Motorcycle Camping

Of "very senior years", a bit of an understatement
119? Really

Hope I'm still camping at that age.

 

It's not shit but just doesn't work for me

 

@Frecklechops
I like your spirit.

I've been camping a few times (though probably not for 20+ years), and done lots of touring on the bike, but never combined the two. Your post has inspired me to put it on the to-do list for next year.

 

Camping with the bike - freedom squared!
I am just past my three score years and ten and still enjoy camping while touring. There is always the option of a hotel/guest house/hostel if the weather is particularly dank. Also good to 'wild camp' in countries that permit it. Amazing sense of freedom and peace. Except beside a lake in Sweden where the geese make a racket all night long!
Currently planning two months tour of Australia for next year when the tent will be an integral part of the onboard kit.
And camping is cheap!

 

Camping with the bike - freedom squared!
I am just past my three score years and ten and still enjoy camping while touring. There is always the option of a hotel/guest house/hostel if the weather is particularly dank. Also good to 'wild camp' in countries that permit it. Amazing sense of freedom and peace. Except beside a lake in Sweden where the geese make a racket all night long!
Currently planning two months tour of Australia for next year when the tent will be an integral part of the onboard kit.
And camping is cheap!

 

Just done some camping in Scotland with the bike but I cheated. The missus followed me in the van

Gled

 

Maybe a question for a new thread, but any recommendations for a tent and sleeping bag that will roll up small enough to easily strap to the bike.

 

How cold a sleeper are you?

Do you want a warm sleeping bag or a compact packed sized one?
The two rarely go together and your budget will say how close they are likely to be aligned.

 

An old saying just came back to me that repeatedly I have proven true.....

Travel light, cold at night!

I have slept in a variety of levels of comfort - bivvyed out in Scotland early winter using a foil emergency blanket just to prove to myself if they're any good.
Shite! Absolutely shite!
The other extreme was a four season down bag when the temperature became unseasonably warm. I woke up in a puddle of sweat.

 

Thank s for your replies. I prefer to be cool, and can tolerate cold. But I suppose at the end of a possibly cold bike ride, I might appreciate a warm sleeping bag. Something to think about...

 

You can't rely on the weatherman weeks in advance or even a day in advance. Bought an older premium quality bus based motorcoach for $15 k USD that was $0.06 on a dollar of the original price. Its got 94k miles on the clock and 2400 hours on the catipillar power train now.
Flew 1400 miles to buy it and drove it home crossing two 6% mountain grades in 112 temps. Spent the nights free in a truck stop lots with the Genny running as necessary to keep it about 77..

 

That does sound a beauty and a great purchase

 

We've done that same run in the rain (NC500) as part of a run up to the Wildcat Rally in John o' Groats. It was my first tour out on the Speed Triple after a nice comfy ZRX1100 (with loads of storage - my big complaint on the Triple). It really surprised me in the comfort stakes! I had expected to be absolutely wrecked on the Trumpet, but it loved the sustained speed no end.

 

My camping set-up these days...

 

Motorcycle camping... judging by the replies to this thread, either you get it or you don't... I've been motorcycle camping with me buddies since I was about 20 or so, I guess and every time I do it I'm taken back to those good old days. I've been a bit busy with other stuff lately but so far this year I've been motorcycle camping at the Isle of Man for the TT and at Snarestone... for a tour of the Triumph factory at Hinckley.

Too old for that shit? I'm only 50!! Reckon I can manage motorcycle camping for another 20 years or so :-D

Photos:
Us waiting to get on the ferry at Liverpool, bound for the island.
Pitched up on the island.
Pitched up at Snarestone.
And at the Triumph factory

 

Oh... and this was the old fella we camped next to at the Isle of Man - He'd come by motorcycle ( C90 ) with his tent and his lady-friend from Yorkshire.

 

Can do a VAT receipt, but don't look too closely at the vat reg number. Heather and pegs I only sell wholesale to the travelling community.

 

I used to like camping and it really added to a biking trip,but about 8 yrs ago i used to wake up as stiff as a board so bad that is was painful,so i gave it one last go bought a big tent that i could stand up in,blow up flock pillows,the works,woke up same result which is a shame because it stops me going to places like the farmyard party and stormin the castle,but the sad fact is now if i haven't got a comfy bed,my own toilet/shower i ain't going anywhere.

 

My glamper has an engine bay under the queen size bed that raises up for access to the 10.4L cat. Turbo and manifolds are blanketed

 

10.4 litre now that sounds like a good number
How much does it all weigh and what's it like on the hills?

Is the engine at the front end or is the layout more like a coach with it under the tail?