Bringing A Bike On The Road

Hi,

I'm really thankful for the forum, thanks Brett. So I'm fresh out of trucking school and ready to start out with an OTR gig. Very excited and looking forward to life out on the road. I'm wondering if it is possible and if it would be helpful to take a bike or a lightweight dual sport motorcycle on the road with me? There are dual sports out there that weigh a bit under 200 pounds. I'm not sure if that extra weight is a dealbreaker? For what its worth, I'm a pretty light guy under 150. Me and a motorcycle could weigh in at under 350. I haven't talked to my new company about it and I'm just kicking the idea around at this point. Also, would a bicycle even be useful? As an OTR driver, am I going to be in areas that I can ride a bike safely and legally? Thanks

Jim

Quite a few drivers carry bicycles, I have seem motorcycles on trucks as well, but I would think that could be a hassle. Bicycles are much lighter and easier to handle, I carried my bike years ago and intend to do it again , if you're concerned about space there are reasonably priced folding bicycles that are approximately the size of your passenger seat when folded for transport... bikes and trucks, like bikes trucks and dogs, belong together, don't think about just do it, AFTER you get permission from your employer

Bikes should not be an issue. Best to get a folding bike cause if you get a full sized normal bike you will have to keep it strapped to the back of the cab and not only the weather will cause havoc on the bike and it will be nasty as hell from the dirt and rain spray from the road but you also have to think about the chemicals they use on the roads during the winter time. The chemicals are super corosive to truck metal like the frame so what do you think they would do for the metal on a bike that was never supposed to be exposed to the ice melting chemicals. Best to get one that you can fold up and put in the cab.

Thanks for the replies. Definitely will consider a little fold up bike.

Definitely avoid the motorcycle. Its too heavy to be mounted safely. Not a good idea.

However, you can easily carry a bike. Since you're a small guy, aim for a BMX bike not a mountain bike. There's storage room underneath the bed and you can probably fit the bike in there to protect it from the weather.

I have a Schwinn that I may bring with me.

I saw a driver that got a UNICYCLE off the back of his truck !! And he was REALLY good on it !!! I was jealous....

If it was safe to mount my busa on the catwalk I would try and figure that out. But that long 700+ pound bike would definatly be a hassle. I was looking at folding bikes myself. My standard bike was stolen out of my shed a few years ago and I have never picked anouther one up since my wife hates bicycles. How much room is in this storage area?

If it was safe to mount my busa on the catwalk I would try and figure that out. But that long 700+ pound bike would definatly be a hassle. I was looking at folding bikes myself. My standard bike was stolen out of my shed a few years ago and I have never picked anouther one up since my wife hates bicycles. How much room is in this storage area?

Not nearly enough for a bicycle. It wouldn't work out.

And mounting 700 pounds will take special reinforcements that will probably cost a ton. Also , consider that if you're going to mount it on the catwalk then it might not give sufficient room between the tractor trailer.

You really won't have the time to be putting it together to go for a ride. We are busy as can be on the road with days up to 14 hours and weeks up to 70 hours, and that's just what we log. You won't have the energy usually so it will just be a hassle.

And on the other hand, that 700 pound bike will eventually screw you on heavy loads. 700 pounds is a lot of weight to not have available and a lot of these loads are in the 44,000+. You need every hundred pounds you can get. You'll find yourself going back to shippers because you're overweight much more than the average person all because you brought a bike that you don't have time for.

Hope I clarified. I really think a 700 pound bike is overkill. Sounds cool and all, but wouldn't work out.

I actually have an awesome idea there are these bikes out there that you can put Motors on not much just an 80cc or a 50cc 2 stroke but I have built these myself all said and done they are about 80 pounds dry weight most of the time and an average size guy even a bigger guy can make out 25 or 30 miles per hour and as long as you have set it up right sometimes you can get a little faster too I don't know about the legality cuz every state has different laws pertaining to stuff like this but if anybody has had experience with it or has some insight I'd love to know I am leaving for Werner for my orientation on the 19th of February and God willing will have my own solo rig in a month or two