2-Up Camper forum

[Mellow]

Camping alone on a bike is hard enough, I thought I'd add a sub-forum for those that camp 2-Up. Who knows, we might all benefit by the little tricks 2-up campers use to get all their gear on a bike.

[Fireball18]

Can you actually camp 2-up? Really, I thought two up camping was mostly done at the Holiday Inn. LOL! :D

[motomac]

My SO and I just got back from a 2-up camping trip to AZ. We returned with 5700 miles on the Wing and the Bunkhouse. The trip was to assist with the Ironman Triathlon in Tempe. I rode moto with an Official riding pinion and the So helpes in the women's change tent. My son finished his first Ironman and after the Tri was over we went up to the Grand Canyon and then over to the Four Corners and back down and over to see my sister in Dallas and then back to Ohio. Probablyl the neatest part of the trip was the ride through Salt River Canyon. And we are still speaking to each other!!!

[Mellow]

Hey, you guys with trailers... send me some pics of your rigs... I'd like to add some of those types of pics to the random pics at the top of the site... we seem to be overloaded with GS pics... LOL... not that that's a bad thing..

[Mellow]

My SO and I just got back from a 2-up camping trip to AZ. We returned with 5700 miles on the Wing and the Bunkhouse. The trip was to assist with the Ironman Triathlon in Tempe. I rode moto with an Official riding pinion and the So helpes in the women's change tent. My son finished his first Ironman and after the Tri was over we went up to the Grand Canyon and then over to the Four Corners and back down and over to see my sister in Dallas and then back to Ohio. Probablyl the neatest part of the trip was the ride through Salt River Canyon. And we are still speaking to each other!!!

Wow, mowing, weed-eating and watering the lawn is as close to a triathlon I get... kudos to your son. Guess it's never to late to start get into it.... hmmmm..... nah... I'm too lazy..

[Slink]

OK here's some pics/
Hey Mellow Web Page not available
Slink

[Mellow]

Not sure what's up... please try again.

[Slink]

Well we will tri it again, file size too big

[Tx White Knight]

Well we will tri it again, file size too big

Practice makes perfect :) Keep trying we want to see

[LionLady]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/Lion_Lady/Trips%20-%20MC/Sky_0003.jpg

About to head out to Skyline Drive with my daughter, two summers ago.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/Lion_Lady/Trips%20-%20MC/Sky_0034.jpg

The view across the seat, at one of the overlooks. My bike has a rear luggage shelf above the tail light. The two roll bags are resting on that (the black bag is a H2W cord close bag with the tent). All our other stuff fit in the side cases.

P

[sandman]

:wow1:

That shows you ladies can pack light when it counts.

Looks like you girls had a great time.

Thanks for the pics.

[ozarkrider]

The GS loaded up to take us from Arkansas to the west coast and back. 5,500 miles in 16 days. What a ball we had.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h232/ozarkrider/vac05/vac05-106.jpg

[jfheath]

We've been 2-up camping for holidays for the last 6-7 years. First on an St1100 with a NonFango 52 litre top box, now on an ST1300 with a honda 45 litre top box. We had the packing for the ST1100 down to a fine art, but the loading arrangements on the ST1300 are a bit different, and I'm still experimenting.

Sorry no pictures, but I'll get some and post next time we are out and fully loaded.

I used a couple of cyclindrical waterproof bags which strapped to the side of the pillion seat on the top of the pannier for tent and for thermarests.
Simple arrangement. I have the right side pannier for my stuff, wife has the left. The top box is used for sleeping gear, with corner space available for stowing extra bits, or removed clothing.
Tank bag is used for cooking equipment, fuel, food and eating utensils.

:tent1:
A significant issue with us is space. We need plenty - otherwise the camping is just not enjoyable. SO we have a tent that provides this - hardly lightweight, but it does strap to the nearside of the rear seat. On the St1300, it partially obscures the rear view in the mirror - a problem I need to solve. There were no such issues on the St1100.
The tent we have is a black shrimp (http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/review/reviewproduct.asp?RGN=11&RCN=91&RPN=551&sp=332607698628332647560&v=7). Ideal for us, but bulky to pack. IT also has one of those thin material type groundsheets with "10,000mm hydrostatic head". Plenty I thought, and as good as it gets for one of these lighter groundsheets. Not so. Sleep on it on damp ground, and the damp very slowly seeps through. So we now always carry a PVC coated groundsheet for underneath the tent. Pointless getting a lighter tent in the first place!

:sb1:
We don't use sleeping bags, and never have when camping with a vehicle. We take a thin double bed duvet on top and 2 thermarest mats placed in thin cotton case. The case keeps them together and makes a nice base. This is much warmer and cosier than sleeping bags, which waste half of their insulation by being compressed underneath you.

:fire3:
I used to have a primus/optimus kerosene burner for cooking, but now use a dragonfly burner. Very fast, very efficient. It will burn petrol (gasoline) as well as parrafin (kerosene), so Im wondering how I can safely pinch fuel from the bike's tank, instead of carrying spare fuel with me. We pack breakfasts and drinks, but tend to eat out in the evening, or buy food during the day for cooking in the camp.

I bought a baglux tank cover and tank bag - but although this is brilliant for day to day use, I find that the single compartment with most of the space being in the lid, is far from ideal - so Im finding ways of attaching my old 2-section Oxford tank bag to the tank.

Most days camping / touring - 3 weeks. Brilliant. The best arrangement we found is to have a long touring day, set up the tent and then have a couple of days touring around the local area without the burden of the camping equipment. This reduces the amount of time spent packing and unpacking.

:storm1:
Two caveats. i) If it rains, we stay put. There's not much fun in packing wet tents. ii) If it really really rains so that it becomes unpleasant, we move to a hotel, regroup and dry out. We hardly ever use these options - but we plan the holiday with 'what ifs' and its nice to have the alternatives.

[Tx White Knight]

Nice write up jfheath

and Welcome

[jfheath]

Following on from a promise. Just taken a weekend out with the Pan and Tent. Stayed on local camping club site on Scottish Borders. Loads of Midges. Read my previous post for details.

First Image shows the Shrimp tent, with stupid double zip opening, and most of the gear. Clothes already packed. Groundsheets galore - Near one shows duvet rolle dup and strapped ready for loading into top box inside a plastic bin liner. The top box never leaks, but the day I forget to use bin liners will be the day it lets me down. Near groundsheet also shows two thermarest sleeping mats - and a spare summer sleeping bag compressed in the red bag - a bit of extra warmth if we have the space.
Blue tank bag is an Oxford, and alongside it it the kerosene bottle and black bag containing the burner. Most of the rest is gear to wear for two of us.

Loaded Rear View shows the Shrimp tent packed above the left pannier. Thermarests and groundsheets packed in the bag above the right pannier. Red strap under the top box is threaded through the grab rails. Tensioned so one bag is pulled against the other. Each bag is also strapped to the grab rail by its own strap, which is sewn onto the bag itself - its not going to slip off ! Bags do not interfere with pillion's legs.

Loaded Rear Left shows the botched arrangement for the tank bag. I have a bagster bag for the bagster tank bra - but it doesn't work too well. This strapping arrangement works for now. It will get better. Note the side stand support. A bit of plywood, trapezoidal in shape cut to fit vertically in the right hand fairing pocket.

This arrangement worked very well with the ST1100, but the 1300 shown has less room between the pannier and the top box, so nothing is as neat and tidy as it used to be.

[les1234]

so Im wondering how I can safely pinch fuel from the bike's tank, instead of carrying spare fuel with me.


I recently saw what you need, in the chainsaw section of a big box store, I think it was Lowes, but can probably get it in the others too. It was a large syringe type thing, for measuring the oil for the 2-stoke gas mix. Looked like it would hold several ounces, just put a short piece of hose on it(in case you arrive in camp with less than a full tank)pull out a few ounces and squirt it into your stove. Then, you could just pull the plunger out and let it dry to get rid of any gas still inside it. Maybe keep it in a ziplock bag afterward, just in case it smells.....or find somewhere outside the luggage to stow it.

Edit:Oops, I just saw you were located in England, probabably no Lowes store there!! But you still might be able to find something like that in a chainsaw shop, or some other shop that deals in small 2 cycle motors.

[Lowrider]

I've used a turkey baster to do the same thing....might have them in UK.

[bigTom]

I think there ought to be one requirement to post in the 2 up forum.

Any couple that doesn't out weigh me can't post!

[narcop482]

Alright Big Tom............I'm 270 and the wife won't tell me what she weighs (135ish). Loaded for a weekend rally.

[motrhead]

I recently saw what you need, in the chainsaw section of a big box store, I think it was Lowes, but can probably get it in the others too. It was a large syringe type thing, for measuring the oil for the 2-stoke gas mix. ....
Edit:Oops, I just saw you were located in England, probabably no Lowes store there!! But you still might be able to find something like that in a chainsaw shop, or some other shop that deals in small 2 cycle motors.

Hi, new guy here. I had to speak up and say thanks.P^ This is the answer I have been looking for. I didn't want to have to mess with fuel lines if I wanted gas in an emergency. I even stumbled across a listing in the UK (I'm in Canada,so I can get one here easily).
Here: http://www.4mcculloch.co.uk/cgi-bin/product.pl?PID=1663816&brand=&model=&part=

I'll be picking one of these syringes up right away. I'm sticking with my old school Optimus 8R and Svea 123 stoves since I am really tired of packing and messing with propane cylinders, and this should make my life easier.
Dean

[Ironheadziggy76]

Welcome to the site motrhead!

[nortonkicker]

90% of my trips are 2-up camping with my wife, and I ride a hardtail bobber with little to no storage space. I throw slanted medium sized saddlebabgs over the back pillion pad and cover the strap with a gel pad for the Misses. I adjust the straps so that the saddlebags ride low, but clear the exhaust system and keep the weight as low as possible. Her clothing and personal items take up both saddlebags, with a little extra room for other goodies. I can pack 2 tripod stools, a 5' x 7' tent, our Jetboil cooking system with GSI Pinnacle dualist kit, LED lantern, coffee, freeze dried meals, 2 self inflating pillows, and a sleeping bag ( my clothes packed in sleeping bag) ALL into a 8" x 25" dry sack. This one waterproof bag packs nice & neat behind the sissy bar. Two self inflating pads rolled up and tied down (1 each) long ways on top of each saddlebag. This even provides some degree cush under my wife's thighs while riding. Our folding table weighs only 3-1/2 pounds and straps right to the handlebars. We have traveled hundreds of miles on trips like this and usually have most of what we need. Spent quite some time in the Cascade Mountain Range of Oregon and the bike handled surprisingly well in the curves, even loaded down with this much gear. The secret to having what you need while two up camping is a partner that can live with the basics. No blow dryer, no make-up bag. My wife is never whiney on trips and this makes me a lucky guy.

[STCPO]

Great idea,

Here is the ST loaded for a short weekend 2-up camping trip. We are doing a longer trip to CO in June and will have some better feedback after that trip.

http://pkac.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Arkansas-Weekend-2010/P5100013/840846156_J9Rbr-M.jpg

http://pkac.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Arkansas-Weekend-2010/P5100011/840842823_mDCry-M.jpg


We really try to find things that pack small.

Cheers,
Pete

[Nightwing93]

http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=94&pictureid=1166&thumb=1 ('http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=94&pictureid=1166') Hello from southern Idaho, some of you may be shocked at the way we 2-up. How about a 15x10 dome tent, chairs, 12x12 awning, table, lanterns, two burner propane stove, two big bags of clothes ,two sleeping bags,... what else... I'm sure I'm leaving something out. Oh, tools... and a bunch of other stuff I can't think of right now....;)We seldom cook since we generally go to rallies of various sizes and our friends usually cook and they invite us over... I do use the stove to heat up water for a proper cup of tea. I crossed a truck scale in north east Washington riding alone with the trailer and I think my gross was 1600 pounds.:eek: I know thats really gross...:D but I love it.... So how do I insert my other pics, the little insert tab doesn't work after I put in the first one?...http://www.motocampers.com/forums/photo_popup.php?e=vB_Editor_001#

[Ironheadziggy76]

Welcome to the site Nightwing93! For the photos, I just link them from site like Photobucket.

[Bluebullet]

OK here is our 2 up rig.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4598653762_c7f1d6065d_b.jpg

[Jeff in Ferndale WA]

http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=94&pictureid=1166&thumb=1 ('http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=94&pictureid=1166') Hello from southern Idaho, some of you may be shocked at the way we 2-up. How about a 15x10 dome tent, chairs, 12x12 awning, table, lanterns, two burner propane stove, two big bags of clothes ,two sleeping bags,... what else... I'm sure I'm leaving something out. Oh, tools... and a bunch of other stuff I can't think of right now....;)We seldom cook since we generally go to rallies of various sizes and our friends usually cook and they invite us over... I do use the stove to heat up water for a proper cup of tea. I crossed a truck scale in north east Washington riding alone with the trailer and I think my gross was 1600 pounds.:eek: I know thats really gross...:D but I love it.... So how do I insert my other pics, the little insert tab doesn't work after I put in the first one?...http://www.motocampers.com/forums/photo_popup.php?e=vB_Editor_001#

Yup...I've got a wife that won't travel light eitherP^
Inside our Roll a Home I've got everything you mention and more...

[Cousin Jack]

Here's a pic of us on the move, taken by a good Goldwing-piloting friend from another forum...... snapped in New York during our 8,910 mile summer tour from Washington State to Nova Scotia and back.....

For twenty years, we traveled and toured on Goldwings, but after a deer accident two years ago, we decided to try it with a slightly smaller, ST1300. On this trip, we strapped on an el cheapo ATV bag filled with down sleeping bags, two thermal air mattresses, two sets of Frogg Toggs, and two foam camping chairs. There's a Eureka Four Person Timberline on top, and a yellow canoe bag filled with something, can't remember what.... our tank bag holds a single pot, an MSR Pocket Rocket stove, two eating cups, utensils, and a 10" Acer notebook.... bless free wifi in campgrounds! That leaves one sidebag each for clothing, hygiene items, and personal whatevers.......

Touring lite is touring rite; most of what we take, we don't need, and only gets in the way of the experience..... we plan to tour two-up as long as we live!

[Dusty Boots]

..... we plan to tour two-up as long as we live!

:think1: .... which won't be too long, if you keep flooding out your Host's basement, CJ! :well LOL

Dusty

[Nightwing93]

Flood a basement? Whats the story behind all that? ...

[lytle1gw]

We always 2 up camp, just have to get cozzy in the old(1968) combi kamp. Pulls like a dream. Love the Land Between the Lakes, cost for back country camping is 25.00 a year for any over 18. Plenty of roads that were cut off by lake and makes beautiful campsites.

[quadancer]

Packing 2 with no trailer...2 pads, 2 bags, 3man tent, ground cover, kitchen, food, clothes, camera, winter jackets, rainsuits, tennies, hammock, longjohns. All here:
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb223/quadancer/BIKE/Runs/Morganton001.jpg :p

[Trailace]

Packing 2 with no trailer...2 pads, 2 bags, 3man tent, ground cover, kitchen, food, clothes, camera, winter jackets, rainsuits, tennies, hammock, longjohns. All here:
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb223/quadancer/BIKE/Runs/Morganton001.jpg :p

That's hard to do Good Job.

[quadancer]

My passenger backrest has a recessed Mustang pad that sits too far back for her, so I put a hammock bag with camp pants in front of it. It sat like an easy chair for her; no problems.
She just has to get on FIRST instead of me, and get settled after I stand the bike up. Later runs put the footprint behind the T-bag. I bought cinch straps (45" or so) from REI that keep the bags on top of the saddlebags.
The addition of passenger floorboards made life much more livable for her.
All this gear:
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb223/quadancer/BIKE/Runs/CampGear007.jpg

[Bruce Storts]

It can be done. Bitchin Bonnie and I bruser started in '80 on a R80/7 . You really have to watch you weight. Just about everything has to serve 2 or purposes. We used a fish delayer to weight everything and where to place it on the bike.

[Clamper]

It wasn't a problem for us when we started in '75. I got the left side saddlebag, and she took the right. All kitchen stuff, the tent and a little food went in the box, and sleeping bags were on top. We stopped along the way to buy fresh food stuff or after we set up camp if close. I really miss the one foot extension on the propane bottle. We could hook up the stove and had a lantern on top.

[quadancer]

Is that a REFRIGERATOR on the back of your bike? :eek:

[Clamper]

Not much bigger than the Goldwing we have now, but yeah it sure did hold a lot.

[Ironheadziggy76]

Awesome pics Clamper, I'm loving the Windjammer! P^