Motorcycle Camping Gear Recommendations

Chasem

Chasem

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Hey guys, I'm looking to do some motorcycle camping this summer and would love some recommendations on essentials camping gear (without breaking the bank)

Maybe this thread can help other people in the same situation... I have not camped in many many years, so I will have to buy everything. If you have any recommendations... please let me know! I will update the list.


Still looking for a sleeping pad, chair, and a few misc items.

The list so far -->

Sleeping Bags

Coleman Palmetto(TM) Cool Weather Sleeping Bag $41.46
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00363WZY2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB

Tents

Coleman Sundome 2-Person Tent $71.76
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B004J2KDH0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB



Pillows


TETON Sports Camp Pillow, Black $19.44
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00DDP3B1Y/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB

Stoves


Etekcity® Ultralight Portable Outdoor BBQ $12.95
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00B4FY8YO/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3C0TEPQY6M6AE

Jetboil System $84.99
http://www.amazon.ca/Jetboil-Person...e=UTF8&qid=1433554286&sr=8-3&keywords=jetboil


BioLite Wood Burning Campstove $134.95
http://www.amazon.ca/BioLite-BL-CSA...e=UTF8&qid=1433554286&sr=8-2&keywords=jetboil
 
I would spend more than the price of a pair of jeans on a tent. That's just an opinion, you understand.
 
There's a camping gear thread somewhere in the touring subforum.

My camping gear I have right now that I spent too much money on and barely ever use.

Eureka El Capitan 3 tent
Thermarest Trail Lite sleeping pad
MEC sleeping bag
MSR Dragonfly stove
GSI Pinnacle Backpacker cookset
 
inreb said:
I would spend more than the price of a pair of jeans on a tent. That's just an opinion, you understand.
Click to expand...
I paid $25 for my jeans, how about a $30 tent?
 
--If you're camping with one, buy a two-man tent. If you're camping with two, get a three-man tent. You will need the extra room for your gear.
--Bring a multi-tool knife, fork, spoon, etc.
--Wind proof lighter
--Bug spray with deet.
--First aid kit
--I have a Thermarest inflatable mattress. I found the self-inflating ones (a piece of foam wrapped in rubber) too large.
--Small umbrella
--Telescopic fishing rod & lures
--Bear spray
--Tent fly (if you don't use it for your tent, put it over your bike).
--Small dollar store brush and dust pan for the tent.
Coke can camp stove:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGCq_0lfRLM
Head mounted LED flashlight.
12x12" piece of plywood (to put bike kickstand on)

Never park your bike next to the tent. If it falls over, it's on top of you. Murphy's law.
 
RockerGuy said:
I paid $25 for my jeans, how about a $30 tent?
Click to expand...

I use $30 tents... walmart or crappy tire specials. That way if I forget to clean them and they get mildew, toss it. Break a pole, toss it. Find the next walmart and get a new one. As long as they are dome shaped so the water can't collect on the top, it should work fine.
Has worked fine for my needs, kept the water and bugs out. I've had the same tent going on two years now and it even served duty on the trans-labrador trip camping in black fly hell up at Churchill Falls.

The best thing that I bought that helped for comfort was the Therma-rest z-lite pad and a small round seat pillow that I use as a head pillow:

pDSP1-16830916p275w.jpg


I also use a cheap stove and kit I got off dx.com and I am surprised at how well it works.
Something like this: http://www.dx.com/p/compact-portabl...-with-plastic-carrying-box-92227#.VXJa6Eb4HoI
this: www.dx.com/p/aotu-at6345-outdoor-camping-stove-gas-bottle-adapter-nozzle-black-silver-346414#.VXJa6kb4HoI
and/or this: http://www.dx.com/p/halin-hk320-out...ove-burner-set-grey-black-384085#.VXJa9kb4HoI

As for sleeping bag... the one I use is about 20 years old and I think is just a cheap Coleman. Keeps me warm enough.
 
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A couple good places to get this stuff is mec as mentioned, and also Lebaron. If you end up spending a couple hundred dollars at Lebaron then get a membership and you get 10% off.

I also carry a cheap bug jacket... coleman or coghlans or something. Just in case the bugs are so bad that repellent doesn't work. Especially handy to also carry on the dirt bike even when not camping, because if you get stuck or break down (or blow a tire) you are going to want to remove your helmet and probably jacket so you don't bake.
 
Main suggestion is to get a camping hammock instead of a tent-- could be $500, could be $100, but because you're going on moto, you don't need the really expensive ones that can winter camp as well. Saves 50% of the size and weight of a tent, with quick setup/breaking down. More flexibility for campsights in Canada too. Stealth camps a bit better.

I wouldn't camp without my big knife/saw either, but that's just me and my massive bonfire..
 
Motorcycle Mike said:
A couple good places to get this stuff is mec as mentioned, and also Lebaron. If you end up spending a couple hundred dollars at Lebaron then get a membership and you get 10% off.

I also carry a cheap bug jacket... coleman or coghlans or something. Just in case the bugs are so bad that repellent doesn't work. Especially handy to also carry on the dirt bike even when not camping, because if you get stuck or break down (or blow a tire) you are going to want to remove your helmet and probably jacket so you don't bake.
Click to expand...

I always thought MEC / Lebaron were expensive? I will go check out the MEC in Burlington, thanks for the recommendations. Good idea on the bug jacket... The mosquito's can be brutal up north.

shanekingsley said:
Some good threads:
http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforum/showthread.php?185455
http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforum/showthread.php?132910
http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforum/showthread.php?162423
Click to expand...

Thanks Shane, good read.

Roadghost said:
--If you're camping with one, buy a two-man tent. If you're camping with two, get a three-man tent. You will need the extra room for your gear.
--Bring a multi-tool knife, fork, spoon, etc.
--Wind proof lighter
--Bug spray with deet.
--First aid kit
--I have a Thermarest inflatable mattress. I found the self-inflating ones (a piece of foam wrapped in rubber) too large.
--Small umbrella
--Telescopic fishing rod & lures
--Bear spray
--Tent fly (if you don't use it for your tent, put it over your bike).
--Small dollar store brush and dust pan for the tent.
Coke can camp stove:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGCq_0lfRLM
Head mounted LED flashlight.
12x12" piece of plywood (to put bike kickstand on)

Never park your bike next to the tent. If it falls over, it's on top of you. Murphy's law.
Click to expand...

First aid kit is a good idea!
 
Givi topcase + bag of ice = cooler. Also works great to plunge your hand into after you burn your fingers on your camp stove/mug. Hint: use a cloth to remove the pot from the stove if it doesn't have an insulated handle.

I'm assuming that you listed 3 stoves just as options and that you don't intend to buy/pack all three. A stove with a wide burner will give you a better chance of simmering if you want to do anything more fancy than boil water. Although just being able to boil water isn't a bad thing - that's all you really need for pasta. Keeping the food simple helps because you need fewer pots, pans and utensils.

If you are going to eat those prepared camping meals I would recommend trying them at home first. A lot of them are pretty bad; way too much salt and dehydrated onion for my taste. A pack of fresh soft pasta is easier to cook and tastes way better. But some of the packaged veggie ground beef is surprisingly very good, and doesn't require refrigeration.
 
Chasem said:
I always thought MEC / Lebaron were expensive? I will go check out the MEC in Burlington, thanks for the recommendations. Good idea on the bug jacket... The mosquito's can be brutal up north.
Click to expand...

I find that if you have a particular name brand item in mind then MEC is competitive. They do have expensive stuff there, but the stuff that is expensive at MEC is expensive everywhere.

LeBaron has some decent prices on some things, other things maybe not, you have to know what you are looking for. They had the best price that I could find for my Solomon Goretex hiking boots, my Baffin boots, and have decent prices on Eureka tents, etc... I also bought a Russian SKS there for $180. I find them to be cheaper that Sail, Bass Pro, Cabelas, and Atmosphere/Sport Chek. If you don't mind junk mail, sign up for their email list... every so often they have sales for specific gear, like 15% of footwear or camping gear.
 
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I buy a lot of stuff from MEC because they are made for backpacking so it's small and light. It is pricey but I did travel 2up and needed to save space where I can.
 
I consider a thermal pad under your sleeping bag to be essential. Just camped at Shannonville this past weekend and it got pretty chilly at night and the damp and cold from the ground would make for a miserable night without something to insulate you from the ground. Even with a good quality cold weather bag, the dampness and cold will get through before morning.

Therm-a-rest is one well-known brand but they can be a bit pricy - Coleman makes decent ones at a lower price that should be fine.
 
..oh and a camp chair. I just strap an ordinary folding chair to my bike but if space is a real premium there are collapsible stools I've seen some people use.
 
My advice, don't cheap out on the gear.

To me camping gear is on the same level as tools. You get what you pay for.

Higher priced gear is usually lighter and more durable. I also advice you look into a thermarest. You don't want to be sleeping on essentially the ground.
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