Fitting a GS500f into an SUV?? good or bad

[Sbag0024]

Ide like to take my Bike home where I grew up to ride with my friends for the 4th.. I have a trailer but no hitch, nor can I get a hitch in 2 days.. SO my thought (prolly sounds totally dumb but I am very desperate) But would this thing fit in a 2010 Rav4? It would most likely need to be on its side and I don't know if that is very safe or not if I drain out the gas and oil. My trip home is 180 miles, so about 3-3.5 hours. any thoughts?

[kman]

do you need to have the rav4?  Just ride the bike!

I think the oil will start coming out if you do not drain it although I would not recommend doing that because it is quite a production for one trip.  You might also need to take out the battery.  Im not for sure on that but car batteries are not supposed to be on their sides.  You are probably going to get black stuff in your car from somewhere on the bike between the chain, tires, brake dust and other stuff.

[Iroquois]

On it's side? 

In my non-professional opinion, I would say to drain the gas and oil from the bike. Make sure to get the gas out thats in the carbs as well. I'm not sure about brake fluid. Someone on these forums is bound to give you a much better answer.

[Sbag0024]

Yeah I would ride it. however i need to get my bag's home and also my gf lol.... so the only thing i can think of is putting it in her rav4 lol

[Paulcet]

Putting mine in my minivan wasn't hard.  Nissan Quest.  Had to take off the mirrors and flyscreen.  But the front wheel went up between the front seats (middle and rear seats removed) and the tail was just a few inches from the rear door.  I wouldn't think it'll fit in the rav4, but I don't know.

You'll have to take some pretty good measurements and determine for yourself.  Definitely drain all fluids before you lay it on it's side.

[BaltimoreGS]

As a Toyota tech I feel pretty confident in saying it will not fit without doing some significant damage to your Rav.

-Jessie

[burning1]

If you lay the bike on it's side, I would agree with the recommendation to completely drain the gas tank and oil. The tank has an overflow line, which could easily spill if left on it's side. The oil will tend to come out some of the breather tubes, and will leak into the air box.

The brake fluid does not need to be drained.

[the mole]

It'd be a lot less hassle to get your gf to take the bags in the rav, and you ride the bike. That way you don't have to spend 3 hrs listening to her complain about the fuel smell and damage to her upholstery .

[Paulcet]

That way you don't have to spend 3 hrs listening to her complain about the fuel smell and damage to her upholstery .

Oh, it's her rav4?  Fuggedaboutit!

[Sbag0024]

HAHAHA yeah a new 2010 rav =) She would flip if i get a crumb in it . 

[the mole]

Wherever your bike lies on her carpet/mat its going to wear a hole in it. By the time you drain your fluids, pad under the bike with plywood etc, tie it down to stop it slamming in to the sides on corners, stop to re-tie it etc etc, you could have ridden there! Plus, you'll get wear marks on the bike as well and you'll still have to listen to your gf complain for 3 hrs.
Finally, you'll then need to find a new gf and that can be a lot more expensive than the fuel you'll burn riding it there.
Don't do it!  

[lilwoody]

Don't be a shelless mullosk, ride it.

[offcamber]

Probably a lot easier to put a hitch on the Rav.

[kman]

+1 have her drive and you ride.  you didn't mention an alternate driver before.  thats the obvious answer

[bubba zanetti]

Sure, why not.

[Anaconda]

+1 have her drive and you ride.  you didn't mention an alternate driver before.  thats the obvious answer

Yes, another +1 on this option.  It is totally not worth putting a motorcycle in a small suv.  First off, i doubt it'll fit without taking lots of stuff apart.

[Elijafir]

I once put a Yamaha Blaster into a Subaru Legacy Sedan to bring it from Astoria, OR to Tucson, AZ... But, that's another story.  I would NOT put a GS in the back of a BRAND NEW anything, except an open bed truck.  If she is not willing to drive, so you can ride, and she is willing to put up with your bike being in her CAR (I don't consider the RAV4 an SUV at all.)   Then, here is the procedure:
Get a tape measure - measure everything 10 times to make sure it will even fit before you try to cram it in there and damage her car and your bike.
Drain the fuel, start the bike to run the carbs out.
Drain the oil
Remove the battery
Remove the mirrors.
"Cut to Fit" a piece of plywood for the back of the car.  Also, Maybe a few old pillows you don't care about...
Cardboard up the sides and behind the front seats and rear hatch/door. 
Might not be a bad idea to remove your left side pegs and shift lever
Get a buddy or two that will CAREFULLY help you maneuver the GS into the car.
Bring your lucky rabbits foot, four leaf clover, and a 6 pack of beer for your buddies.
Good Luck!  You'll need it.  If you do it, Pictures are worth a thousand words.  I never took pics of the blaster/legacy situation... but, it was impressive.. to say the least.

[mister]

Two vehicles - a bike owned by you and a car owned by your GF - both heading in the same direction which is NOT very far away. Why is this even a question?. Ride the friggen thing sheesh. If you want to talk, get a bluetooth intercom thingamajig.

Michael

[BaltimoreGS]

I don't consider the RAV4 an SUV at all

Toyota markets them as a Compact Utility Vehicle (CUV).  Nice vehicle if you get the 4 cylinder.  The 6 cylinder engine has a lot of issues.

-Jessie

[Twism86]

Have the GF drive and haul the luggage! I dont think it would fit. If it did fit it would be an impossible task on your own also.