2-up touring and camping
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: Livingston, La.
Most Wanted, Unless you are able to handle 100 degree days with 80% or better humidity then you may want to put off Louisiana in August. I truly love my state but after living here all my life I've seen some of my kin visiting from the North leave after a few days. My wifes brother and his family came to visit one July 4th from Penn State. They asked if we had any place they could walk after lunch and we sent them to our local ball park. The next day after lunch I asked if they were going for a walk and they answered very fast. Hell No, we are staying here in the AC with you. I laughed so hard I was crying as they called me many names the day before when I refused to go on the walk with them. It did not take a long learning curve for them to know why they didn't see others out walking. The shade covered roads of middle Pennsylvania don't see the temps and humidity of South Louisiana. Later Fairshake
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: Livingston, La.
There are only two ways to motorcycle camp. One is to use backpackers gear with a one burner stove and down bags. This gear may be strapped on the top of the saddlebags and front bars. The best way is to install a hitch and purchase a trailer. The bike will handle better as it is pulling and not packing all the weight. If you have the funds then one of the fiberglass models is the way to go. If your funds are a little tite as mine are, then an all aluminum trailer is hard to beat. I purchased one that is 5 ft long, they also sell a 4 ft model. They pull so easy that you have to look back to see if it's still there. If you pack them correctly with the weight on the trailers axle and not on the tongue you will have no trouble.
One thing nobody mentioned here is trying to leave in the morning.
Unless you like mold and mildew and musty smelling crap, you have to wait until the morning dew burns off your gear before you break camp.
Some days that's 9am... some days it's 11. I would rather be on the road by 7 to get a good start to the day.
and then.....
I'm with these guys.
Unless you like mold and mildew and musty smelling crap, you have to wait until the morning dew burns off your gear before you break camp.
Some days that's 9am... some days it's 11. I would rather be on the road by 7 to get a good start to the day.
and then.....
I'm with these guys.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,984
Likes: 5,222
From: Michigan
Two-up riding on a sort trip, bungee cords may be okay, but two-up riding on a long trip, or long trip and camping, I'm with the trailer crowd.
I bought my first trailer at a swap meet in '92 and my wife stayed mad at me for a week.
After our first trip, she was spoiled.
When I told her that my cousin wanted to buy my bike and trailer (I had a new one on order) "as is", her first words were "you're gonna buy a new trailer, right"?
In '95 I bought a new Escapade trailer (paint matched to my '95 Heritage) with air shocks and a swivel hitch. No bounce and I hardly know it's behind me. I even towed my trailer to Alaska (for the gear) and I rode solo.
The important thing with a trailer is keeping new/good tires on it and frequently (daily) checking the tire pressure and having "buddy bearings" and a mini grease gun to make sure your bearings are well lubricated.
I doubt that I'll ever use it again, but if I do, a new set of wheels and tires and it will be ready to go.
I bought my first trailer at a swap meet in '92 and my wife stayed mad at me for a week.
After our first trip, she was spoiled.
When I told her that my cousin wanted to buy my bike and trailer (I had a new one on order) "as is", her first words were "you're gonna buy a new trailer, right"?
In '95 I bought a new Escapade trailer (paint matched to my '95 Heritage) with air shocks and a swivel hitch. No bounce and I hardly know it's behind me. I even towed my trailer to Alaska (for the gear) and I rode solo.
The important thing with a trailer is keeping new/good tires on it and frequently (daily) checking the tire pressure and having "buddy bearings" and a mini grease gun to make sure your bearings are well lubricated.
I doubt that I'll ever use it again, but if I do, a new set of wheels and tires and it will be ready to go.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 574
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City
The trailer idea does sound good, but I am not sure it is in the budget for now. I know it will be hot *** hell in La that time. I am not even sure we will make it out of AR but we might as I have a cuz that lives in Shreveport. We would also like to check out Duck Commanders HQ. Oh and the OL said we are not tent camping on our honeymoon but I think she might go for a few nights thrown in when she sees how much $ we will save!
Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 408
Likes: 5
From:
I'll sell ya mine for 600 bux.......just one state over.....
That is a piggybacker trailer. I am selling because i am a fabricator by trade and have a few changes in mind to make a trailer better suit my needs. Got the hitch from MCHITCH.....pulled like a dream. and for sale..
Agreed with Louisiana in August, you may want to rethink the dates for that area, even the Ozarks are quite humid that time of year. GO NORTH where you actually NEED a sleeping bag at night.
That is a piggybacker trailer. I am selling because i am a fabricator by trade and have a few changes in mind to make a trailer better suit my needs. Got the hitch from MCHITCH.....pulled like a dream. and for sale..
Agreed with Louisiana in August, you may want to rethink the dates for that area, even the Ozarks are quite humid that time of year. GO NORTH where you actually NEED a sleeping bag at night.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 118
Likes: 3
From: Texas
One thing to think about are Granite compression bags. I've used them for years and you can pack a lot of things in 'em. I first started using them when I did a lot of cross country "hut to hut" skiing.
www.granitegearstore.com
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www.granitegearstore.com
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Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 907
Likes: 8
From: Greeneville, TN
Roughing it
One thing nobody mentioned here is trying to leave in the morning.
Unless you like mold and mildew and musty smelling crap, you have to wait until the morning dew burns off your gear before you break camp.
Some days that's 9am... some days it's 11. I would rather be on the road by 7 to get a good start to the day.
and then.....
I'm with these guys.
Unless you like mold and mildew and musty smelling crap, you have to wait until the morning dew burns off your gear before you break camp.
Some days that's 9am... some days it's 11. I would rather be on the road by 7 to get a good start to the day.
and then.....
I'm with these guys.
I guess that's why they make strawberry and chocolate.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 4
From: The Great River Road, Wisconsin
Mama has reached the age where Hotels or nothing.
It is also simply amazing how much gear (including the kitchen sink) can be held in just the hard side saddle bags, let alone the tour pack. We can pack for a week of hoteling it and still have room for souvenirs for everyone.
Gotta love these pigs we ride.......
It is also simply amazing how much gear (including the kitchen sink) can be held in just the hard side saddle bags, let alone the tour pack. We can pack for a week of hoteling it and still have room for souvenirs for everyone.
Gotta love these pigs we ride.......