Ideas for collecting a bike from scotland?

[5150]

Hi all,

Anyone got any suggestions for collecting a bike in Scotland and bringing it back down south?

Don´t really fancy riding it all the way back, it´ll probably be pi$$ing down too.

I was thinking about flying up to Edinburgh (nearest airport) then hiring a transit - is it possible to drop van off elsewhere?

Any suggestions/experiences much appreciated

[tiffer]

you could always bring it back on the train.

[aeropilot]

Probably find it's easier and cheaper to hire a van local and drive there and back, rather than train one way and expensive one way hire of a van.

[leeross]

How many miles is it both ways? how do u tie it up in the van?

[black-k1]

Hire/borrow a bike/small trailer. If you don’t have a car with a tow bar then you may also need to hire/borrow one of these. As per previous suggestion, it’s probably better to hire locally rather than paying one way charges. A car and trailer may be cheaper than a van both to hire and on fuel.

The other alternative is to see if you have any mates who would like to fly up and ride the bike back on your behalf in exchange for the appropriate number of beer vouchers.

[Vitesse39]

I used a bike transport company to get my ZXR up to Dundee from High Wycombe when we moved up. About £250

[aeropilot]

black-k1 said:

Hire/borrow a bike/small trailer. If you don’t have a car with a tow bar then you may also need to hire/borrow one of these. As per previous suggestion, it’s probably better to hire locally rather than paying one way charges. A car and trailer may be cheaper than a van both to hire and on fuel.

If you haven't got a car with a tow bar, then this will be a more expensive option than the van hire, plus, the journey time will be slower with a speed limited trailer. Most diesel vans these days will sit at 70-80 etc, which is more than you can do with a trailer.

If you go for the van option, just check out the various hire vans beforehand and look inside them all first to make sure there are plenty of locations to fix the tie-down rachet straps to. You'll need as many of these as you can get hold of....absolute min would be 4, but more would be better.

Edited by aeropilot on Monday 15th January 11:04

[F.M]

leeross said:

How many miles is it both ways? how do u tie it up in the van?

I`d hire a van...cost effective & you are in control of the collection...I`d put it against the front right..put it in gear...sidestand down with a block of wood under the stand to keep it upright and discourage it from falling left...a wedge shaped block of wood for the back wheel too to keep it in place...tie it all to the right hand side...drive gently home...check it halfway to make sure the load hasn`t shifted....watch your braking distances....it`s a big lump to come crashing through if you need to slam on the anchors...

Edited by F.M on Monday 15th January 11:56

[Davel]

Don't be a big wuss!

Ride it and take the scenic route...

[wassy]

Vitesse39 said:

I used a bike transport company to get my ZXR up to Dundee from High Wycombe when we moved up. About £250

£250..... Crikey my Erde single bike trailer was only £275 brand new !

[leeross]

b a wuss the weather is unreal up here!!!

[5150]

Some helpful stuff there - many thanks all!

Round trip distance is 1300K's!!!

It's gonna be worth it tho. .

I'll keep you posted

[oggs]

5150 said:

Some helpful stuff there - many thanks all!

Round trip distance is 1300K's!!!

It's gonna be worth it tho. .

I'll keep you posted

Can't you bring it back on the plane

[hugoagogo]

definitely the van, most have some tie-down hooks built in, all you need is a plank to roll it up into the back

i've had my blade in the back of a tranny a few times

remember to put some weight on the bike when you are tying it down, maybe put a big elastic band round the brake lever (can strain the brake seals though)

[yellowvette]

If you do a search on ebay there are loads of companies offering collection and delivery of bikes. Don't know what it would cost, but frankly I wouldn't be arsed to drive 1300km in a van - and I have free use of one ! If you email the companies for a quote, giving collection and delivery postcodes, you might be surprised. Worth a go I'd say.

[Nickccc]

I have a trailor if you need to use it, am in Bedfordshire.
If you could borrow a deisel with tow bar, you would only have to pay for the fuel.

Nick.

[black-k1]

Of course, if you're in the AA/RAC with recovery and the bike only manages a couple of miles before it breaks down then you would get the bike brought all the way home!

[5150]

Many thanks for the offer Nickccc, I've got access to a mate's transit so thinking I could bung it in there if I were to drive up.

Bike is located just the other side of Dundee in Forfar. . .

Oggs - did think about flying it back, but it'd block the aisle!!

[Jester7]

I picked up My Mk1 Fireblade from just outside Edinburgh this time last year. I flew up with BA the owner picked me up from the airport and drove us back to his house. I got changed into my bike gear and rode it home!!! Had a great ride, really enjoyed it.

[imfinlay]

hugoagogo said:

i've had my blade in the back of a tranny a few times

I can't believe nobody else picked this up...

Oh, and ride it.

Ian