FZ1Tom

We've all read of the horror stories of shipped bikes being smashed and/or otherwise maimed.

And of course, a local find is always great. But what about in between?

How far might be too far? Espescially if its an ebay purchase, where the average shipping cost seems to be about $85 to $100? Depending on your cage and fuel costs, you can go quite a ways on $100.

I'm about to take a road trip, and I've never been that way either. I'll let you know how it turns out, but would like to hear some of your tales.

Tom

amillhench

I used to do this all the time. From Austin I wouldn't mind going up to Dallas or down to Houston. Both distances were right under 200 miles or 3 hours one way. I enjoy driving though.

Andrew F

I like road trips....and if there's a new bike it at the end, it's even better! For me the cost of driving vrs. shipping is immaterial, I like the adventure.

FZ1Tom

Even if said adventure is possibly 1200 miles in a single day cooped up inside an old Chevy Tracker?

Tom

khatfull

I've not yet had the opportunity to drive for a bike yet but I've always said that I'd go up to 350 miles one way for something juicy. That's what I can do in a hooky day from work

OP, if you're in Springfield, IL it shouldn't cost more than $50 to ship or be shipped a bike from either coast. Less if closer. I've had three bikes and a frame shipped to me thus far to Minneapolis:

Bike 1 from CA: $65 (paid for extra packaging)
Bike 2 from NJ: $42
Bike 3 from WV: $50
Frame from MO: $28 (dimensional weight is a killer )

$85-$100 is making a profit from the shipping.

old's'cool

I purchased a bike from a forum member in Canada; he was taking a road trip and was kind enough to drop it off at my bro's near Winnipeg. I visited my bro' recently, and brought the bike back with me as luggage. It wasn't as cheap as I hoped it would be, but still a lot cheaper than shipping + border fees.

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

I've done a few road trips for bikes...nothing more than an evening's drive so far.

Went to Lancaster Co. PA to meet a forum member and get a Miyata 1000. THat was about 140 something miles each way.

Another time went out to Long Island on a tip from another forum member to get a early 50's Durkopp city bike. That was worth it for the bike but the drive to Long Island from Northern NJ was hellacious.

When I see really great deals on ebay for local pickup only or with outrageous shipping I generally tell myself I'd go as far as 6 or so hours to get something. Maybe even 8 if it was really sweet.

amillhench

That's the key.

wrk101

Drove 240 miles one way to scoop an ebay deal. The seller was new to ebay and I had zero confidence in their packing ability.

I have also tied in pick ups with road trips, and gone a lot further than that. I have contacted seller up front, told them I was going to be through the area in a couple of weeks. They were fine with holding it.

noglider 

Tom, where are you going? The way you describe your area -- a bike desert -- a road trip seems necessary.

We northeasterners don't drive as far as prairie people, because driving sucks more here. But I recently considered going to Baltimore for a screaming deal.

What I do is combine purposes. Last year, my daughter was college shopping. We had a trip planned to Worcester, MA. Before we went, I read Worcester craigslist, made arrangements, and bought a bike. It gave us a chance to see the countryside, too.

USAZorro

I've driven as far as Delaware (on a bitterly cold day) for a bike I still have and love. Long Island would be out of the question though - even if I only lived 30 miles west of NYC.

FZ1Tom

Well, I guess I won't have to worry about it now. Too bad, I was kinda looking forward to seeing Racine https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...35541827&tid=0

Tom

gomango

I prefer a drive to pick up a bike.

I have driven all over the Midwest.

I like the face to face if there is an issue to be considered.

Sometimes though, I do ship items from Bavaria to Minnesota.

My nephew does a wonderful job with packing, so I know it's safe and sound.

gbalke

Sorry to hear you missed out. I was going to ask you to stop in on your way up and take my wife back to Wisconsin to see her folks.

As far as road trips go, I've driven 2-1/2 hrs one way for bikes. I always take my wife with me; easier to justify the trip expenses that way. She gets a nice lunch and a chance to look for needle craft shops in different towns.