OT: Motorcycle trips and hotels

[Dave B]

I know many of you ride motorbikes and figured some of you might have experiences I could learn from.

Was thinking about a long distance (maybe cross country) trip on my motorcycle and while I know camping is a highly preferred method, I am curious about hotels.

More importantly; when you stop at a hotel, what method(s) do you come up with to keep your bike from being stolen overnight? I have seen these disc brake locks, which makes sense and I suppose if you could roll your bike into a room that would be helpful, although not approved of by the hotel.

Anyone have a good bit of advice on how to keep your bike safe? Especially from experience.

[efuentes]

We mostly use hotels that have accommodation for our bikes in one form or another, advrider.com is your friend :)

[Dave B]

We mostly use hotels that have accommodation for our bikes in one form or another, advrider.com is your friend :)

I did all sorts of searches there and had the worst time trying to find info.

I was looking under trip planning. It is a great source though. Antihero on his Duc Panigale is my daily check in!

So awesome

[efuentes]

I have to force myself to keep away from the trips section (And the memorable Jo momma and its "special" threads :hello:)

[Ken Robb]

A disc lock is good and any other extra locks (chain to immovable object) can be worthwhile deterrents. I like to stay at old-timey motels where I can park right by my room. Failing that I try to find parking right by the lobby in view of the front desk.

OTOH much of the theft risk is determined by the cycle you ride. Current sport bikes are crashed often so there is BIG demand for replacement body parts and they cost a LOT more than most riders would ever guess. In addition these bikes can be used as track-only toys or race bikes so stolen ones don't need to be registered/titled. We all know about Harleys being chopped/customized beyond recognition and the demand for used parts.

My previous bike was a BMW and I think they are rarely stolen. Most BMWs are ridden by experienced conservative riders and rarely crashed or raced so there isn't much demand for crash repair parts. The Uber schnell SR1000 models may be the exception to my BMW generalization.

I don't know about the popularity of Goldwings, metric cruisers, etc. with thieves.

Where/when are you going to ride?

[Dave B]

Right now, before I either wise up or life happens am thinking of heading to Vegas from Indy in early June or July. Have the wife fly out to Vegas and maybe finally have a honeymoon for a few days and then she flies back and I ride back. I take a few days to get out there and back and see the sights if you will. No problem with camping on the way or way back, but also not against a hotel.

This is my hope not planned at all other then, "Hey it is time get busy having some fun!"

Unless the lottery comes in I will be on my Duc monster.

[christian]

I don't know about the popularity of Goldwings, metric cruisers, etc. with thieves.Very popular with old thieves, and blind, but practical, thieves, respectively. Old, blind, practical thieves, of course, steal PC800s.

Generally, I'd put a disk lock on it, and not worry too much about it, when I toured. That'll keep "casual" thieves at bay, and there is little you can do against four determined guys and a box van. A big chain and molly lock weigh too much to tour with in any case. Never had a bad experience.

I'd take hard cases into the room though, obviously.

Best solution is obviously to get 5-10 friends to get '86 EVO FXRs, paint them flattish-black, mount mini-apes. People generally don't f*ck with club bikes. :)

[smead]

Although this is not a helpful answer to the question posed by the OP, it brought back a great memory for me. In the mid-90s I was moto-touring the pacific NW and ended up overnight in alturas, ca (rural modoc county - kinda like central montana) and checked in to the 100+ year old Niles hotel on the main drag. Had dinner and beers at the bar until closing time. Then the gal behind the bar told me I could roll my FJ1200 right through the front door - I parked it in front of the bar all night - too cool. :banana:

[Gummee]

I have to force myself to keep away from the trips section (And the memorable Jo momma and its "special" threads :hello:)

JM is where its at! Between Toxic Britney and Dear Bicycle Riders...

AFA keeping the bike from getting stolen: lots of times hotels/motels will let you park em in the drive where (in theory) the night staff can keep an eye on em.

...but just like bicycles, if someone really really wants your bike, they're gonna take it. :nod All it takes is a few hefty guys and a pickup.

I've gone XC bunches of times. Typically I'll couch surf ADVRiders' couches. Last XC trip I did I spent A night in a motel. The rest were couches. Somewhere 'over there' is a tent space thread. Very good info to know. For example, if you were near NoVA, I've got a barn, tools, etc. and a sizeable yard to pitch a tent in.

M

[Gummee]

Right now, before I either wise up or life happens am thinking of heading to Vegas from Indy in early June or July. Have the wife fly out to Vegas and maybe finally have a honeymoon for a few days and then she flies back and I ride back. I take a few days to get out there and back and see the sights if you will. No problem with camping on the way or way back, but also not against a hotel.

This is my hope not planned at all other then, "Hey it is time get busy having some fun!"

Unless the lottery comes in I will be on my Duc monster.Jun/Jul in the desert is effing HOT. AMHIK what it feels like to ride across the Mojave in Aug. Flag -> Amboy -> 29Palms -> Borrego Springs -> Sandy Eggo. Only the last coupla hours of that trip weren't hot and/or hotter.

Desert stuff: Ride with a camelbak under your jacket. Keeps the agua cooler. Drink it! Drink lots of it.

Soak your shirt in water when you stop. The evaporative cooling helps. If you've got $ get a cooling vest.

There's a big debate between mesh and windproof jackets. I lean towards windproof, but there's enough debate that I'll let you decide.

There's more, but that's all I can remember off the top of the head.

M

[maunahaole]

Prez - we got some space if you stop by our place. Make sure to check out the pashnit site for the full 411 on California roads. I think it is a pay site now, but it is loaded with good info.

[mistermo]

BMW 12GS here. Never locked it. It's too ugly (and dirty) for people to want to steal it. "Those" types go for Harleys (and Ducatis). Whenever possible, I get a room on the ground floor of the Super 8 and park by my window.

I guess I'm not answering your question though.

advrider: MisterMo

[biker72]

I’ve motorcycled through almost all of the states west of the Mississippi and a few east. I had a 1982 BMW twin that I put 50k miles on and traded it in for a 1987 K100 RT BMW. Put 60k miles on the K bike before selling it in 1992. (The current owner tells me it now has well over 100k miles.)

Most of the time I traveled with a friend but occasionally rode solo. We never camped..always a motel. We both had nice bike covers but put strips of duct tape on them to make it look like repaired rips. Never used a lock and never had a problem.

As the previous poster mentioned..always get a ground floor room and park your bike where you can see it.

[Ralph]

It's been a few years, but I have toured around a big part of USA on a motorcycle. Avoided major large hotels/motels whenever possible.

As noted above, whenever possible always looked for simpler motels where I could park by front door, where lighting is good, where security would be a tad more alert. Many times stayed in older Mom and Pop places, where I received some incredible kindness re my motorcycle over night. I remember many a time the owners would insist I put it inside the building and out of the elements, or inside a motel storage area, or their personal residence, etc. I've been told to just roll it into the lobby before.

There are some mighty nice thoughtful folks out there on the backroads.

[Ken Robb]

Indy to Vegas in July on a Monster= bad route, bad time of the year on the wrong bike.
How about riding to Colorado and enjoying a luxury hotel at Vail or Aspen at off-season rates? The ride across Utah and/or Nevada in July,especially on a bike with no fairing, would not be fun for me.

[buldogge]

We made a big loop from the STL thru KS, CO, UT, WY, SD, NE, with slight diversions in NM, AZ, ID, and MT...never camped...zero issues.

3 guys on VFR800s with full bags and extra gear...left the bikess at hotels, trailheads, state and national parks, downtowns, etc ad nauseum...often with extra unlocked gear bags strapped on...helmets...jackets...etc...zero issues.

Maybe we were lucky...maybe we chose the right "spots".

-Mark in St. Louis

[christian]

Indy to Vegas in July on a Monster= bad route, bad time of the year on the wrong bike.
People have ridden from the UK to Oz on a postie (CT90). I think he'll be ok.

[Ken Robb]

Doing it is one thing but enjoying it is something else. Of course I am old, soft and crabby so I only want to ride scenic twisty roads in temperate climates on a comfy bike. :)

[Dave B]

I would love to be doing this on a Multistrada or even a GS, but right now I have my monster and it is all I can swing. So will have to do.

As for timing, I am a school teacher, summers are my opportunities to do adventures and I need to start living and stop worrying for the"right time" to do this stuff.

So this is my beginning and hope as Mr. Frost says, "Yet knowing how way leads unto way."

Maybe on a sport bike like ride and a sweltering heat I will find humor in what I am doing and begin to not worry so much about the small **** that keeps the IBS going every day. :banana:

[Ken Robb]

I would happily do multi-day rides on a Monster on the lovely roads in southern Ohio,Indiana, Kentucky, The Ozarks, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, etc. all of which are an easy and fun ride from Indy. Living in San Diego I have had to endure quite a few looooong drones across the desert to get to some interesting places where the fun riding really began.

Heck I had a riding pal who rode his BMWs from San Diego to Southern Illinois twice a year(Spring and Fall) until he was 80 years old. His wife quit riding pillion the last few years due to arthritis so I guess compared to them I'm just a candy-ass.

After a few 300 mile days on my BMW R1100R naked bike I bought a windshield before taking a ride to Monterey, CA. It was a wonderful addition for long rides. My Ducati ST3 is the first fully faired bike I have owned. The good news:it is wonderful and highway speeds. The bad news: I don't explore unpaved roads like I used to with my naked bikes.

[csm]

on a related note... I've read most/all of Neil Peart's travelogues... he's a big BMW rider. now I am looking at a 1200 gs.
his books will certainly inspire you.

[buldogge]

That is a good point, actually re: a Monster.

I would definitely install a windshield for the trip...this will make the single biggest difference.

Make sure you have good raingear as well...at least a set of Froggs.

-Mark in St. Louis

I would happily do multi-day rides on a Monster on the lovely roads in southern Ohio,Indiana, Kentucky, The Ozarks, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, etc. all of which are an easy and fun ride from Indy. Living in San Diego I have had to endure quite a few looooong drones across the desert to get to some interesting places where the fun riding really began.

Heck I had a riding pal who rode his BMWs from San Diego to Southern Illinois twice a year(Spring and Fall) until he was 80 years old. His wife quit riding pillion the last few years due to arthritis so I guess compared to them I'm just a candy-ass.

After a few 300 mile days on my BMW R1100R naked bike I bought a windshield before taking a ride to Monterey, CA. It was a wonderful addition for long rides. My Ducati ST3 is the first fully faired bike I have owned. The good news:it is wonderful and highway speeds. The bad news: I don't explore unpaved roads like I used to with my naked bikes.

[Gummee]

Was there a reason you were going to Vegas in the summer? Why not somewhere like Jackson, WY or Banff or Seattle or X that's somewhere further north than Nevada? Further north = cooler temps.

NOW is the time to go to Vegas, Palm Springs, Barstow, Phoenix, etc etc

If your wife will ride pillion, there's always the 'fly somewhere and rent a Hardley' option. Yeah, I know you said 'no Hardleys' but if you want your SO along, they make GREAT bikes for pillions. Base somewhere decent sized and do day rides to hiking, etc. and go back to the same place to sleep, eat, and other things. :nod

M

[Dave B]

Wife will fly out to Vegas and I would meet her at the airport. I just wanted to have a fun weekend type of event. Vegas seems to fit that bill for adults. She isn't outdoorsy, so shopping, shows, pool, etc are more her types of recreation. Soooo, figured it would be fun to ride through Colorado and some in the desert.

No plans just yet, but I have lived/visited allover the east coast and have been west only a few times in my life. Want to see more.

There isn't a desire for her to ride pillion yet. well maybe a desire, but she doesn't want to be on a trip, maybe on a short hour ride. Yes Harley is on my bucket list, but I am more interested in the V-rod. I figure when I am older I might give it a shot, but the Multi/GS sprot touring bikes appeal to me more...right now. My father-in-law just got a HD Switchback and it is pretty cool. I like all of the metal versus the plastic on my Duc. But I am like 400 pounds wet right now, which is fun and fast.

[buldogge]

When you leave Vegas just head towards St. George and you can zig zag your way to Zion, GC, Escalante, Jackson/Tetons, Moab, Durango/Million Dollar...ton's of choices!

Have fun!!

-Mark in St. Louis

Wife will fly out to Vegas and I would meet her at the airport. I just wanted to have a fun weekend type of event. Vegas seems to fit that bill for adults. She isn't outdoorsy, so shopping, shows, pool, etc are more her types of recreation. Soooo, figured it would be fun to ride through Colorado and some in the desert.

No plans just yet, but I have lived/visited allover the east coast and have been west only a few times in my life. Want to see more.

There isn't a desire for her to ride pillion yet. well maybe a desire, but she doesn't want to be on a trip, maybe on a short hour ride. Yes Harley is on my bucket list, but I am more interested in the V-rod. I figure when I am older I might give it a shot, but the Multi/GS sprot touring bikes appeal to me more...right now. My father-in-law just got a HD Switchback and it is pretty cool. I like all of the metal versus the plastic on my Duc. But I am like 400 pounds wet right now, which is fun and fast.

[Gummee]

There isn't a desire for her to ride pillion yet. well maybe a desire, but she doesn't want to be on a trip, maybe on a short hour ride. Yes Harley is on my bucket list, but I am more interested in the V-rod. I figure when I am older I might give it a shot, but the Multi/GS sprot touring bikes appeal to me more...right now. My father-in-law just got a HD Switchback and it is pretty cool. I like all of the metal versus the plastic on my Duc. But I am like 400 pounds wet right now, which is fun and fast.

That's why I was suggesting a 'fly n rent.' Head to Sandy Eggo. Lots of great riding from there. :nod There's places to rent bikes, or if you schmooze the BMW dealers well enough, they'll give you a bike for the weekend. Wife can go to the beach. There's La Jolla (mmmm sushi on the rock), Hotel Del Coronado, etc. etc. etc. As an added benefit, rent a bicycle, leave the missus on the beach and ride north to Oceanside.

Off the strip, I'm not quite sure what there is to do in Vegas. Pools? Certainly. Shows? Bring the bank vault. Some are spen-dee! There's some good riding near Vegas, but the temps of when you're thinking of going? Not nearly as nice as other places. Biggest problem I had in Vegas was all the smoking in the casinos. Ugh. Walk in the door and immediately want to puke.

M

[Dave B]

^^^^ Hmmmmmm.

Will look into this. Might need to rethink things, but still have plenty of time to decide on a destination and route.

Thanks all.

[Gummee]

Not to dissuade anyone from jumping on a bike and going, but there's better options than Vegas in June/July.

I'd be willing to say 'Baja on your Crimmus break' as a trial run. Once you get south of say AR, things get better weather-wise.

Oh, and one more point to ponder: on my XC rides, once I get where I'm going it takes a day or two of to get back in the swing of things. Typically I'm tired of that @#$# bike and don't want to see it for a bit. If your wife is expecting bright-eyed and bushy-tailed after you crawl off the Monster after schlepping halfway across the country, y'all may be disappointed.

M

[Ken Robb]

My pal owns California Motorcycle Rentals. He can get you on a BMW R1200R with windshield and hard bags in San Diego or the Bay Area. I think it is also possible to pick up in one location and drop off in the other,

A loop up along the Sierras and back down the coast would be nice. Lake Tahoe is gorgeous, has casinos and other resorts, and is surrounded by great riding. You can fly to Reno and have a lot nicer varied trip than Vegas.