Things I wish I knew about touring

[info]

I wish I knew where to find a touring tent. You know, one you don't mind setting up after a long ride.
I want one that sets up easily and fast.
You know the kind? Tell me.....

[Mrs. DantesDame]

I wish I knew where to find a touring tent. You know, one you don't mind setting up after a long ride.
I want one that sets up easily and fast.
You know the kind? Tell me.....

I know that one! I think it's called "Motel 6"  

[No Cam]

+1 on earplugs!  Now, if I could only find some that seal reliably...  When they don't work, though...   why do I bother.  Sources, anyone?

Try Howard Leight Max Lites.  They are green, soft foam.  Individual or tethered.  I use the tethered style and cut off all but about 2" of tether on each one for something to grab onto when removing.  Store them in a 35mm film canister.  I've worked in high noise industrial environments for 20 years and these are the best foam ear plugs I've tried.  Cancel out the wind noise yet I can hear music and voice just fine through my autocom in helmet speakers.  Of course ear plugs are subjective and YMMV, but these work for me

Ebay linky
http://tinyurl.com/2bpr56

No Cam

[RBEmerson]

+1!  I've used the "Raspberry and Lemon" colored Howard Leight plugs for a while.  When they work, they're fantastic, when they don't... they're just another plug.  I wish I could figure out what I do wrong when they don't seal, but at least they are comfortable when they're sealed up.  I like my Ety ER-6i ear buds, and they give consistent sound isolation, but sometimes they also make my ears itch after a while.  Anyway, give the Howard Leight stuff a try - they're definitely better than the stuff you find at Homer and Lowe "safety" racks!  

[olderigetfasteriam]

Take your chances and stop at the local mom and pop motels. Chances are you are going to get a crappy one every now and then but you will also find some nice folks who like motorcyclists. I would rather give my 40 bucks or whatever to Mom and Pop instead of a Holiday 6 Red Roof Quality Crap Inn anyday. Usually can find some good eating nearby in the small towns as well (as opposed to the frikin Waffle House).

[2Pokey]

I wish I knew where to find a touring tent. You know, one you don't mind setting up after a long ride.
I want one that sets up easily and fast.
You know the kind? Tell me.....

I use the Eureka Apex. I can set up pretty quick. As a backpackers tent it packs small, is lightweight and is durable. Tear down always takes twice as long because it has to fit back into a bag that seems to shrink overnight. The only time I mind setting up is in the rain. I will keep riding and set up late and in the dark to avoid a wet setup. Ive also set up in a pavilion during a hard rain and then carried it completely setup to my site and just plopped it down.  

[info]

I know that one! I think it's called "Motel 6"  

I know that one!  
More tents, more tents......