Comments on: Motorcycle Camping (From An Old Dog)

By: Will Workman

Will Workman — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 19:18:52 +0000

Two suggestions:
If you are camping alone, consider a camping hammock instead of a tent. They’re about the same size and weight as a one-man tent, but you don’t need a ground cloth or ground pad. They are surprisingly comfy.
Conventional wisdom is that the new ultralight propane stoves are the backpacker’s choice. But if you are camping more than one night, a pump-up benzine stove is better. Burn time is over two hours vs. 45 minutes for a same-size propane tank. So one single-burner stove and a small aluminum bottle of gas does the same cooking as five or size tanks. Why pay for compresses air when you can work a pump?

By: Bruce

Bruce — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 13:07:10 +0000

The longest I have been camping is for a week. I prefer not taking food along as space is an issue riding 2 up. I use a top box, tank bag and have soft paniers for my bike. The most important thing is to pack light and try not pack unnecessary gear. Tent wise I use a 2man tent, a blow up mattress and pillows. Two sleeping bags and then clothing kept to a minimum. Going for a weekend wearing a pair of jeans and a spare pair packed has always been sufficient, mostly if it rains the 2nd pair helps. T shirt for every day and underwear too. Some sleeping shorts and a pair of flip flops for when you shower. Toiletries kept to soap(liquid form doubles as shampoo), toothbrush, toothpaste, face cloth and towel. Being at campsite usually toilet paper is provided, if not shops are never far. Flash light, puncture repair kit and knife always under seat. All other small items like mattress pump get stowed away wherever there is place. Important to remember keep weight in top box and panier as low as possible as you have a passenger too, all ‘heavy’ items should be in tank bag. NB! Keep speed to limits too, as a bike 2 up with luggage can be a nightmare if something jumps ahead of you.

By: Alan

Alan — Tue, 03 May 2011 06:12:37 +0000

I’ve done a lot of this in the last few years with 4000km one way trips from home to where I worked for three years. In that time i would have done two trips a year.
The bike is a 99 ST1100 and I tow a trailer which makes life a little easier while on the road. The trailer takes the basic camping needs clothing, bedding (air bed as well), an old gearsack bag which holds the cooking gear etc., an Eski to keep drinks and perishable cool (For ice I use bottles of water which when thaws gets used for fresh water). Esky also doubles as a seat when in camp and a laptop computer in its original box. I used to strap tent and a bag of clothing to top of the trailer.
Bike has two side cases which are now used for extra fuel storage (Ten litres in each).

I now have a top case which is used for storing things most often needed. rain gear, camping light, 12 volt air pump, etc. Also I lock money in there etc while I’m on the move. Oh! to put in shopping that I’ve done for the night.
I very rarely spend nights in paid accommodation and I try and find places near the road but out of sight. I use showers in the roadhouses.

By: Jeff (Tigger)

Jeff (Tigger) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 07:42:37 +0000

I now camp using a hammock, and gortex covered sleeping bag (us Marine corps ecwss) you can use a tarp aswell and is useful when there are no trees lol.

By: Stu

Stu — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 04:09:34 +0000

I’ve Motorcycle tent camped for many years, but last year I got a tent trailer and it’s great. I carry what I want, get to the site, set up quickly, I’m off the ground and much more comfortable. I only lose about 4 to 5 MPG. Getting the bike wired properly and installing the hitch was a pain, but it was worth it. I got the Easy Camp.