Buying my F6B this week! Flying in to ride back home. Questions...

[M_E_A_T]

First Post!

I'm just in the process of purchasing my mighty "B"! Should be an owner within 7 days!

So I found a NEW 2013 Std for less than I could find a used F6B in my area. I'm flying up for delivery and riding back to Florida. A lot of my route will have me on I-81 South through Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. That route is going to end up taking me about 12 hours over 2 days (6 hours each day). I was wondering if any of you have ever ridden on I-81 in that area, and if it's any better than just taking I-95 South all the way. I'm hoping to see a bit more hills and mountains on I-81 than I would on I-95 since I'm from the flat-lands of Florida. I'm hoping to enjoy the scenery, doing some photography, and avoid driving through Baltimore & DC's traffic. I will be doing this ride on a Saturday and Sunday if that matters.

Thanks!

[willtill]

First Post!

I'm just in the process of purchasing my mighty "B"! Should be an owner within 7 days!

So I found a NEW 2013 Std for less than I could find a used F6B in my area. I'm flying up for delivery and riding back to Florida. A lot of my route will have me on I-81 South through Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. That route is going to end up taking me about 12 hours over 2 days (6 hours each day). I was wondering if any of you have ever ridden on I-81 in that area, and if it's any better than just taking I-95 South all the way. I'm hoping to see a bit more hills and mountains on I-81 than I would on I-95 since I'm from the flat-lands of Florida. I'm hoping to enjoy the scenery, doing some photography, and avoid driving through Baltimore & DC's traffic. I will be doing this ride on a Saturday and Sunday if that matters.

Thanks!

Definitely do I-81 and avoid I-95.. hardly any construction on I-81; can't say that for I-95

You will find that there are a lot of truckers on I-81... but it's still better than I-95.

[wjduke]

First Post!

I'm just in the process of purchasing my mighty "B"! Should be an owner within 7 days!

So I found a NEW 2013 Std for less than I could find a used F6B in my area. I'm flying up for delivery and riding back to Florida. A lot of my route will have me on I-81 South through Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. That route is going to end up taking me about 12 hours over 2 days (6 hours each day). I was wondering if any of you have ever ridden on I-81 in that area, and if it's any better than just taking I-95 South all the way. I'm hoping to see a bit more hills and mountains on I-81 than I would on I-95 since I'm from the flat-lands of Florida. I'm hoping to enjoy the scenery, doing some photography, and avoid driving through Baltimore & DC's traffic. I will be doing this ride on a Saturday and Sunday if that matters.

Thanks!

Here's what I would like to ask you. How was the process of buying a bike out of state? I see a lot of good deals, but wonder how much of a hassle it would be to do what you're doing. From prices here, it could be well worth a trip. Stupid things like: how did you pay, register and insure? I wouldn't expect a long answer, but am very curious. I never did that!

[M_E_A_T]

Of course I can only comment about my situation....

So, for some personal reasons I needed to buy through American Honda (which means a new bike since they wont finance a used bike). American Honda Finance will not allow a borrower from out of state to "remotely" sign their loan docs, the buyer must do the signing in person. I even asked if I could sign at my local Honda dealer to have a witness, but they (AHFC) would not allow that.

Once I got to that point I had to determine if the cost to transport/fly was still below buying locally. In my case it was still about $1500 cheaper with the travel if I drove the bike home myself.

Driving the bike home:
Shipping adds $500-$900 to the cost, so I chose to ride back to get the best bang for my buck.(driving could also be an upside too right?)

Sales Tax:
The dealer out of state does NOT add sales tax to the bike since I will be paying sales tax when I register in my state. So, I will need to come out of pocket to register the bike which will end up being about $1000. Since it's after the sale at the dealer, it cannot be part of the loan amount.

Other than that - a very straightforward transaction. I did the pre-approval on the powersports.honda.com website, they give you an application number when you complete the online form. I provided that app number to my dealer out of state. He could then link my pre-approval to his sale on his system, and proceed accordingly. I need to provide proof of insurance and my Driver's License at signing. I'm flying to the closest airport, getting an UBER to the dealer, and signing and driving. The dealer is providing me with a temporary 30 day registration for my ride home. Other than that - that's it! I just have to register the bike when I get back to Florida to get my license plate.

If I could have done other financing from another lender, I could just mail a check for the balance of the bike to the dealer, and provide dealer with a notarized limited power of attorney, and they could have done it ALL remote without the need to travel.

Thanks!

[DMAGOLDRDR]

Having just ridden from Connecticut to St Augustine and back last week for Biketoberfest, I will throw in my .02

I make the ride from CT to Fla every couple years and almost always take 84 to Scranton and run 81 down. As long as you are comfortable riding along with Big Trucks 81 will be a more scenic ride. I was an over the road driver many years ago so I am quite comfortable around them. But keep in mind the Trucks need to get a run at the big hills and will be hauling a$$ to get a run and then slowing down as the climb. Just try to stay out of their way as they are NOT just screwing with you it is what they need to do.

On the other hand,,, this time we came back up 95 the entire ride and had no issues. Very little construction, fairly smooth road surface and no traffic but less enjoyable ride.

[RickJ]

Having just ridden from Connecticut to St Augustine and back last week for Biketoberfest, I will throw in my .02

I make the ride from CT to Fla every couple years and almost always take 84 to Scranton and run 81 down. As long as you are comfortable riding along with Big Trucks 81 will be a more scenic ride. I was an over the road driver many years ago so I am quite comfortable around them. But keep in mind the Trucks need to get a run at the big hills and will be hauling a$$ to get a run and then slowing down as the climb. Just try to stay out of their way as they are NOT just screwing with you it is what they need to do.

On the other hand,,, this time we came back up 95 the entire ride and had no issues. Very little construction, fairly smooth road surface and no traffic but less enjoyable ride.

Not to Hijack...but I wanted to thank you for that post. I have a high regard for truckers and want to share the road with them as safetly as possible. They have a hard enough time w/o me getting an attitude about their driving. Thanks for the tips. Maybe we can start another thread with other observations.

OK thread hijack done, sorry.

[SimonTemplar]

Meat..

If you decide you're going to come near the I-40/US52 vicinity (Winston/Greensboro/High Point, NC), let me know. We'll hoist one...or three.

You've been luckier than I. Went to local dealer (who for the past several weeks has been eager to sell) today to finally make the sale and they told me to go away. (brake recall...although they steadfastly refused to tell me what the recall was...only that there was a recall) Apparently, didn't even want to talk sale.

Sounds like I am going to have to do the cross-country boogie, like you. What a PIA.


....sT

[wjduke]

Thanks...very good info here. I wonder how a sale of a used bike, person to person would be.....I'm not sure if I can go new or used at this point.

Thank you very much...I'll subscribe to this and save it.

I would love to buy one and ride it home too, but I live in New England and time is running out for that. I'm still waiting to settle an accident. My lawyer is dragging this out and killing me along with it..

[MisterB]

Here's what I would like to ask you. How was the process of buying a bike out of state? I see a lot of good deals, but wonder how much of a hassle it would be to do what you're doing. From prices here, it could be well worth a trip. Stupid things like: how did you pay, register and insure? I wouldn't expect a long answer, but am very curious. I never did that!

wjduke, wanted to chime in with my experience. Bought my new 2013 F6B off eBay for 13.5k, ebay required $500 immediate payment. Dealer was in Waterloo, Iowa which is about 360 miles from my house.
Sent the VIN to my insurance company and got coverage starting the day I picked it up. Drove my car up with a buddy, brought a cashier's check for the remainder, there was a $129 fee for documents or something, and rode it home. (had them double check the final drive level, thank you hondaf6b.com forums!)
Had to pay my state sales tax when I got the plates. I've bought my last 3 bikes through Craigslist or eBay, nothing bad to say about either service.
Toted my '05 Concours home in the back of my '89 S-10 from Kentucky, took a bus to get my ST1300 from Kansas City.
I enjoy having some adventure tied to the purchase of motorcycles, it's a great starting point.

[M_E_A_T]

wjduke, wanted to chime in with my experience. Bought my new 2013 F6B off eBay for 13.5k, ebay required $500 immediate payment. Dealer was in Waterloo, Iowa which is about 360 miles from my house.
Sent the VIN to my insurance company and got coverage starting the day I picked it up. Drove my car up with a buddy, brought a cashier's check for the remainder, there was a $129 fee for documents or something, and rode it home. (had them double check the final drive level, thank you hondaf6b.com forums!)
Had to pay my state sales tax when I got the plates. I've bought my last 3 bikes through Craigslist or eBay, nothing bad to say about either service.
Toted my '05 Concours home in the back of my '89 S-10 from Kentucky, took a bus to get my ST1300 from Kansas City.
I enjoy having some adventure tied to the purchase of motorcycles, it's a great starting point.

Forgive me I'm new

What is adjusting the final drive level?