motorcycles

itabot · Post by **itabot** » Fri Apr 30, 2004 9:32 pm

I currently have a motorcycle as my only mode of transportation. I am currently planning to take the motocycle this year. As it is my first year, I would appreciate any advice from a more veteran burner. One thing in particular that I need to know is how far is the nearest gass station. I have to fill up the tank about every hundred miles so I need to know whether or not I will need a gas can. Any advice on packing would also be appreciated.
Thanks much,
CJ

Tiahaar · Post by **Tiahaar** » Fri Apr 30, 2004 10:18 pm

Cool, what kind of bike do you have? My crazy parents took a Harley w/cycle trailer from Idaho to Nova Scotia & back in their late 60's and then in their 70's just did an Idaho-Alaska trip on a Goldwing w/trailer. Dad says the trailer pulled along just fine. I have an old '79 Wing, never liked the trailer idea so haven't done it but if you have a big bike its one way to haul. MAYBE I could fit the water cans and camp stove in the side saddle bags and pack the tent and other gear on top. Out and back from Gerlach must be about 75 miles, safe for one tank of gas? Hope you make the trip! I will be captaining a large star-freighter (bus!) out there this year with a group of celestial extreme non-tourists.

itabot · Post by **itabot** » Fri Apr 30, 2004 10:39 pm

It's a shadow 04 with 538CC, so I don't think it could handle a trailer. I'll definitely be there. I already got the ticket and I wouldn't miss it for the world. I failed to mention earlier that I am coming down from Oregon.
CJ

angrykittie25 · Post by **angrykittie25** » Fri Apr 30, 2004 11:43 pm

Just wondering how you plan to bring water and food for a week, a tent, or anything else you might need? Are you camping with a group that is bringing it for you or are you just hoping to find what you need once you get to Burning man? Just curious.

itabot · Post by **itabot** » Fri Apr 30, 2004 11:56 pm

I am still considering various methods. I have medium sized saddle bags which I will probably stuff with water and power bars. A friend of mine is going to lend me a tent small enough to strap to the back and a large hiking backpack. I'll probably try to strap an old sleeping bag to the back with the tent. I don't anticipate being able to bring enough food and water for an entire week. I'll probably have to make at least one trip to town. Fortunatly for me I love riding my bike so having an excuse to take it out will not be a huge bane to my existance. I still welcome any advice or comments.
thanks,
cj

angrykittie25 · Post by **angrykittie25** » Sat May 01, 2004 12:55 am

I just read on the web site that it costs $20 per person for reentry into burning man for people who leave in a personal vehicle. Just wanted to make sure you knew that. So if you plan on leaving, make sure you bring enough cash to accomodate for that.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Sat May 01, 2004 3:03 am

Shuttle from Center Camp to Gerlach & Empire -- $5

In & out w/ vehicle -- $20

The Texaco in Gerlach is ten miles from the event gate.

Travel info --
http://www.burningman.com/preparation/travel_info/

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Sat May 01, 2004 12:06 pm

This does slightly go against the whole self sufficiency thing, but what you might do is stop at the big burner-friendly grocery store along I-80 just past the exit your supposed to take (can't remember the name) and hunt for burners with cars that don't look too overloaded. Offer to buy them a last pre-playa meal in exchange for carrying some water for you.

I'd suggest you bring one of those little folding luggage carts with you - could be good for getting ice back from center camp and for trips to town on the bus.

When doing gas calculations, keep in mind the long lines that often build up on the way in and out. Lots of stop and go (emphasis on stop) action. Unless you want to ride around the lines, which might piss some people off.

itabot · Post by **itabot** » Sat May 01, 2004 4:13 pm

I actually didn't know about the cost to return through the gate, but I can plan for that now. I like the idea of finding someone at the burner friendly store to help me carry water. In fact, I would be interested in caravaning if there is anyone coming down from portland that doesn't mind having a motorcycle following them around.
CJ

que.f.o. · Post by **que.f.o.** » Sun May 02, 2004 1:08 am

First off, I don't own a motorcycle. But the friend I go with has a '77 BMW, aircooled. His third year, my second, he rode his bike and I drove his van. So packing wasn't a problem for him. The point being that many people ride their motorcycles. There is usually a BMW camp. We camped there twice. The year he rode a guy came in who had ridden clear across country, with all his gear, including a disassembled bicycle. It can be done. We arrived on Monday about 1PM. My buddy Joe rode from Portland OR, and left of Wed. morning, having spent about 40 hours on the playa. He had a gig to play that night. The playa has a powerful pull.

poeticphoto · Post by **poeticphoto** » Mon May 03, 2004 11:12 am

If worse comes to worse...
Though all the other advice I must say sounds better, I just wanted to throw in the possibility that maybe instead of leaving for town to get water, you could purchase ice there and drink as it melts. I don't know how many or if anyone has done or does this, but in logic, it should work. I don't know how good of an idea this is, maybe a non-virgin could comment on it.

itabot · Post by **itabot** » Mon May 03, 2004 4:58 pm

Actually, that sounds like a good idea, depending on how much the ice costs.

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Mon May 03, 2004 6:50 pm

It WAS a buck a bag, but I haven't bought any the last few years (have a freezer) but even if it's $2, considering that it's delivered to the playa and it's really cold, it's a deal. There are long lines for it, though.

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Mon May 03, 2004 6:59 pm

It's at least $2 a bag these days. It would probably be a good idea to try to conserve water by using melted ice when possible, but it's probably not good as a primary water source. One, you'd have to have a very clean, sealed container in which to keep it and melt it. Them bags aren't reliably waterproof. Two, when you need water, you need it now. Ice melts on its own schedule.

The lines do get long, but they move real quick and there's usually lots of entertainment nearby.

Gizmo · Post by **Gizmo** » Sat May 15, 2004 10:00 am

I used two coolers, a large cooler for beer, food,etc. and a smaller cooler for ice only. Filled my drinking bottle with ice and water from the small cooler. Used the melted ice from the big cooler for showering (better put it in the sun for a while first). Bought 2 or 3 bags of ice a day ($2 each)
but it took care of most of my water needs. Yes you CAN shower with one gallon of water. Practice this at home before you get to the Playa.

headquarters · Post by **headquarters** » Sun May 16, 2004 12:47 pm

i had a friend come in on his bike last year, we took his water with us and he brought the rest of his stuff from SF. We came from seattle which will be pretty much like coming from Portland. The only place i can think you might be cutting it close with gasoline is the last section between Alturas CA and Gerlach NV. I think it's like 120 miles maybe a little less. otherwise you will have no problem keeping youself gassed. Um. If you pack a bunch of stuff in the shape of like a passenger and sit it and strap it to the back of your bike on the seat you can carry quite a bit. Our friend brought food/tent/sleeping bag clothes everything except water. I don't know if this helps but thats all i know.

pokiedot · Post by **pokiedot** » Sun May 16, 2004 10:28 pm

i know it must sound like we're a bunch of nay-sayers, so let me start off by saying that i think it's rad that you're going in on your bike. but i did want to mention one more potential problem you might want to consider. the playa dust is very corrosive, and i've heard biker friends complain about the damage it does to chains, gears and other parts (can't remember if a shadow is chain or shaft.. chain i think?)

i've always alsways admired people who could motorcycle camp. i have an aquaintance who's really mastered motorcycle packing. on year he even managed to pack a folding camp table and chair to his bike, as well a camp stove and all the makings for a grand slam breakfast. wow.

anyways, if i wanted to take my bike in, i'd try to connect with other bikers, or maybe even look for a biker theme camp. there are probably other bikers out there who band together to tackle some of the packing challenges. self-sufficiency doesn't mean you have to do it all alone, just that you are responsible for covering all your bases.

-josie

vic · Post by **vic** » Mon May 17, 2004 9:43 pm

Thinking like a backpacker, you can carry most essentails on a bike - clothes, sleeping bag, tent, food, cooking gear. For the rest, you can either get someone else to take it for you, or you can barter for it when you get there. For this you will need either highly desirable talents (massage, artistic skill, great performance art), or some easily packed trading items. These should be high value when camping on a dusty, hot, featureless lake bed. But you can't use money.
You have time to get creative here, but some examples might be high end lip balm, LED flashlights, costume accessories, good whiskey, Etc). With the right attitude and some patience, you should be able to barter for whatever you need - and meet some interesting people in the process.

cynic · Post by **cynic** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 12:20 am

The Airheads Beemer Club runs a motorcycle support camp (open to all makes and models). If you contact them, they may still be able to add more water to their list of supplies for you.

There's a yahoo group for it - just search for BM and motorcycles and you'll find it. The folks in the group have much useful advice, but there's no getting around the dust. I plan to do a thorough cleaning and possibly bump up my next servicing.

I'm a virgin and ridiing my 02 R1200C to the playa.

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