"Motorcycle Camping"

[cfell]

Howdy...!

The topic of "motorcycle camping", MC friendly campsites, MC specific camping gear, etc came to mind.

While cogitating on that list I thought.. "Hey, is there a book on this topic?" If not, why not ?

Since this is a very "non-generic" deal, I'm posting in "Ride Tales"... with this lead....

"What do you want to share about your "camping" adventures when motorcycling is involved? Especially BMW related.... as in your own personal MC packing techniques, gear, etc..

We've all heard "war stories".... that's not what this is about.. it's about helping each other.. and the folks who might want to try this out.... after all, the best friends are built around campfires.... virtual or real.

[cfell]

I'll try to start this..


Anyone out there willing and able to take "newbies" under their wing to teach them "the ropes of MC camping"?

Is there a list anywhere other than this board that has something fitting that request?

[Woolly]

Howdy...!

The topic of "motorcycle camping", MC friendly campsites, MC specific camping gear, etc came to mind.

While cogitating on that list I thought.. "Hey, is there a book on this topic?" If not, why not ?

Since this is a very "non-generic" deal, I'm posting in "Ride Tales"... with this lead....

"What do you want to share about your "camping" adventures when motorcycling is involved? Especially BMW related.... as in your own personal MC packing techniques, gear, etc..

We've all heard "war stories".... that's not what this is about.. it's about helping each other.. and the folks who might want to try this out.... after all, the best friends are built around campfires.... virtual or real.

Channing, I'm working on a photo of my 2 person camping gear all packed up in the LHS pannier of the LT - once our snow goes, should be able to post it for you. I used to lay the bike over on it's side and fill the panniers that way (:)) - now I just use the bag liners, and that's the way to go. LHS - tent & sleeping gear, RHS - clothes, top box - toys (cameras, chargers, phones, PDA & Laptop) plus water and 'food bars'.

[tnk12lt]

BMWMOA website:

http://www.bmwmoa.org/camping/camping.htm

[cfell]

Great.. thanks, gents!

[Motomadman]

Try http://www.motocampers.com/? it will tell all that you need......

[Gino]

Is there a list anywhere other than this board that has something fitting that request?

Great topic... unfortunately my SO thinks camping consists of a hotel with two queen beds, so we've never tried!

My buddy and I are planning a Colorado trip next summer and are going to try "camping" a few nights - I'm a bit nervous as my last camping expedition was science camp - sixth grade - many many moons past - and that was just an overnighter a few hundred yards from the cabin...

It'll be an interesting trip - so I plan on researching the sites listed here a little deeper... Thanks for starting the discussion!

[bonafidebob]

I've done a few cross country camping trips on a bike. Here are just my top few thoughts:

1) hard bags rule. everything packs into 'em and then when you camp you can put your bike gear in there and lock it and not worry about it. And if you overpack you can always strap more on the outside.

2) backpacking gear works great on the bike. I used stuff I already have, mostly from REI. Backpacking gear is small which is what you're looking for. I have a 3-man tent, small down sleeping bag, thermarest + chair, and all of that fit along with some motorcycle stuff in my topcase, leaving the side cases free for clothes and other personal items. (One case each...)

3) cooking is kind of a drag. I've had better experiences with restaurants and the occasional grocery store. I have cooked on bike trips, but it means a lot more equipment to carry as well as food. On these trips the camp was more of a base camp than a stop along the way, so I could set up camp then make a run for food and drinks. (The topcase makes a great cooler... fill with ice and cold drinks of your choice!)

4) state campgrounds are good for overnight stops. When not making a base camp and just looking for a place to sleep and shower I didn't need or want all the KOA type amenities. The state camps seemed to fill up later too - fewer RVs.

[cfell]

http://micapeak.com/checklists/

http://wetleather.com/reference/camping.html

[SilverBuffalo]

About eight years ago when my wife and I first started dating, I made a last minute decision to take her along to a motorcycle rally (North Georgia rally May 1st)

I had been rallying and riding alone for many years,
this was her first motorcycle rally camping experience.

I made a last minute diction to buy a new tent (didn't think mine was adequate for two)
couldn't find what I wanted so I settled for what was available (mistake # 1)

Didn't have the chance to set it up seal the seams etc. (mistake # 2)

Rode the last hundred miles to the rally in the rain, set up the tent with a light mist coming down.

After we settled in for the night the sky opened up,
tent leaked from every imaginable place, had a "river running through it"

It got so bad that we put our rain suits on in the tent (we were already wet)
I stacked the two thermarests on top of each other and put her on them
while I spent the rest of the night sleeping in a puddle.

I've been through worse in the course of my "love for motorcycling travels"
but I did not want her to have a bad experience.

By noon the next day we had left the rally for a laundromat and later a motel.
My wife is a real trooper who will follow me anywhere but..........

Camping is no longer an option.

[PMitchell]

I'll try to start this..


Anyone out there willing and able to take "newbies" under their wing to teach them "the ropes of MC camping"?

Is there a list anywhere other than this board that has something fitting that request?

A few years ago when I came out of moto hibernation, I purchased a low mileage K75. I did a Google search and found a local BMW club and joined to see what the locals were up to.

I soon found out that these folk were really into rallies and moto camping.

OK, why not? The first camping experience since my honey moon (limited funds :D ) was to be an adventure. I again Googled for moto camping equipment lists and found that there was a ton of goodies that might be useful.

Anyway, I was equipped with the Helen2wheels packing system and almost brought the kitchen sink to Cass, WV. I was considered the Rally Virgin. and was at the mercy of the more experienced beemer riders.:rolleyes:

Since acquiring the LT, I have a bit more room but have downsized my travel accoutrements and have enjoyed the "wild outdoors" with new friends and many exciting adventures.

Being single again may have helped! :D

[Ised8m]

I'm new to this site as I just bought an 08 LT. Based on past experiences here's a few tidbits:
1. Pack light. Pack the jeans you need but cheap shirts can be bought, used, and then tossed. Every town has a Walmart it seems.
2. Nothing worse than packing a damp towel after a shower before you hit the road. I use it only one or two days before throwing it away and buying another $5 towel at Walmart.
3. My basic plan on a daily basis is, wake up, shower, pack your stuff up, head on down the road, find breakfast for a first stop, enjoy the ride all day long, find a place to camp around 6pm (based on a book of campgrounds across the U.S.), set up camp, hop back on the bike and ride into town for dinner, after dinner stop and pick up a 12 pack and a bag of ice. Back at the camp, I remove 6 beers from the cardboard 12 pack, fill remaining cardboard box with half bag of ice, put the removed 6 beers into the half bag of ice. Sit around and tell stories while having a beer, call it a night, wake up in the morning and repeat. What could be better?
4. As far as the bigger items that I usually pack are: my own tent, self inflating matress pad, sleeping bag, and a folding camping chair. Also don't forget waterproof bags, especially for your sleeping bag or anything that is not inside your hard bags.

[RonKMiller]

There's on thing that you absolutely need to figure out to be comfortable while moto camping:

SHADE.

Here's my solution. That's a standard metal flag pole holder that you buy at Ace hardware for $4.95 and a $10.95 telescoping/tilt Costco beach umbrella.

I attached it the tongue of my trailer but I'm sure it could easily be attached somewhere on your bike as well.

[Hilton]

1. Good quality tent.
2. Thermarest mattress.
3. Kermit chair.

After that the rest is window dressing.

ps top of list. A great wife :)

[Wolfgang]

1. Good quality tent.
2. Thermarest mattress.
3. Kermit chair.

After that the rest is window dressing.

ps top of list. A great wife :)

My list is a little different:

Fully equipped Motor Home
Motorcycle Trailer
BMW K1200LT
Credit card for what we forgot

Since some RV Parks are still called Campgrounds, and we have a Motor Cycle with us this should count this should count as Motor Cycle Camping, or?

;) :) :histerica

[motorhead]

My list of whats "Packin" in our little trailer.

Ice chest for food & drink
Tupperware box holding cooking utincles & dry food
3 man tent you can stand up in.
Queen size inflatable air mattress & 12V inflator
Single burner cook stove & single mantle lattern that use propane bottles
Small tackle box with tools, rope & misc small stuff
2 tarps, 1 10x10 for under tent, other 12x18 for above your head in case of rain ( use rope to hold up using surrounding trees )
2 bag chairs + bag table
Folding spade shovel, Folding hand saw, Hatchet, Tire pump
2 sleeping bags that zip together

There is room left over for our own cloths bags and other small soft bags.
Out TOTAL weight of trailer and contents average about 300#

The Wife and I LOVE to bike camp :dance: