Thread: Hotel and touring?

if you can spare the extra space, bring a bike cover. It is probably the least expensive theft deterrent you can buy. No scientific evidence to back it up, it just seems that the average thief is just too lazy to case a covered bike. I'm guessing they expect the cover and bike to have locks on them? or maybe the extra 30 seconds it takes to remove a cover is more time than they are willing to risk?

of course ymmv

The only time I've ever parked mine under the entrance canopy of a hotel was earlier this year in Eureka Springs, AR. Unique situation as ES is very motorcycle friendly, as was the hotel I stayed at.

Under said canopy was also a Harley of some sort, V-Strom and an Multistrada.

I figured my scoot was the least desireable of the lot. All were accounted for in the morning and I was too tired to keep checking on it overnight.

Oldest rattiest bike cover you can find, and a motion/shock sensitive Xena somewhere therein. I only sleep in rooms facing out towards the lot, with my bike on the other side.

All that said, I've never done this with a sportbike YMMV.

Sorry, no I haven't had any luck getting under the curtain.

When I worked in the hospitality field, I did come to learn that a 10$ or 20$ bill could get you an overnight parking spot in a loading dock (speaking in terms of a workvan or personal vehicle). In most of the really shady areas, it's like a big locked garage, nothing coming or going until dock opens in the AM, but they are still usually open late at night and have security. Some are 24 hours, but I'm guessing your goal isn't to visit NYC/Boston/Vegas downtown on your tour?

If your only option is a freestanding hi-rise or similar in the middle of nowhere but next to an interstate - I'd have no problem being forthright with the counterperson that you just need a secured area you don't care where. If they flex a little bit, and want to help but don't know what to tell you - find out if they have a generator room, or even a locked dumpster area.

Originally Posted by SomeStrangeGuy

Sorry, no I haven't had any luck getting under the curtain.

When I worked in the hospitality field, I did come to learn that a 10$ or 20$ bill could get you an overnight parking spot in a loading dock (speaking in terms of a workvan or personal vehicle). In most of the really shady areas, it's like a big locked garage, nothing coming or going until dock opens in the AM, but they are still usually open late at night and have security. Some are 24 hours, but I'm guessing your goal isn't to visit NYC/Boston/Vegas downtown on your tour?

If your only option is a freestanding hi-rise or similar in the middle of nowhere but next to an interstate - I'd have no problem being forthright with the counterperson that you just need a secured area you don't care where. If they flex a little bit, and want to help but don't know what to tell you - find out if they have a generator room, or even a locked dumpster area.

Thanks, I only have one leg that is a worry. If I get the places on day 1&2 as planned I will have a bike only area and a cabin in BFE. The other is somewhere north of Skyline likely in WV but yes near an interstate. The whole DC region makes me nervous on many fronts. Yes I know that is a long way out but still

It's a bike, not a holy relic...ride, park, sleep and repeat...

I've criss-crossed a good part of the East and never lost a minute to worrying about where my bike was parked. Free your mind from useless distractions and you'll have a more enjoyable trip...

Originally Posted by Baketech

It's a bike, not a holy relic...ride, park, sleep and repeat...

I've criss-crossed a good part of the East and never lost a minute to worrying about where my bike was parked. Free your mind from useless distractions and you'll have a more enjoyable trip...

We actually got followed (as in trying to find where we lived) in the STi last week. Haven't had that happen since my high school hot rod. I have to wonder if the fucker had ever been made...as he followed me through 4 right turns.

Anyway, the lady was freaking out, did some research and found car thefts were up in the area...I told her it's life. The insurance is paid, don't leave anything valuable in the car at night and quit worrying.

I'm in the middle I guess, because being a few hundred/thousand miles from home with all my life packed into 3 lunchboxes isn't when I want to do things as I normally do and just hope it's all ok. I try to stack things in my favor as much as possible, so as to continue my motorcycle journey - on a motorcycle . For me maybe it's more than some.

LTL - no joke, put fake dog crap and a tophat on the drivers seat when you get out of the car at night, your ride will remain yours as long as you want.

Don't get me wrong, I definitely take precautions too. But I used to be a paranoid, and I'm just not anymore.

Originally Posted by luvtolean

Don't get me wrong, I definitely take precautions too. But I used to be a paranoid, and I'm just not anymore.

Yeah, I chilled with age too. I used to park my 929 chained to a transformer outside. My last sportybike, the ZX-10 was at my office at the motorcycle parking area. It had a 8" round concrete filled steel pipe that served as the 'border' for the lot. I was the only hee haw out there wrapping my kryptonite around that stupid pipe every morning. Eventually excused myself out of it when I realized the whole BS was adding about 15 min to my commute . Nevermind the v-rod or ducs that sat there without the ign even locked

Originally Posted by Baketech

It's a bike, not a holy relic...ride, park, sleep and repeat...

I've criss-crossed a good part of the East and never lost a minute to worrying about where my bike was parked. Free your mind from useless distractions and you'll have a more enjoyable trip...

Just a bike Folks I grew up with realize f%%%g with someone's dog or bike can be deadly most other stuff is just stuff (ask Abtech I imagine he still sees it in some of the long time locals)

Originally Posted by luvtolean

Don't get me wrong, I definitely take precautions too. But I used to be a paranoid, and I'm just not anymore.

Paranoid....nope I KNOW y'all are out to get me

I usually never run in to any problems...

Especially if you tell them you are riding a motorcycle when you are checking in and if there was anywhere that you could protect it from the weather.

Most times I find a Motel that has the awning over the rooms and park it under there.... with no problems.

Mom and Pop motels are better for this.

I haven't had any issues parking under an overhang as long as it didn't hinder vehicle or pedestrian traffic.

In a few cases, I've brought the bike into my motel room and in an extreme case, I enlisted the help of a friend, flirted with the lady at the front desk to look away from the security camera monitor for a few minutes, and loaded the bike into the elevator and put it in my 4th floor hotel room.

And remember, it's always easier to ask for forgiveness than it is for permission. Park out of the way under the overhang and let them tell you to move it.

Most places I have been don't have any problems at all letting you put it under the overhang as long as it doesn't block the entrance.

Originally Posted by seamus

I haven't had any issues parking under an overhang as long as it didn't hinder vehicle or pedestrian traffic.

<snip>

And remember, it's always easier to ask for forgiveness than it is for permission. Park out of the way under the overhang and let them tell you to move it.

Ditto. Find a nice spot, roll in into place without a fuss, and walk away as if you knew what your were doing and already had permission. If they ask about it, flirt a little and tell them a pluasible story ... Seamus gets away with it.

Personally, I just make sure it is a decent hotel, in a decent area, park it where it can be seen, and take my personal stuff off. Typically with the VFR I don't worry because no one wants it, but I haven't taken much extra precautions with the RC51 either.

Originally Posted by gt702

Ditto. Find a nice spot, roll in into place without a fuss, and walk away as if you knew what your were doing and already had permission. If they ask about it, flirt a little and tell them a pluasible story ... Seamus gets away with it.

You'd be surprised what you can get away with if you act like you know what you're doing...especially if you carry a clipboard and/or walkie talkie.

Originally Posted by ND4SPD

That picture of your bike in the hotel room = win.

I think everyone should get a pic like this in their lifetime. Even pulled out my Baxley.

(I was already chastised for not getting the pic with the bike in the elevator)

Originally Posted by SheepOfBlue

Just a bike Folks I grew up with realize f%%%g with someone's dog or bike can be deadly most other stuff is just stuff (ask Abtech I imagine he still sees it in some of the long time locals)

I was visiting a friend a couple weeks ago whose neighbor had just got out of prison for murdering the guy who stole his Harley. Found out who it was, walked in to his house to find him in bed, pointed the gun at his head and pulled the trigger.

Seemed like a nice guy too, I would've never guessed it. Definitely not a colors wearing kind of guy or anything. Just don't mess with his bike.

Originally Posted by luvtolean

I was visiting a friend a couple weeks ago whose neighbor had just got out of prison for murdering the guy who stole his Harley. Found out who it was, walked in to his house to find him in bed, pointed the gun at his head and pulled the trigger.

Seemed like a nice guy too, I would've never guessed it. Definitely not a colors wearing kind of guy or anything. Just don't mess with his bike.

or dog

Originally Posted by luvtolean

whose neighbor had just got out of prison for murdering the guy who stole his Harley.

Im missing something here...or the judge really likes Hardleys too?

On the road, I opt for the smaller 1-2 story motels and ask for a first floor room around back, so the bike isn't visible from the street. Even better if a window faces the parking lot. Sometimes I'll throw a geza cover on it, maybe a disc lock, and don't worry much about it.

Originally Posted by SheepOfBlue

Thanks, I only have one leg that is a worry. If I get the places on day 1&2 as planned I will have a bike only area and a cabin in BFE. The other is somewhere north of Skyline likely in WV but yes near an interstate. The whole DC region makes me nervous on many fronts. Yes I know that is a long way out but still

if you know where you plan on staying in the DC area let me know and I'll ask a friend about it. If you need suggestion I can ask him.