Colorado Ride being planned & need ideas for shipping my FJR

[sv650racer]

Hey everyone,

I'm planning a 14 day or so ride with my wife in Colorado in either June or July. The thought is to advance ship the FJR to Denver, fly in, pick up the motorcycle and head out for some fun. (We live in Florida so riding out isn't an option if we actually want to spend time in Colorado).

I need some help figuring out how to get the motorcycle to Denver. Any highly recommended shippers? Any places or people (or fellow FJR owners) who wouldn't mind receiving the motorcycle for me and holding it for a few days to a couple of weeks. I do have two sets of friends in Denver who would both probably be happy to receive the motorcycle, but neither of them are motorcyclists so I'm not sure whether to trust them with it. If the shipper drops at the curb and then they have to figure out how to get it in the garage, I can almost hear the phone call now about my FJR lying on it's side in their driveway. I'd also need to entrust the return shipping with someone at the end of our trip.

Also, I've come up with this ride plan so far. It's not complete, but it's a start:

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&vps=1&jsv=325c&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=217055155170583599828.00049fa5c058322897693

If anyone wants to make suggestions, I'd be very interested in feedback. The only must is that we want to stop in Ouray for a few days. We're going to park the FJR, go whitewater rafting, and rent a Jeep. (If you've never gone off-roading in the Ouray/Durango/Silverton area then you haven't lived!). I'd rather do the off-road on a motocross bike, but my wife won't ride her own, so I guess the motorcycles are out for that portion of the vacation...

Before someone suggests it: I'm really not interested in renting a motorcycle in Colorado. I want my FJR which has been lowered to accommodate my short legs and has a Penske shock to compensate for the lowering job! I'm only 5'4" so a stock FJR puts me on my tippy toes!

Any help with the shipping (either recommended shippers or people in Denver willing to help with receipt of the motorcycle) and suggestions regarding my route would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks!

 

[Denver_FJR]

I know nothing about shipping bikes but can comment on routes. Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park is my regular "go-to" for a scenic ride. (If the missus likes to shop, there's also Estes Park.) Getting there from Denver, highways 34 and 36 have some fun twisties too. Follow Trail Ridge Road west across park, then head south on 40 and pickup your plan from there. I still haven't done 550 on my FJR, it's on my list though.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Well if yer familiar with Ouray...then yer probably familiar with all the roads in THAT area.

I presume you know about riding on the north side of Black Canyon.

You are doing a lot of jeep riding, so it sounds like you'll be doing a lot of exploring in that area. Have fun.

My wife and I took a trip to CO in '88, and Ouray was a favorite stop...with the hot springs and scenery.

EDIT: West of Fort Collins, the E/W road (14) along the Poudre River is nice...however do not do this in a busy weekend time...you will be frustrated. Buckhorn Rd...north and west of Masonville to 14 is nice.

 

[Gramps]

Well if yer familiar with Ouray...then yer probably familiar with all the roads in THAT area.

I presume you know about riding on the north side of Black Canyon.

You are doing a lot of jeep riding, so it sounds like you'll be doing a lot of exploring in that area. Have fun.

My wife and I took a trip to CO in '88, and Ouray was a favorite stop...with the hot springs and scenery.

+1 on that. The road (Hwy 550) from Durango to Ouray is one of the best in CO. :clapping:

 

[SaharaJp99]

Lots of great roads to ride out here. I can't recommend a shipping company, but if you can't find anyone in Denver to store it for ya give me a shout. I live about an hour north of DIA and have plenty of garage space if you need it. From my house hwy 14 that wheaton mentioned is only 25 minutes to the west. Just rode it yesterday!

 

[Lee B.]

Hey everyone,

I'm planning a 14 day or so ride with my wife in Colorado in either June or July. The thought is to advance ship the FJR to Denver, fly in, pick up the motorcycle and head out for some fun. (We live in Florida so riding out isn't an option if we actually want to spend time in Colorado).

I need some help figuring out how to get the motorcycle to Denver. Any highly recommended shippers? Any places or people (or fellow FJR owners) who wouldn't mind receiving the motorcycle for me and holding it for a few days to a couple of weeks. I do have two sets of friends in Denver who would both probably be happy to receive the motorcycle, but neither of them are motorcyclists so I'm not sure whether to trust them with it. If the shipper drops at the curb and then they have to figure out how to get it in the garage, I can almost hear the phone call now about my FJR lying on it's side in their driveway. I'd also need to entrust the return shipping with someone at the end of our trip.

Also, I've come up with this ride plan so far. It's not complete, but it's a start:

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&vps=1&jsv=325c&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=217055155170583599828.00049fa5c058322897693

If anyone wants to make suggestions, I'd be very interested in feedback. The only must is that we want to stop in Ouray for a few days. We're going to park the FJR, go whitewater rafting, and rent a Jeep. (If you've never gone off-roading in the Ouray/Durango/Silverton area then you haven't lived!). I'd rather do the off-road on a motocross bike, but my wife won't ride her own, so I guess the motorcycles are out for that portion of the vacation...

Before someone suggests it: I'm really not interested in renting a motorcycle in Colorado. I want my FJR which has been lowered to accommodate my short legs and has a Penske shock to compensate for the lowering job! I'm only 5'4" so a stock FJR puts me on my tippy toes!

Any help with the shipping (either recommended shippers or people in Denver willing to help with receipt of the motorcycle) and suggestions regarding my route would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks!

July would be better than June. Locals can give you the best info but many years Trail Ridge Road is not open until 7/4 or later. And that early many mountain passes (and you will need to go over the mt passes) can be treacherous. Look into Creed, CO. The route in from the south and was a whole lot of fun. Watch for the elk and whatnot.

Sorry, can't help you with shipping. I bought a bike and had it shipped and I hated the experience. the bike arrived fine but it was shipped all over 3-4 states while other deliveries were made before they got to the bike and to my address.

 

[BwanaDik]

There are a number of threads around here that discuss shipping bikes. Try a search and you'll come up with some. I've used these guys with good success, they will ship door to door

Bike Ship

but there are many others.

Also, you might look into Estes Park, pretty impressive area. How are you getting back?

Wolf Creek pass on 160 between Pagosa Springs and Del Norte is fun. Then up 285 thru Fairplay (don't forget your oxygen mask!) and back to Denver.

Also is a little known road, I think it's 65 from Mesa to Cedaredge just south of I-70 (Grand Mesa). There's a good RR around here that has lots of pictures. I can't remember who wrote it (Spud?) but again, try a search on "Colorado" in the ride reports forum.

 

[Willie]

I used Federal for shipping my FJR from MA to UT last year. I have placed an order with them again this year. That would suggest I was happy with their performance. I dropped my bike off at one of their depot and picked up my bike at the depot in Ut. That would mean a pickup and drop off on a weekday. They will come to your house and pickup and drop off at a destination of your choosing. I figured their depot was just as easy. They are connected to Allied Moving somehow.

If you are a member of the AMA you will get a substantial discount, more than enought to pay the annual dues and then some. This will also include 15K of insurance on the bike.

I ended up dropping the bike off about 14 days before the expected delivery.

Check them out HERE

Willie

 

[NMRoadRunner]

I have used Forward Air, you put your bike in a container and lock it your self, they ship it, you recieve it. You can send it to me here in Albuquerque and ride up to colorado from here. Lots of great riding between here and there. I can loack it up in a secure storage area for you. No problem about how long.

 

[wheatonFJR]

^^^^^very generous offer. :clapping: