Motorcycle Camping Gear

[rcpd807]

I am seriously pondering getting into camping while riding to save money and enjoy the outdoors. My farkle budget pretty much dead at the moment, but I can't complain because I have a :clapping: Russell :yahoo: on the way.

Does anyone have a tent, sleeping bag, etc that they no longer use and would want to sell cheap? I am only looking for the basic essentials at this point and putting out a feeler to see what might be available.

Thanks

 

[SacramentoMike]

It's good to get a deal, but the tent and the bag are about the two bulkiest things you'll use camping. I think it's worth it to wait till you can spend a little more and get some good backpacking gear that compresses much smaller than a more general-use one you might find at Target or Walmart. It's size, not weight on a m/c. Get a light bag and get a liner separately (silk or nylon). Very compact and gives you at least 10 extra degrees when it's cold. A ground pad, like a Thermorest, is worth its weight in gold, too, IMO. I love camping on the bike; like someone here said, I don't much remember any motel room I've slept in, but I remember every campsite I've ever had. It's true.

p.s., Don't bother with cooking gear. Too bulky, too much hassle. Better to get up, pack up, and get in a bunch of miles before you stop for breakfast.

 

[FJRFrank]

I agree with SacramentoMike on his suggestions. While you may want to rush in order to get something you'd only be wasting time and money. You need a sleeping bag that will keep you warm and will compress like crazy. The modern bags will do that and they weigh next to nothing besides. A liner is a good buy because besides keeping you warm, it keeps your bag clean. The Thermorest pad is another great suggestion. They aren't cheap, but they pack small, they keep you from feeling the ground and they are quite comfortable. As for a tent, again the same things apply. Take a look at Kelty Gunnison for either their 2 man tent, or if you want a bit more room, look at their 3 man tent. It's light, keeps you dry, packs small and has excellent reviews. I load all my stuff into a 12x18 duffle I bought at Walmart for $9. Fits on the bike great and its pretty water resistant too.

-- Frank --

 

[johnny80s]

Coldcut and I just returned from a week of camping and riding. I don't have any extra gear but I will offer you this.

We found great stuff at REI for song. If you are a member you get discount coupons every few months for 20% off.

Camp Dome 2 tent $99

They have tons of sleeping bags and pads on the web site and their outlet site. I got a 2 inch sleeping pad and was very comfortable even in rocky campsites.

If you are 6 feet or shorter you will find lots of cheap stuff. If you are taller, like me, you will find stuff but it will not be as cheap. If you are bigger look at the Big Agnes sleeping bags.

I would recommend getting a Jet Boil though. It is specialized camp stove for boiling water. It will boil two cups of water in 2 minutes. We made coffee, oatmeal and boiled water for dehydrated meals. It is a hundred bucks but totally worth it when you just want to get up and have a cup of coffee or something warm to eat. It is also nice to make some hot chocolate at night and if you are a rammen man it makes top rammen very easily. You can save a lot money eating rammen and oatmeal.

Good luck.

 

[rcpd807]

Thanks for the information thus far. Maybe someone who has some of this top quality gear who no longer wants it, will pass by soon wanting to unload it.

 

[johnny80s]

Ok I have one more thing. Go to ADV Rider. Lots of people were getting rid of gear over there. Tons of used gear.

Just be careful and don't get crabs from the used sleeping bag like my friend did in Jr High. That was fun when he had to explain that to his mom.

 

[SacramentoMike]

Sure. THAT'S where he got those crabs. :lol:

 

[johnny80s]

Sure. THAT'S where he got those crabs. :lol:

Funny thing is he got the bag cleaned at the dry cleaners and used it for years after that. At one point he gave the bag to me in a trade about 15 years ago. Nobody will use the bag in my family because I have all told them the story. It is an vietnam era, down mummy bag.

If the OP wants it he can have it for the shipping costs. With what it weighs it would probably be about 30 bucks or so to ship. It is very warm. Send me a PM if you want the crab bag.

 

[ALDAWG]

LOL, the crab bag! Very funny!!!! But I totally agree, some of my best trips have been moto-camping also. I use the Eureka 2 man dome tent from Dicks, it packs down very small, and that is the key. McDonalds coffee is very good, dollar menu is your friend I can go thousands of miles this way on a very low budget.

 

[JR'SFJR]

Pretty much mentioned already, but the first place I would spend money is for a quality sleeping bag and pad, that are light and pack small. Good ones aren't cheap. If you go to the mountains where the riding is fun, it's common to have temps in the 30's and 40's at night. For me. being cold gets old quickly. I have a Big Agnes 15 degree with an insulated 2" air mattress. It's nice knowing ya are going to be comfy all night with a t shirt and shorts. A light, thin silk bag liner can keep the bag clean, but more importantly, makes the bag about 10 degree warmer if needed.

 

[Geezer]

I know that smaller is better when packing for a long motorcycle ride, but I like a tent that is big enough that I can dress in it without crawling on the floor. I pack a Eureka Tetragon 8, which is a 4 man dome and sells new for around $100. I also like to be comfy when sleeping so I carry an air mattress and battery powered compressor which you can get for about $30 new. Sleeping bags vary a lot in size, weight, and how warm they keep you, but you can get a nice comfy bag for under $50. All this for under $200 and you're good for years of camping in comfort.

 

[Auburn]

Check out Cabelas they are having a Fall camping sale.

Cabelas

might find what you want there