I called my dealer yesterday. Now they tell me the ship date has been moved up to Feb. 20th...
I requested to not take the bike out till I get there the same day, so I can take pictures. Then the sales guy asked me if it would be ok if 'HE' takes the pictures. I said NO WAY!!
The sales guy tells me there may not be enough room for a crate in the store. Sounds like he's trying to pull a fast one....I reassured him I would be at the dealership within the hour of the bike arriving!!!
In no way should you let them take the pictures, if you can help it.
I was second on the list for mine and the dealer called shortly before Sturgis to let me know that it was mine if I wanted it--first guy balked or didn't have the cash. I told him I'd be in Sturgis within two days and would like to let him know after I'd seen the colors in person. They must've unpacked and prepped the bike during those two days.
Regardless, I wish I had seen some of the posts on this site prior because I would've insisted they wait for me to unpack it.
If I could do it all over again, I'd have a ton of pictures and would've kept a lot of the packaging. What the hell--why not?
I even asked them for the crate bottom; they gave me an older one, not the one that my bike came on. Worth a try.
Good luck and enjoy the ride!