Traveling for Racing. How do you store your bike overnight?

rm85racer
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rm85racer
Edited Date/Time 4/24/2019 6:43am
We’re traveling to race and have to stay overnight, and my father and I are at a bit of an impasse on what to do with my bike overnight in a city we’ve both never been to. He wants to rent a Uhaul trailer and lock it up, but I’m being a little more cautious and want to bring the bike into a hotel room with us, like I’ve seen some people do. Am I being nuts, or is that the smarter move?
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sam hain
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sam hain 4/23/2019 5:40am
4/23/2019 5:40am Edited Date/Time 4/23/2019 6:34am
When traveling for enduro's I always brought the bike in the room with me. I always did a little research and made sure the hotel/motel had rooms with outside facing doors so it was easy to push the bike in. I've heard of guys wheeling them in elevators but that is tricky depending on how friendly the manager is it also draws attention.
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moto314
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moto314 4/23/2019 5:49am
4/23/2019 5:49am
The last time I did the bike in the hotel room was over 20 years ago, but that was because the bike was in a pickup. Enclosed trailers and vans I would not bring in myself. But lock up the bike inside and park close to your hotel room window. Also keep in mind Uhaul trailers don't have hitch locks so bring a cable to lock the trailer to your tow vehicle if you go that route.
Zesiger 112
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Zesiger 112 4/23/2019 6:30am
4/23/2019 6:30am
Go for the maximum protection bring it inside. Anything else is a gamble
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Steve125
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Steve125 4/23/2019 6:38am
4/23/2019 6:38am
Inside the toy hauler with me. I never trust staying at a hotel with the bike in a trailer outside.. We either camp at the track or at a nearby campground.
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Ronaled Smith 4/23/2019 6:57am
4/23/2019 6:57am
Here are several tips that may help you avoid problems for very little money.

Buy some bearing or general purpose waterproof grease.
Use shopping Bag for the seat.
Apply Frame Saver or WD-40 for steel frames.
Keep your tires inflated
Don't lock up next to the road before they plow the street or parking lot.
Don't forget a Spring tune-up.
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mattmatt300
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mattmatt300 4/23/2019 6:58am
4/23/2019 6:58am
Inside the room is the safest. Sounds like any less than that and you’ll be a nervous wreck and not sleep.
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GeorgiePorgie 4/23/2019 7:01am
4/23/2019 7:01am Edited Date/Time 4/23/2019 7:01am
Buy an insurance policy TODAY. Shitheads know. Take all the moto stickers off your vehicles too.
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Titan1
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Titan1 4/23/2019 7:11am
4/23/2019 7:11am
I’ve started getting AirBnB’s (with a garage, or back yard) rather than a hotel. Its usually a bit more money that a hotel, but the security is well worth it.

If that isn’t an option an enclosed trailer...pad locks on the doors, and lock the trailer to the truck.
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FortyHat
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FortyHat 4/23/2019 7:16am
4/23/2019 7:16am
As stated above, I always try to stay at a motel with parking right outside, and if it's a 2 story building, I either request 1st floor or choose the handicap/accessible option if available. Push the bike right in the room with me.


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Gworm
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Gworm 4/23/2019 7:28am
4/23/2019 7:28am
Once we were sneaking bikes to the second floor up the back stairway at a hotel. On the second trip, we were halfway up the stairs, and a very strict looking lady, who was the manager, caught us.

We though we were busted, but she just told us we were welcome to use the elevator if we wanted.
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Crisp BRAAAP! 4/23/2019 8:06am
4/23/2019 8:06am
Don’t forget the “do not disturb” sign. Surprised maids aren’t pumped.
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Falcon
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Falcon 4/23/2019 9:18am
4/23/2019 9:18am
I only ever had to leave my bike on a trailer once. It was when we were moving back home from Arizona, and I needed to leave the bike packed in with all our other belongings on a flatbed, in an open parking lot, alongside I-10. Talk about a bad night's sleep!
Needless to say, I did everything I could; I locked the bike to the trailer, had a hitch lock, and I parked the UHaul in such a way that the trailer wasn't visible from the street. Still not very safe.
Every other time, I say put it in the hotel room.
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Buzzard167
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Buzzard167 4/23/2019 9:18am
4/23/2019 9:18am
Take it in the hotel room with you. I've always done this with dirt bikes and mountain bikes and never had the hotel staff give me any real grief.
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Titan1
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Titan1 4/23/2019 9:57am
4/23/2019 9:57am
Another thought...park it at the track. As an offroad guy...I can stop by pretty much anyone in the pits and say "hey I'm staying in town at a hotel, and I'm worried about getting my bike stolen, if I park my bike here would you guys keep an eye on it?" And anyone would do that (most of the time they'll put right next to their bikes or in/on their trailer). Far less likely to get stolen at a track as well.

Not sure if the moto scene where you are has a different vibe than that...but if its the same...that could be an option for you (and even more convenient...often desert races are a hour or more from the closest town...so driving to the pit area is a long haul-hence the Airbnb's that I do now...most moto tracks are fairly close to town.)
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FortyHat
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FortyHat 4/23/2019 10:22am
4/23/2019 10:22am
Titan1 wrote:
Another thought...park it at the track. As an offroad guy...I can stop by pretty much anyone in the pits and say "hey I'm staying in town...
Another thought...park it at the track. As an offroad guy...I can stop by pretty much anyone in the pits and say "hey I'm staying in town at a hotel, and I'm worried about getting my bike stolen, if I park my bike here would you guys keep an eye on it?" And anyone would do that (most of the time they'll put right next to their bikes or in/on their trailer). Far less likely to get stolen at a track as well.

Not sure if the moto scene where you are has a different vibe than that...but if its the same...that could be an option for you (and even more convenient...often desert races are a hour or more from the closest town...so driving to the pit area is a long haul-hence the Airbnb's that I do now...most moto tracks are fairly close to town.)
I do this more often than anything else, but only if I have friends camping at the track to leave the bike with.
731chopper
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731chopper 4/23/2019 11:03am
4/23/2019 11:03am
Leaving an enclosed trailer at the track with the bikes inside locked up is the second best thing to bringing them in the hotel room with you. You also usually get to secure a better pit spot. You could also leave the bike(s) with a friend who is staying at the track if you happen to know somebody doing that.
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spimx
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spimx 4/23/2019 11:24am
4/23/2019 11:24am
Camp at the track is best
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ConnorD11
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ConnorD11 4/23/2019 11:32am
4/23/2019 11:32am
Another tip We use everytime.. Back your trailer or Van (what we use) up to a light pole or a tree or anything that keeps your door or tailgate from opening. With the van we use, we can usually find a light pole and back the rear doors up right to it so it wont even open enough to stick a hand inside.
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Sierra Ranger
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Sierra Ranger 4/23/2019 11:57am
4/23/2019 11:57am
Open the window if you keep your bike in the room. Breathing gas and oil fumes is no bueno.
Pirate421
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Pirate421 4/23/2019 3:57pm
4/23/2019 3:57pm
We have stayed at KOA campground. Clean showers, nice and quiet with nice people there and we parked our trailer right outside our camp spot. A lot of koa have little cabins for like $100 a night and are usually near tracks.
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MX114
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MX114 4/23/2019 4:26pm
4/23/2019 4:26pm
Done it many times. Call ahead request ground floor room at a hotel/motel type with outside doors. Make sure the bikes clean and if anybody starts questioning shut it down by re assuring there’s no gas in tank or no oil on the chain to ruin anything. I’ve never had a big issue with it
sam hain
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sam hain 4/23/2019 6:25pm
4/23/2019 6:25pm


When I was single I kept them in the house!
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pbody
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pbody 4/23/2019 7:42pm
4/23/2019 7:42pm
Titan1 wrote:
I’ve started getting AirBnB’s (with a garage, or back yard) rather than a hotel. Its usually a bit more money that a hotel, but the security...
I’ve started getting AirBnB’s (with a garage, or back yard) rather than a hotel. Its usually a bit more money that a hotel, but the security is well worth it.

If that isn’t an option an enclosed trailer...pad locks on the doors, and lock the trailer to the truck.
I'm planning a trip where I was looking for an AirBnB with garage, but finding it harder than I thought. Feels like most people don't list if they have a garage. Any tips?
Titan1
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Titan1 4/24/2019 6:29am
4/24/2019 6:29am
Titan1 wrote:
I’ve started getting AirBnB’s (with a garage, or back yard) rather than a hotel. Its usually a bit more money that a hotel, but the security...
I’ve started getting AirBnB’s (with a garage, or back yard) rather than a hotel. Its usually a bit more money that a hotel, but the security is well worth it.

If that isn’t an option an enclosed trailer...pad locks on the doors, and lock the trailer to the truck.
pbody wrote:
I'm planning a trip where I was looking for an AirBnB with garage, but finding it harder than I thought. Feels like most people don't list...
I'm planning a trip where I was looking for an AirBnB with garage, but finding it harder than I thought. Feels like most people don't list if they have a garage. Any tips?
I’ve never had an issue finding one...they don’t always list a garage, but you can usually tell by the pictures. Either way, you’d want to confirm with the owner that the garage is included in the rental (especially if it’s not listed in the add), as I rented one with a garage but the garage wasn’t available....

If there is a garage in the exterior pictures...send a message to the owner ask about the garage.
TX24
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TX24 4/24/2019 6:43am
4/24/2019 6:43am
Older , cheaper Motels are more likely to have room doors that access the parking lot. Like Motel 6 or Red roof.
Try to check in earlier in the day for a better chance of a first floor room.
motomike894
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motomike894 4/24/2019 7:19am
4/24/2019 7:19am
Van is the only way to go
exbmxmx
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exbmxmx 4/24/2019 10:58am
4/24/2019 10:58am
motomike894 wrote:
Van is the only way to go
They'll just steal the whole van then. Hotel parking lots are like shopping malls for professional thieves. During our bmx days, a buddy had his truck and enclosed trailer stolen with 6-bmx bikes from a hotel parking lot. The security video documented how good the thieves were at their job. It took them less than 30 seconds to get in the truck and have it moving down the road. Another buddy had his catalytic converter stolen from under his truck while staying at the same hotel but a different weekend. I wish I could have video'd his reaction when he started up his truck that morning.
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motomike894
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motomike894 4/24/2019 11:09am
4/24/2019 11:09am
motomike894 wrote:
Van is the only way to go
exbmxmx wrote:
They'll just steal the whole van then. Hotel parking lots are like shopping malls for professional thieves. During our bmx days, a buddy had his truck...
They'll just steal the whole van then. Hotel parking lots are like shopping malls for professional thieves. During our bmx days, a buddy had his truck and enclosed trailer stolen with 6-bmx bikes from a hotel parking lot. The security video documented how good the thieves were at their job. It took them less than 30 seconds to get in the truck and have it moving down the road. Another buddy had his catalytic converter stolen from under his truck while staying at the same hotel but a different weekend. I wish I could have video'd his reaction when he started up his truck that morning.
That is a possibility I mean no matter what you do shit can get stolen lol, I have insurance on van and bike so honestly if someone steals it all I don’t even care to a extent, yeah itll suck but I’ll get my money back out of everything or at least a majority of it.
exbmxmx
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exbmxmx 4/24/2019 11:46am
4/24/2019 11:46am
motomike894 wrote:
Van is the only way to go
exbmxmx wrote:
They'll just steal the whole van then. Hotel parking lots are like shopping malls for professional thieves. During our bmx days, a buddy had his truck...
They'll just steal the whole van then. Hotel parking lots are like shopping malls for professional thieves. During our bmx days, a buddy had his truck and enclosed trailer stolen with 6-bmx bikes from a hotel parking lot. The security video documented how good the thieves were at their job. It took them less than 30 seconds to get in the truck and have it moving down the road. Another buddy had his catalytic converter stolen from under his truck while staying at the same hotel but a different weekend. I wish I could have video'd his reaction when he started up his truck that morning.
motomike894 wrote:
That is a possibility I mean no matter what you do shit can get stolen lol, I have insurance on van and bike so honestly if...
That is a possibility I mean no matter what you do shit can get stolen lol, I have insurance on van and bike so honestly if someone steals it all I don’t even care to a extent, yeah itll suck but I’ll get my money back out of everything or at least a majority of it.
Very true about nothing is 100% thief proof. And I agree that insurance is a necessity these days but the insurance will not pay you back for a ruined weekend.
Titan1
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Titan1 4/24/2019 12:01pm
4/24/2019 12:01pm
exbmxmx wrote:
They'll just steal the whole van then. Hotel parking lots are like shopping malls for professional thieves. During our bmx days, a buddy had his truck...
They'll just steal the whole van then. Hotel parking lots are like shopping malls for professional thieves. During our bmx days, a buddy had his truck and enclosed trailer stolen with 6-bmx bikes from a hotel parking lot. The security video documented how good the thieves were at their job. It took them less than 30 seconds to get in the truck and have it moving down the road. Another buddy had his catalytic converter stolen from under his truck while staying at the same hotel but a different weekend. I wish I could have video'd his reaction when he started up his truck that morning.
motomike894 wrote:
That is a possibility I mean no matter what you do shit can get stolen lol, I have insurance on van and bike so honestly if...
That is a possibility I mean no matter what you do shit can get stolen lol, I have insurance on van and bike so honestly if someone steals it all I don’t even care to a extent, yeah itll suck but I’ll get my money back out of everything or at least a majority of it.
exbmxmx wrote:
Very true about nothing is 100% thief proof. And I agree that insurance is a necessity these days but the insurance will not pay you back...
Very true about nothing is 100% thief proof. And I agree that insurance is a necessity these days but the insurance will not pay you back for a ruined weekend.
They won't pay you back for a ruined weekend...and then they'll jack your rates up for making a claim.

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