Motorcycle Camping Advice

[Steve]

One other thing to keep in mind.

All the "savings" of camping only work if you already have the equipment. If you have to buy the tent, sleeping bag, pad, etc., it just makes the camping option all that more expensive. Probably approaching (or even exceeding) the cost of moteling.

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[alke46]

Well Scott, you know that you have been this far before so the only thing I can add is this. It's the end of July, 1st of August and that is why they call this area I live in "fly over country".

Pretty hot and humid crossing the boring states of Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, most of Wyoming and then there is the boredom of the state of Kansas as well as Eastern Colorado.

Not trying to be a downer here but just a dose of reality.

My suggestion would be to fly out and rent a m/c for some good site seeing in the states that have good sites to see. Oh yeah, and good luck to you whatever you decide to do. When I was your age I would have done the same thing you are planning.

[sam000lee]

Suzuki ready for trip. by soates50, on Flickr

This is an awesome set up and that's a beautiful GS.

[sam000lee]

Looking again at your trip map, the other thing to note is that you'll be travelling more miles than many of the periods for certain maintenance. Make sure you plan out when and where you'll do these in advance. Things like tires, tubes, chains/sprockets can be a tough thing to find in a town you're not familiar with when you don't want to be stopped somewhere for more than a day.

We had tires shipped to a friend's in California and I ordered a new chain and sprocket set to a dealership in Portland, OR when I noticed mine were wearing out on my GS750. My friend on his GS550 waited on the chain and sprockets until it was almost too late and then we had to spend three days around Sturgis trying to find a chain that would fit after deeming his was unsafe to ride on. Taking into consideration the cost of the two extra days of camping, food, beer - putting it off a week or two before to try and save some $$ wasn't worth it.

[storm 64]

Here is my touring package. The right saddle bag has a cooler, oil outer pocket has my daily log book, maps. The left bag has tools, parts and polishing towels and spray wax. Hey, you got to look good on the road. The pack on the passenger seat is my clothes. The pack on the rear rack is my riding gear, cold weather jacket, shoes and boots. I didn't do any camping, just hotel. This setup was good for 21 days and 6,000 miles. 👍

[Eli69]

Bear barrels are required in many camping areas. Safely holds yer food and other things that attract wildlife.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61BAqrEUSAL._SX679_.jpg

[cowboyup3371]

Looking again at your trip map, the other thing to note is that you'll be travelling more miles than many of the periods for certain maintenance. Make sure you plan out when and where you'll do these in advance. Things like tires, tubes, chains/sprockets can be a tough thing to find in a town you're not familiar with when you don't want to be stopped somewhere for more than a day.

We had tires shipped to a friend's in California and I ordered a new chain and sprocket set to a dealership in Portland, OR when I noticed mine were wearing out on my GS750. My friend on his GS550 waited on the chain and sprockets until it was almost too late and then we had to spend three days around Sturgis trying to find a chain that would fit after deeming his was unsafe to ride on. Taking into consideration the cost of the two extra days of camping, food, beer - putting it off a week or two before to try and save some $$ wasn't worth it.

Thank you. I'm already looking at some of those as well. I have just over 4000 miles on my current tires; both the previous owner and I have run this brand for about 6K - 6500 miles before changing. If I do about 2000 miles between now and August then I'll change them before I leave and when I get back. I'm wondering about switching to Bridgestone's T31 if it gives me any better mileage but still thinking about it.

I will also do an oil change before I leave and then will another either at my niece's place in Salem OR (~2800 miles) or may push it out to Billings MT (~4K) if the dealer I found there will be able to do it in short order (will call tomorrow to get an idea of that). Chain maintenance (clean and lube) will be done during the ride but I am thinking about the timing of any replacement as the PO last did them at 73,000 miles (bike has just over 84,000 today) which was about 30,000 after the previous one.

[Steve]

You guys trying to make me jealous?

Here is <my> version of a touring bike:



Electronics are in the tank bag. Clothes and laptop in the rear-seat bag. Rain gear and cleaning stuff in the left saddlebag. Tools, oil, rags, etc. in the right saddle bag. Snacks, water, miscellaneous "stuff" in the trunk.

Using synthetic oil and sticking with highway speeds, I was ready to do the whole trip without changing oil, but might have done it at about 4000 miles, at my sister's house. Tires were purchased based on reports from the LONG-distance crowd in the Goldwing community, there would have been no problem with them going the entire 7000 miles, and more. Chain adjustment is handled automatically by the tensioner (I love my shafties).

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[Charlie G]

may push it out to Billings MT (~4K) if the dealer I found there will be able to do it in short order (will call tomorrow to get an idea of that).

I'd recomend this dealer (Hi-Tech) you found in Billings, as they jumped through hoops to get me a valve cover gasket overnight when I was traveling through in 2016. Easy to see while driving west on the interstate.

[wymple]

You guys trying to make me jealous?

Here is <my> version of a touring bike:



Electronics are in the tank bag. Clothes and laptop in the rear-seat bag. Rain gear and cleaning stuff in the left saddlebag. Tools, oil, rags, etc. in the right saddle bag. Snacks, water, miscellaneous "stuff" in the trunk.

Using synthetic oil and sticking with highway speeds, I was ready to do the whole trip without changing oil, but might have done it at about 4000 miles, at my sister's house. Tires were purchased based on reports from the LONG-distance crowd in the Goldwing community, there would have been no problem with them going the entire 7000 miles, and more. Chain adjustment is handled automatically by the tensioner (I love my shafties).

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Best backrest ever.

[KEITH KRAUSE]

If you're into camping, do it. Except for less than a hand full I've motorcycle camped on virtually all my trips over the last 50 years, I hate motels/hotels with a passion. They never seem to be where I want to be. That being said if you've got a good sleeping bag, thermorest and tent the rest for motorcycle camping doesn't really matter that much with a bit of planning. Most of the gear I have is what I've backpacked/canoed with over the years and is pretty decent stuff. The main thing is get into a routine that does not waste a lot of time, especially if you've got miles to cover. The guys travel with if I'm not by myself are also in tune with this we can do a lot of high mileage days in row if needed. Anyway, the big time waster is on any trip be it camping or hoteling it is meals. As I figure there are a lot better places and ways to spend your time than sitting in restaurants waiting to be served. I always pack a small stove and the daily routine actually starts the night before with a shower, the bike fully fueled and checked over. In the morning coffee, fruit, juice, muffin, etc in camp and that can be done while you pack up camp. We can be out of camp in less than an hour and ready to put on some miles and not worry about food. Noonish to early afternoon we'll stop for a break, fuel again, kick the tires, etc and have a restaurant meal for lunch. That will be our big meal for the day. Then ride or putter all afternoon and after we figure where to camp we'll go to a local grocery store like Safeway or equivalent and hit up the deli area for some takeout, some fruit, muffins and beverage choice for the evening, make sure the tanks are full and head to camp. Been doing this for a lot of years and it works whether with others or you're doing a solo trip. Just make sure you keep some granola/powerbars and can of something in case you don't find supper.

As for campsites, in order of preference are state parks first, then regional parks, municipal parks and far down the list are KOA's (crowded, noisy, expensive) and private sites. We've seen some pretty good private sites but they are a great unknown unless you've been there before or they have been referred to you. Just rough camping is iffy at best if you don't know the area although we've found some great spots over the years. If you end up somewhere late and you've haven't found anything just talk to some locals, you might be surprised where they'll let you camp.

This is my long trip setup which would let me travel almost indefinitely. Including spare parts, tools, camping/cook gear, a bit of food and clothing for a week (then laundry) the total weight is about 80lb. Camp gear on the rack, clothing in the large duffel bag, heavy items like, tools, spares, camp kitchen stuff in the saddlebags and the daily odds and sods in the tank bag. Longest trip in this configuration many years ago was a 10,000 mile X-Canada trip, so it does work.



Suzuki ready for trip. by soates50, on Flickr

Sandy, I like the Cortech soft bags. How long have you used them? And what brand/model is the bag on top the seat? Thanks.

[limeex2]

Unless you have nice gear, and can stay at a once in a lifetime place. I would hotel it. I would rather ride than pack twice a day. Plus, when I park the bike and I'm off hiking, I worry about security of non-lockable items. Get breakfast at their continental breakfast. Pack a bag of non smashable bagels, envelope type tuna, or PB. Skip lunch. With frequent flier miles most of the lodging is free. Here's my set up to go to Co. Had a 998 mile day coming home. Tent never got unpacked...

[Sandy]

Had a similar tail rack on my Kaw Z1 and the rumble strips in PA on the turnpike eventually snapped the rear mounting brackets. Did the rest of the trip with a 40 lb load sitting on a towel, sitting on a plastic tail piece. I think those racks are rated for 25 lbs.

On the next trip on the GS I had the tail rack brackets remade from stainless steel. Take Sandy's load above and add a passenger and their clothes. Just way too much weight too go crazy.............. but you do what you can do.

80 lbs. Total.weight with about maybe 10 - 15 on the rack. Don't see how that's a problem. Besides my wife is turning 70 this year and she ain't riding on the back. LOL Beside my trips are my escape and yes do what you want to do and I have no problem getting spunking with all that weight on the back. Look out for old fart on old bikes that know how to ride.

[gustovh]

Now Sandy knows what he is talking about, I have followed him enough. Here is my tour load. About 80 lbs. total like Sandy's.



V

[bobgroger]

I will attest to Sandy's riding skills. But he is also smart enough to not ride point, allowing him to wave going past the guys with the flashing lights behind them....