Seriously, you can't do that.
Sportster touring & camping
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 6
Then, I park the van about 10 miles out of town, pull the bike off, splash some fake dirt and bugs on it and roll in like I rode it all the way.
I'll grow up and buy a big bike sometime. Then I can wear THIS super kewl shirt!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 8
From: Wheeling, WV
Yeah, you're right. It's impossible to tour on a Sporty. I actually load mine up, put it on a trailer and two it behind the van when I want to go somewhere.
Then, I park the van about 10 miles out of town, pull the bike off, splash some fake dirt and bugs on it and roll in like I rode it all the way.
I'll grow up and buy a big bike sometime. Then I can wear THIS super kewl shirt!
Then, I park the van about 10 miles out of town, pull the bike off, splash some fake dirt and bugs on it and roll in like I rode it all the way.
I'll grow up and buy a big bike sometime. Then I can wear THIS super kewl shirt!
Exactly.
HAHA,
I bought a light tent and sleeping bag minutes after buying my bike, for this occassion. I can't wait to get some camping done on the bike this year. I'm not a big fan of saddle bags so I will have to do with just and big bag on the backrest. Most of my trips will just be weekend camping anyway cuz I don't have any more vacation time at work and I don't want to **** anyone off by taking off anyway. I'd like to stay employed during this chity economy.
I bought a light tent and sleeping bag minutes after buying my bike, for this occassion. I can't wait to get some camping done on the bike this year. I'm not a big fan of saddle bags so I will have to do with just and big bag on the backrest. Most of my trips will just be weekend camping anyway cuz I don't have any more vacation time at work and I don't want to **** anyone off by taking off anyway. I'd like to stay employed during this chity economy.
See my sig pic. The only items missing are the tent and sleeping bag. I usually mount them above the roll bag and use them as a back rest when I have my feet stretched out over the highway pegs...
Last edited by iceman336; Mar 10, 2011 at 02:56 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 9
From: la grange, il (near chicago)
if you can pack stuff in such a way that it gives you a backrest, it will make for an easier ride with that extra support.
instead of getting one sleeping bag, get two sleeping bag liners. these are really just sleeping bags that will slip inside other sleeping bags. you can pack them separately and thus have more packing options.
try some big agnes produts - good quality, good price
bring along a nylon net bag. many uses. put your wet towel in it and use the wind to dry it out. put stinky clothes in it to air out.
i need a pillow when i sleep. i have a small - pillow case like thing that i stuff with jacket, unused clothes, etc. - works greate
there are a number of crushable / foldable plates and bowels on the market that are perfect for this
aluminum foil - take it off the cardboard roll and take along to be used for cooking. dump into som alluminum foil ground beed, chopped up onion, chopped up green pepper, maybe some carrots, tomatoe, etc. add salt and pepper and sauce (ketchup, hot sauce) and throw on the camp fire. maybe turn it 5-10 min and you have a meal. eat out of the aluminum foil. when done, throw it away. another one - variation on scrambled eggs - same type of thing but make the foil into more of a bowel - crack the eggs and scramble in the foil and add whatever and on the fire. quick and easy. having foil eliminates the need for pans, etc.
instead of getting one sleeping bag, get two sleeping bag liners. these are really just sleeping bags that will slip inside other sleeping bags. you can pack them separately and thus have more packing options.
try some big agnes produts - good quality, good price
bring along a nylon net bag. many uses. put your wet towel in it and use the wind to dry it out. put stinky clothes in it to air out.
i need a pillow when i sleep. i have a small - pillow case like thing that i stuff with jacket, unused clothes, etc. - works greate
there are a number of crushable / foldable plates and bowels on the market that are perfect for this
aluminum foil - take it off the cardboard roll and take along to be used for cooking. dump into som alluminum foil ground beed, chopped up onion, chopped up green pepper, maybe some carrots, tomatoe, etc. add salt and pepper and sauce (ketchup, hot sauce) and throw on the camp fire. maybe turn it 5-10 min and you have a meal. eat out of the aluminum foil. when done, throw it away. another one - variation on scrambled eggs - same type of thing but make the foil into more of a bowel - crack the eggs and scramble in the foil and add whatever and on the fire. quick and easy. having foil eliminates the need for pans, etc.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 282
Likes: 42
From: Pennsylvania
I would just add, watch how much weight you have on those rear racks if your riding two up and using the stock shocks. Riding fully loaded with my son, broke drive belt, need to check tension and leave on the loose side. Other problem is when you bottom out with the stock shocks you can cut into the rear light harness, fixed that also already. I carry a spare crank sensor ( 2004 rubbermount), on my third one now.
Ive added a oil cooler, and run mobil 1, thats all it takes to make the motor happy for all day driving. For me I added air shocks, front springs, windshield, handlebars, seat. I do at least one 5 day run a year, on top of my normal riding. A well maintained bike is going to be reliable, I dont even worry about the bike while on the road.
Ive added a oil cooler, and run mobil 1, thats all it takes to make the motor happy for all day driving. For me I added air shocks, front springs, windshield, handlebars, seat. I do at least one 5 day run a year, on top of my normal riding. A well maintained bike is going to be reliable, I dont even worry about the bike while on the road.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
It actually rides pretty good with all our gear on it, I didn't have any trouble bottoming out and the front end wasn't too light. It looks like it'll wheelie though with all the **** hanging off the back. I will check the belt tension now that you mention it, I just put a new rear tire on it so the belt's snugged up.
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,230
Likes: 12
From: Mount Holly, NC
hey if anyone checked out those compression bags, don't bother buying them without knowing this first: they work great, but the d-ring straps are weak. they'll probably last a riding season before the threads give up.
wal-mart has nylong strapping with plastic buckles. i found them in the camping area. handy as hell for tying things down.
wal-mart has nylong strapping with plastic buckles. i found them in the camping area. handy as hell for tying things down.
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