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fly /ride questions
- Thread starter 26667
- Start date
I have done this fly / ride a couple of times. The first time I shipped everything to the seller of the bike that I was purchasing. This was done a couple of days prior to my flight out. The seller picked my wife and me up from the airport and took us to the hotel where most of the gear was transferred. We then took the seller to lunch and then I went with him to his home where I got the bike. We had previously transferred the title from his name to mine and I had my new plate. The trip home was excellent and I still have that bike.
The second time was a few years later. The seller took the bike to the local BMW dealer and I had the bike worked on. My instructions to the dealer's service tech was to make the bike safe and reliable. I picked a hotel within walking distance of the dealership and shipped my gear there a few days prior to our flight. I verified the hotel's receipt of the boxes before my departure. I picked up the bike and once at the hotel added a few extras (i.e., GPS mount and some aux LED brake lights). This trip again turned out to be pretty nice. The major lesson learned was about the need to hydrate more than expected in the hot Arizona climate. I still have that bike.
In making a remote purchase of a bike I find it useful to have several conversations with the sellers. Usually it is pretty easy to ascertain if the seller is someone with whom one would like to buy a bike from. I have not had any issue with shipping gear to hotels. I make certain that the hotel management are willing to receive and safely store my stuff until I arrive. My wife and I carried very little with us on the airplane trip.
On the return trip I found it desirable to ship some stuff home to lighten the load. Specifically this was some of the warmer clothing that was anticipated being used while crossing the Rockies. Once past the higher elevations the warmer clothing was not needed.
The second time was a few years later. The seller took the bike to the local BMW dealer and I had the bike worked on. My instructions to the dealer's service tech was to make the bike safe and reliable. I picked a hotel within walking distance of the dealership and shipped my gear there a few days prior to our flight. I verified the hotel's receipt of the boxes before my departure. I picked up the bike and once at the hotel added a few extras (i.e., GPS mount and some aux LED brake lights). This trip again turned out to be pretty nice. The major lesson learned was about the need to hydrate more than expected in the hot Arizona climate. I still have that bike.
In making a remote purchase of a bike I find it useful to have several conversations with the sellers. Usually it is pretty easy to ascertain if the seller is someone with whom one would like to buy a bike from. I have not had any issue with shipping gear to hotels. I make certain that the hotel management are willing to receive and safely store my stuff until I arrive. My wife and I carried very little with us on the airplane trip.
On the return trip I found it desirable to ship some stuff home to lighten the load. Specifically this was some of the warmer clothing that was anticipated being used while crossing the Rockies. Once past the higher elevations the warmer clothing was not needed.
26667
the Wizard of Oz
Flying with gear
I’ve done this many times. I will fly and ride for work. I usually carry my helmet on the aircraft. It sometimes won’t fit in overhead so it goes under seat. If I have boots, jackets, pants then I check those. I have also checked my helmet when it has gear packed around it and it’s always fine. I just feel better if I have my helmet with me. I’ve even worn riding gear on a plane to do all carryon. But this is a pain. Good luck!
I’ve done this many times. I will fly and ride for work. I usually carry my helmet on the aircraft. It sometimes won’t fit in overhead so it goes under seat. If I have boots, jackets, pants then I check those. I have also checked my helmet when it has gear packed around it and it’s always fine. I just feel better if I have my helmet with me. I’ve even worn riding gear on a plane to do all carryon. But this is a pain. Good luck!
davidsanders
New member
I've done the fly & ride a few times, each was for an overnighter. Each bike I've purchased has had bags so the bungee cord thing is not a concern. Since I like to travel light, I carry my helmet on-board as a personal item and wear my jacket and boots. Pants and everything else go in a carry-on. I've got some strange looks, but if so I simply say that I'm traveling to pick up a bike and people then think it's kind of cool.
Sellers have never had a problem with picking me up at the airport. "I'll be the one one carrying a helmet."
One other thing to remember is a license plate. Each state is probably different, but in Virginia we can go online and print a temporary "trip permit" to get home.
Sellers have never had a problem with picking me up at the airport. "I'll be the one one carrying a helmet."
One other thing to remember is a license plate. Each state is probably different, but in Virginia we can go online and print a temporary "trip permit" to get home.
