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Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 20 Nov 2006
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travel with surfboard
Hi!
Has anyone ever run accross surfers riding motorbikes with their boards on a big overland trip? The longest I have heard of was down mexico's baja peninsuia with some custom welded racks, for their boards (about 6 ft long) mounted to the side of the bikes.

I was thinking that it may be an option for a trans-africa trip. I have traveled tons with surfboards, but never tried to do it on a motorbike, and I was wondering how feasible it would be. If anyone has any input on this rediculous idea please speak up!
Last edited by stormridr; 20 Nov 2006 at 07:04.
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  #2  
Old 20 Nov 2006
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surfing
i met a guy a number of years ago in costa rica who had ridden his bicycle with board attached all over the country. shouldn't be all that hard to rig a place to put a short board.
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  #3  
Old 20 Nov 2006
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Not mine but should help...
Check this out... http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=117195



Quote:
Originally Posted by stormridr
Hi!
Has anyone ever run accross surfers riding motorbikes with their boards on a big overland trip? The longest I have heard of was down mexico's baja peninsuia with some custom welded racks, for their boards (about 6 ft long) mounted to the side of the bikes.

I was thinking that it may be an option for a trans-africa trip. I have traveled tons with surfboards, but never tried to do it on a motorbike, and I was wondering how feasible it would be. If anyone has any input on this rediculous idea please speak up!
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  #4  
Old 20 Nov 2006
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hey thats awesome. that thread had tons of info. looks like i would have to make somthing custom that would be bike specific or have a metal fabricator do it. would suck to drop the bike on the wrong side is all. wonder if anyone has done a really long trip with a board?
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  #5  
Old 21 Nov 2006
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Yea I too asked this question. I was advised to just stick with a vehicle. A moto would be soo much better and waaaaaay cheaper. I was planning on doing a Mexico/Central America trip on a moto with surfboards, but they advised against it. You said it man, one fall, and no more surfing for you.

They did mention a trailer or sidecar option. Im thinking about taking their advice and selling my 97 2wd RAV4 and looking for a toyota truck 4x4 to just sleep in and surf my brains out. Should be hitting Mexico/Guatemala for 2 months next summer.
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  #6  
Old 21 Nov 2006
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Well something else to consider, bring a board and ding repair doing the best you can if you crash. If you crash THAT bad the board will be the least of your worries...If you are just doing Mexico and C.America, there are places to replace a board with a used one from souces there. Either way its cheaper and more fun then hassling with a car. -Shane

Quote:
Originally Posted by txsurfer
Yea I too asked this question. I was advised to just stick with a vehicle. A moto would be soo much better and waaaaaay cheaper. I was planning on doing a Mexico/Central America trip on a moto with surfboards, but they advised against it. You said it man, one fall, and no more surfing for you.

They did mention a trailer or sidecar option. Im thinking about taking their advice and selling my 97 2wd RAV4 and looking for a toyota truck 4x4 to just sleep in and surf my brains out. Should be hitting Mexico/Guatemala for 2 months next summer.
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  #7  
Old 22 Nov 2006
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Cool moto surf racks
Believe it or not....Surfer mag had an ad for surf racks for motorcycles.....maybe check microfische in the library.....but they are being made. Or maybe call Surfer direct and check their archives.
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  #8  
Old 22 Nov 2006
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There has to be a way to build a siderack and make it so when you fall if you do, there will be minimal damage to the board. I would be interested in building a siderack that could hold 2 boards in a board bag and possibly have some type of buffer to keep them off the ground during a crash. Also bubble wrap the crap out of the boards in the bag
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Old 22 Nov 2006
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What about a trailer? Not ideal but not as awkward as a sidecar attachment.
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  #10  
Old 24 Nov 2006
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They said that during offroading, the trailer stands a good chance of flipping or something. It limits you to the areas you get to travel to.

Another thing they mentioned was security. The security of this setup is limited compared to a vehicle.
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  #11  
Old 7 Jan 2007
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Thumbs up done it...
hi mate, yep ive done a bit of travel on my xtz660 with a surfboard strapped to the side.
i have alu panniers and custom made front crash bars/jerry can holders...
my board straps on perfectly to the front crash bar and mounts to the rear pannier with elastic straps...

it gives you total freedom to move, just beware of the extra width and the effect of wind resistance at high speed...other than that great fun and easy...
biggest problem was what to do with a wet wet suit when you want to get going in a hury.

hope this helps...phil.
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  #12  
Old 7 Jan 2007
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Surfboard on the side? -> trailer!
Brrr, wouldn't want that to be at the side of my motorbike!
Wind blowing against it, no freedom of making strange moves ;-)

I would choose for a trailer. They don't flip that easy! I have a Beta Techno 1997 at home. And moved it around with my Honda Magna like this:


(Click on the pictures to enlarge)

No problem at all. With the wheels at the back, its stable and you can move almost anything
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  #13  
Old 12 Jan 2007
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I built some racks for my right side of my V-Strom for my Pope Bisect(9'6" two piece board), rode with it on but didn't like the way it felt. I think maybe an overhead or other type would be better or small board.
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  #14  
Old 13 Jan 2007
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Talking surf trailers
I had a surf board trailer made for my gsx 750 and it works a treat, can hardly tell its on there. Very useful for carrying loads of luggage for camping trips. I've had a mountain bike on there too without any problems. I had a bracket made which bolts to the swingarm (a bit controversial - everyone told me i should have mounted it on the frame, but as i said it works fine.) Not done any off road with it though!! There are EU rules on motorbike trailers though; if i can remember correctly max length is 2m from rear wheel hub to back of trailer, and max width is 1m. The trailer weight can be up to half the weight of the bike (not sure whether thats gross weights or not) and the trailer should be marked with its weight - although mine isn't and luckily i've not yet been pulled over with it on. Max speed 60mph and a trailer light board required of course. If anyone's interested let me know and i'll try and dig out these rules plus get a photo or too of my bike & trailer.
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  #15  
Old 17 Jan 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jontyboy1979
If anyone's interested let me know and i'll try and get a photo or too of my bike & trailer.
Yesss please
rules are not my intrest, you can build it yourself in holland...
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