Moto-camping: Getting It All Inside

[Yakiman]

I still enjoy the heck out of moto-camping. When I started into this somewhat complicated aspect of motorcycling I spent an inordinate amount of time ferreting out the evolutionary designs of seasoned campers.

Then even more time in researching my first pack plan, with the primary design objective to be :

How to get it all inside the luggage pack (except for nasty dry sheets, of course).
I thought I’d share for what ever it’s worth, and for any  interested in camping.

(The photo is part of a camping  RR. LINKY)


[1] TourMaster Cortech.  A key element, and primary reason for selecting a top loading textile plan, using the saddlebag as a stuff-bag gets all tent components neatly inside with room to spare (the stock tent bag is stuffed in here also, to be used as a pillow case with the stuffed inflatable pillow).

[2] Venture Bike Pack Systems. Rear trunk: Big Agnes sleeping bag system, design for the man-sized man, especially in the shoulders. The 2” inflatable sleeping pad (4”dia by 7”L pack size) fits into the integral pouch sewn onto the bottom of the sleeping bag… comfy and no slide offs in the middle of the night. With the designed-for-system compression girdle I’ve been consistently getting about a 9” dia. by 14”L pack size, so the back trunk has room left over for suit-down gear/clothing, when needed.

[3] Front trunk: This is where the standard “survival kit” is carried. The plan is a pack within a pack, onboard at all times. The interior pack is just a heavily compartmentalized school back pack, organized with all the stuff a motorcyclist might need in emergency or for convenience while on a 3000-mi ride, or on a trip to town.

[4] Tour Master Cortech Mini. Mainly for glove swap-outs, among the many other details standard for tank bags.

[5] Dry Sheets roll, bungeed to trunk. Standard hardware-store vinyl tarps. I found the tarp size of the brown one, where the erected tent pole rod ends fit perfectly into the corner holes of the tarp (tent stakes hold everything in place – no tent shifting off of the dry sheet, etc.). The blue one bungees on as a bike cover or for misc other chores, as needed.

And if you’re real tight assed, you’ll of course have a 4 page, PC managed, cross referenced, combination pack list / pack map …. Just sayin'  

Chief Yakiman

[ksann]

Very cool post Yakiman.


Good reminder about thinking through everything that you will need so as not to overpack.



ken

[DJStevieB]

OK. I'll play!

On MY little trip.....

Since the weather was supposed to be nice, I packed fairly lightly.

-A Top case: Tent, shoes, maps, food, vest, misc.

-B Starboard side case: Sleeping bag

-C Port side case: Cold weather gear (fleece jacket, jacket liner, rain gear, emergency kit

-D Pillion seat: Water-proof bag with clothes, bag with tent poles, bag with sleeping mat

-E Tank bag: Camera, compass, batteries, misc.

-F Underneath seats: Tools, rags, bungees, misc.

[Yakiman]

Very cool post Yakiman.


Good reminder about thinking through everything that you will need so as not to overpack.



ken

'Preciate it.

[Yakiman]

OK. I'll play!

On MY little trip.....

Since the weather was supposed to be nice, I packed fairly lightly.

-A Top case: Tent, shoes, maps, food, vest, misc.

-B Starboard side case: Sleeping bag

-C Port side case: Cold weather gear (fleece jacket, jacket liner, rain gear, emergency kit

-D Pillion seat: Water-proof bag with clothes, bag with tent poles, bag with sleeping mat

-E Tank bag: Camera, compass, batteries, misc.

-F Underneath seats: Tools, rags, bungees, misc.

But…but…Well OK, Stevie…

1. Don’t think “D” technically falls within the category “Getting it all inside the luggage pack”  ;

2. Gerbing’s jacket (always onboard) serves for all fleece and jacket liners, etc.;

3. Riding jacket and pants (or one piece) should be the rain gear!;

4. Textile vs hard side cases – discussion suspended indefinitely.

Of course, in all just    at you a little. When it come to methods, YMMV (a lot).

I will say this regarding aesthetics though, if we parked our bikes outside a restaurant in a high theft location, mine probably still would be there after diner.   Feejers

[stefrrr]

This is just for two nights, so it's pretty lightweight. tent (golite dome 2), sleeping mat, and standard car-camping sleeping bag bungied on the back seat.
Clothes, fuel, backpacking stove, food, all in the tail bag. If it were for a longer trip I would've put the tent etc in a dry bag and maybe brought side bags.

[DJStevieB]

I have the Ventura system on my ZX-14. I have the little day pack.




I recently bought one of these for my trips next year. It's very nice!!! Probably the best piece of luggage I've ever purchased.

http://www.motopakluggage.com/pics/gttaile-sm.jpg

[DavidLSI]

This is as close to getting it" all inside" that I get.

I am probably the example of what not to follow.....



In the big green bag:

Clothes in a vacuum bag
Tent (4 man, i do not believe it)
Extra poles for a canopy  (to put up in case of rain)
Long Tongs, chef knife, paring knife, metal shishkabob skewers, seasonings, nylon roll-able cutting board, cooking tower skewer poles, flash light and L.E.D. lantern
Starter fluid
Hammock
Hatchet
Twin sized air mattress and air blower
Camp shoes
Towel
Shower kit,
Advil and heartburn tabs
Mono pod for camera

In the right side hard case
Tool bag,
Trauma Kit

In the left side hard case
Sleeping bag, Rain gear

Tanks bag is always on the bike so nothing that I do not normally carry there.

Strapped on the outside
Camp chair
Collapsible cooler
Cooking grill basket
Umbrella

I put my camp comfort above traveling light, I have gone with much less for a trip that was not about the camping.  


My tent is the red one on the right, and that is my hammock.....






The plate on the back also is great for picking up fire wood.  It also makes it possible to put such a big bag on the back.


This trip was not so much about Sport Touring, as it was about the camping.  Although we did ride some great back roads, all the way out to the state park.  Stopping along the way  gathering items for that nights meal.

If I was going to cross the country and camp along the way my packing would be way different as this set up would get to be a big pain real quick.

SeeYa
DavidLSI

PS

The effort's worth is apparent when it's time to eat.

[UHOH]

my two contributions  ; heck it's the end of the season - give me a break!

dry weather minimalist moto-camping


Camping setup, when the other guy brings the tent...

[evilted]

3. Riding jacket and pants (or one piece) should be the rain gear!;

That's a nice idea, but from what I've seen very few riding suits (one or two piece) stay dry in heavy rain for more than a couple of hours at most, and even then they take hours to dry out afterwards.  My cheapo polyurethane suit is a must-have any time I expect conditions to be stay wet for a while.  And it dries out in very little time comparatively speaking.

[Yakiman]

Some of you guys ought to be lookin' into something like this  

[Fun Dog]

The way I see it, the best place to load weight is on the passenger seat if you're not carrying a passenger.  Either over the rear axle or just aft of it.  That part of the bike is designed to carry 100 to 200 lbs. of extra rider, so makes sense to pack all your stuff there.

What I hardly ever see is people stacking stuff high on the passenger seat.  I thought I would try it since a passenger's head and shoulders stick up pretty high.  The wind should be diverted around the load because the driver is in the way.  What I'm packing high is not heavy (sleeping bag), so I'm sticking to the rule of keeping the weight low and "in the triangle."

You know what?  It works.  The picture is from a camping trip I took to John Tanner State Park on Georgia's western border.  No problems with the load shifting or making the bike move funny.  I've got standard hardbags that came with the bike and a Pelican Case sitting on the rear seat (waterproof).  On top of that I have a yellow dry bag with my sleeping bag stuffed inside---trust me, you don't EVER want to sleep in a wet sleeping bag .  In the Pelican Case I have my tent, camp stove, lock and chain, gas lantern and propane cannisters.  In the hardbags I have air pump, extra fluids (oil, clutch fluid in little bottles), rain gear, bike cover, extra visor...bike stuff, and clothes, camping boots.

[Guy]

Saddle bags - clothes, tools, and shoes. Not any particular side for anything, as long as they are about equal in weight

Dry bag - All my camping stuff. Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, pillow.

Tank bag - Items that I need to have easy access to while riding, and stuff that I don't feel comfortable leaving while I am away from the bike.

[Micky]

Camping from a motorcycle is very different from camping with a car. Gear must be lightweight and compact. I find that gear intended for backpacking is ideal, but it is often expensive. Cheaper stuff intended for car-camping will often work for the budget-minded, but will detract from your motorcycle's handling and decrease the amount of other stuff that you can pack on the bike.

[birdrunner]

 Hiking stuff is the way to go.

My biggest issue was night time comfort.  If you're serious about sleeping comfortable and warm, the EXPED down filled air mattresses are DA BOMB.   Even at the price they charge, it's still cheaper than motelling.

[omnivore]

I just give the load it's own axle,LOL.
Actually tongue weight is put on rear axle directly, as none of the bike's rear suspension has to handle the trailer's load due to the hitch design passing thru GSXR's hollow rearaxle.

2 man tent, sleeping bag, thermarest  bedroll, inflatable pillow, laptop, 2 cameras, 2 flashlights, rechargeable batteries and charger, chain lube, plexus, socket set and assorted tools, clothes for a week, extra shoes, rain suit, rain boot covers, 2 extra pairs of gloves, 1st aid kit, 4 cans of stew, cooking pot, cereal bowl and utensils, mesh jacket with liner, camping chair. All fit inside with room to spare. All other small stuff (ear plugs, wallet, cell phone, ipod, passport and papers, etc) went into a small Oxford magnetic tank bag.

[knolltop314]

Kewl!!  
Like the BoB trailers some touring cyclists use.
<----- still old school

[birdrunner]

Is that the unit made in Quebec?

I've had the Uni-Go for 7 years now, they didn't make any other 1-wheeled trailers then.  The Uni-G0 was STUPID expensive, but still cheaper than putting my wife on her own bike to make room for her stuff.

With 3 Givi cases, and the Trailer,  we always over pack.

[kitesurfer]

i like that trailer!  the guy that makes it has contacted me and is sending so close up pics which i hope to get soon.  i hope to pair this trailer up to a 1250 bandit/zx14 with givi's.

[JamesG]

I snickered when I saw that, but then realized it would a way to self propel yourself to a trackday and still be able to have some pit ammenites like a rear stand, chair, maybe even a small canopy.
 

[birdrunner]

I snickered when I saw that, but then realized it would a way to self propel yourself to a trackday and still be able to have some pit ammenites like a rear stand, chair, maybe even a small canopy.
 

The one wheeled trailers work great.

[Fun Dog]

How does that one wheeled trailer feel behind the bike?  Does it move funny in corners as a result of dragging all that weight behind?  Can you feel it bounce when you hit a bump?  Does it move the back wheel?  How much was it?  

Very interesting.

[birdrunner]

I only notice the Uni-Go when

a) I'm leaned over and hit a BIG BUMP
b) I'm too close to a big truck, at speeds over 60 mph.   The Wind Blast causes a few issues.  IE  insane interstate truckers.

The trailer is not noticeable while riding twisty type roads.  Much better than the weight at a high centre of gravity.

The other trailer ( Pictured), may be even better because it totally isolates the weight from the body of the bike.  


BTW,  you can't imagine how much stuff you can put into one of these  

[omnivore]

Birdrunner is right.
In a straight line I cannot detect the trailer. In fact when towing it, as long as I keep travelling speed at 80mph or less, my fuel economy increases  10-15%. The trailer must fill the negative pressure turbulence behind the bike, putting the air back together much better. Unlike the Uni-Go, the ThirdWheelTrailer presents no aerodynamic drag problems when passing anything. The problem he speaks of with trucks is a common one I find with Uni-Go owners.

I first wanted a trailer like this when I saw a Uni-Go on Farncois VFR at Deals Gap in 2002. Heis a Canadian that manages the Deals Gap resort, and I spent a few hrs picking his brain about it, but the $3500 price tag kept me away. I even followed him thru Deals Gap to watch the trailer in action and was star-struck.

Fast Fwd years, and I checked into the Cyclops, built in Quebec, but it wasn't sporty enough, and was very agriculturral and heavy.

[omnivore]

Juan also has a Uni-Go in his shop, sent to him by the people at Uni-Go in Ohio. They recognize his trailer's obvious strenghts in comparison to theirs, and are now in contract talks with him. He has already designed a sport hitch for the Uni-Go for them, so sportbike riders with a Uni-Go don't need a heavy and ungly hitch hanging off their bike anymore. Also, upon dismantling the Uni-Go we found that theeir suspension is very primitive, and the spring needs about 40 lbs of ballast to begin compressing the coil spring. Another 10-15 lbs of pressure will completely compress the spring, thuis leaving little to no suspension compliance for road irregularities. It also has no shock absorber to eliminate repeatetivebounces. The ThirdWheelTrailer's design takes all of these shortcomings into account and is a dram to ride with.   I have ridden up to 115 mph with no issues, and can negotiate freeway on and off ramps at 70-75 mph. The trailer's tire has no chicken strips left after one weekend away in the Allegheny's.  My riding buddies have a tough time keeping me in sight when towing thru the twisties, on their ST bikes (Concours14, FJR, Bandit1250 with bags, and my buddy with an F4i with soft luggage can just keep up). Summer 08 I rode with large soft bags and tail bag. I am only 5'4", 150 lbs, and 29" inseam. A heavyily ladden bike was dificult for me to manage, but with trailer it is much easier and neater too.  Eeverywhere I go I get a million questions.  
Juan Wall is the builder at www.thirdwheeltrailers.com

[birdrunner]

Juan also has a Uni-Go in his shop, sent to him by the people at Uni-Go in Ohio. They recognize his trailer's obvious strenghts in comparison to theirs, and are now in contract talks with him. He has already designed a sport hitch for the Uni-Go for them, so sportbike riders with a Uni-Go don't need a heavy and ungly hitch hanging off their bike anymore. Also, upon dismantling the Uni-Go we found that theeir suspension is very primitive, and the spring needs about 40 lbs of ballast to begin compressing the coil spring. Another 10-15 lbs of pressure will completely compress the spring, thuis leaving little to no suspension compliance for road irregularities. It also has no shock absorber to eliminate repeatetivebounces. The ThirdWheelTrailer's design takes all of these shortcomings into account and is a dram to ride with.   I have ridden up to 115 mph with no issues, and can negotiate freeway on and off ramps at 70-75 mph. The trailer's tire has no chicken strips left after one weekend away in the Allegheny's.  My riding buddies have a tough time keeping me in sight when towing thru the twisties, on their ST bikes (Concours14, FJR, Bandit1250 with bags, and my buddy with an F4i with soft luggage can just keep up). Summer 08 I rode with large soft bags and tail bag. I am only 5'4", 150 lbs, and 29" inseam. A heavyily ladden bike was dificult for me to manage, but with trailer it is much easier and neater too.  Eeverywhere I go I get a million questions.  
Juan Wall is the builder at www.thirdwheeltrailers.com

Although I like my Uni,  If I were looking for another trialer, I'd look closely at them.   I hate the trailer attaching to the subframe.  Yes, the suspension on a Uni-go is a joke,  it barely works.

[birdrunner]

I just checked the prices.   STILL  

[omnivore]

I priced out SW Mototech quick lock PLX racks, 3 Givi top line hard bags with tailights, before deciding to buy the ThirdWheelTrailer. Upon comparing the hardluggae to the trailer, The trailer offers me a little more space, quicker and cleaner removal, lower centre of gravity, increased fuel economy (whereas the bags would have decreased fuel economy),  zero wind foibles with trucks or passing vehickles, as some other brands seem to have, and much cleaner looks for the bike than having bags all over it. And besides, it gets more attention than a naked porn star driving a convertible Ferrari.

Comparing bags to trailer, they worked out very similar in price, but the trailer required no time of mine to install. I dropped it off and Juan did the wiring and axle mods incl. in his price. he also did a few custom upgrades to the trailer for me free of charge.

[birdrunner]

Yes,  but for the price, I can buy a decent bike for my wife, and soft bags.  




Back or OP.    

I used to use Sea Line Kayak bags to keep everything waterproof.  Stuffing them is always a pain because they're airtight, not just waterproof.  They're very durable, and I still have them after years of abuse.

[Flashmo]

Saddle bags - clothes, tools, and shoes. Not any particular side for anything, as long as they are about equal in weight

Dry bag - All my camping stuff. Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, pillow.

Tank bag - Items that I need to have easy access to while riding, and stuff that I don't feel comfortable leaving while I am away from the bike.

Look just like the way that I roll down the road.