Motorcycle camping

[NighthawkVTX]

I was thinking about taking a motorcycle camping trip
Any one have any"secret" tips that may not be obvious?

[DirtyDan]

Test your equipment in backyard before going too far away from home

We need to P in the morning so be prepared

Don't forget duct tape (gorilla tape)

Dan

[Jess from VA]

The first secret tip that comes to mind is to ask your wife how she likes camping in a pup tent.

Sometimes there are no more questions to ask on the subject.

[NighthawkVTX]

No worries there, Im divorced

[J.Mencalice]

I was thinking about taking a motorcycle camping trip
Any one have any"secret" tips that may not be obvious?

Desert or mountains?  Length of time on the road?

[Jess from VA]

No worries there, I'm divorced

Excellent.  

The next tip is, bike camping is very similar to back packing.  You need to pare things down to the essentials (if you're not pulling a trailer).  Though I have seen guys pile tons of stuff on their bike, I wouldn't.  A ground cover and tent cover/fly is a good idea.  Having to pack a wet muddy tent sucks.  It's still wet the next night.  So is the sleeping bag, if it had to be packed wet.

I never had one, but I spent some time looking at those tent style hammocks.  You have to have two trees or something to tie them to, but you are off the ground, with a rain fly, and netting if it's hot.  And they pack tight.

I'm not doing it anymore.  But I think if you go more than a few days, a good idea is to camp for two days, then get a motel the third, so you can sleep well and have a shower, yada.  And so on.

The tough part to me is food at the campsite.  You might be able to have a little cooler, but that's it.

Those hiker bags of dry food you add boiling water to taste best when you are starving.  







I think this guy was just showing off.  I want to see him getting in and out.


A pair of tough ratchet straps might be just the ticket with these things;  a far reach to a tree, and pulling it up tight if the distance between both tie downs is far.

[Simmy74]

I bike camp regularly.  Depending on your climate, the best investment I've made by far is a QUALITY (yes, high end) hammock system.  Easier to pack than a tent and IMO much more comfortable.  It's also fairly easy to tune it based on seasonal needs.

Also, I use a very small alcohol stove based cook kit.  Perfect for one-two people and takes up less space than a jet-boil type.

[RDKLL]

A little video of two distinct motorcycle camping styles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CX-qnwVtoMI&t=2s

[MarkT]

I can't help but throw this up again.  Geing older so I want the comforts.  Including a toilet in the tent so I can whiz in the middle of the night w/o getting dressed.  I still cut corners compared to truck camping.  But you can bring a lot of comforts in a trailer and even more in a popup camper. (This is a Timeout)  We had A/C, and a queen bed with a mattress more comfy than my home bed, camping at Morgantown Inzane.

[Simmy74]

I use and recommend The Warbonnet Blackbird XLC Hammock.
Lots of videos on line about it, and for me it checks the boxes for comfort,  durability, stealthy setup, ease of packing and weather proven.  Only downside is all in cost, but i have not found anything better (for me)

[Avanti]

I have been hiking and camping for over 50 years. Motorcycle camping does use much the same equipment, because you want to move light, which equals fast. So light in weight is good but not at the expense of durability.

Sleeping well is always important, so you need a good sleep system.You also need to stay dry. These are the most important for an extended and enjoyable trip. I prefer my 3 person tent for motorcycle camping, due to its ability to be a free standing shelter and I can eat in the dry if raining.

Click for general packing list.
<img src='https://s20.postimg.cc/aipsiyvsd/Motorcycle_Camping.png'; border='0' alt='Motorcycle_Camping'/></a>

[ridingron]

Having to pack a wet muddy tent sucks.  It's still wet the next night.  So is the sleeping bag, if it had to be packed wet.   

I use 2 water  proof compression sacks. 1 for the sleeping bag and a separate one for the tent. Pack the sleeping bag while inside the dry tent. Then pack the tent. A side note, the drop cloth should be smaller than the tent foot print. Otherwise the rain will come down the side of the tent, hit the drop cloth and end up between the tent floor and drop cloth.

[DirtyDan]

Speaking of hammocks..........

I found a 50 foot rope handy for hanging one. As an extension from a mounting point the hammock itself won't reach

And or as a top rope for a tarp

Dan

[baird4444]

Speaking of hammocks..........
I used one on a couple of roadtrips a couple of years ago. Simple
setup and 100 times better than sleeping on the ground. Try it....
              - Mike

[Mr Whiskey]

We're thinkin' 'bout switchin' to one of these...


https://www.amazon.com/Tangkula-Folding-Waterproof-Elevated-Camping/dp/B075V2VN3R/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1525017203&sr=8-7&keywords=tent+cot

from one of these...


https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-2000023236-8-Person-Instant-Tent/dp/B003QUT9OE/ref=sr_1_4?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1525017507&sr=1-4&keywords=instant+tents+for+camping
if I can get my new collapsible tarp system happenin'
(workin' on somethin' that only uses one pole).

Although I love my 140sqft Coleman Instant Tent!




P.S. "secret tip"...put butt-wipe in coffee can with lid, trust me!

[The emperor has no clothes]

We're thinkin' 'bout switchin' to one of these...


https://www.amazon.com/Tangkula-Folding-Waterproof-Elevated-Camping/dp/B075V2VN3R/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1525017203&sr=8-7&keywords=tent+cot

from one of these...


https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-2000023236-8-Person-Instant-Tent/dp/B003QUT9OE/ref=sr_1_4?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1525017507&sr=1-4&keywords=instant+tents+for+camping
if I can get my new collapsible tarp system happenin'
(workin' on somethin' that only uses one pole).

Although I love my 140sqft Coleman Instant Tent!




P.S. "secret tip"...put butt-wipe in coffee can with lid, trust me!

That elevated tent cot looks cool as Hell  I've never see one before. (Baby Wipes are the bomb)

[KUGO]

I used to motorcycle camp in Wisconsin when I lived in St. Charles, IL. Liked to find forest fire trails to take the bike off the road by 100 yards or more and set up a tent away from curious eyes. Would get things unpacked and set up (no fire set yet, obviously) and then take the bike to the nearest small town pizza joint and get a large and a 6-pack and head back, whether by myself or my girlfriend.

Tip 1: Don't get back off the road such that a rainstorm at night might prevent you from getting out on two wheels in the morning. We buried my bike up to the hubs one time when we took a cornfield lane back into some woods to pitch the tent. Rained like hell that night and we had to slog through mud for at least 200 yards to get out and back on the road. I was on the bike trying to steer and get it rolling while she pushed from behind. When the rear wheel spun she became quite muddy. If you've ever seen swimming pool installers spray the concrete out of the four inch hose onto the re-bar, you have a good idea of how she looked by the time we got back to the road. Talk about a good sport!!

Tip 2: Don't leave beef jerky in your saddlebags overnight. I came out of the tent the next morning one time to learn that very industrious raccoons had smelled it and made every attempt to get it out of my formerly scratch-free, black hard-bags. Hmm, THAT'S not going to buff out!  (Kinda made me glad, though, that lower Wisconsin wasn't known for a lot of bears. That might have made the trip more interesting than I'd planned for.)  

Tip 3: Don't camp in Alligator Alley in Florida. I was too young to know better, too broke to check in to a Motel 6, and thought I liked adventure. When you see all different kinds of eyes through the trees reflecting back from your campfire, you get a real sense of not being alone. Did not sleep well at all. 'Cause I didn't sleep at all!

Tip 4: Do it anyway. It's all fun. And you'll have stories to tell!

[Michvalk]

6x8 tarp, an old style military sleeping bag, and a camp kit for pans and utensils. Sometimes the tarp over a picnic table, sometimes not. If not, tarp on the ground, into the bag, roll up in tarp . I was WAY younger then

[Misfit]

Motocycle camping is awesome! Tons of info on the web. Some good, some not so good. Gleen through and start slow. Do not buy cheap gear. You get what you pay for. Some say they won't camp because they want to be comfortable.  There is no reason to be uncomfortable camping. Give it a shot. Good luck.  :

[northernvalk]

Climate is the controlling factor.  Bivi bags are the most compact form of solo camping but some people can't handle them.  I've done a lot of bike camping/touring and bivi bags are awesome if you are alone. One small 8x10 tarp is also a must to use as a sun shade/rain shelter/wind block. You can choose the sleeping system that suits you best. IMHO a rubber style blow up air mattress is the best option for a bivi bag if you are not going with a hammock.  It is water proof and easily repairable. All that being said, some of the new systems shown above do look nice!!!

[Avanti]

Hammocks are good for back country and places where there are trees. You need a place to hang one and in some National Parks, especially back country, you are no longer aloud to do so. In these type of places you will need to carry your own system to hang your hammock on, polls, lines, stakes etcetera.

[northernvalk]

Hammocks are good for back country and places where there are trees. You need a place to hang one and in some National Parks, especially back country, you are no longer aloud to do so. In these type of places you will need to carry your own system to hang your hammock on, polls, lines, stakes etcetera.

Wow...that sucks!! I guess idiots ruin everything, probably used a couple 6" spruce trees and a greenpeacer saw them and worried about the tree's well-being....

[sheets]

I have the double size off the ground covered cot from Cabela's. Looks just like the pix posted above. That thing is heavy in the folded up for storage position. I can't imagine packing it on a MC excursion. Has a structural support rib running length-wise in the center - essentially dividing the double size space in to two halves. Need a good thick pad of sorts to make it comfy. Can't avoid the structural bar in the middle. I use it to sleep outside during the month of August. House holds too much heat for me to sleep well indoors. The hammock with the three-point hitch configuration looks most interesting.   

[Mr Whiskey]

I have the double size off the ground covered cot from Cabela's. Looks just like the pix posted above. That thing is heavy in the folded up for storage position. I can't imagine packing it on a MC excursion. Has a structural support rib running length-wise in the center - essentially dividing the double size space in to two halves. Need a good thick pad of sorts to make it comfy. Can't avoid the structural bar in the middle. I use it to sleep outside during the month of August. House holds too much heat for me to sleep well indoors. The hammock with the three-point hitch configuration looks most interesting. 

'Preciate the headz up

[Mr Whiskey]

Tip 4: Do it anyway. It's all fun. And you'll have stories to tell!

Best tip so far

[Pappy!]

That pic of the hammock over the stream is photoshopped big time.
Some great ideas otherwise.
Talked to Lesa about camping. Her answer? Camping to her is a black and white TV and slow room service!