Camping setups while sport touring?

[Croak]

x10000  

Many cheapskates will balk at the price, but it's one of the best small air mattress out there.  The down inside of it keeps the earth from sucking the heat out you.

Like other have said, by name brand backpacking gear.  You get what you pay for.  Compression sacks are key.  If it's just me I can get my entire camping setup in one side case.  I I have Mrs CB along I can fit aan entire setup for 2 in just my top case.

The problem with both the Exped and the Big Agnes insulated is that in warm weather, they become hot tubs.  Filled with your own sweat.  

[Shizoku]

The tent/poles, 40* sleeping bag and chair all fit in one 35 liter Givi bag, along with a tent light and a few other small camping items.

Sweet!  I think the Duc Multi topcase is a 48 liter, which I'm hoping will hold camping stuff for 2.

Dave in Valencia

[obx-rider]

1-up camping is pretty easy. About my only comment is use a 2-man tent...a 1-man is just too small. 1-up ultra light and  ultra small is just not necessary.

Extended 2-up touring camping is another thing entirely. Our first long camping ride we took our SD Clip 3 tent, our 1/2 length backpacking thermrest pads, synthetic material light sleeping bags, jetboil coffee making set, etc. We were doing a big CO, NM, AZ, UT loop and half way thru we shipped the camping gear home. It just weighted down the bike too much. And we were going from 90 degrees to snow...and the synthetic bags just didn't cut it,the backpcking pads not comfie enough.

Our next trip I started with the lightest roomy tent I could find. A Henry Shires tarp tent made of silnylon called the Rainshadow 2. Good sleeping pads were absolutely required and we got a Neoair for me and a prolite plus for the wife. Golite 40 degree down bags w/ lite wt long undies finished the essentials. The one thing we couldn't give up was coffee ... but we settled for Starbucks Via instant cooked over my Whisperlite stove.

We also went with fewer clothes and the ones we took were quick drying. Some gear had two functions... my polartec vest folded in the sleeping bag bag was my pillow. Our rain gear was an extra layer for cold. The key was to think like a backpacker ... save the ounces and the pounds take care of themselves. We were 25 lbs lighter the second trip.

We stay at nice motels every third day ... but looking back we don't remember those. What we remember is primitive camping on the Burr Trail in Utah ... or on the Rio Grande River in Big Bend ...

[sleazy rider]

Sweet!  I think the Duc Multi topcase is a 48 liter, which I'm hoping will hold camping stuff for 2.

Dave in Valencia

Watch your loading.  The camping gear does have some weight to it.  I keep it down low in a side bag and ensure both bags balance.

[obx-rider]

Watch your loading.  The camping gear does have some weight to it.  I keep it down low in a side bag and ensure both bags balance.

What he said.

Light fluffy stuff in the top case, heavy stuff in the sidebag, frequently needed stuff in a tankbag.

[bluepoof]

Poof,
How long does it take to pump it up?
Dave

About 70 pumps, so however long that takes you.  2 minutes sounds about right (hat tip to Cablebandit).

[Nodaclu]

The items listed here might be worth a look:

http://theoasisofmysoul.com/?p=18202

Scroll down a bit to the gear review.

[birdrunner]

Re pads:  I use a Exped 9 down pad with pump.

http://www.rei.com/product/780365/exped-downmat-9-sleeping-pad-with-pump

I've tried many others and this one rocks.  No need to use space for a separate pump or trash my asthmatic lungs.  I can easily sleep on my side or back and it's comfortable even after my disc injury.  

It folds up to 6"x9" but I use the Helen 2 Wheels method of packing (http://cdn.racerpartswholesale.com/downloads/HelenTwowheels.pdf), so I never fold it back up.  

Had Thermarest, but moved up.

The Exped is the warmest most comfortable sleeping pad you can get.  We   ours.  At night the ground cools quickly, and most heat loss is through the BOTTOM of your sleeping bag as your weight compresses it there, thus rending it's insulating value to close to useless.  Pure air mattresses are still cold as a single pocket of air doesn't stop heat convection.  The downfilled Exped  solves those issues.   IIRC they were designed for ice climbing and winter camping.

[birdrunner]

I have 2 Expeds.  One with the integrated pump and one that uses the storage sack to inflate it.  I'd say it takes me about 2 minutes to inflate either one.

Ditto,

[ripdaddy]

    Some like to cook on tour, I don't.   A box of pop tarts, bag of dried fruit and water are all I bring now.  It's easier to stop at restaurants than break out the gear and then clean up.  That said, I have seen other riders put together some pretty slick meals over their little camp stoves and make it look easy.  

[bomber]

take everything out if the bag it came in and put it in a stuff sack -- I see many folks with tents bungies across the back of their seat . . . get a stuff sack for the tent, a long, narrow bag for the poles, anad your packing alternative suddenly multiply manyfold . . . .

Me, I like to get everything into my two hard bags (a bit more of a challnege if I'm cooking, but still doable) -- this makes leaving the bike out of sight for a few moments less nerve wracking, it lessens that chance of stuff falling off, and it makes getting on and off the bike easier (I am not as bending as I used to was).

[highside]

+1 on stuff sacks.

A trip to REI should set you right for just about everything. While weight requirements for moto camping arent as strict as for backpacking, it still matters and lots of crappy heavy gear adds up real fast. Avoid cheaping out on camping gear for moto camping.

[Mastros2]

We're actually looking at our gear again.  We have a small 4-man tent (Kelty Grand Mesa 4) but maybe looking at a 2-man tent for solo trips. Also, we have 2 REI 3.5" sleeping pads and 30 degree down bags.  Since size isn't too much of a concern, we went with the 3.5" pad for comfort.

Recently, we purchased some compression sacks for the tent and bags to get them smaller.  

If you keep your gear dry, the down bags pack much smaller than synthetic bags. Closeouts are nice too!

[CLAY]

This was my accommodations for nearly 5 weeks this summer.  



The tent/poles, 40* sleeping bag and chair all fit in one 35 liter Givi bag, along with a tent light and a few other small camping items.

I have a setup like you sleazy, but this tent (it comes with a compression sack):
http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=713889&destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct.jsp%3FproductId%3D746705&WTz_l=YMAL%3BIK-516763#productChart

I also have this bag:

The Cabelas XPG backpacker mummy bag (it comes with a compression sack).  The rolled-up sleeping pad rides above the camping side case bungeed to the handle.
I too can get the tent, poles, sleeping bag and cook stove/pans (a one-man set) in one side case.  

I usually carry my camping gear in the left side case and all my rain gear in the right side case.  That way in worst case scenario and I need to pull over on the highwayto get on the rain gear, I am working on the right hand side of the bike away from traffic.  My top case then contains any food supplies but is usually just a catch- all for odds and ends, mostly empty (unless we just got groceries for the night and morning).  I also usually strap a larger fold-up chair on.  I'm afraid I'd tip over on Sleazy's chair after a campfire bender.  

A piece of camping advice (prolly common sense that most people do)- we usually stop in the evening at a local grocery store and grab groceries for that night's meal and the next morning's breakfast.  The only thing I usually take along are some of the "just add water" meals from the grocery store.  Not the high-end expensive ones, but the cheap .99 ones that are chicken noodles, or chicken-rice or whatever.  They are cheap and light.  The groceries we buy locally are the bigger things like meat and eggs and such.  I also carry a small stainless grate.  One guy buys a bundle of firewood (if the campsite doesn't have any) for cooking the meat on, I have a backpacking stove for cooking the sides on.

I have used that setup all around the country from warm weather along the Blue Ridge to the best camping spot ever on James Bay:

 The bike is parked on Canadian Shield rock and my tent is right next to it on a deep bed of moss.  No pad needed that night!  

Man I'd love to do that trip again...  

[sleazy rider]

We're actually looking at our gear again.  We have a small 4-man tent (Kelty Grand Mesa 4) but maybe looking at a 2-man tent for solo trips.

You'll save hardly any packing room.  I had an REI one man style that got sold when the Alps 3 man tent was purchased.  I appreciate having the elbow and head height in the bigger tent, especially when the bugs are thick.  Take the small chair inside and read ebooks on the iPad before going to bed.

[Mastros2]

You'll save hardly any packing room.  I had an REI one man style that got sold when the Alps 3 man tent was purchased.  I appreciate having the elbow and head height in the bigger tent, especially when the bugs are thick.  Take the small chair inside and read ebooks on the iPad before going to bed.

That is what I am thinking now. I do appreciate the extra space.

[CLAY]

I have always gone with a two-man for solo- it just gives you a bit more room for gear.  

Plus it's great in case you are at a dirt-bike weekend and some drunk dude crawls in there with you, right Ed?  

[Trekker]

Moto-camping is easy if you break it down to manageable sections.
Shelter- I use a Eureka Backcountry 2 tent for it's ease of setup & small pack size. Down sleeping bag & a pad get packed into a waterproof bag strapped (w/ ROK Straps) to the rear seat (keep the sleeping gear separate from the tent). Always stake the tent down... DAMHIK
Clothes- pack light, take 1/2 of what you think you need... except socks & undies. Pack a minimalist wash kit.
Gear- all the stuff needed depending where you eat.

Develop a packing system and stick to it. It makes it easier to find stuff in the dark.

Try to think of multi-use items... like water shoes/sandals for use off the bike & in the shower....
Think pack size instead of pack weight.
You can learn a lot by checking what other riders have when out on an adventure.

[sammyseaman]

I have always gone with a two-man for solo- it just gives you a bit more room for gear.  

Plus it's great in case you are at a dirt-bike weekend and some drunk dude crawls in there with you, right Ed?  

 

[ConPilot1]

I need a better/more comfy mattress. I have an original full-size forest green Thermarest self inflating foam mattress. It's been a great piece of gear, I purchased it damn near 20 years ago and it's still
perfectly functional although it needs a little lip action on the valve to inflate it fully. However it's big, and it's kinda heavy, probably due to the internal foam content. Same with my tent. I want to get something lighter weight eventually. Mine's a 4-season REI, great tent, bombproof but a bit overkill for light spring/summer camping, but when the weather gets kinda cold, it's the shit for deep fall/cold spring campout. At least 15-20 degrees warmer in the tent with a live breathing body in there.

Sleeping bags are another story. IMO you need 2. A light spring/summer 40° bag, I bought a new Marmot this year and I love it. Not quite enough for deep fall though.
I'll be on the hunt for a quality fall/cold spring bag, probably a North Face, Mt. Hardware, Marmot, or similar. I've been eyeballing the North Face Cat's Meow which seems to be a very highly rated bag for the price albeit pushing the 20° temperature rating. Most users love the bag, but consider it more like a 30° bag. Same with my new Marmot 40 Minimalist. 40 would be pushing it. I'd call it a 50° comfort level bag.

I've been camping all my life and have seen gear come and go. Good gear lasts near indefinitely with proper care aside from mishaps. Cheap gear you'll end up replacing every few years and/or loses any kind of
resale value whatsoever should you want to sell the old to upgrade to newer stuff. Top level gear can get quite expensive though, so many times for me it's been a compromise of price/quality.

My advice is to buy the best you can afford and keep your gear selections focused on what you're going to use it for. Minimalist/backpacking/MC camp gear is very different from car camping gear. Coleman stuff is usually quite robust and works well, but you're NOT going to pack an arsenal of Coleman gear on a motorcycle.