Does anyone know if there is a safe way to mount a board to a motorcyle? Ever seen anyone do it? I think an old surfer mag extra had some guy draggin one behind on a trailer, but I was thinking more along the side of the bike. Is this a really bad idea?
It’s only bad if a truck is going the other way and you get sucked sideways as it passes.
Kinda bad on crosswind days, but at least the wind would be sorta steady.
Worse, whatcha gonna do with your wallet and clothes while you are out surfing?
Hope you don’t logboard.
I know trucks could be bad. I obviously would only use short, relatively flat boards and try to keep them really close to myself. Got the idea riding a bike to trestles with a side rack, I had to be going 25 and there were no problems at all with that flimsy rack. Thinking of a much strurdier design for a motorbike. Just seems like such a fun, cheap way to cruise the coast.
Hey Joel,
A small trailer is the go. I know you want to keep it light but a practical solution is to have a lockable chest with racks on top. Then you’ve got somewhere to put your wettie/leathers,helmet if your riding on water or land.
I’ve seen what you are talking about both on the side and at the back of the bike. Very unstable in either position due to the fin effect at speed, At the side isn’t good for putting your leg out, you know, coming to a stop putting your leg out and going clunck, smash…
I did the same thing in 1987 towing a trailer behind a 750 Honda from Sydney to Perth via Melbourne, about 4500km, fantastic fun…especially with your girlfriend…
Hehe…
On a lesser note, I use to bike 2 miles down to Kelly’s with surfboard under left arm, wetsuit in backpack, with a cruiser 3 speed. As slow as I go, only pebbles gave me trouble, but riding home in the rain after dark and a few at BeachChalet was a harrowing experience…
I’ve been wanting to do this since the gas started going up over $2.50/gal! I have a BMW 750 with side car mounts. Bought the tubing, just haven’t had the time to get it done…now with gas over $3.00!! It should be done soon.
I think in California if you put a trailer on your bike… or is it a side car(?) you have to have a special license.
I was going to put it on the right side about 14" out from the tank. Still room to put my foot down if I need to. The only places I’d go would be local, no freeway driving, so should be safe. I’d like to get out EARLY but my wife works graveyard shift and doesn’t get home till 8am. This would work GREAT!
As far as ‘wettie?’ and wallet, I have side cases so would not be a problem, and you joel?
Let us know how yours turns out and how it rides. I’ll get to mine soon.
Les
Stoked to hear I’m not the only idiot that’s thought of this. I don’t even have a bike yet, but have been checking out a honda rebel. Brand new price is $3000. A year old = $2000. They’re only a 250cc but I really don’t care. They’re supposed to go up to 80-85mph and get up to 80mpg. Gas is gonna go up to $4 soon. Gotta figure something out.
get a mat
and that’s that
you will have room
for a book rack
and for a cat
on the gas tank
wearing a barney oldfield
aviators cap.
fluid dynamics might dictate
that you should have two boards
one on each side
fins trailing and noses forward
with a gull wing set-up
to free you from within at your desired destination.
…ambrose…
kinda like the Bat bike
or bruce wayne bike
if you are not saving gotham city
at the moment
Quote:
Stoked to hear I’m not the only idiot that’s thought of this. I don’t even have a bike yet, but have been checking out a honda rebel. Brand new price is $3000. A year old = $2000. They’re only a 250cc but I really don’t care. They’re supposed to go up to 80-85mph and get up to 80mpg. Gas is gonna go up to $4 soon. Gotta figure something out.
Good call! If you live in the retard driver capitol of the world (so cal) and ride a bike, i give you 6 months max before they’re picking you up with a sponge and a spatula.
Yeah I hear you Lokbox, but where I’m from I could get from Trestles to Ventura just using PCH. Never have to go over 45 - 50mph. I don’t think I’d go on a freeway.
As far as fins go, just remove them.
I’ve gone back and forth on this idea alot. There’s actually a honda ruckus bike that would be perfect for the setup, but it only goes 37 mph which would cause alot of problems in itself. I think that I’m probably gonna try it with something eventually.
Every surfer used the side rack in Bali , easy to install n remove too .
I just slung the board in bag over my shoulder for a long time, in Bali too. Just stuck my leg throught the sling so it wouldn’t blow out. I never had to ride too far, 20km max, and never had a mishap, passing trucks or riding in sand. I’m also not an idiot who needs to ride too fast. Got a lot of quiet waves too.
honda rebel. Brand new price is $3000. A year old = $2000. They’re only a 250cc
Get It!! I remembered in the 70s I used to race bikes (10 speeds) a lot and the only motorvehicle I had was a Honda 160. I had to get to bike races so made an attachment that held my race bike and off I went! Longest trip was Laguna Bch to Solvang. I’ll see if I can find a pic of it.
I’ve bike toured in europe a lot and you should see the two wheelers over there! Their ALL over the place. I’d say about 50/50 4 wheelers to 2 wheelers, bikes, mopeds, scooters, motercycles. I think as the gas prices keep going up here in the States we’ll see more gas miser two wheelers on the streets. THEN we’ll (us two wheel riders) will get the respect we deserve!
If only we could travel a significant distance on a board, ie.commute!
Les
Here’s mine, Honda Rebel 125. I’ve been thinking about the side-rack, too. Gotta try someday. Trouble is, I mainly ride longboards…
Close to a year in Bali & East, 2 boards on one side, 115cc Yamaha, girlfriend on the back.
Some unreal times (and waves).
Yeah, I was thinking about that too, but I don’t think it’s worth it…A Mat is definitely the way to go…Backpack with mat, wetsuit, and fins and you’re good to go. Here’s my ride. Not so sure about carrying a 9’8" in ANY form on this bike!
TenOver
Nice Bike!
I agree, a 9’ 8" is a bit large. It might act more like a wing than a surfboard. Plus I wouldn’t want to weld anything onto a bike like that. I like the mat idea. Those things look super fun. Get any surf on that last South that came through?
Cheers,
~Rob
There’s a guy in WestPort that has racks on the side of his enduro. The board sits outside of where his left leg is (on the pegs) and he rides it directly onto the beach, puts the kickstand down on a piece of driftwood, and goes out. He wears his wetsuit on the bike on the way to the beach, so only thing is putting the key in the suit pocket. I don’t think the cops in WestPort hassle him, as it would be pretty hard to have I.D., but I guess you could put it under the seat, it’s not like anybody will take your seat off to “rummage” through your bike…
As for the gas prices thing: I bought an old 89 4Runner for $1,100, and I just leave it in WestPort (at my surf shack) and ride my motorcycle down there. There’s nothing like $15 fill-ups at the pump for the bike. Sure beats $75 for the truck to get the same mileage.
Dave
Yea LordBoots,
That’s a good idea. I have thought about flying in and keeping a bike and board at the airstrip. I guess that would involve waaaaay too much money, not to mention knowing how to fly. Sounds like you have it dialed.
~Rob
I have a bunch of friends (including myself) that got places near surf breaks by going in on them with a number of people. If you get a WestPort place (cheap to buy, even cheaper to rent) for say $300 a month, you and any number of buddies can divide it up and use it whenever for board storage and a place to crash whenever. It works well and is cheaper than hotels. Anyway, have fun out there, and to the original poster, I hope your board racks on your bike work out for you.
Dave