Modern Vespa

It's early days but I may be looking for someone to briefly store and sell either a motorcycle or a scooter for me after I've ridden it from the West Coast next year.

Anywhere from Tampa to New Jersey would be helpful and preferably close to a major airport so getting a flight back to the UK isn't too much of a journey.

The ride will probably start in San Jose, head towards LA and Phoenix and then run across the bottom to the East.

As I say, it's early days.

Cheers

Bill x

Might be looking for a motorcycle or scooter to buy on the West Coast also.

Just sayin.

I'm just south of Charlotte, NC and could probably lend a hand. The Airport (CLT) is the fifth busiest airport worldwide for arrivals and departures and the sixth in passenger traffic.

Buying is probably the easiest part of it. Selling, I'd find a large motorcycle shop that does consignment and dump it there. Wipe hands and fly home!

Yes, a great idea just as long as the shop is near where you want to leave from.

Thanks Tierney. I appreciate the offer.

There will be a seller's incentive of course.

What time of year are you thinking, Bill? June, July, and August would be, uncomfortable. April, May you might see the Paloverde trees in color; it's a lovely sight.

A good question. Budget wise it's looking like early last year as I've sort of written this one off.

I'd like to carry on riding on the I10 across the South once I've come through your home town.

Ending up in Florida would be ideal and then ride North to end the event.

There's a few "powersports" (what we call them here--motorcycles, atvs, scooters, etc) dealers around me that will either do consignment or assuming it's not a rat-mobile will buy outright for resale. I happen to live about 15 minutes from BWI airport, and DCA is maybe 45-60 away, with Dulles maybe 90. All have direct flights to Heathrow.

Thank you. Very helpful. That's on the list.

I think what I'll be looking for is something that's not premium but solid enough to finish the ride. I don't want to invest too much money into a bike that I may eventually lose which is why the bike will be in the ideal price bracket for an individual to sell rather than a dealer.

It also has to be solid enough and big enough to cover 1000 miles in a day if needed.

The last Burgman 400 was perfect as it was bullet proof, I knew the owner and it was easy to sell on Craigslist.

I've been sniffing around for a 650 version but they seem to be rare and precious items these days.

You could talk to Euro Cycles of Tampa Bay. They are about 50 minutes from the Tampa International Airport. In a pinch you could use my place, but I only have a carport with a Vespa and a golf cart under it. Me being retired would have time to help you sell it if needed. I am about 45 minutes to an hour outside of Tampa.

Thank you. And Tampa has direct flights to the UK

Good call

https://tucson.craigslist.org/mcy/d/safford-suzuki-burgman-650/7639103649.html

Mileage is pretty low and it looks clean. Safford is east of Tucson and Phoenix and few will drive there for a bike.

Thank you for the link. It's a gem.

That one will have to stand in line for now as a Gold Wing may have entered the fold.

A Gold Wing.

Gold Wings are amazing motorcycles and I've ridden one all over the US based in Austin, Texas.

You say you want to cross the US on a southern route. In the Summer time (most likely).

I wouldn't buy a Gold Wing for the sole purpose of a Southern crossing in the Summer. It's just too frickin' hot. The 'Wing does an amazing job of keeping the weather off you. When it's hot <95ºF/35ºC you want the weather on you. I'd look for a motor bike with more air flow. But that is me.

When you're crossing Texas on your ride about drop me a line and I'll buy you a pint.

Thank you. That's a very kind offer.

The heat aspect of it doesn't really bother me as coming from the UK high temperatures are still a novelty so I can turn into some Uncle Ben's Rice and I'll still be smiling.

I'll admit The Burgman was a little toasty in Kansas last year at 98 degrees but that's OK.

Now, the Gold Wing idea may not be under my control as the prospective owner doesn't seem to mind the idea of me borrowing it so that one is a wait and see.

Failing that I'll pick up on the leads that have been posted in here, if of course they are still available.

Thank you again.