Camping on tour
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 850
Likes: 8
From: Tennessee
Camping from an ultra that is a luxury. I camped a ton off of my sporty.
I have a large REI duffle bag that has a tent from REI http://www.rei.com/product/731378 love this tent. I camp a lot and I will disagree with some of our friends here. You want a good tent! This one is only $100 but I have had it in some serious storms and pack small. I also have a cool tent light from cabela's hangs from the inside of the tent and is pure luxery. You also need a good sleeping bag and a sleeping pad. You want a chair. There is a great packable one called the saddle bag chair. It folds down small but has a back. http://www.jpcycles.com/product/830-549 . I also take a stove and cooking gear. And you do need a head lamp. The perfect stove for bike camping is http://www.rei.com/product/660163
I personally also take a small backpacking table. This is the PERFECT rally piece. Since unlike a camp ground rallys dont have a picnic table for everyone. http://www.rei.com/product/814319 . I am a whimp so I do have a backpack pillow. I have some waterproof bags that I throw clothes in. I keep teh duffle packed so I can just go. The duffle get strapped to my backseat.
Since I got married and our honeymoon is riding to sturgis I just got us a 4 man tent from REI since last week as a member I got a discount. http://www.rei.com/product/794298
Below is a pic of my tent/ bike and then me both at steel steads the MC camp. Plus a pic of my bike loaded with the camping duffle.
I have a large REI duffle bag that has a tent from REI http://www.rei.com/product/731378 love this tent. I camp a lot and I will disagree with some of our friends here. You want a good tent! This one is only $100 but I have had it in some serious storms and pack small. I also have a cool tent light from cabela's hangs from the inside of the tent and is pure luxery. You also need a good sleeping bag and a sleeping pad. You want a chair. There is a great packable one called the saddle bag chair. It folds down small but has a back. http://www.jpcycles.com/product/830-549 . I also take a stove and cooking gear. And you do need a head lamp. The perfect stove for bike camping is http://www.rei.com/product/660163
I personally also take a small backpacking table. This is the PERFECT rally piece. Since unlike a camp ground rallys dont have a picnic table for everyone. http://www.rei.com/product/814319 . I am a whimp so I do have a backpack pillow. I have some waterproof bags that I throw clothes in. I keep teh duffle packed so I can just go. The duffle get strapped to my backseat.
Since I got married and our honeymoon is riding to sturgis I just got us a 4 man tent from REI since last week as a member I got a discount. http://www.rei.com/product/794298
Below is a pic of my tent/ bike and then me both at steel steads the MC camp. Plus a pic of my bike loaded with the camping duffle.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 439
Likes: 1
From: Orange Co, California
I'm getting one of these for ROT in June...
http://www.amazon.com/Kamp-Rite-Comp...=1WQ4QPZBNC1A5
I'll let you know how I like it. The only potential issue I saw is that it's 40 inches long when packed away, but I dont think it will be a big deal to strap onto the tour-pak luggage rack.
http://www.amazon.com/Kamp-Rite-Comp...=1WQ4QPZBNC1A5
I'll let you know how I like it. The only potential issue I saw is that it's 40 inches long when packed away, but I dont think it will be a big deal to strap onto the tour-pak luggage rack.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 6
From: Indiana
There's a lot of good tips here. I love this site for Harley info. However, for a great site about motorcycle travel and camping, take a look at ADVRider. http://www.advrider.com That site is dedicated to motorcycling travel. Thousands of posts, reviews, and other pertinent info...from people that travel over the weekend, or for years on their motorcycles.
The Equipment forum there as tons of real life reviews on equipment such as tents, cookware, etc. Real life travelers that have even invented things to make your trip more enjoyable (for example, look at the SteverStove, by member ShadyRascal there...$9 for a great alcohol stove to cook on). You'll find lists of campgrounds, and even hundreds of members there will let you crash in a spare bedroom or in their backyard if you contact them in advance (they have 2 threads going with people volunteering camping space)...and usually have a warm meal, cold beer, and an enjoyable conversation waiting for you. It's their lifestyle on that site, and they welcome all riders (be prepared to take some good ribbing about having a Harley...but they are good people).
Again, nothing against this HD site...but you'll get years of reading material on what works and what doesn't on Advrider. If you have any questions, shoot me a PM...glad to give you some suggestions on tents, sleeping pads, cookware, etc that will last, is compact and light, and works. Hate to see you get a junk tent for $30 that won't stand up to a downpour or takes an hour to set up in pouring rain
The Equipment forum there as tons of real life reviews on equipment such as tents, cookware, etc. Real life travelers that have even invented things to make your trip more enjoyable (for example, look at the SteverStove, by member ShadyRascal there...$9 for a great alcohol stove to cook on). You'll find lists of campgrounds, and even hundreds of members there will let you crash in a spare bedroom or in their backyard if you contact them in advance (they have 2 threads going with people volunteering camping space)...and usually have a warm meal, cold beer, and an enjoyable conversation waiting for you. It's their lifestyle on that site, and they welcome all riders (be prepared to take some good ribbing about having a Harley...but they are good people).
Again, nothing against this HD site...but you'll get years of reading material on what works and what doesn't on Advrider. If you have any questions, shoot me a PM...glad to give you some suggestions on tents, sleeping pads, cookware, etc that will last, is compact and light, and works. Hate to see you get a junk tent for $30 that won't stand up to a downpour or takes an hour to set up in pouring rain
Last edited by mastery; Apr 15, 2011 at 08:21 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 850
Likes: 8
From: Tennessee
I looked at it like this...
Nice cot to sleep on versus the hard ground (I'll use a self-inflating pad in it too).
Site selection easier (not as concerned about roots and rocks).
Small footprint (can set it up right next to the bike).
Up off the ground will be nice if it rains.
No need to carry a ground cover like a tarp.
Like I said, after I get a chance to use it maybe I'll post a thread in the general forums or something about it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,466
Likes: 5
From: Alabama
You might be right. If you are this thing will kick *** in the summer. However the cot and tent parts seperate and the tent could be used alone on the ground. But the cold ground can suck just as bad and a quality cold weather sleeping bag should be able to counter some of the effect you're talking about. And as you said, I plan to use this in warm to hot weather. I did enough sleeping out in the cold in the Army. If it's too damn cold I'll get a hotel room.
I looked at it like this...
Nice cot to sleep on versus the hard ground (I'll use a self-inflating pad in it too).
Site selection easier (not as concerned about roots and rocks).
Small footprint (can set it up right next to the bike).
Up off the ground will be nice if it rains.
No need to carry a ground cover like a tarp.
Like I said, after I get a chance to use it maybe I'll post a thread in the general forums or something about it.
I looked at it like this...
Nice cot to sleep on versus the hard ground (I'll use a self-inflating pad in it too).
Site selection easier (not as concerned about roots and rocks).
Small footprint (can set it up right next to the bike).
Up off the ground will be nice if it rains.
No need to carry a ground cover like a tarp.
Like I said, after I get a chance to use it maybe I'll post a thread in the general forums or something about it.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
From: N.E. Ohio
3 man tent, tall enough to dress in, not expensive with ground tarp slightly smaller than tent, keep poles and stakes away from anything they can damage. Decent self inflating mat min. 2 in. thick and 25" wide, you"ll never stay on 20". 40 degree polyester, rectangle bag, it'll roll up the size of a T-Bag roll' mummys are too restrictive and if you get down wet it"ll never dry. Never set up in the rain ,after dark, or if it's too cold, go find a motel. P can, camping pillow. Pack it on seat, keep everything off tour pak.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 850
Likes: 8
From: Tennessee
I'd be happy to. I ordered one a couple days ago and it should be here soon. I'm in no hurry for it so I chose the free super-saver shiping from amazon. Once it gets here I'll set it up and post my thoughts. Maybe I'll leave it set up in my living room for a few days and let my 2 year old twins play on it and see how tough it is. LOL.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 435
Likes: 2
From: Alberta, Canada
http://luxurylite.com/cotindex.html
Kinda pricey but if you want to get off the ground that badly it should do the trick. Personally, I use an inflatable mattress, the kind that backpackers use (Not a heavy air mattress like you put in your basement when the in-laws show up looking for free room and board.). They come in thicknesses that will keep even the boniest @ss off the ground.
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 850
Likes: 8
From: Tennessee
This link is for a cot that would fit nicely in a tent and on a bike...
http://luxurylite.com/cotindex.html
Kinda pricey but if you want to get off the ground that badly it should do the trick. Personally, I use an inflatable mattress, the kind that backpackers use (Not a heavy air mattress like you put in your basement when the in-laws show up looking for free room and board.). They come in thicknesses that will keep even the boniest @ss off the ground.
http://luxurylite.com/cotindex.html
Kinda pricey but if you want to get off the ground that badly it should do the trick. Personally, I use an inflatable mattress, the kind that backpackers use (Not a heavy air mattress like you put in your basement when the in-laws show up looking for free room and board.). They come in thicknesses that will keep even the boniest @ss off the ground.
I have a tent and air mattress I use when my wife goes camping with me, but it takes up more space than I like when I'm solo. So I'm gonna give that $127 collapsible tentcot from kamprite a try.
Update: I just looked and the price for the tentcot on amazon went up since I ordered mine 2 days ago from $127 to $134. I guess it's a supply and demand thing?
Last edited by TitoFTW; Apr 15, 2011 at 12:58 PM.
Banned
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 20,823
Likes: 1,506
From: Nowhere
lol. Yup, depending on your definition of "nice". I stayed in a hotel 2 blocks off of Venice beach in Santa Monica once that did not even have air conditioning, but I thought it was real nice.
After riding all day, that $65 for a bed, hot shower, and ice machine sounds like a real bargain. Now-a-days, I can use my phone to look up a hotel on the fly and make a reservation for that night if I don't want to be tied down to an itinerary.
After riding all day, that $65 for a bed, hot shower, and ice machine sounds like a real bargain. Now-a-days, I can use my phone to look up a hotel on the fly and make a reservation for that night if I don't want to be tied down to an itinerary.