Scooter Tramp Scotty

[Jeff Higgins]

There exists within the motorcycling world the somewhat mythical persona of the "scooter tramp", a drifter who lives his life on the road, with no real "home" other than that which he carries on his motorcycle. Well, here is a guy who has been doing exactly that for over 24 years. I'm sure I could not, and would not want to live like this, but an awful lot of people in the motorcycling community think they might. Scotty tells them how, and what it's like. Interesting story.

About - Scooter Tramp Scotty

Having been on the road with only motorcycle and equipment since the spring of 1995, I had not sought an extended road trip, but rather to engineer a method that is comfortable enough to work as a long term lifestyle. That objective was achieved many years ago.

Traveling north by summer (northern U.S., Canada, and Alaska) then south in winter (sometimes deep Mexico) the old motorcycle and I have not stayed in any one place for longer than two months.

With only a fourth grade education, I never aspired to become a writer. That was an accident. Having started this journey as a young man in his mid 30’s, I was amazed, and possibly mesmerized, by the degree of uncommon adventure that so often comes naturally to a person living in such a manner. Of these events I would talk enthusiastically to friends who, at times, remarked, “You tell a good story. You should write that down.” This seemed a fun idea, so I took pen to paper, got someone to put the material into type, then sent it to a little magazine. Unbeknownst to me, that mag had just been bought by the largest publication of it’s kind in the world at that time—Easyriders. By more dumb luck, I was paid fairly well and became a regular contributor. With no interest in writing main stream material, I sought only to tell the ways and stories of true gypsy biker life. In time, writing became a passion and I now sit before this keyboard telling you this tale.

The point is, I did not hit the road to impress anyone but myself and had been out for years before the idea came to offer a glimpse of this offbeat lifestyle to the public. Even then it was only in attempt to inspire, entertain, and possibly share with those of similar interest.

This website is an effort to continue that objective.

Before the road, I was a roofing contractor who lived in the ‘burbs with three bedroom house, two cars, truck, etc. The story of journey from that place to this is longer than can be told here and will soon be available in a book.

A question I’m so often asked about is finance. To this inquiry I always first point out that the majority of most folk’s income is allocated to paying bills. Without these, one doesn’t have need to work often—especially in such a rich country as this. I generally only work-for-money about one month a year; usually at the big motorcycle rallies (four annually) scattered across the nation throughout summer months. I receive no pension and have not been paid for writing since the early 2000’s, yet seldom is money tight. In fact, there usually seems to be more now than before. Go figure. There’s an old saying that reads: ‘Do what you love to do because you truly love to do it and the money will come.’ I personally try only to trust God and follow my heart. After all these years it would seem there’s some security in that.

[pwd72s]

The fantasy for many. It seems a reality for one?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QEzlykgdB0

[asphaltgambler]

So what happens when he gets tired, sick or wants to retire?

[wdfifteen]

Seems kind of Zen - just being.
Like most of us Westerners, I need a reason for being.

[996AE]

I live this life-style 4-6 weeks a year off my BWM1200R GSA

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

The fantasy for many. It seems a reality for one?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QEzlykgdB0

Hah, yeah - I grew up watching that show, thinking someday that would be me. Hell, I even bought his bike as my first (road going) motorcycle in 1976. I even still have one (but, unfortunately not the first one) that I bought in 1980. I even rode around with the all-seeing eye on my tank, just like Bronson.

It didn't take long for me to understand, even at that tender young age, that I personally would never live like that. I find it curious that there are people who actually can, and do, and prefer it over a more "normal" life. I just can't see it. I can see doing something like this, with my wife along, for a year or several in a motorhome or something. That would be a grand adventure. But 25 years, alone, with no real "home" to go back to? Just not for me. I would actually find his version of "freedom" rather confining, really. I just have too many interests to be able to pursue them all from the saddle of a motorcycle. Way too narrowly focused for me.

[stealthn]

Yeah, I don’t think one month a year working would pay for his gas, little own food...

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by stealthn

Yeah, I don’t think one month a year working would pay for his gas, little own food...

Welllllll, if he's moving a kilo or so north from Mexico once or twice a year then it's doable.

[stealthn]

:d

[cstreit]

Originally Posted by stealthn

Yeah, I don’t think one month a year working would pay for his gas, little own food...

I'm sure you'd qualify for some gov't assistance...

[john70t]

Actor old young Ben Kenobi took the long way around the world on a moto:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0403778/

[Bill Douglas]

A motorbike is easier than walking, and that's what most of them set off doing.

[Jeff Higgins]

There are plenty of guys out there who have spent several months, to a year, or more living on the road. But 25 years? Pretty remarkable. Irrespective of just how he pays for it (and no, he is clearly not selling drugs), having no roots, no permanent place to call "home" for that period of time is an accomplishment. To me, it's a very strange place to be, mentally, to even desire such a lifestyle. Somewhat dysfunctional, in a way, if you ask me. Clearly, though, a cognizant, intelligent man who has made an informed choice regarding his chosen lifestyle.

[jhynesrockmtn]

I'm way too much of a homebody although if I was single I could see taking off for several weeks at a time. I've taken a few cross country trips on both cars and bikes on my own and enjoy the solitude.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by john70t

Actor old young Ben Kenobi took the long way around the world on a moto:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0403778/

Yeah he's done a coupla trips.

IIRC one may have been from like China to South Africa on an EV.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by john70t

Actor old young Ben Kenobi took the long way around the world on a moto:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0403778/

yeah...with SAG wagons and satellite phones.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Yeah he's done a coupla trips.

IIRC one may have been from like China to South Africa on an EV.

Originally Posted by flatbutt

yeah...with SAG wagons and satellite phones.

Yeah - kinda like an extended episode of "Survivor". Huge support crew just off camera, enjoying catered meals and bottled water.

Not that Scotty puts himself at peril, real or contrived for the camera. Selling everything, only keeping that which fits on a motorcycle, and leaving - forever - is a far different venture than even the most arduous around the world travel. The latter reaches an end, a conclusion. Scotty's never will. He will never get "there", because there is no "there", no destination. He will never "go" home, because he is always "home".

[LakeCleElum]

Daily expenses for my cross country rides:
$100 Hotel
$ 60 Fuel
$ 10 Food
$ 20 Beer in eve
$ -0- Trinkets at HD Dealerships....

Not sure that pencils out at working one month a year........

[Jeff Higgins]

Well, right off the bat eliminate the hotel expenses - his "home" is a tent he carries on the bike.

He does not ride every day. He rides to his next location, then pretty much doesn't ride until he heads out for his next location. He says he will go up to two months in one spot before he moves on. He's not constantly riding, like we would be on a "road trip".

I'm not sure he buys many of his own meals. He is enough of a celebrity that it seems everywhere he shows up, folks are eager to feed him and buy him a beer.

He says he works two months out of the year. Mainly manning booths at the big Harley-centric rallies for a few of the vendors, like J&P Cycle. He is a big draw, so kind of a valuable asset to anyone willing to pay him just to hang out. He "works" at mounting tires at some of these vendor booths.

He has now monetized his YouTube channel, his website, his blog, and other social media outlets. Folks can donate "gas money" through PayPal. He is definitely "working it" and doing quite well for himself today. I bet it wasn't quite so easy when he started, though. There had to be some tough years that tested his resolve to keep going like this. He seems to have powered through all of that, though, and is probably making a good deal more money than he might like to let on...

[Rinty]

This guy reminds me of "Beemerchef" on the MOA Forum. He hasn't posted for a while, so I don't know if his medical luck has run out.

In the end, it doesn't matter what anybody thinks about their lifestyle; it works for them.

It also reminds me of those blue water sailers, like Hal and Margaret Roth, who endlessly cruised the world's oceans.