Saxophones Carrying a tenor on a (motor)bike?

[jonf]

It might stick a wee touch past the handle bar mirrors. At least here in US depending on what location, most would probably be able to do it without being cited, as long as it was securely bungeed to the package rack.

Perfectly lawful here in the UK, as long as the load is properly secured. But in practice - I think I mentioned this earlier in the thread - to be safe, particularly when filtering through lines of traffice, the item being carried needs to be no wider than the handlebars. That way the 'cat's whiskers' principle applies. If the bars will go through, the rest of the bike, with sax, will go through too. The bars on my bike are 96cm wide, and a tenor case is typically around 80cm, so that leaves a little leeway.

 

[ghostler]

Perfectly lawful here in the UK, as long as the load is properly secured. But in practice - I think I mentioned this earlier in the thread - to be safe, particularly when filtering through lines of traffice, the item being carried needs to be no wider than the handlebars. That way the 'cat's whiskers' principle applies. If the bars will go through, the rest of the bike, with sax, will go through too. The bars on my bike are 96cm wide, and a tenor case is typically around 80cm, so that leaves a little leeway.

I remember back in the 1970's whilst in college, I rode a 1971 Honda CB100 motorcycle 4 - 5 miles to the university from where I lived. Its engine was a touch under 100 cc's and with 5 manual speeds and a true clutch had enough zip to easily keep up with the city traffic. It's top speed wide open was about 60 mph.

I borrowed a friend's moped, top speed around 32 mph. Used it a couple times, it was frightening to use it on the busy Honolulu traffic as cars went easily 10 mph over that even though I traveled to the edge of the road as was law and custom. I was just as well off with a bicycle.

Then, I bought by mail order a set of small universal motorcycle ABS hard bags. They had enough room I could carry my clarinet and were lockable, good for keeping my books and shopping dry when it rained in Honolulu. I also mounted a universal package rack on the back, bungee my alto sax to it, didn't have a tenor sax then.

 

[Dr G]

It might stick a wee touch past the handle bar mirrors. At least here in US depending on what location, most would probably be able to do it without being cited, as long as it was securely bungeed to the package rack.

Spring 2020 I had my tenor sax case and all bungeed on the pillion seat of my touring motorcycle. Took an Eastern New Mexico University jazz combo class for fun (and grade - aced it).

A decade ago I saw a westbound motorcycle towing a canoe behind it on a special trailer for it. This was in Texas on Highway US-84 near the town of Muleshoe. The canoe was several times longer than the motorcycle.

Some things are just stupid. Crosswinds on a canoe could drag a motorcycle bass-ackwards across the road. Please don’t tell me that there is no wind in Texas - or New Mexico. I used to ride on the windward side of the lane when it was really windy so I could maintain position somewhere in my lane if I got hit by a serious gust. I commuted year ‘round between Santa Fe and Los Alamos on my BMW R1150RS for several years - as long as there was no snow or grit on the highway.

 

[pablop]

Riding is fun and it takes 100% of my attention, its one of those activities where you dont want to have distractions. For me carrying my sax would be a major distraction as I would be caring for the sax while I should be 100% focused on traffic and surroundings.
More so if you are a beginner rider.
Risk vs reward seems tilted on the negative for me.

Enjoy the ride for what it is and drive/uber yourself to rehearsal, the downside is not worth it IMHO.

 

[jonf]

Riding is fun and it takes 100% of my attention, its one of those activities where you dont want to have distractions. For me carrying my sax would be a major distraction as I would be caring for the sax while I should be 100% focused on traffic and surroundings.
More so if you are a beginner rider.
Risk vs reward seems tilted on the negative for me.

Enjoy the ride for what it is and drive/uber yourself to rehearsal, the downside is not worth it IMHO.

Hmm, slightly odd that you seem to be saying you'd be more focused on caring for a sax than you would be on caring for yourself? Personally, when I'm riding, my own self preservation (I never take passengers on my bike) is the only priority, not my luggage.

 

[pablop]

Hmm, slightly odd that you seem to be saying you'd be more focused on caring for a sax than you would be on caring for yourself? Personally, when I'm riding, my own self preservation (I never take passengers on my bike) is the only priority, not my luggage.

hi Jonf,
we agree 100%, I am of the opinion of NOT riding with a saxophone. I would not want to be worried about my pricy precious horn while on the bike. Hence, I do not ride with my saxes.

The risk of it getting damaged makes no sense to me, I would drive, uber/taxi or take a bus if needed.

 

[Joe from NOLA]

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?

Used to carry an alto on the back of my Bike. I know a tenor is longer so make sure the case's bell section is on your seat and use enough bungee cords to keep it on.

 

[PigSquealer]

You could could also aquire a proper outfit.

 

[jonf]

Used to carry an alto on the back of my Bike. I know a tenor is longer so make sure the case's bell section is on your seat and use enough bungee cords to keep it on.

Fair enough comments, but the thread is over a decade old, and the original poster, to whom you replied, hasn't been seen on the site for nine years, so it's unlikely she'll see your reply.

 

[aldevis]

Fair enough comments, but the thread is over a decade old, and the original poster, to whom you replied, hasn't been seen on the site for nine years, so it's unlikely she'll see your reply.

OK, but do you still have the R1150GS?

 

[jonf]

OK, but do you still have the R1150GS?

Indeed I do, it's still a great bike, and now has 113,000 miles (about 182,000kms) on the clock.

 

[Jeanette]

OK, but do you still have the R1150GS?

Hello stranger 🙂

 

[Targa]

Hello stranger 🙂

I’ll bet you say that to all the boys.

 

[Jeanette]

I’ll bet you say that to all the boys.

Just the real men 😀

 

[PigSquealer]

Just the real men 😀

🤣

 

[Dr G]

Just the real men 😀

What's your metric of "real"?

 

[Jeanette]

What's your metric of "real"?

That's for me to know and you to find out. 😉

Jx

 

[dooce]

Never risked taking my Yam 875 on the bike but have taken my spare 200 quid Sakkusu strapped lengthways onto the pillion and luggage rack. Although despite the vast difference in their value, I enjoy the brash Sakkusu almost as much as the Yam!

2006 BMW R1200R. Which I arguably enjoy more than either of them.....