Saxophones Carrying a tenor on a (motor)bike?

Jay · Jul 4, 2015

I'm thinking of acquiring a secondhand Suzuki Van Van and learning to ride over the summer, the idea being that it will be fun, and more economical than my 4x4 for going to work and other short journeys, when the weather is reasonable. But on quite a few of those journeys I am accompanied by my tenor.

Anyone carry one on a bike, and got any advice please?

Jeanette · Jul 4, 2015

I would have thought dangerous to be honest. My husband used to ride bikes and has bought a few in the past few years to renovate but hates riding them because of the state of the roads and the fact that roads are so busy.

If you were already experienced different matter but they are unforgiving if you fall off. If you do get one get all the proper riding gear. Recent photo on Facebook doing the rounds as in summer people tend to leave the leathers at home.

Jx

jonf · Jul 4, 2015

I do it all the time. My bike's a fair bit bigger than a Van Van, it's a BMW R1150 GS Adventure, which is a help. The key thing is the width of the handlebars. If the bars are wider than the length of the cased sax, you can strap it sideways across the back seat. If the bars go through a gap, so will the sax. In my case, the bars on my bike are 96cm, the length of my case being about 88cm. That's fine. According to the Suzuki web site, the Van Van is 86cm wide at the widest point. So, measure your case carefully. Putting it on the seat gives a certain amount of protection from high frequency vibrations.

Jeanette · Jul 4, 2015

If you want some summer driving fun get an Mx5, room in the boot for a tenor 🙂

Jx

jonf · Jul 4, 2015

Picking up on Jeanette's comment, yes, biking bears risk, but it's about how you do it. However, you MUST wear proper gear. Proper protective gear, gloves and boots. Always wear a full face helmet, open face ones aren't safe enough. You also must have a sense of self control, or you'll find yourself riding faster and faster. If you don't have this, take a bus instead.

A salutary tale. About fifteen years ago I was riding into London on a hot day, a bit warm in trad biking leathers. Going round a corner I hit a big splash of diesel, the back wheel slipped wide then gripped, flicking me off - a 'high side'. I cartwheeled down the road, bashing my head, shoulders and toes, all pretty hard. I stopped bouncing, stood up and surveyed the mess. I was a bit sore, but absolutely fine. Had I been wearing normal street clothes I'd have been hospitalised with broken bones and skin grafts. As it was, I was back on the bike in two days.

Modern synthetic kit is excellent, and less sweaty than leathers.

If you want to ride a bike, give it a go. Everything in life involves risk, it's all about how you manage it, and the rewards from biking are immense.

Jeanette · Jul 4, 2015

Thanks Jon

I guess if you really want a bike a sports car won't cut it. My uncle who has ridden bikes all his life and is an advanced bike and car driver has had two pretty bad bike accidents. Not always the riders fault as in Jon's example. Have some lessons too.

Jx

Jay · Jul 4, 2015

The thing about a bigger bike is that whilst I am old enough (!) you have to have someone come out with you everytime you go on the road before passing your test - can't manage that. But with a 125 you can drive on a provisional licence and practice.

Yes, I will definitely get proper protective gear - probably secondhand too apart from the helmet.
I'm seeing if I can get a CBT early in the summer and then possibly a week's course or something towards the end, to take my test - and pootle round the lanes here inbetween for practice.

Jeanette, I love sportscars, but yeh, I want a bike.

Nick Wyver · Jul 4, 2015

I used to strap my tenor to the seat behind me so it poked out the back. This was 40 odd years ago on a Bantam and then a C15.

kevgermany · Jul 4, 2015

Whatever you do, don't carry it on your back. Good chance of permanent and serious shoulder damage if you do that and are in an accident.

I used to ride big bikes, fast. I'm not getting one again, IMHO the risks are too high.

jonf · Jul 4, 2015

kevgermany said:
Whatever you do, don't carry it on your back. Good chance of permanent and serious shoulder damage if you do that and are in an accident.

Excellent advice from Kev. In fact, don't put anything on your back when riding, strap any luggage to the seat.

jonf · Jul 4, 2015

Oh, and incidentally, if you ever do decide to get a bigger bike, don't faff about, do an intensive five day course and get your test passed. It's excellent experience and you'll be taught to a far higher standard than when you were taught to drive a car.

Pete Thomas · Jul 4, 2015

There is loads of room on a motorcycle for a tenor case:

kevgermany · Jul 4, 2015

Pete Thomas said:
There is loads of room on a motorcycle for a tenor case:

Tried driving one of those. Scary. Pulls to one side as you accurate, the other side when you brake. And it feels like it'll tip over on left handers. Not fun.

Pete Thomas · Jul 4, 2015

kevgermany said:
Tried driving one of those. Scary. Pulls to one side as you accurate, the other side when you brake. And it feels like it'll tip over on left handers. Not fun.

These are fine, no problem at all. But it is good to bare in mind that the best strategy is to avoid accelerating, braking, making left turns or right turns.

Apart from that no issues at all.

Oh yes, and when pulling up at a traffic light, do not make eye contact. Just look aloof as if you live in Chandlers Ford.

Colin the Bear · Jul 4, 2015

Go half and half.

http://www.tukshop.biz/tuk-tuk-products/for-sale.asp

Alc. · Jul 4, 2015

Perhaps the tenor should be a gentleman with a high voice.

Colin the Bear · Jul 4, 2015

The very fact that you want a Van Van means you shouldn't be allowed near a motorcycle. :rolleyes:

richardr · Jul 4, 2015

Colin the Bear said:
The very fact that you want a Van Van means you shouldn't be allowed near a motorcycle.

Nothing wrong with a Van Van. I used to ride a Bloop. But, having checked-out pictures of the luggage frames that fit them, I wouldn't be keen on having my tenor on one of those, especially on country lanes where bushes jump out at you and jerks in Range Rovers hog the whole road.

The other thing is, economy. I'm sure you aren't short of cash to buy fuel but there's satisfaction in doing a journey on a teacupful of petrol. The Van-Van is a 2-stroke and won't give you much better fuel economy than a small diesel car like mine. If you want real economy, go for a little 4-stroke. I once had a Honda CG 125 that did a genuine 120mpg, twice what I got from my 2-stroke Bloop.