Bike packing - Revised!

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wncbmw
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Bike packing - Revised!

Post by wncbmw »

A while back, I started a thread on packing the bike that allowed some of us to share information on techniques for packing the bike for trips. It can be found here, to refresh your memories:

http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?t ... em&start=0

But, as someone said, packing systems evolve and mine has done just that, so I thought I would start another one. If nothing else, it will allow us Northern Hemisphere folks to plan for spring!

My goal was to get everything in a Large Ortlieb dry bag that measured 14"x 24" in length.

My original thread mentioned the addition of a chair to my camping gear. In my never-ending quest for a smaller package, I ended up with this for Christmas:

Image

And don't call me BMW yuppie scum because I got a Kermit chair. It was purchased for one reason - it folds to 22"! Well that, and it is very well made and very comfortable.

I changed sleeping pads also, from the Thermarest which made such a nice perimeter in my old end-closing dry bags to the Exped down pad, for more thickness and less bulk. But the change also required a re-thinking of the system.

I experimented a lot with dry, compression sacks and settled on one model which suits my purpose. The Sea-to-Summit line of E-vent dry, compression bags.

Here is the whole thing, about to be packed:

Image

Ortlieb bag (also brought by Santa!), 2-man tent and 0-degree bag in stuff sacks, Exped pad, The Chair and a bag with tent stakes and poles.

And here it is packed on the bike, with the new Rok Straps (Santa really knew what I wanted this year!)

Image

From the rear, notice the width does not exceed the opening of the saddle bags.

Image

And with the soft stuff toward the rider, it even can serve as a backrest of sorts.

Image

It accomplishes what I wanted, a compact package not to exceed the 24" width. Longer chairs, etc, would make getting on and off the bike difficult. On a similar thread on Advrider, I saw bikes loaded up that would best be described as the Beverly Hillbillies go bike camping!:lol:

Even without the back rack on the bike, the tent and/or chair could be attached outside without too much trouble for more room if needed. I even threw in a bag to take up the space for the tarp I intend to add by spring to the bag for shade and weather protection!

I am happy with the result. Only problem is waiting till spring to use it! :P
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Post by Beemeridian »

88
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Post by Boxer »

You BMW yuppie scum!

You got a Kermit chair and I didn't! I'm still using my Wal-Mart collapsible, plastic and tin beach chair. If I ever encounter any bears, I can just leave it behind without worry.

My original camping bag I bought 4 years ago to go on my ill-fated western ride without system cases, happens to still be my favorite...Because it hold everything! It is a Seal-Line Baja 55 duffle...end loading, and plastic is thicker than a gator's hide.

The Helen bag is nice and I use it on smaller rides, but the big Seal-Line is rugged, big and as you said, it serves as a nice back rest!
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Post by wncbmw »

My Helen Two Wheels bags are retired for now but still in the basement! :wink:

The Ortlieb looks to be like the Seal-Line stuff - bombproof!

I have nothing against using cheap chairs. I just couldn't find one short enough to do what I wanted to do!
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Post by wncbmw »

BTW - anyone who calls me BMW yuppie scum can't use my chair when I go take a leak next camping trip! :lol:
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Post by R4R&R »

wncbmw wrote:BTW - anyone who calls me BMW yuppie scum can't use my chair when I go take a leak next camping trip! :lol:
BMW yuppie scum!

(I have my own chair!!)
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Post by Biff's R »

wncbmw wrote:BTW - anyone who calls me BMW yuppie scum can't use my chair when I go take a leak next camping trip! :lol:
BMW yuppie scum.

You will return from the bathroom to find me in your chair.
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Post by allanj255 »

I got this heated chair as a free accessory with my 1939 BMW.
[img][img]http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff26 ... _chair.jpg[/img]
Bit of a bugg@r to pack on the bike and drains your battery, had to put a 10,000 amp fuse on the accessory socket. :lol:
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Post by wncbmw »

I wandered onto a forum for comedians! :P
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Post by R4R&R »

Biff's R wrote:BMW yuppie scum.

You will return from the bathroom to find me in your chair.
Jeff's not lying - I've seen him do it.
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Post by boxermania »

Van

That's some serious packing......by the comments, I see that some of the indians are restless and green with envy. The thing I like the most is the bright yellow color yhay makes you quite visible from the rear.

I know that I couldn't pack like you, as a matter of fact, during my ownership I just kept taking pieces off my bike.....to ofset the load....he, he, he. :lol:
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Post by Biff's R »

boxermania wrote:Van
y makes you quite visible from the rear.
. :lol:
Al,
I never knew you were checking out Vann's rear.
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Post by wncbmw »

Al - actually, the bright color choices (red or yellow) were one of my reasons for choosing the Ortlieb over the same variation in the H2W bags. Especially since my taste in bikes and riding gear runs more to black and grays. Not so good in the rain or dusk!

And Jeff, while my rear is plenty visible without any bag on the bag, it is fortunately well hidden when loaded up! :lol:
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Post by jb44 »

Vann, I marvel at your packing efficiency.

I've only been motorcycle camping 3 times. And while I enjoyed the experience, loading the bike down so it looked like a traveling junk yard really bothered me. For me, it spoiled the riding experience.

As for the Kermit chair, it's a quality product. I'm yuppy scum too (more like geezer scum). :oops:

Image
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Post by 12bar1 »

Yep me and the Mrs are yuppy scum as well. Hers even has the moto girl monogram. I guess that makes her a bigger yuppy than me. We should plan a Kermit Chair Yuppy Scum Social, I will bring the Chardonnay or MD2020 which ever is more popular. :D
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Post by DSKYZD »

Happy New Year Vann, and congratulations on the new kit.

The rest of you Yuppie Scum need to get yer own damn chairs and stop stealing mine :p Yeah, you know who you are!! :lol:

I don't want to sit in a Kermit chair...I'd probably like it much better than my $5 Wal-Mart special.

Amen on a tough wait 'till spring to try it out!

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Post by wncbmw »

+1 on the tough wait till spring!

And Jeff, the way my bladder works after only a couple of beers, you would have ample opportunity to test my chair! :lol:

JB - I can't believe you have only been bike camping 3 times. I have been with you on at least 1/3 of your camping trips then!
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Post by boxermania »

Boxer and Biff's R....you should be ashamed of yourselves for putting down on Van and the rest of our distinguished posters that own such a fine piece of buttocks retention (Kermit).

As punishment you are to visit the HD dealership and take a Road King for a ride......ask them if they sell Kermits too......... :lol:
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Post by Motomo »

I would like to hijack this thread back to the original. The kermit chair discussion is making me soooooo sleepy! I think the chair is really cool (especially the monogrammed version) and definitely have put one on my wishlist. My buttocks need some serious support.

To wncbmw For us camping wanna be's, can you tell me what type of tent and sleeping bag you use? My idea of camping is going to the Hilton but I am interested in expanding my horizons. As long as I can have press pot coffee in the morning, I'm good. Oh no, back to the yuppie thing. Oh well, I am what I am...
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Post by iowabeakster »

Gosh, I'm I thought hicks and hillbillies were 'bout the same. Looks like Yuppies and Hillbillies are closer. Us hicks use logs for chairs.

Do hillbillies bring hot tubs too? I'm going to turn hillbilly.

Dang it, I'll even turn yuppie for a chair like that.

:smt023 Great info. Thanks.
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