Beating the high cost of travel

[Paul Danik]

I'm not telling you folks anything you don't already know, but it sure is getting expensive to travel to events. Maybe we are heading back to the simpler times, in the book Mr. moto-cross by Torsten Hallman it shows Torsten standing in front of what looks to be a Mercedes with an open trailer in tow, this is what he apparently used for traveling across Europe to MX events.

     I was curious to hear if any of you have found a great way to beat the high cost, possibly a vehicle that is great for towing a small trailer that gets super mileage....or something that is a bit unusual that works really well.  Might be a great time to get into the three rail trailer business

Thanks
Paul

[desmond197]

I have always traveled to events with my Honda Element. Used a small trailer or take the front wheel off the OSSA MAR,put the rear seats up and roll it in the back. Small tent or sleep in the back of the Honda. I would rather buy more bikes than fill up a big RV. Now I have better coverage health insurance I will be at more events next year.

[OhioTed]

Papa Herb used to travel to HS races on his turbocharged BMW sidehack, towing his KTM on an open trailer.  I've got a pic of the setup somewhere . . .

[brian kirby]

At one point my race rig was an '84 Ford Escort and a home built one rail trailer. Of course, the original 1.6L 4sp engine/trans had been swapped out for a 1.9L 5sp, but still, very economical. My motorcycle was worth double what the race rig was worth.

Brian

[Gordon Brennan]

My truck gets 8 mpg. I picked up a 95 Geo Tracker a while back and put a 2" receiver hitch on it and built my own motorcycle rack. She was sagging a little so I put an air lift system in the springs and she rides great. Plus gets 25 mpg!

[Kip Kern]

Anymore, if I buy a bike or inventory, I usually wait until the seller and I are going to be in the same place or close at the same time to finalize the transaction.  No more extra road trips like the old days.

[tomale]

I recently bought a 1980 VW Rabbit pickup. I still need to do  few things to get it road worth but when I am done, I should have no trouble getting 30-35 MPG I have a friend that has one and thats what he gets, a bit less than that when he adds a small trailer with 3 bikes on it.. It has heavy springs and the 1.9 motor and a 5 speed.. looking forward to going to the races in it, it sure is alot of fun to drive.

Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)
74'250 hare scrambler (project)
74' 1/2 440 maico
78' 440 maico
72' cr125 Husky (project)
93' RMx 250 suzuki

[Mark P]

Pick-up truck camping. On dual-sport trips, I'll set up my CP in one of the state park camp grounds that have electricity and showers. I have an inexpensive large tent(I can stand up in it) with cot and take some basic things with me to make things comfortable(like electric fans, etc). I unload the pickup and bike and relax. Its not high-tech backpacking but its cheap accomendations and the state parks are patrolled so its generally safer. Depending on season its not always practical either but when the conditions are ok you can save some money.  I grew up loving to camp and then getting away from it when I was in the army. As I've gotten older, I rediscovered it.

[thrownchain]

I try to offset costs by transporting bikes for others. Helps offset gas prices at the least, and I've met some pretty neet people along the way, a double bonus. [^]

[G Ellis]

For me a 2006 Scion with a 3 rail bike trailer. Got to love it,towing 3bikes. 29 miles to the gal. Later Gary

[Jeff D]

I talked to the local FedEx Ground delivery guy a couple of weeks ago when he was by...he was using one of those new Toyota hicube vans (forget the name of it) as a rental while his Sprinter was in the shop for repairs.  He loves the Sprinter...5-cyl Mercedes diesel and gets 20-25 mpg.  I see used ones on Craigslist here in Kansas City, 2003-2004 or so, in the 10-15K range.  Paul Clipper, former Trail Rider editor, had one and loved it, too.  Hard to do double duty around town like a Scion, Element, etc., but a nice race rig with plenty of room inside for sleeping while the bike is outside under the EZ-up.  If my budget allowed, I'd be looking at one....like I said, if my budget allowed!

Jeff DeBell

[Mick Milakovic]

I'll ride with Gary!

Mick

[marsattacks]

And now . . .  (as Monty Python used to say) . . . for something completely different.......

From one of my all-time favorite blogs:

http://bringatrailer.com/2011/02/12/bat-exclusive-1951-royal-spartanette-converted-hauler/

No wonder the dude is trying to unload it before he biffs it off a cliff somewhere.  Nice pice of machinery though.  I will follow up with a more topical post.

[SouthRider]

For years I traveled to the races in a mini truck with a bike in the back, one ice chest, one gas can, and a 2 person pup tent. Ate a lot of ham sandwiches. Rode to the races in my jeans, raced in them, and rode home wearing them too (with a fresh T shirt). Used to choke on the motorhome generator fumes at night.

If memory serves our own Leroy Winters went to the races for years with his bike in the back of a full size American Station Wagon. He used to stop along the trail & wash his bike in the nearest creek before the finish line so it would be clean enough to load back into the wagon.

Annnnnd...... (drum roll please)  the champion econo mizer of all was John Penton - who used to ride his race bike to the enduros, win the overall, and then ride the bike back home again......


Clark

[mike scholl]

This is an unusaul custom Pinto Hauler! Im sure with Vintage bikes it would get even better fuel mileage!

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