Touring Solo?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 19,653
Likes: 835
From: North Carolina
For so many of the aforementioned reasons, 95% of my touring is done alone.
I don't mind riding with friends at all, but the older I get, the more I have learned to value my own company
I don't mind riding with friends at all, but the older I get, the more I have learned to value my own company
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,552
Likes: 81
From: Largo, FL
My wife usually tours with me, but our schedules haven't been cooperating lately. I work 12 hr shifts and have way more days off than she does. I'm seriously considering doing some solo tours during my short work weeks. They'd be 4-6 days trips.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver, BC
I tour solo all the time. Just got back from a 1000 mile weekend and headed to Sturgis solo next month. I actually prefer it. By my experience you can add a half hour per day to any ride for every extra guy you bring along. An 8 hour ride becomes 9 if there's 3 of you... 10 if there's 5... You can't socialize when you're riding and there's lots ts of folks to hang with wherever you're going...
Last edited by CRF; Jul 6, 2016 at 09:54 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,083
Likes: 247
From: Tulsa, OK
I too thought about the Larry Weaver story. But I spend a little extra and stay at (dare I say it) a Holiday Inn Express or something similar, where I can park the bike outside the front of the hotel lobby and under the canopy. I am not keen to stay in the sort of motels where you park outside your room when I am alone. I don't want somebody touching or stealing my bike but I am not going to confront anyone trying to steal my bike when I'm alone, even carrying a loaded 9mm. If I'm with at least one other I feel less concerned.
I try to plan to stay at hotels not motels near the interstates or in a larger town, I know to keep away from the downtowns of most places. Yes weather can force you to take what you can get but staying safe is a main concern.
I try to plan to stay at hotels not motels near the interstates or in a larger town, I know to keep away from the downtowns of most places. Yes weather can force you to take what you can get but staying safe is a main concern.
Don't count on parking your bike directly in front of the lobby under the awning to do any good either, I have heard of several instances where the clerks don't call the cops or the guests. That typically happens because they are afraid of repercussions if they call the cops and policy precludes them from calling the owners due to guest safety concerns.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 11,166
Likes: 1,801
From: Puget Sound, WA.
I have a friend that rides continuously- over 334,000 miles on his '99 Dyna.
He goes through a rear tire about every other month, and he loves being alone on the road going somewhere.
A typical weekend he rides to Montana and back, or maybe do a loop down through Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, and back up to WA.
He's never had any problem with people or anywhere he visited.
He goes through a rear tire about every other month, and he loves being alone on the road going somewhere.
A typical weekend he rides to Montana and back, or maybe do a loop down through Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, and back up to WA.
He's never had any problem with people or anywhere he visited.
Don't count on parking your bike directly in front of the lobby under the awning to do any good either, I have heard of several instances where the clerks don't call the cops or the guests. That typically happens because they are afraid of repercussions if they call the cops and policy precludes them from calling the owners due to guest safety concerns.
I understand that, anyway the night clerk doesn't know who owns a bike that's staying in the hotel. However, I am asleep, the bike is in the front of the hotel, if it's stolen then I'm not woken up trying to deter them.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 761
Likes: 124
From: College Station TX
I tour solo exclusively. People always ask, "you going by yourself". My reply is always, "They'll be people there when I get there". They don't get it!
You can do exactly what You want.
You can do exactly what You want.
Moderatress
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8,427
Likes: 29
From: Dutchess County, NY
Most of my touring is solo as well. I try to park my bike in front of the main lobby, but if I can't, I park it where I can see it. Not that I'm going to go Ninja on anyone if I catch them, but at least I'll have a description for the police. LOL
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Thanks for the replies guys. All of the reasons you give are the things I was thinking about. I'm an early riser where one of the guys I usually ride with thinks 10 is an early start. So it will be nice to have that freedom. When I get to Colorado I have people to visit and ride with, so the alone time is on the slab getting there.
I'm encouraged by all of your comments.
BTW, I'm 61. Does anyone think that makes a difference? I'm in pretty good shape for an old fart and have pretty good stamina.
I'm encouraged by all of your comments.
BTW, I'm 61. Does anyone think that makes a difference? I'm in pretty good shape for an old fart and have pretty good stamina.
