So, where did LT go? Is this even an issue in other countries?
Okay, I had the same question, basically of wanting to take my
Honda Transalp dual sport (650cc, trail bike type with extra stuff).
First, if you have a bike, tie it down between two points, get on it, now disconnect it balancing the bike and imagine a
boat rocking. Try it in the back of a pickup, have some friends rock the
bed slightly and see if you can ride it off a
ramp....it can be done, but good luck!
I had asked the question of how to on other sites (a
boat design site) and was bombed by an N/A as if it were impossible, others said it would disolve from the
salt water and heard all kinds of issues like the motorcycle throwing off the CG, breaking lose and killing me, etc.
I guess those guys had never hear of WD-40, bisqueen, waterproof bags, fresh
water and soap,
wheel locks/stands bolted down,
safety straps and even cargo bars. They also pointed out that the bike would be live weight subject to moving around.....not! It's dead weight, all 325 pounds of it.
So, just opinions I'd say and probably more to do with the oddity unconventional novelty of it rather than objective
advice.
A guy in Viet Nam put a
honda trail bike in a small raft! Not rocket science, it's just a load, most road worthy bikes would be under 350 pounds, they can carry two up aswell. My Transalp can
cruise at 75mph all day on the highway (V twin) and charge up a hill or out of the mud, within reason.
Here are the issues I've identified after a year of thought and
research.
I spent much of my time trying to fit a boat to the bike, 350 pounds off the stern of most any
seaworthy cruiser isn't going to raise the bow out of the
water. But how will it be held? I'm not sure the stern of a sailboat is thick enough to bolt
davits on,
davits large enoungh to hoist the load at some distance away from the boat. I'm not an
engineer, but common sence tells me there will be more stress on the
anchor bolts and plates on the stern or
deck. Many dingys probably have the same weight, but the dingy is lowered in the water, not eight feet behind the boat trying to hit dry land or even shallows. You need shoal
draft to get close enough for loading and unloading. So, an extendable boom might be better solution.
My plans were mostly in fresh water, along rivers but also in the
ICW..
I used
google earth and followed some of the major waterways and there were some areas that seemed suitable for transfers. But, even if the marina manager was out to lunch, I saw other issues. I can ride up low steps with large landings, but not really stairs. So many docks may have issues with steps, where there are steps there are hand rails, to you're trapped. Can't jump a sea wall either. I also noticed fences by parking lots and guard rails, if you set off on private property you could get some distance before realizing you are fenced in to get to a roadway.
You'll have terrain features, bluffs, canyons, heavy woods and water obsticles that can keep from getting away if you set off in an unknown area.
Boat ramps would be ideal, if you can get close enough to set the bike off or on.
If you did use a dingy, you'll have the same issues when you get to shore or any
dock. Stability can be an issue, I'm not sinking my Transalp in 30' of water! I did think of fitting the bike with a tractor innertube or tubes as a
pfd, but geeze what a hassel.
So common sence tells you to scout out the area before going to all the trouble of off loading. How much time is it going to take to find a good spot and then, is that where you want to leave the boat?
Guess I'm saying you're more limited where you can off or on load than you may initially think. I even considered building a landing craft, about 30', that would be great for geeting ashore or on a
ramp, then you have a boat with more limitations.
My bike is 8' long, less a hair if I turn the front
wheel. Give it the width of the bars, about 32", on a cat you'd have space, the monos I've looked at won't have 8' of clear space.
If you have two healthy people who can carry the bike,
lift it up and down, you'd have many issues taken care of, at one time I could hump 350 pounds, not now!
So, that is what has given me seconds thoughts, has noting to do with salty air, the bike can be washed off, it has not alot to do with mounting it on
deck and securing it, most loading issues can be overcome, it's more to do with the opportunity of using it in
remote areas or in really busy
marinas, time scouting and having to reload if you made a bad choice in setting the bike ashore.
It's still a consideration, but not as much as it was initially.
Now, for just getting around to the store,
laundry and
shopping trips, a fold up minibike that you can toss on your back has some real possibilities! But a street
legal trail bike could be a real pain.
BTW, there is a "We drive you home service" for drunks here, they use those fold up minibikes, ride it to you, put it in the trunk or backseat in a bag, take you home and take off. Handy little things!
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