I'm about a 2 hour drive from Chicago, which is just about the only place around that has a decent selection. Problem is, I'm a new rider so there's no chance in hell I'm riding it back from Chicago. Only car I have is my S4.

If I rent a cargo van could I safely put my new-to-me bike in the back? Maybe up on stands and tied down...assuming the van has some tie down spots. Suggestions?

I'm in Indy. If you aren't too far away, I'd drive to your house, ride to the bike place with you, ride the bike to your house, and then drive home.

Your local motorcycle dealership probably has a bike trailer than you could borrow or rent. Failing that, get come-alongs and those loop-ended web belts that will let you put a strap over the front and rear tires from each side, and crank 'em down to a low attaching point in the bed of whatever you've got. I'm guessing that the guys at the dealership would be willing to help you load it, and would probably tell you what you'd need to bring with you to safely transport it.

Lou

but if I find a bike in Indy and you're willing to ride it to Champaign, I'll give you a ride back in the S4 and take you out to dinner someplace baller or something like that.

Do you know of any good shops in indy that might have a decent inventory of used bikes? Couldn't really find much through cycletrader.

I'll also check with a local shop here and see if they have a trailer they'd rent. Guess I could also call Budget and see if their cargo vans have tie-down points.

I drove something like 8+ hours each way to pick up my bike. I forget what they call the straps,something like tango strap, but it's needed if you get a bike with fairins, allows the ratchet straps to attach to the handle bars. Most bikes with full fairings aren't going to have a good place near the front to hook the straps.

<img src="http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s86/tpierce0000/DSC02255.jpg">

the bike made it back without a problem

<img src="http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s86/tpierce0000/DSC02257.jpg">

THEN go buy a nice bike somewhere &amp; ride it home.

while i had 2 straps attached to the passanger pegs pulling the bike back. And it was on the center stand. The thing didn't move at all.

or a 2002 Honda CBR 600F4i. Ninja is local private sale at ~$2900, CBR would require transportation and would end up costing closer to $5400 when all is said and done.

or ask a friend with a trailer.

Post on local forums and see if anyone's willing to help you out. I know if you are in my area i'd help out.

Beat the piss out of it for a year, really learn how to ride it, the sell it for almost what you bought it for.
Then go buy something REALLY sweet. :)
I rode my Thruxton from Little Rock to Houston when I bought it last year. That was awesome. Soooo much better than transporting it back.

While I don't know who would have good bikes, I've gotten good service from the guys at both <a href="www.hdofindy.com/">Harley-
Davidson of Indianapolis</a> and <a href="www.southsideharley.com/">Southside Harley-Davidson.</a> I understand that <a href="http://www.dreyerhonda.com/">Dreyer Honda Motorsports</a> (or whatever) is incredibly in tune with the needs of customers, and that's who I'd probably recommend that you call.

hell, I'd probably buy it off ya if you didnt want it. been looking for something to stunt