Motorcycles and Scooters

[owl]

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp; Do you carry one on your travels? If so, please tell us about it. What model, how do you carry it, gas mileage etc. Would you buy the same model again?</P>

 

[romani10]

Hi, owl.<div>&nbsp; I carry/ haul a '97 suzuki bandit 1200, in an enclosed trailer. I tow with a modified box truck. The mileage on the box truck ain't great, the mileage on the motorcycle is about 40 mpg. I run for groceries and the like with the bike. I started with a Moto Guzzi cruiser motorcycle, but it wouldn't cut it on the gravel trails in the national forests. So I got the smaller bike. The bike is not ideal for what I do. I would rather have a dual purpose bike, because even the bandit has put me down on the rocks with it's street tires. However, it is a money saver for running tasks instead of using the truck.</div>

 

[owl]

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp; I understand. I'm thinking the same thing. Something I can use on and off and is light enough to handle alone when loading. I'm surprised that more people aren't using bikes with gas being as high as it is.</P>

 

[mobilekev]

&nbsp;I used to carry a 200 Suzuki on a hitch carrier on the back of my class C RV. It was a dual sport and great for riding out in the boonies as well as running to town. Got about 90 miles per gallon but was a little down on power and geared too low for the interstate. Next time I'll get at least a 250.<br>&nbsp;Got the hitch carrier on ebay. It was good and cheap but the weight of the bike made me scrape going into driveways sometimes so also had to put a lift kit on the RV.<br>&nbsp;Having that much weight hanging off the back can be a problem for tires as well and might not be a good idea without duallys.<br>&nbsp;But having a bike was really great. I'd say it doubled our fun being out in the woods. I'm in Washington right now and if/when I find a place to settle in I'll be getting another one.<br>

 

[Nemo]

<p>&nbsp;&nbsp; Do you carry one on your travels? If so, please tell us about it. What model, how do you carry it, gas mileage etc. Would you buy the same model again?</p>

<br><br>Before I took up a mobile lifestyle, I had purchased a Kawasaki Vulcan 900 cruiser.. it travels with me.. Its big and heavy and loading into the back of the box truck can set your heart pounding...&nbsp; the box truck gets about 10mph, the bike about 45.. because it is such a pain to put in and out of the truck, I wouldnt unload it often, but would occasionally use it to run supplies.. if I was buying now would get a smaller bike <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br>

 

[owl]

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp; I checked out the Yamaha 200 dual purpose bike a couple of days ago. Price was $4350 + That would buy a lot of gas.</P>

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;I'm gonna pick up one of these. Cheap, light, insane fuel economy, easy/cheap to fix, and goes as fast as I need to go (30 MPH).<br>

 

[restless]

Owl, you can pick up a used TW200 for a lot less than new.&nbsp; They're incredibly reliable, about as light as you can get and still have a motorcycle and they're rated to carry 295 lbs, so it's a work horse.&nbsp; With stock gearing, they're good around town and 55 isn't a problem.&nbsp; I haven't re-geared mine, but I understand with taller gears guys comfortably do 65 under most conditions.&nbsp; The fat tires make it very forgiving off road so it's a very 'rideable' and user friendly bike.&nbsp; It leans well on the street too.&nbsp; On advrider.com, there's a thread about a guy riding one from Utah to Alaska.&nbsp; Check out tw200forum.com for tons of info on that bike.<br>

 

[owl]

<P>&nbsp;&nbsp; restless, now we're getting somwhere! How much for yours? Just kidding, by the way welcome to the forum.</P>

 

[romani10]

I will rephrase on my bike. It is by no means a "light" bike. Even putting it in my trailer, at 500 lbs., it is a bitch. I won't have a bike less than 650 cc's. The reason? Ya gotta get on the freeway once in a while when running for supplies, and if you can't get up to speed fast enough, you will have a train of cagers on your butt, which is a very dangerous situation. The ideal is a shorter wheelbase, and a steeper rake angle, and fat tires. My bandit will handle gravel with ease, but it hasn't got the knobbies that I really need. The bandit is 1200 cc's, and incredibly reliable. The Guzzi I had before put me down in NC on a mountain trail, because it is a long, low, cruiser type. Living this lifestyle, I have to adapt to what works. The bandit works, the Guzzi didn't.

 

[owl]

<P>romani10, you're right. It seems everything is a compromise. In my case, I think if the bike is a pain I probably won't use it as often. Maybe I don't need one at all.</P>

 

[restless]

Owl, I'm afraid my TW purchase falls under the "learn from my mistakes" category. <br><br>The TW is not a freeway bike although I've had mine to 70 (indicated) once, with stock gearing.&nbsp; If I had to hit the freeway occasionally with the bike I'd look hard at the DRZ400's and the like.&nbsp; That's another bike that's very popular and for good reason. <br><br>If I was on the freeway a lot I'd likely prefer the 650 V-Strom but only because the Triumph Tiger is so expensive <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0">&nbsp; If I really felt I needed a bike that big but wanted an off-road emphasis, I'd lean toward the KTM.&nbsp; There's a lot of good bikes out there that can be made to work.&nbsp; <br><br>If you can live without a bike, do it.&nbsp; It'll save you money and aggravation.&nbsp; For me it's a 'mental health' issue or a 'sickness' -- depends on which way you look at it I suppose.&nbsp; I've given up bikes forever -- twice...<br><br>Thanks for the welcome.<br><br>

 

[thinker]

someone here has a <a href="http://www.versahaul.com/" target="_blank">versahaul</a>.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>what does anyone think is the best freeway bike for commuting and would be manageable on one of those?</div>

 

[thinker]

also, there's a couple who live around the block from me with a campervan and a MATCHING honda elite on a hitch carrier. i also noticed they just picked up a vespa. if i ever get the guts, i'll ask them a few questions.

 

[owl]

<P>Versahaul looks interesting. Talk to that couple and get some pictures. Dollars to donuts they would love to share.</P>

 

[vtwinkicker]

I have a Kaw KLR250. A decent little dual sport. Not a lot of torque like a dirt bike but I've ridden it everywhere I wanted to go and a few places I shouldn't have. Had the speedo up to about 90mph but that was at least a year ago when I was still young and foolish.&nbsp; :^)<br>Thinking of taking it along on the 2" receiver on the back of my class C. The bike weighs about 250lbs so I think I'll be ok.<br><br>"Where Trees Outnumber Man is a Good Place"<br><br>

 

[lampliter]

I've been riding this one-05 Yamaha Virago 250cc-Paid $1000. Weighs 324lbs wet. Had it up to 75 with juice left. 5 speed. Cruises easy at 65. About 65mpg.<br>

 

[yesican]

<p>I currently have a KLR 650, but think I would sell it for a lighter bike that would sit easily on a receiver hitch.&nbsp; I like the virago 250.&nbsp; One thing about lighter weight motorcycles, you get blown around by vehicles while on the highway--not enough weight on the vehicle.&nbsp; I got blown off the highway at 55mph on my Suzuki 250 dual purpose bike back in the 70's.&nbsp; Can't believe I held it upright but it scared the heck outta me.&nbsp; Sold it that week and didn't get on another bike until about 10 years ago.&nbsp; I've had 4 bikes since then, all 650 or greater and find they hold the road much better in wind.&nbsp; Would a KLR 650 be able to sit on a receiver hitch?&nbsp; Or is it too heavy?&nbsp; It weighs approx 450#.</p>

 

[thinker]

they take up to 500lbs i believe.

 

[romani10]

If ya'll go to the web site "webbikeworld" there is an interesting series of articles on modifying a suzuki dr650 for real world dual purpose. Stock, it ain't so great.