FJR / Tent / Camping Suggestions

[Aasland]

Being an avid hiker and camper, I love tent camping. I would really like to learn more about the equipment and packing techniques you guys use to tent camp while on the road riding.
1) Size, brand, type of tent?

- REI Camp Dome 2 w/ground cloth. 2-man tent, so big enough for me plus gear.

2) Size, brand, type of pad used with tent?

- Inflatable mattress with a thin wool blanket for insulation, plus sleeping bag. Infaltable mattresses are heavier than pads, but pack down smaller, and IMO much more comfy.

3) What are the best places on the bike to pack the tent, pad and whatnot?

- Rear seat, for weight centralization. Use a dry bag.

4) Where are your packing a sleeping bag?

- Rear seat, in dry bag with tent. Too bulky for precious sidecases.

5) Anyone doing two-up and still camping? if so, how do you deal with #1, #2, #3 and #4 above?

- Nope. She rides her own ;-) Buddy has done two-up though, had to sacrifice lots.

6) Any pictures of your setup?

- Yup, but just imagine a tent / sleeping bag bungied to the rear seat.

I really want to make this work but I really need some help on how to make it real world practical.
Thoughts and ideas are greatly appreciated!

I used to pack cooking utensils etc but found it was better to stop for food earlier, and then in the morning I get some miles in b4 breakfast. Bringing cooking and food junk was too bulky. I ride, eat, ride, eat, and then camp later. I set up quickly, read a bit, then sleep. Get up at dawn, pack up, ride to breakfast. But if I'm in a group, and we stop earlier and have social time and a meal, I may consider bringing cooking stuff. If I make a beer run back to the campsite, the topcase works well to hold ice and micro's ;-)

I make sure to bring sandals (light, small) as getting out of the boots feels great!

Also .. haven't found a comfy lounging chair that's easy to bring on the bike, so I have a 1" thick foam pad for sitting on the picnic tables (I pack this on the rear seat under the tent etc).

Take some overnighter local trips and practice, you'll find what works.

 

[RatoneMuerto]

To All,
Thoughts and ideas are greatly appreciated!

Mark

Tons of info on this link: https://www.advrider.com/forums//showthread...723&page=21

Yep, that would be the best place for moto camping and equipment info.

Can I get an AMEN somebody?

 

[tcfjr]

John:

I put more clear tubing on the front-most cross piece of the rear rack, which is the only place the bag touches a painted surface. Add a little blue painters tape where the front straps might rub on the side plastic below the seat, and you're all set.

Brian -
Thanks for the description. I finally rec'd my Medium MotoFizz bag.

Question - Other than the clear tubing to protect the rails where you're attaching the straps, have you done any other "protection" for the bottom of the bag and where it contacts the stock rack?

Thanks,

John

[i looked around, and I don't have any other pictures of the mounting, but I'll try to describe it. The next time I put the bag on the bike, I'll take a full set of photos.
MotoFizz bags come with four adjustable straps that mount to the bike. These straps attach to buckles on the bag. This makes it easy to remove the bag from the bike - just pop the buckles, and carry the bag off. An extra cross-shaped buckle set comes with the bag, and attaches to the fixed straps on the bike when the bag isn't in use. This keeps the straps from flapping around if you go for a ride with the bag off.

I put the rear straps on the stock rack, with a piece of clear, 1"OD plastic tubing to protect the finish on the rack. (At other times, I've wrapped blue masking tape on the finished areas for protection.) The rear straps don't need adjustment, so I tied off the excess strap length to keep it from flapping at speeds.

The front straps mount on the trapezoidal frame piece that the passenger foot pegs are mounted on. The foot pegs attach to the bottom section, and the straps mount on the upper section. Again, use the clear plastic tubing or masking tape to protect the finish.

Once the straps are on, I attach the bag by putting it almost completely on the rear rack, tilting it back to buckle in to the rear straps. Then I attach the front straps, and tighten them down. Tie off the excess to reduce flapping.

It takes 10 seconds to take the bag off, and about 45 seconds to mount it, adjust it, and cinch everything down.