[cshaw07]

How many of you guys get out and camp on your bikes? I plan to a lot this year! What kind of gear do you take? Have any pictures?

My gear list:
Tarp
Wool blanket
Northface inferno 20* sleeping bag (totally awesome)
ENO single nest hammock (also, totally awesome)
paracord

That covers my sleeping, shelter, warmth, a cover for the bike, a clothes line, and a dry area to stretch my legs if it's raining.

On my bike i have the sleeping bag, all my clothes (one spare junk t shirt and 1 extra pair of old undies, 1 pair of junk socks per day (after use, they become rags/disposed of this is for 4 nights), and the tarp rolled up in the wool blanket and strapped to my handle bars in a dry bag.

Under the headlamp i'll have a fork bag with all my tools to do everything I'd ever need to on the bike including pull carbs, wheels, etc. Duct tape, tire plug kit, some wire, elec tape, spark plugs.

My "saddle bags" (military medic bags) contain:
the hammock (size of a soft ball)
military mess kit in it I have salt n pepper packets, coffee bags (like tea bags), mayo packets since i love mayo in my ramen noodles.. newspaper, 2 lighters, spoon.
fixed blade knife
2 cans of chili
2 packs of crushed ramen
first aid kit I put together with mostly everything id need
100' para cord (infinite uses)
atlas straps for hanging hammock about anywhere
toilet paper
sunglasses (don't need clear as i wear a full face with clear lens)
wool glove liners for if it gets cold riding
sunscreen
bug spray
bar of soap/tooth paste and brush/deodorant/baby wipes
swim trunks
chapstick
monkey butt powder (essential to trip lol)
flask with my choice of likker for takin the edge off a long day
water purification tablets

This fills one of my bags.

The other side will have rain gear and be left open for beer/if i get too warm and need to pack in some clothes/souvenirs

On me while riding:
wallet with $200 cash for 5 days
emergency credit card
small multi tool
phone
springfield xds .45 (i'm legal in about 33 states, the one's im not i don't visit)
Spare bike key in wallet
snacks like granola bars or something

Also strapped to the bike is a canteen with canteen cup for boiling water/heating chilli/ramen. Million other uses.

I tested my hammock and sleeping bag last night. If you've never slept a night in a hammock... DO IT NOW. I don't even want to sleep in my bed ever again. I'm happier today and my back doesn't hurt at all!

I'd post a pic of my bike all loaded up but i have the front end off for fork seals.

So, do you moto camp? Anything you can't go without? Comment, share, post pics, have fun!

 

["Captain D"]

Make a bed in the car and sleep in it...

 

["Captain D"]

But in REAL LIFE, I pack the seabag with tent, sleeping bag, air mattress and calapsible cooler...
Then the seabag serves as backrest too

 

[cshaw07]

^ well that defeats the purpose!

 

["Captain D"]

Been many a mile with the seabag...

 

[spitfire89]

I "moto camp". I didn't bring half that much stuff tho. I usually meet people who drive cars to the sites and rely on them for beer transport. + 1 on the hammock I love mine. I have a rain tarp with my hammock which is the perfect size to cover the bike when its setup. They practically take up no space in a saddle bag. Only problem is either I get wet or the bike gets wet if it rains. The bike doesn't mind getting wet tho. Planning a 4 day trip for memorial day weekend to Acadia national park in Maine / NH white mountains.

 

[cshaw07]

I wouldnt need that much stuff either if i had people i was meeting, especially ones with cars. A lot of my stuff i consider to take up no space, and if i have the space i may as well use it instead of packing light. Rather have it and not need it than need jt and not have it.

 

["Captain D"]

Yeah, I carry the luxury items as well....
Tent, sleeping bag, air mattress and colapsable cooler in the stool...

Then again I got what it takes to keep Momma happy too...
Bedroom on wheels

Roughing it, SMOOTHLY!!!

 

[amos]

CSSHAW, I lived on a bike for @ 5 years in the early 80's. I kept pretty much the same basics as you, x-cept for likker, pistol, and never carried beer. I'd go south in the winter and up north in the summer. Taking guns and alcohol into Mexico is frowned upon. As a welder I could find work just abut anywhere, if not fast food places or restaurants until I had enough to move on or make the season. Then I got married again. Life is what it is.

 

[Menhir]

Camping and Biking: two great tastes that go great together.

I almost always travel solo and all my gear has to go on the bike. I travel light. No trailer, either.

Tent: My small dome tent is my favorite, simple and fast to set up and take down. I have a slightly larger rectangular tent that I sometimes take instead, especially if I plan on spending several days at one place. I waterproof and seal them every spring.

Sleeping Bag: I'll pack either a 3-season bag, a light bag for summer camping, or a felt bag if I'm sure that the nights won't get too cold. Sometimes I've guessed wrong, so I always pack one of those metallic space blankets. (I also hide a small flask of Scotch, Whiskey, Rye, or Rum as emergency anti-freeze. You're not allowed that stuff on many gubmint campgrounds, so let's keep this between us campers, whadayasay. :wink: )

Sleeping mat: I tried using a basic foam mat, but my back and hips (original and bionic replacement) hurt all night. Eventually I bought a Synmat Exped 9 LW which is da bomb.

I find that I enjoy my touring a lot more if I get a good night's sleep, so I don't mind investing a few more bucks to that end.

Otherwise: Just normal camping stuff. Backpacker stye: small and light.
A Primus Yellowstone stove.
An aluminum cookset. Not plastic. I want stuff I can put on the burner.
Sometimes I'll pack a collapsible stool.
Just about everything else depends on where I'm going, why I'm going, and how many days I'll be on the road.

The pic below is what how I usually carry my gear. On that trip I packed my bulkiest sleeping bag.

 

[vito]

How many of you guys get out and camp on your bikes? I plan to a lot this year! What kind of gear do you take? Have any pictures?

My gear list:
Tarp
Wool blanket
Northface inferno 20* sleeping bag (totally awesome)
ENO single nest hammock (also, totally awesome)
paracord

That covers my sleeping, shelter, warmth, a cover for the bike, a clothes line, and a dry area to stretch my legs if it's raining.

On my bike i have the sleeping bag, all my clothes (one spare junk t shirt and 1 extra pair of old undies, 1 pair of junk socks per day (after use, they become rags/disposed of this is for 4 nights), and the tarp rolled up in the wool blanket and strapped to my handle bars in a dry bag.

Under the headlamp i'll have a fork bag with all my tools to do everything I'd ever need to on the bike including pull carbs, wheels, etc. Duct tape, tire plug kit, some wire, elec tape, spark plugs.

My "saddle bags" (military medic bags) contain:
the hammock (size of a soft ball)
military mess kit in it I have salt n pepper packets, coffee bags (like tea bags), mayo packets since i love mayo in my ramen noodles.. newspaper, 2 lighters, spoon.
fixed blade knife
2 cans of chili
2 packs of crushed ramen
first aid kit I put together with mostly everything id need
100' para cord (infinite uses)
atlas straps for hanging hammock about anywhere
toilet paper
sunglasses (don't need clear as i wear a full face with clear lens)
wool glove liners for if it gets cold riding
sunscreen
bug spray
bar of soap/tooth paste and brush/deodorant/baby wipes
swim trunks
chapstick
monkey butt powder (essential to trip lol)
flask with my choice of likker for takin the edge off a long day
water purification tablets

This fills one of my bags.

The other side will have rain gear and be left open for beer/if i get too warm and need to pack in some clothes/souvenirs

On me while riding:
wallet with $200 cash for 5 days
emergency credit card
small multi tool
phone
springfield xds .45 (i'm legal in about 33 states, the one's im not i don't visit)
Spare bike key in wallet
snacks like granola bars or something

Also strapped to the bike is a canteen with canteen cup for boiling water/heating chilli/ramen. Million other uses.

I tested my hammock and sleeping bag last night. If you've never slept a night in a hammock... DO IT NOW. I don't even want to sleep in my bed ever again. I'm happier today and my back doesn't hurt at all!

I'd post a pic of my bike all loaded up but i have the front end off for fork seals.

So, do you moto camp? Anything you can't go without? Comment, share, post pics, have fun!

Thought I saw you out already....

 

[MickeyGlass]

I don't know if you are aware of bivy sacks or not. They are like a sleeping bag cover that is waterproof, has mosquito netting over the face area for times when it's not raining and the one I have has two little "rods" that keep the upper part away from your face. Slide your sleeping bag inside, roll it up and voila....tent and sleeping bag in one unit. You get to your destination and basically unroll it and camp is set up. Might be worth looking in to.

 

[grabngo]

I've camped on the bike before but since I'm a backpacker I'm used to camping in beautiful wild spots, usually on a mountain. So camping in drive-in places is usually a disappointment. The sounds of the family in the next spot over make me feel even more lonely. I like to check in to a motel and take a warm shower and watch TV and go on the internet. A good night's sleep on a comfortable bed makes the next day more fun.

On the other hand, there is no more free feeling than having all you need on the bike and tooling down the highway and knowing you can stop whenever or wherever you want.

 

[Menhir]

I've camped on the bike before but since I'm a backpacker I'm used to camping in beautiful wild spots, usually on a mountain. So camping in drive-in places is usually a disappointment.

I'm not a big fan of those noisy turbo-campgrounds. I prefer the remote ones set back in the woods...The ones where you ride up to the rangers hut (usually closed), put a few dollars (cash only) in the envelopes they leave out, and shove it all in a slot in the door. :wink: They're out there.

But when I'm just looking for a place to cook up a small dinner and get some sleep before the next day of riding, I'm usually OK with anyplace that'll take me.

For the noisy ones...We'll, earplugs work well when I'm off the bike, too.

 

[TenDollarBill]

I carry a backpack tent, sleeping bag, Thermarest pad, MSR whisper lite camp stove, cell phone charger, cook gear, stove fuel, salt pepper, olive oil, dish detergent, micro fiber towel, spare clothes, small backpack pillow and a shower kit. I love it.

 

[Leathel]

I do a bit, I take pretty much the same gear as tramping but I get more gear on the bike
Bivvy bag and small fly to tie to the bike summer time or tents winter time



the little purple tent is the one I use for longer trips as it packs down small but when I have space a take bigger tents

 

[Menhir]

My little blue dome tent was purchased used for $10.00 at a thrift store. I have no idea how old it was at the time, but this will be my 9th year motorcycle camping with it.

It's an Ozark Trail, which I think was sold at Wally World. I've seen the newer ones but they look like they're constructed differently. I guess it's safe to say they don't make them like they used to.

The only time it ever leaked was one year when I tried some "better" :wink:waterproofing. I went back to the cheap stuff after that and it's been fine ever since.

I'll be the first to admit that you take your chances when you select a cheaper tent, but sometimes you get lucky.


For those who think a big bike is necessary for touring, below is a pic of a week-long 1,700+ mile camping trip I took on a 150cc scooter. I don't have it anymore because I was tired of keeping and maintaining two rides. It was a lot of fun, and although I love motorcycles, I kinda miss it.

 

[cshaw07]

Haha i love that pic! Im about ready for my 2000+ mile trip. Just have to make my bags attach at the bottom and ill be ready. Oh, and purchace my fork bag for my tools. Im going on this if yoi all havent seen my bike yet.

 

["Captain D"]

Are you sure you ain`t a Crenshaw???
Well that`ll be interesting to see it loaded...
Post a pic, huh?...

 

[Moonrider]

For those who think a big bike is necessary for touring, below is a pic of a week-long 1,700+ mile camping trip I took on a 150cc scooter. I don't have it anymore because I was tired of keeping and maintaining two rides. It was a lot of fun, and although I love motorcycles, I kinda miss it.

Love it! I bet you got some "looks" on that trip1 ha ha ha
Pittsburgh is my hometown....what hills are you from?