Camping on bike

[Roo Star]

Hi

I'm looking for some advice really, i haven't riden much recently due to a combination of accident (lost my nerve abit) and being pillion (catch 22, partner felt i was acting like the new rider i was so stuck me on back when only practice would have made me improve).

Anyway the partner is sadly no longer an issue and i have decided i do not want to give up my bike.

I could do with some time away and am on a budget, so i thought some camping weekends would be good. i already have a rentec rack and small Givi topbox (26l i think) that fit to my bike and i have access to a tent (measures about 60x20x20) and sleeping bag.

Please can you give me any advice on best ways to pack the bike, tips for riding with the extra luggage, tips for how/where i leave bike at campsite and anything else that could help me?

Sorry for the long post

[RichT]

You've several choices on how to pack the bike. Throw over panniers are pretty good, however if it's just you I'd say load your rear seat. Put the tent the rider side of your topbox across the bike (strap it to the rack) and then put a bag on the rear seat with any extra bits and pieces. With a reasonable size tank bag you should have all the room you need.

As for riding loaded-up - tis the same as riding with a pillion (easier infact) in terms of breaking etc. Just go steady and you'll be right.

Don't forget a puck!

[the_lone_wolf]

Small tent, something like a Blacks Octane 1, enough room to sleep with your biking kit in the sleep area - £50-300

Roll up self inflating matress, still the biggest thing you'll need to carry but a good night's sleep is invaluable - £5-20

Good sleeping bag, depending on when you're planning on camping 2/3 season, remember you can line it to make it warmer but if it's too hot you'll be uncomfortable - £20-100

Only thing I haven't worked out yet is the pillow, inflatables are uncomfy and the towel wrapped in a jumper is not quite right, still working on that one

Hard panniers are, officially, the nuts when it comes to going away, but soft panniers will work just fine, I usually managed to do a weekend away with a tankbag and rucksack so could strap tent etc to the pillion seat

This is mine loaded for a recent weekend away, frankly the panniers are obscenely OTT, I took a stove I never used and a load of clothes I never wore, but it looks daft with just one pannier and I haven't got a topbox...

http://i488.photobucket.com/albums/rr243/ktm_wolf/SWS%20Porlock%202009/DSCF8292.jpg

[fizzwheel]

Sounds obivous, but dont take to much stuff. When you pack really ask yourself do you need that item...

When your away keep a mental note of what you do or dont use or what you would have used had you not forgotten it and remember that for next time.

Travel light its really the best way... One of the best things I bought was a proper travel towel, its not as absorbant as a normal towel, but it folds up stupidely small and it dries out very quickly to.

If you roll your clothes up rather than folding them, they take up a little less room and dont seem to crease as much.

If you've got a topbox and a rack, I'd be inclined to shove everything you can into the top box and then bungee your tent onto the pillion seat or the rack you've got...

Sidestand puck or a squashed beer can is quite handy if your parking the bike on wet grass as it stops the stand sinking into soft ground...

[Luckypants]

i already have a rentec rack and small Givi topbox (26l i think) that fit to my bike Can you have the top-box and Renntec fitted at the same time? If so where does the topbox fit onto the bike?

Whatever the answer to the above, I'd use the top box for your clothes and sleeping bag to keep them as dry as possible. Don't rely on the topbox to keep them dry, still pack everything in plastic bags to keep them dry. Tent / sleep mat / cooking kit can then be strapped to the pillion seat or rack (depends on answer to above). Stuff you need easy access to like maps, documents, phone etc can be carried in a tank bag.

No real tips needed for riding with luggage. Make sure everything is secure on the bike before setting off. Ride smooth like you should try to be all the time. Remember that braking will take a bit more space and that the bike weighs a little more when putting feet down. Apart from that, ride your normal ride.

[PsychoCannon]

Pretty much everythings covered :)
Really important is to make sure you only pack what you need, do you really need x pairs of socks or can you get away with less, etc etc.
Maybe load up what you plan to take and go on a test run round your local area to make sure you're happy with the load out and balance.

Also if you see this guy make sure you ask him for some tips, he's pro at this.

http://www.nikdaum.com/news/styrolady1.jpg

[wow]

Once on the grass at the campsite try and keep going. Try not to stop until you're at your camping spot. I haven't camped on campsites before only at fields at rallies, thinking about it a campsite is probably much easier (better maintained (grass) and proper paths maybe). Have fun. Don't forget to put a puck underneath your side stand to prevent it sinking in and try and remember to take it home.

If you're only going for 1 or 2 nights you should be able to only have to use top box and tank bag. One night definately. But if more days/nights then panniers will be good. My clothes got wet recently inside the panniers (long story) but instead of normal flimsy binbags inside the panniers I now use sturdy ones from tesco's meant for rubble etc.

[timwilky]

My camping tip :- Book into a hotel. No need to carry tent or sleeping bag etc. A proper bathroom is invaluable when you reach a certain stage in life.

For most weekend type camping forget about cooking, your there to enjoy yourself. So buy breakfast/lunch dinner. Time is far to valuable and space too small for stove, pots and food.

Yes I do own a tent. A proper airbed that fills the tent and a pump that runs off the bike battery to inflate the thing. Avoid Oxford panniers where the waterproof cover shreds, so pack everything in waterproof bags first. a tank bag is easier to ride with, but a pain in the bum if you need to fill up.

don't put your puck under the seat, if you then have tent, air bed etc strapped to it.

[TazDaz]

The cheap oxford throw over paniers worked wonders for me. I then wrapped my sleeping bag and tent in 'fish skin' which is near enough 100% waterproof material I bought from the material shop in town, which was in turn bungeed onto the paniers.

Here's how it looked.

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs183.snc1/6089_106112143511_589283511_2382425_3739049_n.jpg

[simonl]

Here's my bike loaded for a long weekend away.

I have a tank bag for food, water, camera, phone, wallet etc.

In my backpack (35 litre) I put sleeping bag, clothes.

On the pillion seat I have my tent (without raincover this time so only takes up half the size) and my Thermarest camping mat strapped on with bungee cords.

I have a stove etc but usually I dont take it and just find somewhere relatively cheap to eat. For a pillow just make it out of clothes!

This was in the White Mountains in New Hampshire, USA.file:///C:/Users/Simon%20Long/Pictures/2009/August/Motorbike%20Trip%20to%20White%20Mountains/IMG_7571.JPG

[Roo Star]

Thanks folks for the great advice, it's realy got me thinking.

I was planning a little trip this weekend but the campsite has flooded :(