Motorcycle Friendly Lodging [Archive]

Teeds

12-22-2006, 09:35 AM

What would your motorcycle friendly lodging have available on-site or nearby?

I have a friend with a piece of property that has mentioned developing a lodge that is focused on bikes. It could be a waypoint or a beginning/ending type of lodge.

The location I am referring to is unimportant to the focus of the thread. What would make a place "the place" you would want to visit?

scratch

12-22-2006, 09:50 AM

Being that cruiser riders are the single largest segment of motorcyclists in this country, catering to their needs and whims might be the surest path to business success.

Specific suggestions: Ground-level rooms with covered parking at the room door to minimize the carrying distance and weather exposure when loading & unloading gear would be nice. This would also provide a covered area for riders to perform maintenance or repairs - might want to think about having a few drip-pans available too. Coin-op laundry. An area set aside to wash bikes. And if it's intended to be street-bike friendly, then fully paved access would be a plus. If it's going to be located in a really out-of-the-way spot, might think about offering food & fuel.

bedlam

12-22-2006, 10:13 AM

Teeds

12-22-2006, 10:23 AM

Thanks and keep the ideas flowing!

Regarding the type of bike ... although cruisers, sports bikes and dual sports are different machines, for the most part the folks are the same when off the bike ... correct?

To function as a jumping off / ending point, it will have to have trailer and truck parking separate from the actual lodge area. I assume the desire would be that this is secure parking. Is it reasonable to expect to have to pay to leave a truck/trailer there, if not staying at the lodge?

scratch

12-22-2006, 10:31 AM

Regarding the type of bike ... although cruisers, sports bikes and dual sports are different machines, for the most part the folks are the same when off the bike ... correct?
Yes. Over the last couple of years, I've been attending a semi-regular, semi-private bike meet that consists of all types of riders. When we saddle up for the day's ride, we split into our different groups according to preferred riding style, but we all get back together again in the evening to dine, drink & tell stories.

To function as a jumping off / ending point, it will have to have trailer and truck parking separate from the actual lodge area. I assume the desire would be that this is secure parking. Is it reasonable to expect to have to pay to leave a truck/trailer there, if not staying at the lodge?
Yes. It would also give the owner of the lodge the opportunity to have them sign a release statement of some sort.

bushwhacker

12-22-2006, 11:26 AM

Regarding the type of bike ... although cruisers, sports bikes and dual sports are different machines, for the most part the folks are the same when off the bike ... correct?

Not always.

I rode cruisers for many years and although I no longer ride a cruiser I am still a member of a couple of Cruiser clubs (I was president of Star Riders last year and did not even own a cruiser).

When I first came to this site I started going to bike night at PO's on Tuesdays.

I mentioned this to the Cruiser riders a couple of times and a few of them showed up. It then became popular with them and a pretty good group started showing up.

There was always a seperation between the TWTexers and the Cruiser riders.

There were a few exceptions but generally there would be two distinct groups and that did not mix.

One of the TWTexers wanted to stop going to PO's because of the Cruiser Riders there.

When PO's opened the Bar in the back the Cruiser Riders started going there and the TWTexers pretty much stay up front at the restaurant.

Whether this translates to different features appealing to different groups I can not say.

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bushwhacker

12-22-2006, 11:42 AM

I go to Bandera with a group a couple of times a year and I can tell you what is popular with them at the place we stay.

1. Cheap. They don't care that most of the TV's in the rooms do not work. They don't care about fancy bathrooms. What they like is that you can get a room with two double beds for under $50/night.

2. First floor rooms with covered parking by the door. This place is an old 50's style motel with an awning coming out over the walk in front of the building and the owner allows us to pull the bikes up onto the sidewalk under the awning. That's enough. It gets your bike out of the weather and people are happy with it.

3. Picnic tables. The place is built so that several buildings face each other with a large common area between the buildings. There are a couple of picnic tables in the common area and this allows people to walk out their front door and be in a gathering area without having to go any distance from their rooms. Everyone likes to hang out, drink a few beverages, talk about motorcycles and then only have a 20 yard walk back to their room (actually here it is more like 20 feet but I like to think on a grand scale). This place does not have a fire pit but that would be nice to cook on site and just to keep warm on chilly fall nights.

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punk_emo_tx

12-22-2006, 01:11 PM

To function as a jumping off / ending point, it will have to have trailer and truck parking

Now that I'm over the hill I've thought about trailering my bike part of the way to Arkansas. Trailering to the Talihina OK. area and being able to securely park my truck and trailer would be great.

Is there a safe place to park and leave a trailer for a few days in Talihina?

Teeds

12-22-2006, 01:25 PM

I have been to Talemina State Park a couple of times and can't say that I remember any secure parking areas in Talihina.

We have debated what level of security to provide. In some ways, it is better to make it free and post lots of signs that you are parking at your own risk. To provide lighting and ask for a "parking fee" implies a degree of security that could be expensive.

Hemibee

12-22-2006, 01:26 PM

1. Bike security.
2. Fire Pit.
3. Bike security.
4. Bike Wash.
5. Bike Security.
6. Level parking.
7. Bike Security.
8. Food and drink.
9. Bike Security.
10. BBQ Grills.
11. Bike Security.
12. Laundry.
13. Bike Security.
14. Equipment lockers.
15. Bike Security.
16. Trailer parking.
17. Bike Security.
18. Ice.
19. Bike Security.
20. Camping area.

I might have forgot to add it but I think a good safe place for the bikes would be a must so might need to add bike security to the list.

Teeds

12-22-2006, 01:32 PM

I might have forgot to add it but I think a good safe place for the bikes would be a must so might need to add bike security to the list.

;-) I hear ya.

Bike security is a real tough nut to crack. With people wanting the freedom to come and go, how do you achieve it. I have figured that a C shape where there is only one way in and out would be a good start. The problem is that everything gets real scattered out, if you are not careful.

I keep thinking back to the days of motor courts. To me that would be an ideal arrangement, but it is tough to get the number of units necessary to cover construction and operations, nevermind profit.

punk_emo_tx

12-22-2006, 05:39 PM

"parking fee" implies a degree of security that could be expensive.

LOL....when have you payed for parking and the ticket said your vehicle and all items inside are the responsibity of the parking lot owner? I want to park where you park.

Knowing my truck/trailer was not going to be towed or impounded would be worth paying for.

On a related note...... I went to DFW airport last week to pick up a bike in the parking garage for a friend of my kids. 20 people walking all around,even a guy parked next to the bike I was loading on my trailer.....NO ONE questioned me. Sad.

MeNWen

12-22-2006, 06:15 PM

sherob

12-22-2006, 07:11 PM

For the social aspect of things, a nice big firepit with places to sit while drinking a beverage of choice and telling lies would be nice.

Maybe some picnic tables and grills and a policy of potluck.

A hot tub to soak away the soreness from hours in the saddle. And an on-site massuse. (Well, I can dream, right?? :) )

:lol2:

We stay at a place in Montrose CO that is kinda like this... run by a biker couple. Great peeps! They also have a bench outside each room so you can sit outside and mess with your gear. The hot tub was the most used feature besides WiFi :clap:

Teeds

12-22-2006, 07:20 PM

LOL....when have you payed for parking and the ticket said your vehicle and all items inside are the responsibity of the parking lot owner? I want to park where you park.

Knowing my truck/trailer was not going to be towed or impounded would be worth paying for.

Good point I should have remembered myself. The Valet and the Restaurant never paid me a dime for my Suburban that was stolen, nevermind they left it with the keys in it ... running! :miffed:

On a related note...... I went to DFW airport last week to pick up a bike in the parking garage for a friend of my kids. 20 people walking all around,even a guy parked next to the bike I was loading on my trailer.....NO ONE questioned me. Sad.

Yup, sad for sure, but no one wants to get "involved" these days. I have done the same thing in various places without any comment, or even as much as a raised eyebrow.

Teeds

12-22-2006, 07:24 PM

The one way in....one way out is a great idea. Add a good digital security camera system just for a piece of mind. With that I think its as secure as one can get without having a live security guard on duty to check bike and owner against a guest list as they come and go.

Good point on the security camera and yes a live guard would be a plus as far as stopping someone from taking a bike. I wonder though about the liability of perhaps not stopping a guest that has been drinking that ends up in an accident. It really sucks to even have to sink to think at that level, but anymore survival demands it.

Voltar

12-22-2006, 07:33 PM

I try to stay in State camp grounds if possible.
If I am on the interstate, I try to stay at KOA campgrounds.

Both are always clean and safe. The KOA's are sometime a bit pricey for just a tent spot, but a few extra $$ is worth the piece of mind to me.

bluedogok

12-22-2006, 07:34 PM

I have always thought an updated version of the old 50's style "Motor Courts" with garages would be great for that purpose. I know of a few of the left on some section of Route 66 in Oklahoma and some of the older highway towns.
I started on a design but never did finish it.

budzrex

12-22-2006, 07:39 PM

Have him take a look at Tim's 29Dreams Campground outside of Leeds Al

http://www.29dreams.com/

DANNYROTH

12-22-2006, 07:41 PM

I have stayed at places in Latin America that were built around a commons area. You parked inside the compound. At night they closed a big gate on the only entrance/exit. If you came in late or wanted to leave early you dealt with the watchman. This guy kept a very sharp machete in his hand or an old M&P .38 Spl. at his side and usually didn't look like he would hesitate to use either.

Teeds

12-22-2006, 07:52 PM

I started on a design but never did finish it.

You and me both. I am looking for land in Dripping Springs, maybe we can get together and design one. Not for DS, but somewhere fun. Then we would just have to find Mr. Moneybags! ;-)

bluedogok

12-22-2006, 08:04 PM

One developer we just wrapped a project up with just sold his Road King and is bikeless for now......maybe he needs a reason to ride.

Somewhere outside of Kerrville or Fredricksburg would work for me.

Cagiva 549

12-23-2006, 05:41 AM

The Peach Tree Inn in Fredsburg would be a good model , I used to stay there a lot when Allen owned it , stopped a couple of times since and its still ok . Old but clean rooms , covered canopy beside room some are closed on one end , thats nice . One driveway in and out , Not fenced all the way around though . And a loading ramp at the carwash next door . Restaraunt and Licquor store past the car wash . Picknic tables under the peacan trees and BBQ pit also tables in the center of the loop . SEYA