped a brand new trailer from Michiganto California, while I was deployed to Japan, I had lower offers than the one I chose, but they also didn't meet my specifications. The company I chose was based out of where I was stationed st the time, and they even stored the trailer at their location for free till I got back. I highly reccomend the site....and wouldn't base it off a reality tv show.

[WingmanRT]

Have you considered renting one out there? We have a sponsor here who rents Spyders in Colorado and Arizona.

Yeah, I actually did think about that, and investigated pricing etc. but it "irked me" (as Joe said) to rent two Spyders when we would have two sitting in a garage in Charlotte. Plus, on a purely selfish note, I want MY Spyder out there. Is this rational or even practical?... not really. But after spending all this money, it seems a shame not to have ours under us when touring. And as childish as that seems, it may make the difference between affording the trip, having the time for it, or not going. I haven't given up yet though. Time for Plan C...