On my other Site, we had a good debate about riding v trailering and whilst it seems to be "frowned" upon to trailer, some have very good reasons...health and time being just two of them.
For the last two years, I have ridden out, once on the LowRider and last year on the custom chop...and enjoyed both rides...1440 miles in two days. Yes, I passed many hauling their bikes, but I didn't sneer, just waved.
This year, due to time contstraints with work (even though I work from home) I MIGHT be hauling my scoot on the back of the truck.

I've been a biker for 30 plus years, 4 over here and I have nothing to prove to no-one, done it twice and loved it...and I might do it again, all depends on work...just like others have similiar problems or CAN'T handle the long ass haul there.
Just remember...ride, trailer..we are all going to the Mecca of Rallies (although it is also true...it's the journey not the destination!)

If anyone does need any advice on Sturgis, take a peek at sturgis dot com, there is a plethora of info there. (NO, this is NOT a plug - just me trying to be helpful!)

Not me, I just buy the cabin tent at the local sears and return it the day I leave.
the rest fits nicely in the saddlebags. Peace SLB

ride

well I was going to ride to daytona this year...the nite before I left 9" of snow dropped on Cape Cod... I put the dyna on a trailer and hooked it up to my truck and away I went.
this year I rode to myrtle beach.. torrential downpours all the way... the rain was so bad sometimes I couldn't see cars below the side windows... do ya think they could see me??? it was dangerous and stupid... but when I got there you couldn't have slapped the smile off my face... what an adventure!
I say the rides' the thing...BUT I would never have made daytona in the snow... so do what ya gotta do... you'll get no hairy eyeball from me either way...

There used to never be a question...it was ride!!
Now I wear oxygen 24/7...if my oxygen supplier does not have a network supplier in the area then I have to take my own. No can do on a motorcycle. So it is either haul it and ride there...or cage it and not ride at all.
So I am getting a pick-up and getting a fully automatic hydrolic loader. I can take Thunder and my oxygen. It's better than not getting to ride at all. I can do day rides...now...but I want more.
I am laying the pride aside (have had to do that alot lately) and going for what works for me. It's about acceptance.

I was going to just say that I don't get the trailer thing and leave it at that but no...it takes TWO days to get from Washington DC to Sturgis ON a bike!Even if you trailer straight through and alternate drivers you could only improve on that by a day. And, (I feel like Louis Black now) has everybody seen the trailerists offloading their bikes 50 miles out so they can get a few bug hits and pose their way in? What's that all about? The bikes are water-proof and you ain't gonna melt; a little saddlesoreness is part of the experience; and you don't really need to bring that full wardrobe and portable generator. Semper Fidelis

Most of the events are called "bike week." Not trailer week. Gotta ride.
Ride Safe!

I went to Sturgis last year and I'll be back again this year. For me, it's 4210 miles round trip (So. Florida to SD) so unless I get a job with three weeks vacation, it's trailer for me.

Can't wait till August !!

The ride is what it's all about,that's why I bought a touring bike.No more torturous rides on anything less than a good touring scoot for me anymore.

When I rode the first time, I had a LowRider with saddlebags and that helped, but I don't have any for the Custom...so like you, I UPS'd all my gear to Sturgis and did the same back!
No point in hauling shyte there and back is there? lol

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the ride there as much as the next person. You're right, it is the ride, after all. With all 'toys' you have to make time for them if you're going to make it worthwhile to keep them. So once a year I enjoy both. Late October. And I put on about 600 miles on the bike that weekend once I get there.
As for packing to get there -- I pull a trailer with my bike if I need to.

oh hell, just get there. lol. i would much rather ride than trailer. but being a backrest doesnt give ya alot of say. we trailered once to sturgis in 01...i was kinda bummed but there is something to be said for a blow dryer and an eyeliner that hasnt melted in the saddlebags....lol. buy too much? UPS has seen alot of me over the years

Bull, free speech Bro!

I agree with you, I have been on scoots for 30 plus years, albeit 26 of those across the Pond. I ride my custom vibrating machine everywhere...even to my Post Box to get the post.
I have a brand new truck (Nov 04) and it's done 5300 miles...and 4400 of that was to Mississippi and back!

My only point in making this Thread was to mention that SOME can't ride distance and we shouldn't knock them...that said..and this is the truth lol..I saw one guy trailer his scoot to a local POKER RUN!!

Pamz, we could do that ride.

We are cut from the same stone OldBull its all about the ride not where we are going. Im not from NY Pamz but I ride from WV to where ever it is I may go. If you come this way look me up and we can do a ride any one as far as that goes. You all ride safe and free.

C'mon old bull and ride to sturgis with me then since everyone i know in this state is TRAILERING their bikes!! yeah I know...time off from work is a huge consideration(yaaawn)..iknowiknowiknow
but doesn't anyone ride anymore from ny???

Ok ,I know this is not the most popular position on this issue BUT. To me has always been the ride not the party or what ever at the end of the ride. I have had four ruptured dics in my lower back since 1991 an my bike 's are only on a trailer if then brake down along the road an I can't fix then there. I guess I was brought up different by the old timers that taught me about riding an what it is all about. If you want to trailer that is up to you . To me has always been an always will be about the ride ,not whats at the end of the ride.

a chicks point of view (o-well you'll read it and like it!)i have no problem riding..anywhere. but if your taking your chick,we like stuff, even if you have a full dresser not enough room anddd if it's our first time being there,haha look out,your taking back some stuff guys! so just put the bike in the back of the truck and let's go,Mk?

And there are other reasons as well. I'm riding the bike to Branson in May, but trailering behind the RV to Parker AZ in October. Although we are talking about the same distance, it costs less to get an RV spot than a motel room, I can stop anywhere for the night and sleep in my own place and have ALL my stuff with me, and I don't have to worry about changing weather patterns (like blizzards and mountain pass ice and snow) as much in the RV. At least I'll be warm.
Lastly, for insurance purposes, I have to actually drive the thing more than 10 miles a year. So why not take a real road trip at the same time?
I've no problem with anyone who trailers as long as they are honest about it. Don't say you rode there when you trailered.

Trailering shouldn't be an issue for anyone and it doesn't make a person more or less for doing so. When I go to Tenn. in a few weeks I'll trailer both my bikes and have a blast. When I decide to drive cross country on my XX I'll do that too, all depends on the type of trip you are doing.