In the good old days, you’d mostly buy a bike from somewhere nearby. If not a dealer, then someone living locally. The other end of the country seemed so far away...
Not so today, with the internet, and especially online auctions. After all, in the digital age we’ve been told geography is irrelevant, right? Except it’s not, if you have to get a bike you don’t know home, on a long, tiring road trip.
If you buy a track bike, race bike or an old wreck for restoration, you obviously need to transport it. But with a road bike, fully warranted and rego’d, the temptation is to grin and bear the long ride back.
But you don’t have to ride a motorbike home. And, with an unfamiliar bike, the complete story of which you may not know, other options make real sense.
You could look in Yellow Pages for haulage companies that profess to transport bikes, or you may prefer to use a specialist in motorcycle transportation.
As for the cost, it can compare well with what you’d spend on fuel, wear and tear, meals, drinks and any accommodation.
If you’ve got a vehicle with a tow bar, putting the bike on a trailer is usually a better plan than riding it. It’s less tiring with far fewer risks.
You’ll need tie-down straps and preferably at least one wheel chock or stand. How you tie the bike down depends on the individual machine, but there’s plenty of advice online.
If you do buy a bike in another part of the country, keep your focus on getting home safely. All the usual advice about the right mental approach, weather conditions and fatigue apply, only more so. You may also need to carry stuff, like extra clothing or an overnight bag.
On the upside, this is New Zealand. So you will get to travel through some amazing scenery, perhaps to places you’ve never visited before. All the more reason to relax and enjoy it.
If it’s a really long journey, definitely include an overnight stop somewhere. Long journeys on a motorcycle are exhausting. Set yourself an easy pace to get used to the bike and reflect on anything that doesn’t feel right. Pay particular attention to brakes, steering and suspension. If something is wrong, pull in and organise a trailer or transport.
Include plenty of rest stops, where you can check over the bike, lube the chain and inspect for any oil or fluid leaks.
Once you get home, you and your bike will be like old mates.
