Guitars by motorbike

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julianev

Posts: 78
Joined: Apr. 13 2015

Guitars by motorbike

Hi all,

I've looked on a few guitar forums to see if anyone else has tried transporting guitars by motorbike and I couldn't find much, so I thought I'd post the results of my learnings here for anyone else so inclined. I've done a few 12hr journeys now using the following approach and it's holding up pretty well. Also, in case anyone is thinking why the hell would someone try that, what led me to think this might work was observing the vast amount of kit people carry on the back of bikes when long distance touring. A quick word of warning: don't try it on a small bike, don't do it in high cross winds, and don't use your favourite guitar until you are very happy with your set up!

1. Guitar goes in a SKB-30 hardcase with string tension slackened off a bit
2. Case goes into the largest available (109L) Ortleib dry bag, base first
3. The case doesn't completely fit into the dry bag, so I tie the top and then put another small dry bag over the headstock end of the case so no rain can enter.
4. The dry bags are wrapped in bungee netting
5. The guitar is placed on rear footpeg, and lightly bungeed at the top to hold it in place for main fastening.
6. Both ends of a short length of ratchet strapping are attached to bike chassis, and then I ratchet down the strap across the body of the guitar. (NB do _not_ use long lengths of strapping as there is much greater margin for them to work slightly loose from the engine vibrations, and then the metal hook fasteners are likely to come free

)
7. The bottom of the big Ortleib bag has a loop hole that a strap goes through to tie the bag down onto the footpeg.
8. The top end of the guitar then gets firmly secured using more strapping and bungees.
9. Wiggle the guitar to tease out any slack in the strapping andf ratchet down again.
10. Fire her up and off you go.

This was the bike about to set off from northern France to the UK yesterday. On board is my Bernal Gitano.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 1 2016 9:25:56

etta

Posts: 342
Joined: Jan. 20 2010

RE: Guitars by motorbike (in reply to julianev)

Looks like a plan to me; I am envious. I would sub the Hiscox case for the SKB (at the least, the pro II model), and make sure the guitar cannot move in the case; then I would use some sort of additional thermal protection cover case, and RIDE! I have used the Hiscox in some pretty extreme situations with no problems.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 1 2016 13:44:02

julianev

Posts: 78
Joined: Apr. 13 2015

RE: Guitars by motorbike (in reply to etta)

I seriously considered the Hiscox Pro 2 - I agree it looks a lovely case - but the base is quite squared off and I was worried the corner would jab into the back of my leg and impede access to the brake pedal. Great point about the thermal protection though, that needs to be next on my shopping list.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 1 2016 14:30:03

Escribano

Posts: 6415
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Guitars by motorbike (in reply to julianev)

quote:

Great point about the thermal protection though, that needs to be next on my shopping list.

Yep, it will get hot but maybe you can just wrap it inside in a space blanket? Have guitar, will travel. ¡Viaje seguro!

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 1 2016 17:05:55

Dudnote

Posts: 1805
Joined: Nov. 13 2007

RE: Guitars by motorbike (in reply to julianev)

Great to see this. Why would this not also work with a smaller bike? I was toying the idea of getting a 125 scooter just to get to dance class.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 1 2016 20:22:55

julianev

Posts: 78
Joined: Apr. 13 2015

RE: Guitars by motorbike (in reply to Escribano)

quote:

Yep, it will get hot but maybe you can just wrap it inside in a space blanket?

I was more worried about the cold actually - that position is pretty much as far away from the engine manifolds as I could get it, as I was concerned the dry bags might melt and then start leaking. On the last leg of the ride it was -2C, which at 80mph is a wind chill of -15C. That said, I guess that's not as cold as an aircraft luggage hold...

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 1 2016 21:03:08

julianev

Posts: 78
Joined: Apr. 13 2015

RE: Guitars by motorbike (in reply to Dudnote)

quote:

Great to see this. Why would this not also work with a smaller bike?

My thoughts would be that on a smaller bike, the rider is a greater percentage of the total weight so the centre of gravity will be higher and the bike handling will be more sensitive to uneven weight distribution especially in gusts of wind, going over potholes, etc. Also small bikes tend to have less anchor points.

"Living in Guadeloupe" sounds like somewhere where rain is not a common concern(!), so perhaps a hard foam case strapped on backpack-style might be your best bet?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 1 2016 21:14:29

Dudnote

Posts: 1805
Joined: Nov. 13 2007

RE: Guitars by motorbike (in reply to julianev)

quote:

ORIGINAL: julianev

quote:

Great to see this. Why would this not also work with a smaller bike?

My thoughts would be that on a smaller bike, the rider is a greater percentage of the total weight so the centre of gravity will be higher and the bike handling will be more sensitive to uneven weight distribution especially in gusts of wind, going over potholes, etc. Also small bikes tend to have less anchor points.

"Living in Guadeloupe" sounds like somewhere where rain is not a common concern(!), so perhaps a hard foam case strapped on backpack-style might be your best bet?

Thanks. It's hardly stopped pissing it down all week. Stepping out into the rain here is like stepping under a waterfall.

Wobble problems. Reminds me of The Worlds Fastest Indian. Looks like time for a sequel, The Worlds Fastest Gitano.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 1 2016 21:18:37

Piwin

Posts: 3559
Joined: Feb. 9 2016

RE: Guitars by motorbike (in reply to Dudnote)

quote:

It's hardly stopped pissing it down all week. Stepping out into the rain here is like stepping under a waterfall.

Sounds like your best option would be to get a dug-out canoe and use your guitar to paddle to dance class.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 1 2016 23:02:29

Escribano

Posts: 6415
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Guitars by motorbike (in reply to julianev)

quote:

I was more worried about the cold actually - that position is pretty much as far away from the engine manifolds as I could get it,

I was thinking more of the exhaust and rear brakes, especially in stop-start urban traffic. Used to get hot down there on my bike but I suppose that out on the open road it's pretty cool.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 2 2016 12:40:34

julianev

Posts: 78
Joined: Apr. 13 2015

RE: Guitars by motorbike (in reply to Escribano)

quote:

I was thinking more of the exhaust and rear brakes, especially in stop-start urban traffic.

Ah got you. As it happens that bike has only got one exhaust pipe, which is round the other side of the machine. I hadn't considered heat from the brake pads though. I guess that will go some way to counteracting the wind chill. Maybe there's a guitar-friendly nanoclimate lurking at the back of the bike!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 2 2016 13:14:19

payaso

Posts: 85
Joined: Dec. 7 2014

RE: Guitars by motorbike (in reply to julianev)

I never risked taking a guitar on my 750 GT, so I may not know what I’m talking about, but would it not be a good idea to have a counterweight on the opposite side – otherwise the bike is surely very unbalanced.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 2 2016 14:08:10

julianev

Posts: 78
Joined: Apr. 13 2015

RE: Guitars by motorbike (in reply to payaso)

Yep there's a luggage pannier on the other side of the bike

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 2 2016 14:48:22

payaso

Posts: 85
Joined: Dec. 7 2014

RE: Guitars by motorbike (in reply to julianev)

So what's causing the "wobble problems"?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 2 2016 17:26:54

julianev

Posts: 78
Joined: Apr. 13 2015

RE: Guitars by motorbike (in reply to payaso)

There's no wobble problem - providing Dudnote decides against giving it a crack on a 125cc scooter anyway

...

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 3 2016 0:49:33

Dudnote

Posts: 1805
Joined: Nov. 13 2007

RE: Guitars by motorbike (in reply to julianev)

quote:

ORIGINAL: julianev

There's no wobble problem - providing Dudnote decides against giving it a crack on a 125cc scooter anyway ...

Gonna look into the dugout canoe idea instead

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 3 2016 1:48:16

Dudnote

Posts: 1805
Joined: Nov. 13 2007

RE: Guitars by bike (in reply to julianev)

Anyone here tried cycle touring with a guitar?

This guy seems to have a pretty cool solution to carrying it.
https://www.theadventurejunkies.com/carry-guitar-bicycle-touring/

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 10 2017 0:49:22

Ruphus

Posts: 3782
Joined: Nov. 18 2010

RE: Guitars by motorbike (in reply to julianev)

As has been mentioned already, I would be concerned about the exhaust. Knowing that the ones on my bikes would be getting really hot. (In fact the ones of my first bike got so hot that both silencers broke and disappeared on a highway. -With me then assuming a helicopter above me for a while, until realizing what occurred.) At times I have been worried about pillion passenger´s soles melting.
I guess in summer a guitar base in that position could be easily exposed to way over 50° C.

And I stopped strapping things on bikes rear, since the day that I felt a strap suddenly slapping against my butt at over 230 km/h only to then watch my fastened rucksack (with expensive load) in the mirror, about 10 meters up in the air over the crash barrier. Off next exist and returned to same spot, there was no sight of the sack, but a halted car with a Polish couple denying to have found anything.

Sure, one wouldn´t speed that much with a guitar on a bike, but what´s all the engine for if having to crawl long distance. ... Might change mind though with a possible future bike, which -in adaption to aging- shall be a chopper, when back to civilized world. I need to learn life at way under 200 km/h on bikes. -Just as I did with my 4x4 vehicle. Giving up on speed options on miserable roads in the world´s most hazardous traffic actually wasn´t that much of deprivation, and an elevated seat position with view over the tops does have its merits. Especially where folks are used to driving as completely careless idiots. ... And apart from exceptions like Singapore, rule appears to be: The more to the south the worse traffic standards tend to get.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 10 2017 4:05:25

Njål Bendixen

Posts: 65
Joined: Aug. 25 2016

RE: Guitars by motorbike (in reply to julianev)

One thing to think about. If riding in sunny weather, the black case can get hot. It would be better to have a white case, as it would reflect the sun light more.

Good luck with your tour, I wish I could come.

Njål

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 10 2017 9:06:42

Escribano

Posts: 6415
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Guitars by bike (in reply to Dudnote)

quote:

Anyone here tried cycle touring with a guitar?

I'm looking into short tours on my road bike (with flat risers) and considering a trailer as the frame is not as sturdy as a tourer for hanging weight. Won't be taking the guitar, though. Too much other stuff to consider.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 10 2017 9:40:58

pundi64

Posts: 234
Joined: Jul. 29 2016
From: Thailand

RE: Guitars by motorbike (in reply to julianev)

Here in Thailand, people do this all the time, run of the norm transport.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 10 2017 21:51:53

Escribano

Posts: 6415
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Guitars by motorbike (in reply to pundi64)

quote:

Here in Thailand, people do this all the time, run of the norm transport.

"24,000 people are estimated to die on Thai roads every year, 73% of those killed are motorcyclists" http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-38660283

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 10 2017 21:57:26

pundi64

Posts: 234
Joined: Jul. 29 2016
From: Thailand

RE: Guitars by motorbike (in reply to julianev)

Yes this statistic, I assume would be true, in fact riding my own motorbike into town, I have seen,
several deaths lying on the roadway, with police doing the usual BS, on investigation.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 11 2017 20:08:32

julianev

Posts: 78
Joined: Apr. 13 2015

RE: Guitars by motorbike (in reply to Escribano)

quote:

"24,000 people are estimated to die on Thai roads every year, 73% of those killed are motorcyclists"

Wow. That reminds me of my scariest taxi ride, on a motorbike taxi in Thailand near the border with Cambodia. I was riding pillion carrying a backpack, and the bedroll strapped on top was the widest part of the vehicle. As we weaved into non-existent gaps between buses and oncoming lorries I kept thinking the bedroll was going to get wedged and I'd suddenly be ripped off the back of the bike!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 13 2017 7:59:55

pundi64

Posts: 234
Joined: Jul. 29 2016
From: Thailand

RE: Guitars by motorbike (in reply to julianev)

Ya they can get a little crazy, over confident at times.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 13 2017 8:09:51

Ruphus

Posts: 3782
Joined: Nov. 18 2010

RE: Guitars by motorbike (in reply to julianev)

It appears as if almost everyone gets over confident, unless educated by extensive (yet very entertaining) factual series like back then the German TV-serial "Der 7. Sinn".
It contributed immensely to reasonable and considerate mentality in traffic. (Inspite of conditions having eroded somewhat since, for one due to such medial education not having been boradcasted anymore since decades, on the other hand due to increased traffic participation by mentality from overseas.)
Thus, death toll being around 3000 heads per year there while here in a Middle eastern country with comparable number of population, yet 6 times less of vehicles and 5 times greater geographical space at hand, last time I checked death toll was 124 000 deads. (Highest traffic death toll world-wide.)
Expressing not only entire lack of knowledge about subjective and true skills and actual whereabouts of driving physics and impact of collision etc., but a totally selfish mentality. ('Me first! Who cares about the others', etc.)
-

Having participated in a special course on motorbike riding in Germany (after about ten years of practice at that time) I can only emphasize that such teaching is invaluable. You get taught things you could hardly ever discover on your own. Coming out from it light years away from the skills one had before. Highly recommended; especially when driving a heavy machine!

Having said that: Never ever would I ride a bike here.
And yeah, I have seen a number of dead riders in the local streets. Let alone, almost always ones with zero of protecting clothing. They have no clue about asphalts abrasive characteristics when you whistle over it. It rasps you down to the bone. Without leather and lots of fitness / knowing how to fall back then (before the course) me wouldn´t be the same today, if alive at all.
What you learn in driving school (including large scale procedure like in Germany) isn´t enough. And at least info like in "Der 7. Sinn" counts a lot. Me therefore contacted local government, among other things suggesting to obtain such serial, overdub and air it. But they had no English skills in the president´s office. Bummer.