Bike Camping

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.

 

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.......

 

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.

 

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.

 

That reminds me: you know why Brit's don't make computers? Can't figure out how to make them leak oil.

 

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.......


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

 

Brits

There is a reason the brits drink warm beer.....their coolers were built by lucas.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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.........

 

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

 

Will highly recommend the Hennessy Deluxe Explorer Hammock http://hennessyhammock.com/specs-explorerDL.html and the Eureka Silver City sleeping bag http://store.eurekatent.com/products/364824/Silver_City_30 for bike camping. the pair will fit into one side of your saddlebags with room left over and make a secure comfortable place to sleep.