Motor Bikes

[jeanontheroad]

[Mod Note: Split from Thousand Trails thread.]
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Bob, I had a little Honda Rebel for a couple years. Loved the gas mileage, hated the rough gear shifting. The service people said that was just the way the Rebel was. Finally traded it in to get a Helix scooter. The 250 cc scooter engine is still a gas sipper, and now, I am totally shiftless.

 

[akrvbob]

Jean, there are so many reasons to carry a scooter or motorcycle, I'm surprised more people don't:

1) Second vehicle to go for help if you break down in the middle of nowhere.
2) If the rig is in the shop for long, you have a daily driver.
3) 70-120 MPG!!! Who wouldn't love that!
4) Lots less wear and tear on the van or RV.
5) They are FUN to drive around as a daily driver!

You can get a 50cc scooter for cheap, get 100 pg and often they don't need a special license, insurance or a helmet.
Bob

 

[sushidog]

I bought a couple of Chinese clones of the old Honda CT-70 I had as a kid. (I guess I'm trying to relive my youth.) Anyway, these are modernized quite a bit, with 125cc engines, disk brakes, electrci start, electronic ignition, etc. They cost me $1,100 each shipped to my door and only $99/yr to insure the pair. They go 60mph (with the 3mm bigger carbs and 2 tooth higher gearing) and get around 100 MPG too! Here's a pic:

They only weigh about 150lbs each, so they are easy to carry too. Here's a pic of them in the back of my truck showing how little room they take up:

The white thing in the bed is my loading ramp. I intend to build a tall plywood ruck topper to house the bikes and will replace the tail gate with this hinged, 2 piece loading ramp for a rear door when I go full-time.

Chip

 

[SoulRaven]

In my youth I was a motorcycle drag racer with a 1974 Kaw Z-1 punched out to 1200cc. I had the fastest street bike in 1983 a GS1100E Suzuki. I have not been on a motorcycle in 15 years and will never ride again for my run of good luck without breaking a bone or crashing is just about to run out.

 

[LeeRevell]

I carry my 400+ pound KLR650A19 in my open trailer behind the van, along with other camping gear.

My 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan with trailered 2005 KLR650A19 at the 2011 Tour de Apalachicola VI rally:

Slept in the GC - first year sleeping accomodations were primitive - had a sleeping bag over the air mattress: