Living in a Big City with a Motorcycle

[VSG]

Just curious for those that live in a big city with limited parking - where do you keep your motorcycle?

I'm starting to think about moving to Boston and most places I've looked at only have 1 parking spot.  I definitely need to keep the car, but I wouldn't want to get rid of the bike either.

[seamax]

well if you have a compact/sport/economy car you can always park the bike horizontally in front of the car or in back of it in same parking spot

[The Buddha]

Yes, and some apartments allow to park a bike under the stairs.
Or else ya have to roll into your apartment ... on a cold night after a good long ride rolling into your apartment is great to warm it up.
Cool.
Buddha.

[DoD#i]

Shouldn't be a problem for long - the thieves will relieve you of the burden of where to park it...

If you are not already in Mass, look VERY carefully at all the costs you'll be incurring by moving to Boston, which happens to be in Mass. Insurance rates gaggingly absurd. Excise tax (not too much if you drive/ride old stuff). State tax foolishness only comparable to NY in idiocy level.

[VSG]

I'm from MA.  I'm used to the costs.

I don't think Boston is that bad, that my bike would automatically get stolen.  In certain parts, sure but not everywhere.

[XealotX]

I don't think Boston is that bad, that my bike would automatically get stolen.  In certain parts, sure but not everywhere.

1. XealotX has been robbed (actually burglarized). A LOT. In 5 different states.

2. XealotX never lived in a place where he thought..."Gee, I bet this is a good place to get robbed, guess I'll live here."

If Boston has human beings living in it then you can bet that 10% of them suck, and some of those 10% will inevitably find you. If you do not plan for that possibility then you stand the very real chance of changing your name to "bikelessVSG" in the near future.

Boston=large population=larger number of 10% who suck. I would keep them in mind when deciding where to live and what the parking arrangements are.

I do not mean to be a jerk, I just hope you don't have to learn the hard way...like I did...

[nightrider]

Secure parking seems like a must but even here in LA you see a fair number of expensive bikes out in the open. Course you dont see the stolen ones. And you see a few knocked over too. But thats what frame sliders are for.

You have to very gently leverage your moving in against what options the manager might come up with for you in the garage. Be considerate with entering/exiting noise, where you put it, etc, and they may allow it as a freebie or in addition to your car spot. I have used my allotted car spot before, have been pushed to the side, have paid for public parking (garage emp knocked it over and I had to threaten legal action at that place)

In my spot at my apt now I park in a secure garage next to an end of cars, with minor friction with neighboring spot dude/illegal parkers. I shut off power and coast into building. Stow the bike nicely. No major problems.

[bill14224]

I agree with XealotX.  A good bike will get stolen in any large city if they can get to it, and the police will not help you.  The bigger the city the more animals there are, plain and simple, and Boston is plenty big.  The best way to combat it is to ride something that looks worthless, or not live in a large city.

That's one of the few good things about Buffalo.  Low burglary and vehicle theft rates.

[VSG]

For the record, I'm definitely aware that there's more crime in cities.  I've lived in bad parts of cities before and am aware of taking the appropriate precautions.  But DoD#i made it sound like no matter what the bike will get stolen and I just don't think that's true.

[bill14224]

VSG, I wouldn't worry too much.  The GS isn't exactly high on the hot list.  Harleys and sport bikes are what they're after.  A GS is more likely to get knocked over than stolen.  Ask Mary.

[utgunslinger13]

I dunno how things are in Boston (i've only ever lived in Columbus OH, Toledo OH, and now Phoenix AZ but relocating back to Columbus) but everywhere I've lived had either attached garages (where I am living now and LOVE IT) or garages that can be rented along with the apartment that weren't attached.  I would NEVER NEVER NEVER live in a complex that didn't have that available.  Maybe something worth looking into in Boston?

Nick

[Roadstergal]

Even attached garages aren't safe - although they're better than nothing.

An attached garage + a cable lock that attaches to something bolted down in that garage is the only option that provides a defense from the pick-it-up-and-toss-it-in-the-minivan school of motorcycle shopping.

I had that, plus a spot that was at the far end of the garage from the door, and very difficult to see from anywhere in the garage.

[frankieG]

huh i never considered boston a "big city"

[s0crates82]

huh i never considered boston a "big city"

From wikipedia (it's handy, gimme a break): Boston is the capital and largest city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is considered the economic and cultural center of the region, and is sometimes regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England".

What exactly do you consider a big city?

[XealotX]

What exactly do you consider a big city?

A city bigger than Boston.

New York, London, Tokyo, Mumbai, Sydney, Mexico City...all have populations far, far greater than Boston.

[LOUiE]

huh i never considered boston a "big city"

From wikipedia (it's handy, gimme a break): Boston is the capital and largest city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is considered the economic and cultural center of the region, and is sometimes regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England".

What exactly do you consider a big city?

just googled and it said Boston has 574000 peeps (not sure how up-to-date tho)... thats large but not BIG...  Calgary has over 1mil and I still consider it an average sized city.  Isn't NYC over 8 mil?  now that's big.