[jontow]

Just wondering, as I'm planning to do a [few?] multi-night trips on the TW this summer, if money and time permits:



What tents are any of you using if you do any of this sort of ride-camping? Something with a floor and reasonable ventilation, but not a hammock type, since I can't guarantee reasonable access to convenient trees.



I'm not looking to spend any nights in hotels.. more of a backpacking trip on wheels. Aiming for mid/late summer, due to budget and time constraints, so sleeping bags aren't that big of a concern: it should still be fairly warm and a light bedroll + warm clothes should do.



How many riders are usually with you on these trips, and does more/less change the difficulty of the trip?



I'm certainly not an inexperienced outdoorsman, I grew up "out there", but I always had ineffective gear, and often more space (3 wheeler rack, etc) to pack it in/out with. Now I'm looking for something a bit more appropriate for the available space, and maybe a bit better quality if I can afford it!



Thanks, as usual

Gotta fill out that NE offroad thread somehow!

 

[dhoenisch]

Funny you should post this. I am actually doing my first camping trip in about 25 years on my TW this coming weekend. I will be riding 150 miles due West, camping for 3 days/2 nights, than the 150 miles back home. I already purchased most of what I think I need for this trip, and will just need to learn to do without since I can't afford anything else. I pretty much got all my camping stuff at WalMart, and some at Menards. I'm not bringing a sleeping bag since they are all just too large. Instead, I purchased a $10 cotton blanket at WalMart. I got a twin air mattress with battery pump (smaller), those folding camp stoves that fold down to 6" by 6" by 1/2", a mess kit, and other bare necessities. My tent is a 4-person tent that packs up quite small and was only about $35, if I remember correctly. After my trip next weekend, I will probably be posting a ride report with pictures, so that might give yo an idea if what this first timer is doing.



Oh, and this time, I'm riding alone and meeting a buddy there (he's in a car). I don't have any friends that ride, but then, I have very few friends

Dan

 

[Fishman393]

This site should give you some ideas. http://wetleather.com/reference/camping.html I myself am minimalist. However, you should pack enough equipment so you will be comfortable, the trip will be much more enjoyable. Remember that MORE EXPENSIVE DOESN'T ALWAYS MEAN BETTER.....

 

[jontow]

Gonna be honest.. "more expensive means i don't own one" is often the case

 

[carmwes]

For my TW Camping, I like the Eureka Solitaire 2 Tent. Lite, packs small. With fly pulled back you can enter the tent from the top instead of the front door. Has enough room up front for boots, Helmet, jacket and junk.

I also use a Hennesy Hammock when I can. Sleeping bag I like the North Face Wasatch BX40 Mummy Bag. Again, Packs Small, and lite. Using a 30 year old Therma Rest 3/4 Pad. Stove is a Simple Coleman Peak 1 Multi Fuel. 1 cookset, 1 grill. 1 Camp towel, and a Solar Shower. Most of the comforts of home.........And all fits in one waterproof duffel strapped to the stock OEM Yamaha rack. Usually camp/ride Solo, but sometimes with one other. Had this Setup for a Thousand mile TAT ride last summer. Kinda like Backpacking, Minimalist Touring at it's finest. Hope some of this helps. Have Fun!

 

[jontow]

This thread actually started shortly after I had a talk with one of my harley-riding coworkers who was looking at the solitaire

For my TW Camping, I like the Eureka Solitaire 2 Tent. Lite, packs small. With fly pulled back you can enter the tent from the top instead of the front door. Has enough room up front for boots, Helmet, jacket and junk.

I also use a Hennesy Hammock when I can. Sleeping bag I like the North Face Wasatch BX40 Mummy Bag. Again, Packs Small, and lite. Using a 30 year old Therma Rest 3/4 Pad. Stove is a Simple Coleman Peak 1 Multi Fuel. 1 cookset, 1 grill. 1 Camp towel, and a Solar Shower. Most of the comforts of home.........And all fits in one waterproof duffel strapped to the stock OEM Yamaha rack. Usually camp/ride Solo, but sometimes with one other. Had this Setup for a Thousand mile TAT ride last summer. Kinda like Backpacking, Minimalist Touring at it's finest. Hope some of this helps. Have Fun!

 

[n2o2diver]

I have been backpacking for years and can highly recommend you get a Hennessy Hammock.

I am in no way involved with this company just a very satisfied owner. http://hennessyhammock.com/



These things pack small are very light no broken poles ever, and set up anywhere you can find two trees. No sore back from sleeping on the ground. I did buy an after market rain fly that is larger than the stock and has catenary cuts sides that eliminates flapping in the wind. I got the fly from http://www.outdoorequipmentsupplier.com/maccat_tarps.php



I sleep better in this hammock than in my own bed. These things are the bomb.



http://hennessyhammock.com/

 

[jontow]

I've seen a lot of people recommend the Hennessy Hammocks.. I think thats a reasonable route, though its sometimes hard to find a pair of trees. I used to fancy the military style jungle hammocks in my youth, though I never managed to get ahold of one to try out. Sportsman's Guide used to regularly have that type for $32 on sale

Seems all my money went into fuel for the dirt bikes and 3wheelers.



The Hennessy Hammocks are a bit on the pricey side, and certainly above what I wanted to spend. However, given the number of recommendations (a few here, and a bunch elsewhere), and their size when packed.. I might just have to go for it when I come up with the money. The wife already saw the tab open with their site and commented on how cool they are (and didn't scream about the price!) Now.. TW parts or hammocks..

(both!)

 

[Sozzy1269]

Ditto on the Eureka tents... Pretty good stuff and as far as price goes, they are pretty good for decent gear. I have found a lot of my backpacking gear on ebay used for a fraction of the cost new. One thing to consider is how you plan to attach all your gear. Don't used bungee cords on somewhat heavy stuff, especially if you are going long distance and/or off road. Also, one of the best pieces of equipment you can get is a good sleeping pad. Good insulation from the ground can keep you as warm as a good sleeping bag with no pad.

 

[RisingSun]

Motorcycle camping requires a minimalist approach, and a solid checklist will ensure you have all of the essentials without overloading your bike. here is a link to a site which talks about what you need.



http://www.trails.com/list_31265_checklist-motorcycle-camping-trip.html

 

[goldenhtr]

This is my sons and mine setup for 4 days and 3 nights. Here in Washington rain is always an option. We used dry bags for our sleeping bags (nothing worse than a wet sleeping bag) and another dry bag for cloths. food tools and cooking utensils were in our boxes. Tents were small one man tents as well as a chair of some kind. Here is the link to the trip we took in 07'



http://griptwisterforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=3.0

Here is a pic of our tents

Have fun and take lots of pics.

 

[Gerry]

Boy Dan, I camped once with only a blanket (wool) that was in the late Spring of 1968 (central valley of Calif.) when I was 18 and able to deal with anything, or so I thought

.. Around 1:30 a.m. I begged my buddy to completely unzip his sleeping bag and then the "both" of us could use it as a blanket and keep worn. Suspect the prospect of 'cuddling' with me (any fellow) left him feeling uncomfortable. I was very cold for the next half hour and likely complaining. We headed home, tee-shirts and no gloves. I have not been that cold since (windchill).



Hope the weather is very warm, and will remain so thru the night or you will not think kindly of that cotton blanket. Hope all works out. Gerry

 

[dhoenisch]

Supposed to be in the 80's/90's, so hopefully that'll be enough. There's a town nearby that I am told will have a place to get extra stuff if need be. I know I'm taking a chance, but this time, it seems like I should be okay. I'm sure I'll eventually think of getting a sleeping bag.



Dan

 

[qwerty]

What you actually "need" can vary widly. Tdub and I did a 34-day mototrip with cheap stuff from Walmart, but it was across the southeast in July and August. I kept a tab on the weather with a laptop and wireless connectivity, and when rain was forecast I either rode away from it or took a motel. Most moto-campers generally hit a motel or the home of a friend or relative for a hot shower once a week or so. If you will be doing only short trips and can pick the weekends based on the weather forecast, cheap kit is good enough. If you'll be riding rain or shine, better kit is indicated. If you're like me, paying for the good stuff means no money for gas, so no trip. You can sometimes find good kit used on eBay and Craigslist really cheap. Ask around, maybe someone you know has a closet full of stuff they no longer use.



Put a lot of thought into what you actually need. You don't really need a fork. You can use the blade on a multitool to slice a steak and eat it with a spoon. I plan 1-pot meals when camping, and eat out of the pot, so I don't carry a plate. No cup, either--drinks come in containers. I cook steaks on a pair of metal skewers and eat them directly off the skewers--you're in the woods, nobody cares, or you can use the lid to the pot. I have also used the lid to fry eggs and bacon--not having a handle isn't a big deal, use the pliars of your trusty multitool. You'll need box wrenches if a repair needs to be done, but not open-ends or sockets and ratchets. One small adjustable wrench replaces a whole open-end set. I even cut the box wrenches apart and welded the ends that actually fit on the bike together. I replaced case screws with allen heads because an allen wrench takes much less space and weighs less than a socket.

 

[turborob]

Others have had good points, the only thing I can suggest which hasn't been suggested here is that if you're packing, keep it low and central!



A few of the pictures I've seen here have looked pretty top heavy; use panniers. Tank bags are good too. If you're off-road you'll really notice the weight if it's up high/far back, and the handling will be far from ideal.



Also, you don't need much. Here are a few pics from various trips where I've been camping and cooking.



Last week:

On a few week trip on a postie (almost too little here, didn't have any other pants or anything).

And here's another multi-week trip.

And, a TW one:

Lastly, enjoy.

There's no style of holiday I've experienced which I enjoy more.

 

[jontow]

Have to ask.. where'd you get the santa claus MX jacket and pants?

If you haven't seen my bike pics, I currently have a pair of 1000ct-9mm ammo cans on the back; they're coming off and a cyclerack is going in their place; I'll then weld up some pannier style mounts for them down real low. The idea being that I'll also be able to use the space on top of them (nice flat surface) to pack light stuff on as well. I don't have any drawings of what I want to do (yet?).. but i don't have a cyclerack yet either! I've gotta figure out what I'll use for a bedroll once I get the hennessy hammock, per many recommendations. I suspect there are a few test nights in the yard on that one

My goal is to keep the ammo cans on all the time once I mount them up, and I don't like the idea of widening the bike too much. I travel on a lot of narrow trails that aren't much more than walking trails: wider isn't handy for that. I've seen a few very cool setups that just look WAY too wide for my taste, and will probably have to work hard to avoid that.



I'm more worried about my brother's bike and packing situation. He just bought his bike and doesn't have the budget for a cyclerack etc. Hopefully we can work something out.

Others have had good points, the only thing I can suggest which hasn't been suggested here is that if you're packing, keep it low and central!



A few of the pictures I've seen here have looked pretty top heavy; use panniers. Tank bags are good too. If you're off-road you'll really notice the weight if it's up high/far back, and the handling will be far from ideal.



Also, you don't need much. Here are a few pics from various trips where I've been camping and cooking.



Last week:



..snip..



Lastly, enjoy.

There's no style of holiday I've experienced which I enjoy more.

 

[qwerty]

I'd be careful about running any kind of hard luggage in the pannier location offroad. That's just begging for a broken ankle.