Motorcycling & Tent camping?

The only times I've camped from a bike was at ralleys. So I was always able to get my morning coffee. This time it will be in the woods with all the little fuzzy animals. What do you campers use for making coffee in the morning? What's out there for the fire? Sterno? I'm going to a camping supply to get some ideas. What else can you take for making life easier in the woods that can be small enough for bike packing? I thinks it's just like back packing so there's got to be something that works.

 

When I camp , I have a nice percolator that works awesome over a fire. I don't know about how much room (or if you have a passenger) that you have, though, and this coffee pot ain't small.

You can also get REALLY small camping stoves that run on white fuel (MSR stuff) that work really well. If you could find a small coffee pot and a small stove, I'd say you'd be set.

Try a big store like Dick's Sporting Goods or Gander Mountain - they have a great camping section.

 

also press coffee, warm water and press. or instant. or the over the fire perculator.

 

I'm going out tomorrow for 5 days of touring/camping. I've got a Ranger gas stove and a cookware set it nests into. (1 tank of fuel is good for 4 meals.)Boil the grounds in the pan and use eggshells (from breakfast)to settle them or carry filters and filter it into your cup.
Being lazy, I just break camp and ride to a coffee shop for breakfast. I'll ride from sunup to evening. Night is for sleeping.

The gear on this trip is. 1 Tent, 1 ground cloth, sleeping bag, cooler, hammer and tent lamp. No chairs, pads pillows, cooking gear.

 

I've got my small two man tent,short take a part chair,sleeping mat,small pillow in a gym bag with some room left over. Sleeping bag sits on top. I've found some niffty little butane stoves on the web. I have a camp percolator coffee pot. Would like to find a smaller one like a 3/4 cup.

"I just break camp and ride to a coffee shop for breakfast"

If I don't get my coffee first I really break camp!! lol

I hope there is a little dinner around the camp site close. I plan on spending several days in one spot and ride around in circles. The diner is a prereq for sure.

 

I've always enjoyed motorcycle camping - although I'll opt for a motel if it's pouring rain *lol*

I have a set of chase-harper saddlebags that have always done well for me...
I find the key is to pack as if you had to carry it up a mountain, as that keeps my focus on ultralight and compact.

For long trips, one saddlebag is always dedicated to tools, parts and supplies and the other is for my clothing and whatnot. For shorter trips, I don't carry as much in the way of supplies and parts.

for the most part, I don't bother carrying a stove, fuel, pots, cutlery and all that...I just stick with roadside diner chow. But I have had ultralight setups in the past that work very well.

This is what I've used as a stove:



It's about the size of a pack of smokes and one solid fuel tab is sufficient to boil water. The stove will store inside a pot like this:


(5.15" x 5.15" x 5.6" and only .594 pounds)

...as will a kfs. If you really want to go ultralight, get a spork instead of a kfs.


~ Chris

 

I hate sporks! I will stick with the KFS. They take no room on a bike and not much weight backpacking.

 

I bought a MSR pocket rocket yesterday and found my SS coffee mug. I'm all set. I saw that little stove but wasn't sure about the fuel tabs and how long it took to boil water so I past. A person on this site sent me some GA camp ground info. There's a lot of sites. Looks like TWO in Suches will be seeing me in a couple of weeks or so. I'll be looking in Tenn also for camping. Plus a buddy of mine just ordered a new Garmin GPS he's going to let me use. Now I can't get lost!! lol Plus my Passport radar detector for the Dragon and such places to help keep me out of trouble.

 

Ah yes, Grasshopper! The morning ritual. Here at the Monastery, we always have coffee before morning meditation and prayer. (LOL)

But seriously, I long ago started experimenting with what works best for me to get that PERFECT cup out in the wilderness (usually backpacking). A tiny stove and a small cannister of fuel usually are fine for a few days of dinners and coffee out in the mountains. Go with a bigger cannister for longer trips. I use a MSR titanium pot (usually doubles as my bowl), a wonderful small plastic/gold mesh coffee filter made by MSR that sits in one's mug (titanium or insulated mug, depending on how light I want to be and how cold it is outside). I bring the best beans and sometimes I bring along a tiny hand-grinder if I am nutso (or, just grind the beans the day before I leave if I am watching ounces). Don't forget to "borrow" some tiny creamers from a restaurant before you go if that is your thing. There is NOTHING like watching the sunrise over the beautiful scenery you are in with a cup of "damn fine coffee" ("Twin Peaks" reference there). I am not too proud to admit that when I was in the bottom of the Grand Canyon, tears welled up in my eyes every morning as the light played across the Canyon walls and that hot java warmed my hands. (HEY, I hiked 21 miles in that first day so I am confident in my masculinity!)
The point is, there is plenty of gear options out there for you to find out what works for you. Then, for lunch...a Holy Cow Sandwich...mmmm!!!
Rock on and Good Karma!

 

Here is the cookware and stove.

Here is all that is in there

Here is the tent I use. This was when I was riding the Concours I had before the VFR. I just used soft luggage on the VFR.

 

Well, it looks just like any other bike with Nelson-Rigg saddlebags and tailpack. The chair and tentpoles tie to the top of the tailpack, everything else is stuffed into them.

 

It looks like I'll be leaving next Monday morning. One days ride to the Dragon. May be poke around that area for another day. Then off to northern Georgia to Suches to make base camp at Two Wheels Only MC Resort(yea)& Campground. Ride around there for about 3 or 4 days. If anybody here sees a charcoal Grey 83 Intercepter w/grey Eclipes saddle bags, blue gym bad and grey Concours tank bag it's me. Stop me for a chat or ride or what ever. I'm always up for making new friends.