Bought a bike in RI and I live in Mo looking for cheap reliable transport. suggestions? It's a Kawasaki no show queen $2000 bike.

 

Fly to RI....ride the bike back to MO. Cheapest and MOST RELIABLE transport there is.

 

Dealer used Keyboard Motorcycle Shipping, to get mine from Austin Texas, to Indiana, but it was 500.00
Probably looking at about that from any of them.
They did do a good job, and kept me informed as to the arrival date and time. Got a call from the driver about 20 miles out, from delivery.

 

I'm not sure about that.

airfare - $200
motel - $300 (assuming $75/night x 4 nights - 600 miles a day)
gas - $112 - based on 30 mpg
meals - $200 (again based on a 4 day return trip)

that's over $800.

remember it's a $2000 Kawasaki, not an Ultra. all of this goes out the window if it craps out on him somewhere in Ohio.

I'd ship it too.

 

Recommended on the MoCo's website, and by many others here, I used Federal from RI to TX. 1700 miles, $600, last summer.

http://www.funtransport.com/harley-d...bmLocale=en_US

 

600 miles/day x 5 days = 3000 miles. 30 MPG.
By your numbers gas is apparently $1.12/gallon.

Meals, yep figure them in because if he wasn't on the road he wouldn't be eating. And those meals (12 of them) average $17/each. (continental breakfast ain't good enough).

Not sure which route or cities but that's probably not the shortest. I'm guessing the actual distance is 1200-1300 miles.
Borrow or rent a pick-up or trailer for a few days and go get the thing.

 

NAH - I figured 1500 miles, not knowing where he lives or where he's going. also I figured 4 nights in a motel. the first night in RI after the flight. then 3 nights on the road. I guess the miles per day would be more like 500. still stand with $2.50 per gallon.

if he'll drive straight through, load the bike as soon as he gets there, and drives straight though coming back. all it'll cost him is gas. 1300X2=2600/15 mpg=$173. if he forgoes eating, he can get it back home for under $175. not bad. (we all know this senario isn't gonna happen.)

I still say it's cheaper to ship it.

 

????? your kidding us right ? Pack a sleeping bag , eat at mickey Ds & Denny's and it's a 3 day ride . I did Balti. MD to KC Mo. in 2 regular , more a few on a hardtail .

An old traveling tramp tip for you , get off the interstate before late afternoon and travel secondaries with all the small towns on them . Late day sun getting low start looking for a local bar , stop in for cold one be friendly and 9 out of 10 times people start talking to you about the bike or something and next thing you know you've got a bed a meal maybe some company for the night and possibly some new lifelong friends . Served me well 35+ yrs , some trips never did use that bag . It's what being a biker was all about to me personally . May take a few more days this way but you won't regret it .

 

Yep, it could be a $200 2 day trip. I'd figure $400, 2 nights in motels or camping (which can be free). My 3/4 ton truck gets 18-20 MPG on the highway, my old S-10 got 35 MPG. Either one would do the job.
I get a chuckle when people figure meals in. Your going to eat anyways, food cost on the road doesn't have to be any different than eating at home.

 

LOL... ok, y'all convinced me. shippin'? shippin'? we don't need no stinkin' shippin'!!

ride it back! hell, if it quits, be a real biker and push it the rest of the way home..... LOL

oh, don't ever get rid of your S-10, that's GREAT mileage, mine never got over 22mpg. of course it was only a 4 cyl, 5 speed and I drove it like the old man I am.

BTW: the OP never asked if he should ride it back, only info on cheap, reliable transport.