OK.. re-read and can you post a pic of your bike with all packed.. with the chair and table.. I wanna try camping this summer... Probably drive around the block and head back home though..LOL.. I have shopped tents that look like yours.. gonna search the equipment stated.. Hey bigfoot where is that tarp ? and I've about cover the bike, kinda thot of reg cover but this looks interesting.. I guess I hadn't planned on much but overnight at any one place.

Thanks...

 

I used three Kuryakyn bags...an Ultra, Classic, and Tombstone for big loads (about a week trip or so or with lots of cold weather gear). I placed the Classic bag (the top round one) more forward. The velcro part holds the Alps table.



I triple strap the bags on. The set-up is pretty secure, even in high wind. I use waterproof stuff sacks for everything and that works well keeping things dry and organized without having to take the luggage off.



For this trip, the top bag had all of the tent and tarp gear and the bottom one had the sleeping bag, tennis shoes, and extra cold weather gear. The pockets and seat bag held the water, food, and stove, lantern, and propane canister. Since the poles for the tarp are 32" I needed to use another bag to strap it on. but that gives me more room if I pick something up on the road.

All of my sleeping gear stuffed:


While I have a backpacking stove, I just use a Coleman single lantern and stove that fits on the one-pound canisters. I have backpacking cooking gear and keep a few Mountain House meals packed in case I need to eat at the campsite (handy if you end up in the middle of nowhere!).



The tarp is more for being able to eat and sit out if it rains or to get out of the direct sun but it is nice for keeping the bike dry too.

The chair is so small packed, I carry it all of the time in a saddlebag:



If you have the time, a great place to get top of the line gear at low cost is Steep and Cheap. They have sales all day long but you have to watch.

 

Wow the chair is small when packed. You have learned well young jeti!!! hahahahaha And like the touch of that little table strapped on the bags.

 

And I see you bike is loaded with all the bags.. Looks great.. I have a ultra so I have the tour pack and am considering a xtra bag, thot that the sleeping bag and tent can be strapped on passinger seat.

 

I envy you. The hotels are just to expensive!

 

If you shop at backpacking stores for high quality equipment, and go ultralight, you can be comfortable in any weather, eat well, and not have to carry your load 2 or3 feet above your rear fender. Look at the book "The Complete Walker" by Colin Fletcher for lists- new editions available, with up to date equipment recs. I like the chair!

 

I agree with that. A good backpack for 3-4 days is about 4500 cu.in. and for a week, about 5500 cu.in.

Although it looks larger, my luggage is smaller than 4500 cu.in. inside. While the specs state that the Ultra Tour Bag will expand to say 20 inches, that includes all of the outside pockets. While you can stuff lots in the pockets, the inside cavern in not really all that large hence me having to use mostly compressible backpacking gear. Throw in an extra pair of shoes, water, stuff for a week, or cold weather gear, it fills up very quickly. I carry a rain suit and other normal riding stuff like tools, spare glasses, etc. in the saddlebags that you normally will not backpack with.

Not having the right gear or being too cold/hot or soaking wet can really turn a perfect trip to being a chore. Besides, it is fun figuring it all out and helps in looking forward to a few days off.

 

It has been way to cold and nasty to camp around here. That is some very nice gear that you have. My tent is about the same size when set up, but about 2X the size when packed up. I may have to hit Cabelas and see what is new in the world of tents.

 

Great thread, Biggerfoot. I thought camping season would never get here! I like your idea of using a tarp as a garage. Here are a couple of pics of my setup.





I've got several tents, sleeping bags, etc. All depends on the weather and on how long I'm going. I'm definitely a fan of the backpacking/ultralight gear on the market. Sure makes life simple. If you ever want to sift through a ton of motocamping info, check out: www.motocampers.com

 

Hotels are expensive, and can be hard to find vacancy unless planned well in advance. I wanted to have the option of riding and worring about lodging later.. Famous last words.