Hotel and touring?

SheepOfBlue · 08-11-2008, 10:39 AM

Has anyone had luck getting hotels to let them leave their bike under the front entrance canopy? The thought of my RR being out of my site

but short of wheeling it in the room it must be outside

So I can lock it to something and/or park it under the welcome canopy. I figure the canopy is in a lit area and the desk people are either there or at least the threat of that exists. Any input I am putting the final plan together for the Blue on Blue tour

JH41 · 08-11-2008, 10:57 AM

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

jose_jimenez · 08-11-2008, 01:05 PM

Motel, park it in your room.

BizJetGuy · 08-11-2008, 01:42 PM

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.

SomeStrangeGuy · 08-11-2008, 01:57 PM

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.

ND4SPD · 08-11-2008, 01:59 PM

SomeStrangeGuy · 08-11-2008, 02:04 PM

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.

SheepOfBlue · 08-11-2008, 02:18 PM

Quote:

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

Baketech · 08-11-2008, 03:36 PM

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...

luvtolean · 08-11-2008, 03:40 PM

Quote:

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.

SomeStrangeGuy · 08-11-2008, 04:03 PM

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.

luvtolean · 08-11-2008, 04:05 PM

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

SomeStrangeGuy · 08-11-2008, 04:15 PM

Quote:

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

SheepOfBlue · 08-11-2008, 04:28 PM

Quote:

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)

Quote:

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

DEPO · 08-11-2008, 06:11 PM

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.

seamus · 08-11-2008, 07:40 PM

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.

eleman · 08-11-2008, 08:27 PM

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.

gt702 · 08-11-2008, 10:51 PM

Quote:

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.

Mojave954 · 08-11-2008, 11:21 PM

Why I bought the FJR. Figured who would want that "old man's" bike.

ccwilli3 · 08-12-2008, 05:38 PM

just ride with guys on bmws, ducatis or harleys. park anywhere.

SerialThriller · 08-12-2008, 05:58 PM

Quote:

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.

MotoVegas · 08-12-2008, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ND4SPD

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

seamus · 08-12-2008, 08:54 PM

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)

luvtolean · 08-13-2008, 10:43 AM

Quote:

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.

SheepOfBlue · 08-13-2008, 11:38 AM

Quote:

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

08-11-2008, 10:39 AM	#1
SheepOfBlue SRA President Join Date: 12-18-2006 Location: Huntsville, AL Age: 46 Bike(s): CBR1000RR, RC51, VT500FT Posts: 6,374	Hotel and touring? Has anyone had luck getting hotels to let them leave their bike under the front entrance canopy? The thought of my RR being out of my site but short of wheeling it in the room it must be outside So I can lock it to something and/or park it under the welcome canopy. I figure the canopy is in a lit area and the desk people are either there or at least the threat of that exists. Any input I am putting the final plan together for the Blue on Blue tour __________________ A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way

08-11-2008, 10:57 AM	#2
JH41 Team Whale Watch Join Date: 12-27-2006 Bike(s): 01 XR400 Posts: 476	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 __________________ *- I told my wife: 4 bikes or 4 girlfriends.... she's letting me keep the bikes* - Cars lean the wrong way in turns.

08-11-2008, 01:05 PM	#3
jose_jimenez Not Sure's Legal Representation Join Date: 01-05-2007 Bike(s): Hurricane Posts: 1,976	Motel, park it in your room. __________________ http://www.bushslastday.com/

08-11-2008, 01:42 PM	#4
BizJetGuy Join Date: 12-18-2006 Location: Indiana Age: 39 Bike(s): Aprilia RST 1000 Posts: 783	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. __________________ "Ix-nay on the Illbilly-hay"

08-11-2008, 01:57 PM	#5
SomeStrangeGuy no longer ready to mingle. Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: Debt, where else? Bike(s): GS / KLR Posts: 3,802	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. __________________ GPS Discussion Forums Time is the ultimate currency.

08-11-2008, 01:59 PM	#6
ND4SPD I'm BATMAN!!! Join Date: 12-12-2006 Bike(s): Trek Posts: 8,023 Images: 25	Attached Thumbnails __________________ "This is your life - are you who you want to be?" Learn all you need to know about Mac OS X

08-11-2008, 02:04 PM	#7
SomeStrangeGuy no longer ready to mingle. Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: Debt, where else? Bike(s): GS / KLR Posts: 3,802	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. __________________ GPS Discussion Forums Time is the ultimate currency.

08-11-2008, 03:36 PM	#9
Baketech "Able was I ere I saw Elba..." Join Date: 12-14-2006 Bike(s): VFR800 - CBR929 - VFR800 Posts: 1,728	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... __________________ "Ten times more charming than that Arnold on Green Acres..."

08-11-2008, 04:03 PM	#11
SomeStrangeGuy no longer ready to mingle. Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: Debt, where else? Bike(s): GS / KLR Posts: 3,802	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. __________________ GPS Discussion Forums Time is the ultimate currency.

08-11-2008, 04:05 PM	#12
luvtolean Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Bike(s): 2008 BMW GS-A Posts: 6,325	Don't get me wrong, I definitely take precautions too. But I used to be a paranoid, and I'm just not anymore. __________________ Someone needs to present the facts and the physics rather than just the rhetoric. Poor old Carmelo doesn't understand the physics of a motorcycle. - Jerry Burgess, on spec tires and changing engine rules

08-11-2008, 06:11 PM	#15
DEPO Godspeed, #20 Join Date: 12-18-2006 Age: 33 Bike(s): Track 954 and Uly Bagger Posts: 701	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. __________________ Welcome to the Dance!

08-11-2008, 07:40 PM	#16
seamus is feelin alright Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: Rocket City Age: 34 Bike(s): 1KRR; VFR; FMX650 Posts: 5,451	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. __________________ Ducit Amor Patriae Richard Herald, The Gentle Giant The nation that makes a great distinction between its scholars and its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting done by fools. --- Thucydides

08-11-2008, 08:27 PM	#17
eleman Join Date: 08-03-2007 Location: Central Illinois Age: 42 Bike(s): 95 VFR 750 Posts: 84	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. __________________ Courage is not the lack of fear, but acting in spite of it.

08-11-2008, 11:21 PM	#19
Mojave954 GONE PLAID! Join Date: 12-18-2006 Bike(s): 08 FJR, 08 R 1200 GS Posts: 902	Why I bought the FJR. Figured who would want that "old man's" bike.

08-12-2008, 05:38 PM	#20
ccwilli3 having a laugh... Join Date: 12-18-2006 Age: 30 Bike(s): pps mod'd ohlins on a cbr Posts: 1,008	just ride with guys on bmws, ducatis or harleys. park anywhere. __________________ Cleaver, a film by christopher moltisanti and carmine lupertazzi

08-12-2008, 08:54 PM	#23
seamus is feelin alright Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: Rocket City Age: 34 Bike(s): 1KRR; VFR; FMX650 Posts: 5,451	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) Attached Thumbnails __________________ Ducit Amor Patriae Richard Herald, The Gentle Giant The nation that makes a great distinction between its scholars and its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting done by fools. --- Thucydides