What is the best motorcycle for van life?

What is the best motorcycle for van life?

What is the best motorcycle for van life?

An estimated one million Americans live nomadically in campers and other household items , and the lifestyle has gained popularity in the last year alone. Emerging technologies like SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet can extend the reach of remote workers, while Instagram and other social media platforms are spreading enticing photos of nomadic living. Furthermore, the initial costs for converting budget vans or buses are much cheaper than houses, especially with some cash incentives and thrifty building guides on YouTube. Swapping walls for wheels is no longer a fringe idea.

Most of my friends who've tried it have used modified vans and cars, like Sprinters, Astros, and even Honda Element vehicles, to escape the rat race. The outlier is my friend Austin, who recently purchased a retired short-bus. Austin is a lifelong motorcyclist, and his bus setup raised the question at the heart of this article: what's the best motorcycle for today's camper-bus and van-life nomads? Austin hasn't been able to find a definitive answer, so let's take a look at his options. But first, a little background and criteria.

The facts of life on the road

Austin plans to live in his 2002 Chevy short-haul bus for a few years instead of buying or renting. He says the wild swings in the economy, as well as the real estate market, have encouraged him to pursue life on the road. Travel is one of his greatest passions.

“Spending that kind of money right now [on a house], only to be stuck in a permanent place with all my money going towards a mortgage instead of savings and travel… is difficult,” she said. “I see so many advantages to living this way for a while. I'm spending less money, I can go wherever I want, and I can travel seasonally.”

Life on the road will also be an education in mechanical and practical skills. He's never owned a diesel before, let alone a bus, but motorcycles have prepared him for basic operations and maintenance. He grew up riding dirt bikes, then moved to the road on a supermoto.

So which is the right motorcycle?

Austin's needs are quite similar to those of most people who live in conversions and campers. He wants something compact for his primary means of transportation once the bus is parked. Because of his job, he might spend weeks or months in one place. Price also matters, since he needs most of his budget for the bus and its new interior. He has a budget of $5.000 for a motorcycle, new or used. The bike will go on a towbar, but it would be nice if the motorcycle

could fit through the narrow emergency door at the back of the bus to safety.

He expects short local trips that avoid highways, though the faster the bike, the better. Anything on two wheels will get better fuel economy than a bus, Austin laughs. And he hasn't lost his enthusiasm for dirt, so a little dual-sport capability would go a long way. Low maintenance is preferable. 

First choice: Honda Grom, Kawasaki Z125 or Honda Monkey

Austin has Honda's Grom and Monkey at the top of his list. They're easily among the shortest street bikes, along with the Kawasaki Z125, at about 70 by 30 inches. (A fender remover kit could make it even shorter.) Parking the bike inside the bus is the closest Austin could get to a secure garage while traveling, which makes these options even more compelling. They're not dirt bikes, but Shinko makes Mobber tires for light dirt. The aftermarket for these bikes, especially the Grom, means plenty of rack options for cargo.

Utility Choice: Honda CT125

The 125 Mini's compactness is hard to ignore, but so is Honda's caricature of the compact bike, the CT125. It's the short bus of motorcycles, all sharp edges and self-explanatory utility. You get two class-leading racks, a snorkel, factory crash protection, and full-size wheels in a lightweight, slim package, all within your budget. You can add racks to it. You can add grilles to the grills you've added, then add milk crates. One major downside is that it probably won't fit on the bus, and that goes for almost every other option besides the Mini.

If it were my bus project and my budget, this is probably the bike I would buy.

Losing choice: Suzuki VanVan 200

The Suzuki VanVan 200 probably flopped in the US because not enough potential buyers sat in one. The VanVan must have the most luxurious seat south of 1.200 cc, and it will feel just like it's ratcheted to the back of a converted short-bus. Since Suzuki discontinued them, prices have dropped well below the Monkey's MSRP, even though the VanVan has similar styling, more legroom, and more power. Plus, it's called the VanVan. That must count for something.

If you love dirt, hate maintenance, and don't mind shopping, you can score one of these classics in great shape for less than your budget.

Blasts from the past: Suzuki DR200 and Yamaha TW200

While there are some wonderful vintage two-strokes out there that could work, a four-stroke under stress seems like the safest choice. Why not consider 200cc playbikes? Suzuki's DR and Yamaha's TW were hits when they debuted, and their solid designs remained in production for decades. Five thousand dollars will easily cover one of these bikes, plus a rear rack and some simple luggage. The TW gives you a fat rear tire, but the DR is more like a three-quarter-scale dual-sport.

Scooter Choice: Honda ADV150

The ADV150 can do 70 mph flat-out, carry cargo, and venture off-road. It's also budget-friendly. If you can look past the 77-inch length and 300-pound weight, perhaps the ADV150 is the best answer here, as it's easily the most sophisticated mini-ADV on the market. To this day, I still can't believe Honda gave us this gem. Just read Zack's Honda ADV150 review and see what you think. It also has the best storage capacity of any bike here, a whopping 27 liters under the seat. Throw a top case on it and you'll be making some serious grocery runs.

Electric?

Austin is open to electric vehicles, but has never seen an electric motorcycle worth the effort of upgrading its electrical system to handle charging demands. Its limited solar power will go to other systems, and it isn't interested in using a generator to charge an electric motorcycle because it's simply wrong.

So what will it be? Of the options listed here, Austin initially preferred the Grom, then reconsidered the CT125. There are many good options, but which is the best? Is there another option you'd rather have?

When Austin first brought the bus home, I had to see what he'd gotten himself into, and as I climbed the stairs and imagined the body without the seats, I think I saw what Austin sees in his fancy old bus. It's the same thing John Steinbeck saw from the seat of his camper, Rocinante, 60 years ago: "I saw in their eyes something I would see again and again in every part of the nation: a burning desire to go, to move, to depart, anywhere, far from here. I've seen this look and felt this longing everywhere in every state I've visited."

As a motorcyclist, it's easy to understand. "Being able to go where the sun shines brightest—that's what matters most to me right now," Austin says. Say hello if you see a camper bus, towed by a motorcycle and probably covered in mud.

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