Yup, Andrew’s correct (at least about the saying and my home-and-native-land).
If you’ve got a pick-up, I’m not really sure there is much value in renting a u-haul. The onyl real advantage of the an is the included ramp.
If you are taking the bike to a mechanic, ask if you can borrow one of his ramps for the trip, also ask him for any tips/pointers. Certainly when you get the bike there he’ll help you unload it.
The local independant shop we frequent for my parent’s older bikes is run by a really knowledgable guy. I don’t know if he’d lend ramps out, but watching him load a bike onto a truck is like watching a ballet. One two three seemless moves and the bike is up and tied down, and you’d never have known that a 160 pound guy just moved a 400 pound bike. I’ve seen bigger guys struggle more with bicycles.
One last note, be careful with a bike that hasn’t been ridden in two years. You’re taking it to a mechanic before buying it, which is an absolute must that most people don’t do. But there is a lot of rubber that can dry out in that time. If the bike wasntt stored right, the carbs can be pretty messy. Basically, getting it road ready *can* be (but not always is) a lot of work. Just make sure that what it takes to make the bike road worthy doesn’t end up making the bike cost more than you planned to pay (sounds like common sense, but sometimes the reminders help).
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“The two seconds between ‘Oh S**!’ and the crash isn’t a lot of practice time.”