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Tips and Tricks
You can read all the books, but until you’ve ridden the miles, there will always be something new to learn. These tips below are submitted by those who know. These tips are not all-inclusive, and hopefully they spur your thinking so that you will send us your ideas. This compilation is based on submissions from the BMW MOA web site and Owners News, along with suggestions from members of the Internet BMW Riders. In as many cases as possible I have attributed a source, but for those I missed, please know that your efforts are appreciated. So far, the tips have fallen into these broad areas: Comfort Personal ComfortA bandanaTraveling light means using gear that performs multiple functions. A bandana can be:
Space blanketThese are a handy way to add warmth to your sleeping bag, if it gets colder than you expect. They also make an excellent thermal barrier when placed under the sleeping bag. The blankets pack extremely small and allow you to carry a lighter-than-normal sleeping bag. Toilet PaperThis is a must if you camp anywhere else than KOA. Get the real soft stuff… not because you’re a wimp but because it compresses so well. It packs small and dry if you put it in a zip-lock bag, squeeze out all the air and then close. cots cots cots cotsA couple of years ago Bob and Judith Carleson of Salt Lake City, Utah spent their last morning arising cold and stiff after a sleep on the ground and committed to get small cots. It may have had something to do with their turning 50, but that is another story. They invested in two Costco $25 cots that solved a lot of problems. The cots fit conveniently on their R80’s Reynolds rack. Second they get a better night’s sleep. Third, their sleeping area is up off the tent floor, adding storage space to stuff stuff into. And fourth it doesn’t take a lot longer to set up their campsite. Water shoes and WindbreakersDean Newton packs a pair of water shoes - the kind that windsurfers & kayakers use. They double as shower shoes and are usually accepted casual wear. They pack down to nothing and they're plenty comfy for around the campsite. A Wind shirt or light jacket is just a nylon shell worn under an Aerostich while riding or around camp. These jackets are very lightweight, pack small and makes a big difference when the temp drops into the "wind chill zone." For women, when nature calls...This from Lisa Baer, who would like to tell all female riders about a nifty little device called the Freshette. It allows a women to stand and pee and it really works. The great thing is that you no longer have to "hold it" until you find a bathroom. Now, we can do what the guys do; stand by a tree, a rock, a vehicle etc... Even if you find a bathroom in time, you don't have to get undressed anymore. Order the Freshette directly from the manufacturer by calling 800-542-5580, or if you’d like to save, call at 800-226-7667 & request item # 80969-A. Skin-So-Soft® does so many thingsSue Dietz, #44966, says that primitive camping presents special challenges when it comes to using the facilities, or lack thereof. To keep the bugs from biting your butt, apply some Skin-so-soft in a strategic location before leaving your tent. In fact, this product is an excellent insect repellent that is neither greasy or smelly. According to Sue, the only place it didn’t repel insects was in Alaska. It moisturizes wind-burned skin and is also good for those bubble baths you take while on the road (do not pollute the streams!) Convenience#1 absorber for camp towelAvailable from K-mart & Wall-Mart, and most camping stores, these small fabric towels save a lot of space and dry much faster than normal bath towels. They’re compact, and Mike Hankinson says they can be packed wet in their own plastic carrier if you’re in a hurry to get going in the morning. Others place the towel under the straps of their luggage to dry while riding.A handgun case for small itemsMultimeters, multi-tools, any small metal items that can rattle around in your saddlebags can be placed in, and protected by an inexpensive handgun case. Just be careful when entering Canada, or riding through the Fontana area!Combination Flashlight/LanternAnother space-saver… recommended by Michael Colloton of Franklin, NC. Ray-o-Vac, EverReady and others make a small flashlight that extends to reveal a frosted lens that lets light out the side. Hang it from a tree or place it on the picnic table, these flashlights don’t blast out light like a gas lantern, but they pack smaller and don’t have fragile mantles to break.Bring along some "fat pine" for a firestarterAccording to Mike Hankinson of Hudsonville, MI... a few sticks of "Georgia Fatwood" will get a fire going in damp weather. It packs light and you can whittle it to adjust the right amount you need to start the fire.Small-diameter nylon ropeThis stuff has a world of uses from guying your tent down in heavy wind, to making a clothesline, to lashing your gear securely to your bike, or hanging your food where the bears can’t get it. If you cut the line, just melt the end slightly to keep it from fraying.Collapsible water bottlesThese are handy in camp when water is not convenient, and stow small when not in use. Michael Colloton recommends the Platypus brand, 2-quart size. Others use an accordion-fold style, many of which can hold up to 2 gallons. There are others that are just floppy plastic and can hold up to 4 gallons and more. With these, it’s just one trip to the faucet and you’ve got enough water for the entire stay.Ground ClothThe hot setup is a big plastic sheet or if you’re not fancy, an old paint drop cloth or shower curtain will do. Cut it so that it is just slight smaller than the shape of your tent’s floor, otherwise, it will collect rain off your fly and route it directly under your tent. Many folks roll the edges back and tape them to create a raised edge that keeps the water running across the ground under the ground cloth in heavy downpours.A knifeEvery scout knows you can’t do nothin’ without your knife. The type of knife you choose is a matter of personal preference. Some carry a small Swiss Army model, others a standard folding/locking blade. The knife that comes with the Leatherman or one of the other high-quality multi-tools is hard to beat. It’s sharp, made of a decent grade steel, and most models allow the blade to lock in place (an important feature for any knife).A Therm-A-Coupl’RFor cozy two-up camping on a "twin-sized bed" and using only one sleeping bag, Tom & Rita Shipper use this product from Cascade Designs (800-531-953, www.cascadedesigns.com ) It’s a double-wide Thermarest that zips to the company’s Acadia sleeping bag. The Therm-A-Coupl’R is cotton on the sleep side for comfort. One really nice feature: the attached pillow cases can be stuffed with clothes to form pillows.Waterproof Storage BagsDesigned for stowing gear on whitewater rafting expeditions, you will see a lot of these at rallies. Typically they are a rubber-coated cloth or nylon, and feature a roll-up and buckle top for a waterproof seal. Outdoor Research is a good brand, but if you really like to spend some money, check out the line of products from a German company called Ortlieb.Compression sacks make the most of limited space.On thing that Edd & Marie Gross have found real handy is the stuff sacks with the compactor straps . We're able to compact two sleeping bag enough so they will fit right on top of a saddle bag. And a tent small enough so it fits into the tank bag with lots of space remaining.
Save space by riding with a buddyTogether with a friend or friends, plan ahead with the idea of bringing only what's necessary amongst the group. That is, assign one bike to handle the cooking ware and food, one bike handles the tent and ground cloth, another carries stove and fuel, etc. Same goes for tools which are heavy and sometimes bulky (axe). On and on. Dave Hart generally goes camping with the same guys, and over time they have cut way back on the load by planning ahead and working together. All each individual needs is a sleeping bag, toiletries, and clothes.A collapsible coolerMany folks submitted a tip for this product. Typically, these coolers are soft-sided so that they compress when not in use. My personal cooler comes with a plastic insert that holds stuff like camcorders and other electronic things while riding during the day, which gets removed and replaced with ice and beer during the evening. Pete Jensen, #39345, offers up a truly simple & eminently affordable solution worthy of any airhead. He uses several brown paper grocery bags placed inside each other.Bring a notepad and waterproof markerFor a million reasons related to safety and convenience, you need something to write on and write with. Many people like coated papers that stand up to water, however, a waterproof marker is really what’s required to keep your message legible should it rain.A plastic mallet for tent pegsRoger Deal and Pat Roddy are two guys who don’t like to make do with a rock when driving tent pegs into hard ground. These mallets are available from most camp supply store, the good ones feature a hook that is used to pull the peg back out of the ground.Gutter Nail tent stakesThese are available at most hardware stores, they are typically about 8"-10" long, sharp, lightweight, very durable and cheap. Frank Meier also recommends you buy a small claw hammer, cut off half the handle and half the claw to make a stake driver and puller. He says that you should always stake your tent, even if it is a free-standing model.Disposable clothing saves on laundrySubmitted by Mike Hankinson of Hudsonville, MI. He shops garage sales in spring for clean "T" shirts, and usually pays just $0.25 each. By wearing them as disposables on motorcycle trips, it allows for more packing space for souvenirs on the way home. He says they also makes for interesting conversations about what the "T" says. Small, compact camp chairBy far and away, the #1 recommendation for a camp chair is Kermit’s. You can find him at almost every BMW rally or contact him at Kermit's Camping Products, Pleasantville, TN 37147 615-729-9836 However, for times when you don’t have room for your Kermit, consider a very compact Thermachair, which takes your Thermarest pad and converts it into a chair. See it on-line at www.orgear.com Very comfy and gets double duty from your gear... the best way to save space.
A board for your kickstandWhen Dave Mann camps in the Cape Cod area, where the campsites tend to have a lot of soft ground, he recommends using a piece of 1/4" plywood to place under your center or side stand. Other solutions to this problem include "fat foot" accessories that bolt on to the stock sidestand, a flattened aluminum can, or those round plastic things with a "leash" that you tie to the end of your handlebar. Try a tarp instead of a tent In lieu of a tent, or in addition to, get down to your favorite KMart, Walmart, or Army/Navy store and buy a big, plastic tarp, says Dan Galena or Erie, PA. They come in all sizes, are inexpensive (maybe $20), and extremely durable and waterproof. Buy a half-dozen bungee cords and you can use the cords to tie the tarp off to trees, poles, vehicles, or even your bikes! It makes for a quick shelter from the rain and regardless of tarp size, they fold up into nothing and are easily carried. Freeze-dried foodAlso referred to as backpacker meals, these are the pinnacle of convenience. Imaging eating Turkey with Wild Rice, Chicken a la King, Beef Stroganoff, even a wealth of vegetarian selections… and all you have to do is boil water. Some are better than others, but the only way to find out what you like best is to experiment. If you’re really hardcore, you can eat the meal directly from the bag… reducing wash-up chores to just your utensils. A "Sierra" CupWhat works as a cup, bowl, cooking pot, shovel/scoop, and also lets you wash parts in gas? This do-all piece of gear is a must-have. There are many brands available, be sure you get one that is stainless steel. According to Ken Jones, #57748, there is one brand called Cascade Cup, which has the added features of measurement graduations stamped into the metal and a folding handle that is also removable. He uses it to boil water, steam vegetables and as a serving dish. StovesThese are a matter of religious preference. People who like their stoves swear by them. But you might swear at the same stove. Several recommendations came in for the GAZ Turbo 270 and SVEA stoves because they are compact and offers a choice of fuel cartridge sizes, small ones for weekends and larger ones for longer expeditions. These types of stoves are typically designed for backpacking use and are not inexpensive. You pay for compactness, quick lighting convenience, and the ability to provide heat at high altitude.Many riders, such as Kirby Messer, #80962, say they prefer the Coleman Featherlite 400 (or other dual-fuel stove) because it can run on unleaded gasoline (an important feature for airhead owners who can actually get to their fuel lines. Coleman has just come out with a new line of products called Peak1 Xpert. These are collapsible, made of cast aluminum and attach to a cartridge containing a special blend of butane fuel designed to burn well in cold temperatures and high altitudes. Bradley Barrus got a designed-for-the-military disposable cook called a Tommy Cooker, which is available through Brigade Quartermasters (800-338-4327, www.actiongear.com ) It features a folding, adjustable metal stand to support a cooking pot and comes with six solid fuel pellets, which are placed inside the cooking stand. The stove folds up to 5" x 5" x 1" including fuel supply and costs under $7.00. One pellet boils a liter of water. To extinguish the flame, the pellet is smothered with sand. Baked goods without the botherDuring his Boy Scouting years, Joe LeFevre saw a BakePacker in action. It’s a 7" diameter grid of stainless steel that fits into a 7 3/8" diameter cook pot. It is very easy to use and requires no cleanup. The grid is about 2" high, is placed in the pot and water is added to the height of the grid. A zip lock bag or an oven bake bag holds food and is placed on top of the grid. Put a lid on, set it on the fire and in as quick as 30 minutes you can have muffins. Joe swears by the thing and uses it to cook casseroles, sausage and sauerkraut, muffins, corn bread and bread pudding. My wife says it makes the best bread pudding she has ever eaten.
Quick kitchen clean upA Teflon frying pan with a folding handle is a good investment that is easy to clean and eliminates the need for messy cooking oil, according to Roger Albaugh. Another idea is to purchase a collapsible sink, available from most camping supply stores. Some use collapsible buckets. Al Jesse used sand while in the Sahara... water wasn’t an option. I admit to using small pebbles and sand scooped from a stream to scour my pans... it’s easier on the environment than soap. Don’t wash dishes in the stream (a major no-no).Nygene BottlesFor cooking, cleaning, and toiletries, these small plastic bottles let you take all your favorite liquids with you, even if they aren’t available in travel-sized packages. Available from most camping stores, there are a wide variety of sizes and dispenser-style tops.Consolidate Kitchen gear & Toiletries into a Tote-bagThrough practice and constant refinement, Jim and Norma Jo Nyikos manage to store 2 full-service mess kits, dish soap, a single-burner stove (complete with spare parts), spare fuel, a candle lantern, matches , 2 emergency blankets (which can also be used as an emergency shelter), 2 clothes lines, helmet locks, an shaving mirror, knife, a small flashlight and a grooming kit in a small 13"x8"x7" nylon mechanics tool
When all else fails, use your imaginationYou had to see this one. Not able to find exactly what he wanted in the way of silverware,
Campsite SelectionThe BMW MOA Anonymous BookIf you would like to know where the good camping is near your destination, the people listed in the Anonymous book will know. If you have trouble while camping or touring, the book should be your first recourse. If you would like to camp in someone’s back yard, don’t use the book because that’s not what it’s for (even though just about anyone listed would let you…). Don’t leave home without it!Guidebooks to great Tent CampsitesThere is a series of guidebooks being published that provides excellent directions to great camping for thos who "hate RVs, concrete slabs and loud portable stereos." Offered by Mehasha Press at http://www.menasharidge.com/hikecamp.htm#btcco the books are currently available for several popular regions and states in the US, with more being added all the time. Our own Randy Porter, #88027, is hard at work for a Guide to Virginia. Take a tour through the campground before decidingAs BMW riders, we often push a little longer before we decide to camp. Look around at the available sites, there may be a good reason why that good looking site is empty, bug concentration, big air conditioner on neighbor RV etc. Some times a tour through the park is worth the time.Michele Hand’s favorite trickThis works even if you are camping with a motorhome - carry a small roll of surveyor's tape (a plastic ribbon in bright colors). Use it when you find a camping spot in a campground, to hold the spot while you go back to pay. Use it to block the entrance to the spot you are keeping a couple of days, while you pack up and go off riding or hiking all day in between your evenings back at camp. The is nothing worse than trying to explain that you were indeed there first, or intending to come back, and yes, that is your tent off in the trees that they didn't see while they set up their astro-turf and awning in what was your kitchen area.Watch where you "pitch" your tentAnd where you park your bike. Pine trees drip pitch, according to Michele Hand of Missoula, MT. Don't park or camp up against the trunk of one. Check the ground where you want to put your tent for pitch or fresh needles, which are also sticky. Pine pitch is extremely difficult to remove from nylon without using solvents, which can compromise waterproofing.SafetyFirst Aid KitDon’t be without one. Be sure yours has a good selection of bandages, tape, disinfectant, scissors & tweezers. Don’t forget pain reliever and antacids, too. Steve Burford recommends that a good first aid kit should include at a minimum: several 1"x3" bandages, latex gloves, instant cold pack, 2" roll gauze, 1"x10" tape, knuckle bandages (the type that have several "arms" that are adhesive backed and can conform to a variety of shapes), 2"x3" non-adherent pads, antiseptic towelettes, 4"x4" gauze pads, triangle bandage, antibiotic ointments and stainless steel bandages scissors. An emergency blanket is a good idea if you can fit it in.Be PreparedThat’s right, buy a Scout Handbook. They are full of basic information and are perfect for beginning campers. Granted, the advice is for the rather spartan life of a scout, so don’t expect a lot of Gore-tex related gear tips. But the basic outdoor skills are covered at a level for kids… just like us!ProtectionThis is a sensitive subject that holds many perspectives. Most comments about this involved the use of handguns for personal protection, both from wild animals and from misguided souls. No one commented on other ways to provide personal protection, which range from hanging your food and toiletries out of reach to the where’s and how’s of placing your tent. There is a lot to this subject, perhaps you all can provide some more input for the next tips list.
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Copyright © 1996-2008 BMW Motorcycle Owners of America, Inc. and respective authors and contributors. All rights reserved. This material is for personal use only. Republication and redissemination, including posting to news groups, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of BMW MOA.
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