Bike Camping

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Seacowboys, Mar 22, 2011.


  1. Seacowboys

    Seacowboys Senior Member Founding Member

    I recently bought a dual-sport bike and have been doing a bit of camping on over-niters. So far, I only do this alone but would be interested if others do this? I ride a KLR650 and typically carry the following:
    Hennessy hammock
    Rain fly
    Towel
    Mess kit
    Water
    Volcano stove
    Sleeping bag
    Freeze dried meals
    Rain gear
    Toiletries
    Clothes
    Martin Back-packer guitar
    I-phone

    So far, I haven't missed anything but I always have my BOB along too.
     
    hank2222 likes this.
  2. Seawolf1090

    Seawolf1090 Retired Curmudgeonly IT Monkey Founding Member

    I do much the same. The KLR is a real workhorse! Basically the Jeep of motorcycles.
    I use two tank pannier bags, each carrying a GI canteen of water and some 'survival gear'. I have two smaller 'cheek bags' on the lower fairing - one is a FAK and one is a mini-PSK. They pop on and off with 'quarter turn' fasteners, taken from a cheapo Walmart hunting belt/pouch set.
    Heavier items go into the side boxes or bags. I made a wider cargo rack on the rear end, which can strap a big gear bag and the tent, foam pad and camp chair onto. Don't laugh at the campchair - in camp, my 54 year old back appreciates it, and many fellow riders begin to look into getting their own! ;)
    I arrange the load to provide back support while riding.
    I use either a one-man bivy tent (Sportsman's Guide) or a two-man dome tent (Eureka 2XT), and usually an inflatable air matress. I have had no luck with 'self inflators'......
    Carry a Slime-brand electric air pump - best there is! I even have a tip ti use for the air matress!
    Using the "Ride-On" brand inner tube sealer helps minimise flats, but I do carry the tools to pull the tire and change or repair tubes.
    For food, I vary between MREs, "Ready To Eat" Rice packets with meat packets, and Mountain House packets.

    Hope to see ya on the road sometime! I'll be the Big Guy on the red KLR loaded like a packmule....... :D
     
    hank2222 likes this.
  3. Seacowboys

    Seacowboys Senior Member Founding Member

    I like that chair idea a lot! I got a couple years on you so my 56 year old butt should really appreciate a place to park. That hammock is really comfortable, I like it much better than a tent and mattress. I use a three-season bag (down) that stuffs into a tiny sack and only weighs 2 lbs. My BOB has a Spetznaz shovel and a small machete that makes short work of clearing a camp site.
     
    hank2222 likes this.
  4. vegasrandall

    vegasrandall Monkey+++

    You kids in your fifties must have it nice.I don't carry a chair,I find it easier to rig up a hammock seat and hang it from a branch.jetboil for cooking,a bivanorak and a wiggy's woobie does me fine until it really gets cold.
    I ride a real motorcycle,BMW.
     
    hank2222 likes this.
  5. Seacowboys

    Seacowboys Senior Member Founding Member

    That reminds me: you know why Brit's don't make computers? Can't figure out how to make them leak oil.
     
    hank2222 and ghrit like this.
  6. Seawolf1090

    Seawolf1090 Retired Curmudgeonly IT Monkey Founding Member

    Beemers are nice...... til you drop it, and have to call your broker to see if you can afford to let Gustav repair it......

    We KLR guys just break out the duct tape and wire ties, and keep on riding....... :D


    Just joshing....... have a buddy who has knobbies on his 1100GS and does amazing rides with it!
     
    hank2222 likes this.
  7. vegasrandall

    vegasrandall Monkey+++

    Brits

    There is a reason the brits drink warm beer.....their coolers were built by lucas.
     
    BTPost and ghrit like this.
  8. hedger

    hedger Monkey+

    Not A Motorcycle Rider But...

    Those of you posting about your rides and camping equipment sort of make me wish I had a motorcycle as well.

    Sounds like a really enjoyable time.
     
  9. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    So get one, take an MSF class, and ride. I restarted at age 50 after a 30 year layoff.
     
  10. toydoc

    toydoc Monkey+++

    Camping

    I agree with ghrit just do it. I got my first bike when I was 61 and when I was 62 rode it from central Mo. to Alaska and back. Camped out a lot. Enjoyed the heck out of it. Planning a ride to the North rim of the Grand Canyon, just trying to see how I can get that past momma.
     
  11. Seawolf1090

    Seawolf1090 Retired Curmudgeonly IT Monkey Founding Member

    Yep, I got back on 'the horse' after a 29 year hiatus. Missed a LOT of fun! [dunno]
     
  12. Byte

    Byte Monkey+++

    Just got a TW200 last Nov. Have been out riding a few times this year already. Can't wait to load it up and spend a weekend camping out of the panniers. She ain't a fast machine by any stretch of the imagination but I find myself wanting to slow down anyway.

    From what I gather on a few TW forums the bike will actually haul quite a load. They are dirt simple to work on too. 78mpg. Wet weight about 280#. Too bad the gas tank is a mere 1.8g. A 2.8 gallon plastic tank is avail though. Think I'll fit a 4g XT350 tank for extended range. It's not too difficult to pack an extra gallon or two of fuel though.

    If you've got the time it'll take you anywhere.

    Byte

    [​IMG]
     
    hank2222 likes this.
  13. Seawolf1090

    Seawolf1090 Retired Curmudgeonly IT Monkey Founding Member

    And those fat tires will scoot right over the soft Florida sugar sand, when a KLR650 is trying to dig it's way to China......... ;)
     
  14. vegasrandall

    vegasrandall Monkey+++

    That's nice.good tires for getting through splooge.
     
  15. Seacowboys

    Seacowboys Senior Member Founding Member

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