Motorcycle+Bicycle extended trip

[dem]

So I have a crazy idea to take a few weeks off and combine backroad motorcycling, camping and bicycling.. maybe climb a bunch of the hardest climbs in the western US along the way. I've ordered a 2x2 bike rack and plan to try a few shorter trips and see how doable it is.

Anyone done anything like this? Crazy? Dumb? Crazy dumb awesome?

[572cv]

I remember a while back seeing a guy who has welded up a custom bicycle carrier to fit his motorcycle. So, I think you could do that.

Just not the other way around.....:p

[Ken Robb]

what is a 2x2 bike rack? Does it go on a car and carry 2 two-wheel vehicles?
One question is how to secure a bicycle when you are off on the motorcycle?

[dem]

It will look like this (I have the same motorcycle, but this isn't mine)

For whatever reason, I loathe taking long car trips.. but I can ride my motorcycle 200-300 miles/day, back to back indefinitely (been up to the Arctic Circle, etc.)

Security on a motorcycle is always a bit sketchy - combination of cable locks, careful parking, etc. I'd also have soft luggage with camping gear, which is also not super secure.

[sandyrs]

I've got nothing for you beyond holy **** that looks like fun.

[christian]

I just bought a 2x2 Mini Rack for my FZ1. I mostly use it to go mountain biking locally, but no reason it wouldn't work for this. I say go for it.

[p nut]

Is a small trailer out of the question? There's enclosed trailers to keep your stuff safe and grime-free, as well.

http://pbmotorcycletrailer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Hayabusa-with-single-wheel-motorcycle-trailer-packed-for-trip.jpg

[commonguy001]

Sounds like a great way to spend a couple weeks not working. I used to do a whole lot more of that type of trip (minus the bike) before the wife and I started camping on a regular basis.
Now I just don't have the time but maybe I will down the road as I miss it a lot.

That rack you ordered is sweet, I have a buddy with one on his Vstrom.

[stephenmarklay]

So I have a crazy idea to take a few weeks off and combine backroad motorcycling, camping and bicycling.. maybe climb a bunch of the hardest climbs in the western US along the way. I've ordered a 2x2 bike rack and plan to try a few shorter trips and see how doable it is.

Anyone done anything like this? Crazy? Dumb? Crazy dumb awesome?

I have a 2x2 rack and it works perfectly. I have taken my bike camping and loved it

[stephenmarklay]

It will look like this (I have the same motorcycle, but this isn't mine)

For whatever reason, I loathe taking long car trips.. but I can ride my motorcycle 200-300 miles/day, back to back indefinitely (been up to the Arctic Circle, etc.)

Security on a motorcycle is always a bit sketchy - combination of cable locks, careful parking, etc. I'd also have soft luggage with camping gear, which is also not super secure.’

and so do I :)

[gemship]

It will look like this (I have the same motorcycle, but this isn't mine)

For whatever reason, I loathe taking long car trips.. but I can ride my motorcycle 200-300 miles/day, back to back indefinitely (been up to the Arctic Circle, etc.)

Security on a motorcycle is always a bit sketchy - combination of cable locks, careful parking, etc. I'd also have soft luggage with camping gear, which is also not super secure.

That looks weird but the old saying in my machinist days goes like this, form follows function. I imagine that setup will work really well. I never really rode a bicycle for longer than a hundred miles in a day and I never rode a motorcycle for more than maybe 250-300 miles in a day. Nothing to add here except I get where your coming from. When on my longest rides with the bike I would get to the most far points from home and pontificate how it would be nice to have a fresh feeling body whilst out here and the bicycle came to mind. Good luck finding a way to make both work on an adventure away from home.

[Ken Robb]

For me, not necessarily for anyone else, The bike and rack would seriously detract from my fun on the motorcycle and worrying about securing my motorcycle and camping gear while i was away on the bicycle would seriously detract from my enjoyment of that ride.

How about motorcycling to some mountain bike areas and renting pedal bikes? Summer offers off-season rates for lodging at ski areas so a simple hostel/motel room might not cost much more than a campsite. :beer:

[Louis]

THIS is what you need for an extended trip: (Advertised FS on ADVRider)

(motos go in the space between the tractor and the trailer)

[dem]

Part of the motivation is to do something crazy - but yeah, not sure if it will detract or add.. once I get the rack installed I'll try a few weekenders to see how it goes. Stuff like "how do I wash my bibs or clean myself up for putting my motorcycle kit back on" etc.

And stephenmarklay, what're you doing in june/july for 4 to 6 weeks? let's go! :)

[stephenmarklay]

Part of the motivation is to do something crazy - but yeah, not sure if it will detract or add.. once I get the rack installed I'll try a few weekenders to see how it goes. Stuff like "how do I wash my bibs or clean myself up for putting my motorcycle kit back on" etc.

And stephenmarklay, what're you doing in june/july for 4 to 6 weeks? let's go! :)

Where are we headed :)

[dem]

Well, if I remove the Hawaii and east coast climbs, I guess we start with these!

Fiets Index Score Distance Average Grade Elevation Gained Max Grade
5 Pikes Peak, CO 17.67 24.2 6.50% 7,914 13.80%
6 Onion Valley Rd, CA 14.15 12.7 8.20% 5,270 13.70%
7 Horseshoe Meadows Rd, CA 13.74 19.2 6.50% 6,490 15.30%
9 White Mountain, CA 12.8 20.1 6.30% 6,375 19.90%
11 Mt Evans, CO 12.46 27.4 4.90% 6,957 13.30%
12 Sherman Pass West, CA 12.29 15.6 6.40% 5,335 11.90%
13 Whitney Portal, CA 12.18 11.3 8.00% 4,573 13.80%
14 Guardsman Pass, UT 12.07 8.7 8.40% 3,987 19.20%
15 Nate Harrison Grade, CA 11.75 10.3 8.50% 4,431 14.70%
16 Hwy 39-Dawson's Saddle, CA 11.68 23.4 5.00% 6,621 14.50%
17 Mt Graham, AZ 11.42 20.1 5.70% 6,006 16.20%
19 Hwy 21-Whittaker Forest, CA 11.2 23.1 4.80% 6,833 24.7
20 Mt Baldy, CA 11.19 12.7 6.90% 5,013 15.10%
21 Bear Creek Road, CA 11.18 16.1 6.20% 5,432 16.80%
22 Hwy 156-Lee Canyon, NV 11.17 17.3 5.60% 5,338 9.20%
23 Powder Mountain, UT 11.04 6.1 10.50% 3,154 15.30%
24 Grand Mesa North, CO 11 21.4 5.50% 5,726 12.40%
25 South Lake, CA 10.88 18.6 5.40% 5,488 13.40%
26 Shirley Meadows, CA 10.87 9.9 7.90% 4,094 15.90%
27 Hwy 14 Alt Route, WY 10.77 18.5 6.50% 5,446 20.90%
28 Rock Creek, CA 10.76 24.5 4.90% 5,824 10.90%
29 Lake Sabrina, CA 10.71 14.6 7.80% 4,809 17.80%

[Ken Robb]

Where are we headed :)
Hmmm, the mountains east of Visalia/Porterville have lots of forest service roads through pine and aspen woods. Hotels in the area are NOT expensive. There is a little community called Ponderosa with a bar/grill/general store that also offers about 6 rustic motel rooms. I have spent time there on a motorcycle when I didn't see any cars in an hour of riding. An easy drive from SLO.

[cmg]

try to do something similar

[stephenmarklay]

try to do something similar


I have seen these and that is kewl.

[seanile]

totally doable, this is mine.
https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13533127_10210112064297639_3575333281500848760_n.j pg?oh=72d4389ed2228c1fbac4e7eadbd73663&oe=59054AE5

[FriarQuade]

I built a bike rack for a Harley dresser a couple years ago for an industry friend. The feedback he gave me was that having the bike up high made cross winds more of an issue, especially in highway traffic. We kept the bike fairly low but the bars were about head high. The racks that are posted seem like they would catch a lot of wind and have a tail like effect on the moto.

[seanile]

^any lower and the plate and lights would be blocked

[Louis]

^any lower and the plate and lights would be blocked

Nice setup. Your brake light looks quite a bit like the one on the XSR900

http://dx1media.dx1app.com/products/USA/YA/2016/MC/SPORT/XSR900/50/MATTE_GRAY_-_ALUMINUM/2000000332.jpg

[seanile]

Nice setup. Your brake light looks quite a bit like the one on the XSR900thank you.
i believe it's the same exact one. yamaha does a good job sharing parts across their recent (last 4 yrs) of models.

[dem]

Maiden voyage today.. rode the motorcycle (~110 miles round trip) over to Mt. Diablo and bicycled front & backside, parked in a Starbucks parking lot.

Since I wasn't camping, I put my motorcycle gear into the hard cases which won't be practical on a "real" trip - so I acquired a pacsafe mesh and plan to bundle my motorcycle gear into that, and then secure that to the bike (and park some where low traffic or hidden behind a tree!)

One side effect I didn't expect: The number of people trying to take pictures of me on the freeway at 80 mph, swerving around dangerously!

[Louis]

Since I wasn't camping, I put my motorcycle gear into the hard cases which won't be practical on a "real" trip - so I acquired a pacsafe mesh and plan to bundle my motorcycle gear into that, and then secure that to the bike (and park some where low traffic or hidden behind a tree!)

Sounds like you need a Ural. ;)

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/06/b9/30/06b9304ebfe32b1a9d44dbd09e9d725f.jpg

[PaMtbRider]

We just bought this yesterday for our motorcycle+bicycle+kayak+Airstream extended trips.

https://scontent.fagc1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16996259_10155130984161385_4840759870695947899_n.j pg?oh=d93b403414ad8744a8612a92112e3119&oe=592F34B2
https://scontent.fagc1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16864714_10155130984156385_4494144733328793560_n.j pg?oh=06a01237d4d1d81b7e822022846d80c2&oe=5932C8C9
https://scontent.fagc1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16830982_10155130984171385_3736421481218917663_n.j pg?oh=24badd009b74a90ac666a6c9219d52a1&oe=592F837D

[Louis]

We just bought this yesterday for our motorcycle+bicycle+kayak+Airstream extended trips.


Cool

Will the van also be towing the Airstream?

Lately I've been wondering about what's the better way to go - dedicated van or tow vehicle + enclosed (smallish) trailer for the moto and other stuff.

[PaMtbRider]

Cool

Will the van also be towing the Airstream?

Lately I've been wondering about what's the better way to go - dedicated van or tow vehicle + enclosed (smallish) trailer for the moto and other stuff.

Yes, we plan to tow our 28' Flying Cloud Airstream, with the van loaded with toys. The van has a 10,000 pound tow rating and is a 1 ton so it has plenty of payload capacity.

We looked at a lot of options before deciding on the travel trailer and cargo van combination. We considered a Mercedes Sprinter based motor home towing an enclosed trailer for the toys. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages. We chose the one that had the most pluses for us.