Touring/Camping Gear

[alanmcorcoran]

I spent this week acquiring a boatload of touring/camping gear to explore the idea of motorcycle camping. I've kind of divided motorcycle camping into to two kinds of trips: the drive up and camp and the drive-in/park and backpack to camp. Where applicable I tried to get stuff that would work for both. I'm going to start with the drive-in and if that works out, I'll progress to the more challenging backpack aspect. I greatly expanded the carrying capacity of my Strat with the addition of an OEM luggage rack, add-back of the quick release passenger seat and a "Super-T" + "Top Roll" bag combination luggage from T-bags. I also plan to bungee/strap a 12-pack cooler to the passenger seat. I've got a three day test trip planned for Friday- Monday (Saturday night I'll be "camping" back in my bedroom) to see how the bike handles with the additional weight and wind characteristics. Also to shake down what I acquired and see what I missed. If anyone is interested in the gear or the luggage etc. I'll post more details. (Seeing as this is a GZ site, a lot of what I'm trying wouldn't really work on the Geezer.)

Also, if any of you expereinced campers and tourers want to weigh in with suggestions, please do. Also, I bought two books that were both pretty good: Motorcycle Camping Made Easy, Bob Woofter, and Lightweight Camping For Motorcycles, Frazier Douglass.