Help me buy a bike and plan a trip! Update, bike has been puchased!

[BikePilot]

I'm working crazy hours now, but will have the month of August off before school starts. Areas where I really need help in bold

The current plan is roughly something like this:

Buy a bike somewhere in the middle of the country (ideally Texas - I'll need TLZ help here I'm sure ).

Ride the bike to CO, visit frinds, a certain CR250R and of course sample some more of CO's excelent dirt and street riding

From CO I'll likely head to SF Bay to visit more friends etc.

Then I'll head down to SD to visit my little sis and ride baja with her (she's got access to a bunch of XR400's).

At the end of the month I'll likely resell the bike in CA (or whever I find a buyer) and fly back to MA for school. I expect that if I get a decent deal on a bike in TX, the price differential from TX to CA will likely allow me to resell the machine in CA at a below-market price without loosing much $$ (if any).

So if anyone sees a bike below $5k that would be fun to ride and suitable for a longish trip (for me that's most anything not terribly slow, not a cruiser and without a full fairing - ideally fuel range would be 200 miles or greater but that's not a hard requirement). I've had a thing lately for a ducati multistrada 1000 (or 1100 - but those will be too $$$$ I think)... I also saw a Z1000 for a good price in CO

On that note I've happend accross what may be quite a deal on a MTS that's located somwhere between Dalls and Austin - any TLZ'ers in the area that might be able to help facilitate a purchase and store the bike till early August? Anything special to look for when buying a 2v ducati?

Also, any idea how hard/easy it is to sell a non-CA bike in CA? IIRC there are some minimum mileage requirements or something....

[suprachrgd82]

With that sort of mileage, I'm thinking sport-tourer. That's a long time to be on the road. You're likely to get all cramped up and sore, and have to stop every 80 miles to stretch out. Maybe something like a VFR or Beemer....

[abn]

7,500 miles is the magic number . I registered my Nevada TLR (20Kmiles) with no probs at all. Only issue I'd forsee is if you were not going to fully transfer it to your name. I would be leary buying a vehicle from someone other than the titled owner.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures...cts/ffvr29.htm

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr9.htm

[BikePilot]

Thanks I do plan to fully transfer the to my name. I am leaning toward something more comfy than a dedicated sport bike. Some sort of sporty naked or semi-naked bike would be ideal. 7,500 miles won't be a problem. Most of what I'll be looking at will have that or more and in any event, I'm likely to put about that on it anyway.


I just heard back from Mr. Texas Multistrada - seems like there may be a deal to be had here. Anyone in San Marcos?

[cb93cobra]

oops can't help sorry

[actls]

When you go to sell it in Ca., if you need any help let me know. I can probably help. Also plan a stop heading to SD, or a meet in SD.

[1crock]

Well Josh, you got one thing right, the folks in Texas think they are the center of the country.

I'd look for a GS 850/1000/1100 myself. They are plentiful, cheap, reliable and comfortable for the kind of trip you're planning. They are generally easy to sell as well. The shaft drive "G" models are particularly comfortable in the saddle and you won't need to fret over the chain.

[BikePilot]

Good tip on the suzuki GS - those are bikes I know very little about.

ACTLS - thanks for the offer, I will definitely get your advice on selling it and routes from norcal to socal at some point

[actls]

Just remember to keep an eye out for this in Ca.

[1crock]

Originally Posted by BikePilot

Good tip on the suzuki GS - those are bikes I know very little about.

I've only owned one for 30 years Josh, but I may know a wee bit about them. They really are just about perfect for what you want to do if latest/greatest/fastest isn't a worry. There are several very nice examples on the local Craig's List for $1500 or less.