best way to move a spyder?

[jlb]

Hello everyone! The good news, looks like i've made a deal & a premier edition spyder will soon be mine. :clap:

Now for the hard part.....the m/c is in Tenn (Nashville) & I live in central IL so about 350 miles. I'd planned to just pick up the bike & ride home, but now other issues have come up & I may need to either haul it back myself or hire a delivery company. So i'm looking for reccomendations on how to move the spyder if I can't ride.....will it fit in a uhaul type truck? Is it hard to load/unload? The dealer recomends a trailer but I don't have a car that can tow one.

Sorry this is so vague....any & all ideas are much appreciated.

Thanks....jlb

 

[NancysToy]

Can't answer your question with certainty, I would recommend a trailer as first choice, too. I can tell you some things to consider when and if you look for a rental truck.

1. The clear opening needs to exceed about 5'4". That is an absolute bare minimum, and will be tough to clear. A bigger opening is better, especially in reverse.
2. Tiedowns will be necessary to secure the Spyder. It ties down through the wheels, not by the handlebars or grab rails. There are detailed instructions in the Owner's Guide, which can be viewed or downloaded from the SpyderLovers home page. I also recommend using some long soft ties (tie-down extensions) through the wheels and some microfiber towels as padding to protect the wheels. Make sure the truck has a means for attaching the tie-downs near the floor at both ends.
3. Wheel chocks are handy, but not absolutely necessary. The cheap plastic ones from Walmart or the trailer store work OK.
4. The Spyder has minimal ground clearance and will have difficulty making the transition from the loading ramps to the truck bed unless the slope is very gentle. You will need either three very long (and strong) loading ramps, or 1-2 long, wide ones. Takes more width than an ATV. Being able to load from a dock or a hill at both ends of the journey can allow the use of shorter loading ramps.
5. Loading into a tall truck could be worrisome. Lamonster even had some scary moments with all his experience. The lower the truck bed the better.
6. Some have loaded Spyders backward into the beds of longbed pickups, but it is difficult, easy to damage the Spyder and/or the truck, and is not recommended, especially in a rental.

Hope this doesn't discourage you, but it is best to know the pitfalls and needs before you make your final decision or find out the hard way. BTW, :congrats:

 

[BLACK WIDOW]

Best way

Hello everyone! The good news, looks like i've made a deal & a premier edition spyder will soon be mine. :clap:

Now for the hard part.....the m/c is in Tenn (Nashville) & I live in central IL so about 350 miles. I'd planned to just pick up the bike & ride home, but now other issues have come up & I may need to either haul it back myself or hire a delivery company. So i'm looking for reccomendations on how to move the spyder if I can't ride.....will it fit in a uhaul type truck? Is it hard to load/unload? The dealer recomends a trailer but I don't have a car that can tow one.

Sorry this is so vague....any & all ideas are much appreciated.

Thanks....jlb

That would be the best way. Maybe you could borrow or rent a truck and trailer; 350 miles isn't all that far.:f_spider:


Michael:doorag:

 

[RTGENE]

I had to pick up my spyder at Uke's in Kenosha Wi. I thought no big deal---I'll get a u-haul truck-----they said nope you cannot transport a gas vehicle in our truck. Plus it is not wide enough to get it in the back. OK no big deal I will rent a u-haul trailer. Nope cannot take it out of state and drop it off. The only trailer that worked for me was a 6 foot wide and 12 foot long. It also had a drive on ramp for lawn equipment.
So what can you do
Rent a trailer with a drive on ramp from a local equipment rental.
Rent a trailer hitch from u-haul.
They have all kinds that fit all kinds of cars.
If in the event your car is not big enough to pull the trailer------then you will have to break down and ask your brother-in-law to borrow his truck.
smile
I hope this helps

 

[SethO]

honestly, find 1-3 friends that ride bike or some people that ride bike that want to try a spyder and ride it back in shifts, I have done almost double that and I am in a wheelchair, why waste time and money getting a truck and trailer when you can just get people, there are IMO nothing better that motorcycle people.

If you are worried go over the you break it you bought, if they are leary of this, they are not true motorcyle riders but sub humans waiting to eat your soul. again IMO

 

[wolfshead1]

+1 on Setho.I have used a company called U-Ship.Post your load and get bids,many bike haulers check it out.

 

[jlb]

Thanks everyone! I would prefer to ride it home but i've never ridden that far in one day. Although I've been riding for three years I have to admit that none of my friends ride so it's all on me. I guess my biggest concern is that the weather will be awful & i've always been a strictly fair weather rider. All my gear is mesh summer weight......so guess I need to figure out how to gear up in case of cold/wet weather like we're currently experiancing.

I also listed it with the Uship link you suggested. Once again, thanks for all the input.....anybody in the middle Tenn area want to help ride?

 

[Questions]

Hello everyone! The good news, looks like i've made a deal & a premier edition spyder will soon be mine. :clap:

Now for the hard part.....the m/c is in Tenn (Nashville) & I live in central IL so about 350 miles. I'd planned to just pick up the bike & ride home, but now other issues have come up & I may need to either haul it back myself or hire a delivery company. So i'm looking for reccomendations on how to move the spyder if I can't ride.....will it fit in a uhaul type truck? Is it hard to load/unload? The dealer recomends a trailer but I don't have a car that can tow one.

Sorry this is so vague....any & all ideas are much appreciated.

Thanks....jlb

Whats the differance between the premier edition and the standard?:dontknow:

 

[RoadHammer]

Get a ride down there and drive her home, 350 miles is nothing.. Trust me you'll have a good time and learn how tough you are.:2thumbs:

Hello everyone! The good news, looks like i've made a deal & a premier edition spyder will soon be mine. :clap:

Now for the hard part.....the m/c is in Tenn (Nashville) & I live in central IL so about 350 miles. I'd planned to just pick up the bike & ride home, but now other issues have come up & I may need to either haul it back myself or hire a delivery company. So i'm looking for reccomendations on how to move the spyder if I can't ride.....will it fit in a uhaul type truck? Is it hard to load/unload? The dealer recomends a trailer but I don't have a car that can tow one.

Sorry this is so vague....any & all ideas are much appreciated.

Thanks....jlb

 

[NancysToy]

Whats the differance between the premier edition and the standard?:dontknow:

Pain and suffering! :roflblack: Seriously, the first 2008 SM5 Spyders produced were Premiere Edition models, which were supposed to be limited to 1,500, er...2,500, er...3,500, OK whatever they felt like. They are labeled with a Premiere Edition placard on the handlebars, and were supposed to come with a "First Owner's" jacket. There were some glitches! :roflblack: We all had to pre-order our PE Spyders and await delivery months later.

 

[bjt]

Whats the differance between the premier edition and the standard?:dontknow:

The Premier Edition Spyders were the first 3900 Spyders (late 2007 / early 2008) built for sale or dealer demos and the only difference is in the Spyder Premier Edition inserts in the handlebar cover. Standard Spyders don't have anything in the handlebar cover where the PE inserts would fit. That is the only difference in those Spyders and the standard Spyders. Also, all Premier Edition Spyders are SM5 models only as the SE5 didn't come out until summer of 2008.

 

[jlb]

Get a ride down there and drive her home, 350 miles is nothing.. Trust me you'll have a good time and learn how tough you are.:2thumbs:

Thanks for the input....it's starting to look like it's back to plan A which is me riding home. I'm not all that worried about riding that far, my family who's driving down with me are the ones who are stressing.

In any case, any suggestions on how to quickly attach a GPS so I can ride? Is there a tank bag or map holder or something I can put on in a few minutes so I can get on the road?

 

[jlb]

The Premier Edition Spyders were the first 3900 Spyders (late 2007 / early 2008) built for sale or dealer demos and the only difference is in the Spyder Premier Edition inserts in the handlebar cover. Standard Spyders don't have anything in the handlebar cover where the PE inserts would fit. That is the only difference in those Spyders and the standard Spyders. Also, all Premier Edition Spyders are SM5 models only as the SE5 didn't come out until summer of 2008.

Thanks, I was wondering as well how special a "premier edition" was. I'm just excited that i'll have one of my own, no matter when it was made.

 

[Oldmanzues]

Flece running gear under your normal gear with Frog toggs over that, makes a decent cool weather set sup. Remember warm gloves.

Maybe start out early and if you get tired, stop overnight.

Just my $.02 worth.

Old Man Zues

 

[Trickie Dick]

Thanks for the input....it's starting to look like it's back to plan A which is me riding home. I'm not all that worried about riding that far, my family who's driving down with me are the ones who are stressing.

In any case, any suggestions on how to quickly attach a GPS so I can ride? Is there a tank bag or map holder or something I can put on in a few minutes so I can get on the road?

Early one I just attached my garmin suction cup mount to the glass on one of the guages. I also attached a safety strap just in case it came off. Never did. This may work for you short term. As far as the tank bag, you may want to check this thread- http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9268. Covers the installation of a Cortech bag which is probably available at a local cycle shop. If you decide to go this way make sure you get the strap on version not the magnetic. Have a safe trip.
Dick

 

[bjt]

Thanks for the input....it's starting to look like it's back to plan A which is me riding home. I'm not all that worried about riding that far, my family who's driving down with me are the ones who are stressing.

In any case, any suggestions on how to quickly attach a GPS so I can ride? Is there a tank bag or map holder or something I can put on in a few minutes so I can get on the road?

350 miles can be a nice, easy days ride. However, I remember that when I very first got my Spyder, I would not have wanted to have to ride it 350 miles that first day as I wasn't totally comfortable with the feel of riding it. Any chance you can consider spreading the trip home over two days just in case you feel the need to stay off the expressways or get tired / sore after the first couple hours? 350 miles should be two or three fuel stops, about 6 hours if you ride the expressways at the posted limit.

 

[j45p3r]

350 miles can be a nice, easy days ride. However, I remember that when I very first got my Spyder, I would not have wanted to have to ride it 350 miles that first day as I wasn't totally comfortable with the feel of riding it. Any chance you can consider spreading the trip home over two days just in case you feel the need to stay off the expressways or get tired / sore after the first couple hours? 350 miles should be two or three fuel stops, about 6 hours if you ride the expressways at the posted limit.

I'll say I agree with this. When I brought mine home it was all Interstate, and I've never ridden a motorcycle of any kind before. When I hit the on-ramp I was quite nervous, but got over it pretty quick. Before I knew it I was doing 90 and didn't even realize it. I've had a lot of snowmobile and ATV riding experience which may have helped me adapt faster than some. Something to think about depending on your past experience.

 

[FANG]

Thanks everyone! I would prefer to ride it home but i've never ridden that far in one day. Although I've been riding for three years I have to admit that none of my friends ride so it's all on me. I guess my biggest concern is that the weather will be awful & i've always been a strictly fair weather rider. All my gear is mesh summer weight......so guess I need to figure out how to gear up in case of cold/wet weather like we're currently experiancing.

I also listed it with the Uship link you suggested. Once again, thanks for all the input.....anybody in the middle Tenn area want to help ride?

Only been ryding for 18 month - back on July 4th didi 626 mile in 10 hours on my :spyder2: . No issues. Great ryde. Just take time to get use to it before you start - time in a parking lot familarizing youself with the spyder and how to drive it. By the time you have an hour in the saddle you will be fine. Relax and ryde it home - You'll love it :2thumbs:

 

[3wheeldemon]

...In any case, any suggestions on how to quickly attach a GPS so I can ride? Is there a tank bag or map holder or something I can put on in a few minutes so I can get on the road?

I just attached my Garmin suction cup in the plastic over the tank, making shure is not touched with the handlebars turn all the way. Good temporary solution.

3WD

 

[mary_0248]

I might be able to help out

Where in Central IA are you located. I am just sw of Des Moines and have a tank bag for my Spyder I would loan you for your ride back. Let me know. You can call me if you want. 515-480-2964
Mary