Spyder travel dilemma

[Pennyrick]

Many years ago my wife and I pulled a trailer with our Gold Wing from our area to Colorado, Wyoming and Utah but we missed Idaho. We'd like to correct that miss in the next year or so with our Spyders and revisit the other states as well but a couple of things work against us. One is that my wife's right arm is paralyzed so she only has the use of her hand so that limits her time on the Spyder each day and the other is the fact that we are both in our mid 70's and pretty much are done for the day after a couple of hundred miles.

We don't want to leave our animals (dogs and horses) for any more than a couple of weeks, so I'm trying to figure a way to make the trip in a 12-14 day window. One thought is to ship our Spyders (we have to use both because neither of us is happy as a passenger) from Atlanta to Denver, pick them up there, tour the states and ride back. There is no East/West auto rail service but I have found that Nationwide Transport will ship them in an enclosed van for $700 each. Has anyone had any experience with Nationwide?

We're not that interested in renting Spyders at the other end as both of our Spyders have been modified to our needs with things like a hand brake (on my wife's machine), custom seats, floor boards and other farkles.

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

 

[Oldmanzues]

If you are a AMA, I think they have a deal with a outfit called Ferederated or something like that. I am not in a position to search my records right now for the right information
Oldmanzues

 

[bruiser]

Wow. That's some planning. Just looking at your avatar, y'all can't be in your mid 70s.

 

[Illinois Boy]

First off; your pics do not look like you are both in your 70's... :clap: Today's 70's must be the new 50's!!

On the point; I assume you do not have anything to pull a long trailer with. if so, I would consider buying a long trailer. It will cost more than shipping, but in the end you own the trailer for future use (and is sounds like you might have the space to store it).

If you do not have a truck to do the job; at one time I know you could rent a truck/van/SUV powerful enough to haul a trailer holding both Spyders. You just had to make the arrangements far ahead to assure it is available.

You could probably make better time hauling them rather than riding them to and from your destination.

Just a thought...

Google "motorcycle transport" and there are several companies out there that haul bikes and such if it gets down to that. You just have to make sure you are there when they arrive or make other arrangements. I would prefer to be there to document any problems, if they were to occur.

Good luck... I am jealous.

 

[willey]

That had to be their wedding picture 50 years ago:yes:

 

[Pennyrick]

That had to be their wedding picture 50 years ago:yes:

Actually that photo was taken when we lived in California back in 1990. Who says Avatars have to be current?

 

[SpyderAnn01]

There was another spyderlover who did what you want to do and I think he may have started in GA also. I'll try to find the thread for you.

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...cycle-transport-suggestions&highlight=shipped This one talks more about UShip and here is the one I mentioned. They started out in Illinois not GA
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...soula-gt-Whitefish-c-Pics&highlight=telluride

 

[Dragonrider]

Rent a motorhome and pull a covered trailer. You should be able to buy a used covered trailer for under $4K, and sell it when you get back. You can stop where you want, and tour the area with your Spyders, load them up, and head to the next spot… Rocky Mountain National Park on a Spyder (or any bike) is beyond belief…. plenty of places to stage from. You can also rent a pickup from a local dealer, but it will need to be able to tow 7,500#, and have electric trailer brakes installed - an option on most new pickups from the Big Three.

In Idaho, stage in Salmon, Orofino, & Bonner's Ferry to see all the pretty bits. You can even pop into Canada, if you have an interest. BTW, bring your fishing gear.

Doing it this way will keep your schedule, your own. You won't have to meet shipping deadlines.

 

[Bob Denman]

Wouldn't buying a couple of bags of potatoes count for something??? :joke: :roflblack:
Seriously: Go for it! I admire your spirit of adventure! :clap:

 

[Spyder4Tess]

If you go with a shipper,timing is going to have to be spot on .

A lot of shippers are on the road already picking up and dropping off vehicles on their way.They call you with an estimated pick up time.
You would have to do this two times for your trip.