SuzukiSavage.com - Transport a Savage

xuqiang_liao Ex Member	Transport a Savage 10/11/06 at 08:55:25 Dear All, Does anyone has used a mini-van to transport the Savage. I bought a Savage and would like to use my wife's Dodge mini-van to take the bike home. Regards, Xuqiang Liao
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RadarORiley

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Re: Transport a Savage
Reply #1 - 10/11/06 at 09:27:26

If it will fit, I don't know what the problem would be, but don't tip it so fuel leaks, she might not like that. Do some measuring, it doesn't weigh much until you are pushing it uphill into the back of a vehicle. If you don't have a place to tie it, make a tire cradle out of 2x4's to hold it upright.
One of my exes hauled his bike in the back of his mom's old Plymouth, his buddy rode back there to hold the trunk lid off of it and hold it upright, rode 50 miles that way.

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xuqiang_liao Ex Member	Re: Transport a Savage Reply #2 - 10/11/06 at 09:40:02 I checked the minivan. The tail gate height is about 40'. I don't know how tall is the bike. I assume I have to remove the windshield but don't know if I need to remove the mirror. Anywhere to get some dimension information about the bike. Thanks. Xuqiang Liao
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ratdog472 Full Member Offline The Savages are restless... Posts: 156 Springfield, MO Gender:	Re: Transport a Savage Reply #3 - 10/11/06 at 09:45:24 well you could loosen the clamps on the bars if it has regular bars and not straight ones.. Then you could roll them back while you transport it.
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xuqiang_liao Ex Member	Re: Transport a Savage Reply #4 - 10/11/06 at 13:27:23 Can you tell me what tools to use to loose the clamp? I think I need to remove the windshield. What tools do you suggest me to bring? Regards, Xuqiang
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mavrik

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Re: Transport a Savage
Reply #5 - 10/11/06 at 14:08:32

Hi: Last time I needed service I used the local cab company to bring my bike home. They use Dodge Caravans that have a wheelchair access ramp, and the roof is cut out and alot higher than normal van for disabled people. No they don't mind moving bikes.

I just sit in the back and make sure Suziq doesn't want to roll over due to all the motion and vibrations Wink

BTW this only works if you live close to the bike shop. Otherwise it's gonna cost you big time. Cheers

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Paladin. Serious Thumper Offline Hamster Posts: 4929 Sunny Southern California Gender:	Re: Transport a Savage Reply #6 - 10/11/06 at 14:32:20 If you're near me I ride can over, you drive me to the shop, I ride back on yours, ride home on mine. Near, in So.Cal, means within 150 miles. Would be neat to see how much the same/different two Savages are.
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Dragon King Senior Member Offline Posts: 400 IL Gender:	Re: Transport a Savage Reply #7 - 10/11/06 at 15:38:50 for $20 you could go to u-haul and get a tow behind trailer or one of there trucks and dont have take anything or worry about anything spilling on the rug
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Re: Transport a Savage
Reply #8 - 10/11/06 at 16:00:37

It will fit. I hauled my bike from Maine to North Carolina in a Dodge Grand Caravan. The bike is only about 36" tall at the handle bar clamps. I pulled the bike all the way into the van and closed the rear door. I loosened the bar clamps, rolled the bars down and strapped it down good inside with ratchet straps and away we went. For the handle bars you will need a metric (allen) hex wrench. Not sure what size. The windshield hardware will determine what other tools you may need. They are NOT all the same.

FWIW, You may want to take an old bed pillow or quilt to put over the tank. My loading helper scratched mine by not holding the bars straight as we loaded it.

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mickthelimey Ex Member	Re: Transport a Savage Reply #9 - 10/11/06 at 22:28:36 Why don't you have your wife drop you off ,and ride the bloody thing home
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xuqiang_liao Ex Member	Re: Transport a Savage Reply #10 - 10/12/06 at 06:03:05 Firstly, it is 170 miles away. Secondly, the MSF's RiderCourse is my only motorcycle experience. Thirdly, the bike is in the garage for a long time, not suitable for a long ride. Regards, Xuqiang
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Roadrunner17

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Re: Transport a Savage
Reply #11 - 10/12/06 at 07:10:04

Well, that's 3 good excuses. Good luck, you'll enjoy it.

Check to see if your van has some attachment points for the ratcheting straps to hold it up and away from the sides. If so theyll be very helpful. Otherwise you could rent the flat-bed U-Haul and strap it on there. It'll be easier to get it in & out, remember that it's approx. 450 lbs, so the less you have to raise/lower it the better. That trailer should also come with ramps, which will help.

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