What gets packed where?

[BradfordBenn]

Howdy-

So now that I have figured out how to put up a tent right side out, I am paring down the amount of gear I am carrying. But one of the things I am trying to figure out... what stuff gets packed in the waterproof bags and what can get wet. I got the basic idea that clothes should stay dry, sleeping bag stays dry, it doesn't matter if a swimsuit gets wet. But I am puzzled by the tent and chairs and stuff like that.

So does the camping gear itself need to be packed to stay dry?

I figure with the rain fly on, the gear can get wet... but never hurts to ask. :stick
:dunno

[RebeccaV]

I pack like this:

In waterproof drybag on back of bike:
thermarest, fleece bag liner, all clothing (each in their own bag)

On back of bike exposed to elements:
Chair, table, tent poles (each in their own bag), cooler

In hard bags which leak minimally and rarely:
tent, sleeping bag, shoes, toiletries (each in their own bag)
extra visor, extra riding gear

Tank Bag:
WAY too much stuff to mention - it's like my purse. Anything that needs to stay dry goes in the lower level in it's own bag.

My tent usually gets damp/dirty even if it doesn't rain. I bring a garbage bag to stuff it into if it is really gross and so I can repack it in the hard bag without getting the hard bag dirty.

It is smart to pack heavy stuff as low (like in hard bags) as you can. If it has to be on top - put the heaviest stuff right over the rear wheel (thanks Brian (not Rihn) Manke). :)

[DarkCloud]

Here is an idea, you need to know what is where when you are on the road, you need to have it secure, easy to access, and quick to load and off load. The fewer bags to attach, the better the load will ride.

I keep everything related to the motorcycle in the left system case. Oil, manuals, extra tools, bike cover, and my rain suit. The manuals are all in zip lock bags to keep any dew from getting to them. The left system case I put my clothes, shower shoes, walking shoes. Then I bought a camping bag that I put my tent, kermit chair, sleeping bag, shaving kit, summer sleeping bag and othe misc. gear in. It is water proof. I secure each side with a strap through the plastic tie down and to the bungie buddies on the system cases. The camping bag should have some pockets on it, or the zipper that runs length wise of the bag do you can get into the bag for convienceitems like food, water, jacket liner, etc

I motel enroute to nationals, so I will keep clean clothes in the camping bag. When I check into a motel, all I have to do is pull the camping bag and tank bag. The bike is secure and I have everything with me I need off the bike. After the bike has cooled down I can check the bike out for the next day and put the cover on the bike. I carry plastic bags for laundry and wet clothes.

The camping bag also serves as a backrest. When selecting the bag make sure it does block your rear view mirrors on your RT. You have to keep the heavy/ hard things on the bottom of the bag and keep the weight distributed. I don't have to worry about tent pegs falling off, stopping a couple times to make sure that the tent, camping chair, and bag(s) are secure on the bike.

JON

[DarkCloud]

Here is an idea, you need to know what is where when you are on the road, you need to have it secure, easy to access, and quick to load and off load. The fewer bags to attach, the better the load will ride.

I keep everything related to the motorcycle in the left system case. Oil, manuals, extra tools, bike cover, and my rain suit. The manuals are all in zip lock bags to keep any moisture from getting to them. The left system case I put my clothes, shower shoes, walking shoes. Then I bought a camping bag that I put my tent, kermit chair, sleeping bag, shaving kit, summer sleeping bag and othe misc. gear in. It is water proof. I secure each side with a strap through the plastic tie down and to the bungie buddies on the system cases. The camping bag should have some pockets on it, or the zipper that runs length wise of the bag do you can get into the bag for convienceitems like food, water, jacket liner, etc.

I motel enroute to nationals, so I will keep clean clothes in the camping bag. When I check into a motel, all I have to do is pull the camping bag and tank bag. The bike is secure and I have everything with me I need off the bike. After the bike has cooled down I can check the bike out for the next day and put the cover on the bike. I carry plastic bags for laundry and wet clothes.

The camping bag also serves as a backrest. When selecting the bag make sure it does block your rear view mirrors on your RT. You have to keep the heavy/ hard things on the bottom of the bag and keep the weight distributed. I don't have to worry about tent pegs falling off, stopping a couple times to make sure that the tent, camping chair, and bag(s) are secure on the bike.

JON

[BradfordBenn]

Originally posted by Dark Cloud


I keep everything related to the motorcycle in the left system case. Oil, manuals, extra tools, bike cover, and my rain suit. The manuals are all in zip lock bags to keep any moisture from getting to them. The left system case I put my clothes, shower shoes, walking shoes.
JON

DarkCloud,

It seems like you got a pretty high tech system if you have two left system cases :stick :p

Thanks for the info.

[DarkCloud]

Sorry, taking Vicodin, change the second left to the right system case and it works.

JON

[BradfordBenn]

Originally posted by Dark Cloud
Sorry, taking Vicodin, change the second left to the right system case and it works.

JON

No worries, just having some fun.

[YB in IN]

Mmmm Vicodin.

[R75_7]

Brad,
Check out the camping section of this website. There's a million great tips there. Also check out the sites of companies that sell bags. They will give you tips on how to best pack their bags. Heavy weight low and dry(soft) stuff separate from wet(hard) stuff. Personal gear in the tankbag. That's all I can remember off the top of my head.

[MarkF]

go two bags. One H2W dry bag for sleeping bag, thermarest and pillow. The other one is a get wet bag for the tent. Now I can set up camp without even opening the saddlebags, which fill up in a down pour. When camp is ready I can grab the two saddlebag liners and my tank bag and throw them in the tent. It works, as was proven at the Square Route Rally.

MarkF

If you want my packing list drop me a note - Mark's email (markf@cshore.com)

[Greg]

Well, here was the K going to the 49er last year :evil
http://gerg.smugmug.com/photos/237576-M-1.jpg
and here
http://gerg.smugmug.com/photos/237577-M-1.jpg

and the GS (pre H2W)
http://gerg.smugmug.com/photos/280224-M-1.jpg

Tent is seperate
Big bag (or yellow) is the thermarest, bag, kermit, pillow
Smaller bag is clothes (red)
Smallest bag now holds the "fly" and poles for shade/rain and a table.
Pink stuff sack are the "layers"
One hard bag holds tools, oil, axe, ropes, clothes pins, tarp
Other hard bag holds the kitchen and some food
Sometimes there will be a small soft cooler on top
Sometimes some Sapphire :dunno

Travel light is NOT in my vocabulary :evil

Greg

[BradfordBenn]

My compliments on the Bombay, but you should secure it better!!!!!!!:eek

[knary]

Originally posted by Greg
Well, here was the K going to the 49er last year :evil
http://gerg.smugmug.com/photos/237576-M-1.jpg

You didn't actually travel with that bottle like that, did you? :eek

A few years ago, some of the riders behind me on the way up to a Sierra Prez Meet were targeted by 1 liter water bottle torpedoes that my pack was ejecting. Thankfully no ships went down.

[Greg]

Actually it rode inside the pink bag, securley wraped with my fleece jacket... can't bruise the gin ya know ;)

Greg

[knary]

Originally posted by Greg
Actually it rode inside the pink bag, securley wraped with my fleece jacket... can't bruise the gin ya know ;)

Greg

Yep. Gotta treat it nice so that it can bruise you just right. :D

See you at Spokane? Ouray?

[Greg]

Originally posted by knary
Yep. Gotta treat it nice so that it can bruise you just right. :D

See you at Spokane? Ouray?
Yessir, both of 'em:D
And serving beer on Friday evening in Spokane.

Greg