Packing for 2 Up?

[funny-biz]

I've done some weekenders 2-up and manage without a problem. I've been wondering about a longer ride, though. How do the rest of you manage to pack a week's worth of goodies for two without a trailer? I know you guys with the tourers have plenty of space, I'm wondering about doing it with a sport-tourer...

Inquiring minds want to know!
:p

[billxp]

Compression Sacks (http://www.seatosummit.com/products/display/37) will help. New to camping here with an ST1300 and only camped 2 up for the weekend but with a compression sack I was able to compress a 20degree sleeping bag (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009VC81Y/104-9717179-5523112?ie=UTF8) to about the size of a full face helmet. Also helps to shop at a backbacking store because they know how to pack small and light.

[Trailace]

Sorry no help here, my SO will not ride 2 up to go camping. We take the truck. I'm trying to talk her into getting a bike but no luck so far.:mad:

[funny-biz]

At least she goes camping with you, Rick. Keep working on her! ;)

Good advice, Bill. Even solo I use compression bags. One for my tent, one for the sleeping bag.

[mongo]

We have been both been car camping since we were kids, and still enjoy camping since our marriage. I have been trying to get Lisa to bike camp with me for years. She has finally decided to try it, now comes the 2 up gear issue. I have seen these u-pacs on GS's for years, but never thought about purchasing one as the wife never went with me. After looking at the dimensions (and deciding the rear seat was to wide on the ST1300) I decided to call, sure enough they will build to my specs for just a few dollars more than stock. I have been out of town working for a week and haven't called back with dimensions, but I think this is my resolution for the 2 up gear issue. I will give a review when possible, hopefully this season!

http://www.josupac.com/main1.html

[DirtGirL]

I have read thru this post a couple of times...and have a couple of questions. I was wondering if you were talking about a weeks worth of stuff 2-up camping, or are you talking a week long trip, staying in hotels and eating out? I don't think we have ever gone longer than a weekend with just the bike packed.. Any longer than that, we have the trailer with us. If we were going to be staying in hotels, and eating out every night, I could easily see just packing the clothes and personal items in the bike. Trying to go camping with everything on the bike, I couldn't imagine it, even with the Wing. The compression sacks sound like a good idea, although my stove, lantern, kitchen utensils, food, hatchet, chairs and beer will not fit well in a compression sack LOL .
As for me, I am the SO of Goldwinggl.. I love riding on the bike, and I love camping...though if it was a smaller bike, or we didnt have a trailer, I am not sure how it would work. I am spoiled having all that room on the back seat.
I at one time wondered about having my own bike. I even took the course, just never had a bike back then to keep learning. Now that I a comfortable passenger on the back seat, I am not sure I want all the responsibility of my own bike. I have enough sitting on the back, being a lookout for stupid drivers.
I am not a high maintainence kind of girl camper...I love the secluded out of the way spots, and dont mind using the bushes, I do however, like to have my comfortable camping chair, a stove, and all the good food and drinks that go along with sitting around the campfire. Maybe you could talk your SO's into going with you then !!!!

[mongo]

I am talking a weeklong camping trip, That is after we get the gear situated. This will take a couple of day-2 day trips. I have traveled 17 days solo, camping with all the accouterments mentioned above. I do not think my 2 burner stove will make the 2 up gear and it will be missed. You get used to cooking and making coffee at the same time!

[Chase the Lion]

2-up trip..I outfitted the bike for a 3 week trip to New England. We camped some and every third to fourth night grabbed a hotel room inorder to clean up/ wash cloths, and soak in a jaccuzzi.

Bike: 04 ST1300 with Givi top box plus tank bag.

All items fit in bags...nothing "tied on".

Left side bag:

Mountain Hardware 2 tent plus ground cloth (poles stored seperate from bag inorder to take better advantage of the space in the side case)
Thermarest prolite 3 (rolled up with a compression strap)
Thermarest prolite 4 (rolled up with a compression strap)

Top Box:
2 Widder electric vests and control
Spare helmet speaker and electical tool kit
2 sets of spare gloves
2 sets of rain grear
2 sleeping bags 1- Cabella's Boundry Water 20 degree bag down bag, 2- 15 + yr old down feather bag.
2 com pression sacks (medium size)

Snow Peak pot with lid
pocket rocket stove
msr fuelcanister
2 plastic spoons

The stove itself and fuel fit inside the snow peak pot. The pot comes with a mesh bag which the spoons went in the mesh bag.

Small coffee press - don't recall the brand
2 piece plastic wine goblet...base unsrews and serves a top for the glass...can also store honey packets, matches, etc in the glass.

Zip lock bag with tea/creamer/coffee/honey packets

Zip lock bag with instant oatmeal and instant soups


Yes all this fit in the Givi E52 top box...we wore the electric vests each day except for the 1st and last days traveling from our Texas home.


Right side case: her clothing

Tank Bag: (matching tank bra and bag pan-europen)

my clothing and radio gear...and occasional bottle of wine. We'd pick up either a canned or freezed dried item each day for dinner that night...stuff the extra food stuff in my tank bag.

The hardest part of the packing was the clothing for cold weather riding...could take much.... warmer weather would make camping much easier...summer clothing would pack easier..and also leave more room to transfer some things from the Givi trunk to the clothing bags.

coldest consisent riding temp 36 degrees
coldest overnight temp.. low 20's with snow on the tent in the morning while camping on the Shenendowa (sp?) Skyline Drive.

COMMENT: My wife said "I wait on you verses you waiting on me...it takes you forever to get everthing packed!"... and it did. I had to be precise or things just didn't fit. I also was careful to not "over stuff" the cases and stress the hinges.

2-up camping...it can be done!

Jeff

[mongo]

Thanks for the write up Jeff. My wife will not camp when it is cold.

[Trailace]

Jeff Better you than me. I hate Packing!

[Mellow]

Jeff, wow... great stuff... hard to believe all that fit in the trunk...

Next time you're bored... post everything layed out on the driveway, then, one bag at a time, show how it all fits... LOL... like I said... when you're bored...

welcome to the site!

[Mark]

Jeff, wow... great stuff... hard to believe all that fit in the trunk...

Next time you're bored... post everything layed out on the driveway, then, one bag at a time, show how it all fits... LOL... like I said... when you're bored...

welcome to the site!

and if you took a movie of it you could speed it up so that it looked like a 'speed-freak' comedy... :-)

[Mellow]

and if you took a movie of it you could speed it up so that it looked like a 'speed-freak' comedy... :-)

And... play the theme from Benny Hill... :D

[Slink]

We go 2-3 weeks with the Bunkhouse. I carry everything Including AC and electric blanket small electric heater to take the chill out, a porta potty so we don't have to go out at night after braking my chin on a fire rim I have no concern to stumble in the dark. 2 very light chairs they go in the pocket of the cover a collapsable box for the AC a electric coffee purculator assorted lamps a double sided electric grill and a 14square screen room with closures, which I put over the picnic table assorted dish ware 3 clothes bags and the cooler of drinks for the road. I normally don't buy food till I get close to where I'm going.
Saddle bags with shoes and personal hygene articles. SO's bike gets all the misc. crap.Oh and a rolled up eggcrate cushion for the King bed I got bad shoulders I gotta sleep soft
Slink

[TOMB]

No way all my wifes STUFF would fit into one saddle bag. Makes me:dizzy1: just thinking about it:D

[Dalton]

With influence from Chase the Lion's 2-up packing, I was encouraged to pack for my wife and I for our CampSTOC08 trip. I spent quite a bit of time packing and ended up packing differently on the road. Below are pics and items packed in each bag. I hope they help others.

Bike - 03 Honda ST1300

Right Side Bag (Heavier bag to lift bike off stand)
http://inlinethumb13.webshots.com/20748/2965642640040074678S425x425Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2965642640040074678bdFvhh)
Outside
http://inlinethumb64.webshots.com/32255/2503386960040074678S425x425Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2503386960040074678BjIDsn)
-Cotton Cleaning Towel for ST and shield
-Hip style Camelback
-Fox heavy mountain bike shirt
-Water bottle
-100 ft thin nylon rope
-Flip Flops
-2 Rain Panchos
-My toiletries

Inside
http://inlinethumb20.webshots.com/25939/2413969090040074678S425x425Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2413969090040074678rkREJz)
-Plastic tent ground cover
-2 stools
-Tent Poles
-Tent in compression bag (Eureka Backcountry 2)
-Pearl Izumi gloves
-Jet Boil Pot
-Jet Boil PCS (with stands and coffee press)
-Stop-N-Go tire plugger


Left Side Bag
http://inlinethumb08.webshots.com/16135/2242459450040074678S425x425Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2242459450040074678OPUxSd)
Outside
http://inlinethumb19.webshots.com/12690/2936947150040074678S425x425Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2936947150040074678KVSoaD)
-My Clothes
Tshirt
SnoBones Snowboarding insulated bottoms
Thin pants
-Wife's Clothes
2 shirts
Blue Jeans
Pearl Izumi insulated bottoms

Inner
http://inlinethumb19.webshots.com/41490/2089996150040074678S425x425Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2089996150040074678PeYdvd)
-Commpression sack with...
My MSR microfiber Body Towel
Frog Togg Pants
Dirty Clothes
Camping pillows
2 pr Gerbing gloves
-Wife's undies
-2 long sleeve shirts
-Tshirt
-My Blue Jeans (don't pack jeans!!! Take too much space!)
-Belt
-My undies
-Wife's Toiletries

HondaLine Top Box
http://inlinethumb44.webshots.com/33387/2765387300040074678S425x425Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2765387300040074678RDcCyl)
-Small roll paper towel (you can get them tightly wound from Wallyworld)
-First Aid kit
-Wife's MSR microfiber body towel
- Bag of misc chargers (phone, mp3, etc)
-Primus Lantern
-2 Marmot Sawtooth sleeping bags (each in compression bag)
-Spare FRS radio
-Camping Soap
-2 spare dry sacks
-Bungee cord motorcycle web
-Duffle bag (to put clothes in at campsite -- like a dresser at a hotel)
-2 thermarests
-Coffee
-Foldable Kitchen Sink
-Wife's Shoes
-Dehydrated foods
-Oatmeal
-Egear battery lantern
-Bug repellent
-Bic lighter
-Tightly would toilet paper (again, from Wally's)
-Tie wraps
-QuickSteel epoxy putty

Tank Bag
http://inlinethumb48.webshots.com/31663/2113510220040074678S425x425Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2113510220040074678ZxpQmW)
-2 sunglasses
-Sony Vaio Computer
-Flashlight
-Blackberry Curve
-FRS Radio
-Cobra CB
-Bag of batteries
-Gloves

Left Fairing Pocket
-Anti Monkey Butt Powner
-Cyclecare Polish

Chase the Lion's right, it CAN be done!

Credits go to Trekker and his patience - thanks for waiting for us to PACK EVERYTHING after break of camp!!!!

[Mellow]

Dalton, bravo... good job!

[Trekker]

Chase the Lion's right, it CAN be done!

Credits go to Trekker and his patience - thanks for waiting for us to PACK EVERYTHING after break of camp!!!!

I was absolutely AMAZED and in a constant state of wonderment watching you pack your gear. You are a tenacious man and never showed any frustration as you broke camp. It was inspirational.

Your packing techniques and gear have caused me to spend more money though! I just ordered the Jetboil stove system and thinking about investing in those compression bags.

We weren't waiting for you though.... we were telling lies and enjoying our time away from work. Remember our mantra??? "I'm on vacation!" ;)

My God, that was a fun trip.

[STrep]

Hey Dalton...terrific job. This a great reference, I can certainly be much more economical in my packing. I am going to see if I can get the Jet-Boil here in Ontario.

Thanks Dave for taking the pics. :)

It was great meeting you at CampSTOC.:tent1:

Anthony STreppel

[Dalton]

:D It's from working with technology all day!! :D

I'll bring an order of compression bags up when we meet to setup the tents! Let's DO IT!!:tent1:

Thanks Dave...

Dalton

[QUOTE=Trekker;11158]I was absolutely AMAZED and in a constant state of wonderment watching you pack your gear. You are a tenacious man and never showed any frustration...QUOTE]

[motomac]

You can make any bag a compression bag with a couple of D-ring straps long enough to go around the bag lengthwise you are compressing. Sit on the bag and pull the straps tight and you have compressed the bag. I tried it with my Big Agnes bag and got it compressed down less than 12". I started out with about 22".

[m.jdegeiso]

Did you know that there is a website called Mica Peak that has a great source for packing a bike, and they have printable list, and you can also custom a list.
http://micapeak.com/checklists/

[ctbandit]

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v261/165/55/45607177/n45607177_32261234_4518.jpg

These are my Givi knock offs from JC whitney packed for a 4 day 2-up camp trip.

The right one has a full sized air mattress, come crappy coleman sleeping bag, and a 4D air pump. The left has both of our clothes, my our sandals, a towel and 1 set of rain pants.

The tank bag took the rest of the rain gear, and some other small stuff. This trip was easy because a friend came along in a car, so all the food stuff was in his car. I'll be adding a top case to the list this year which is where I'll put that junk. We strapped the tent to the back of the bike.
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v261/165/55/45607177/n45607177_32261235_4834.jpg

I'm looking forward to a lot more motocamping this year. Hopefully a trip or two sans pillion so I can cut down on the baggage.

[PaPa John]

Just finish reading this thread. I must admit, you motocampers have this packing down to a science.

I am planning a lengthy camping trip this summer and these tips are coming in very handy. I will be travelling solo, so 1-up packing for me.

It appears if all goes according to plans I will be gone about one month.

Going to have to try a couple of compression bags. They look very interesting.

John

[wwells]

We use compression sacks on some things. Try a couple and see if it works for you. When beginning, I actually packed & loaded then rode around to see how it handled. I repacked and made adjustments, going to a local campground to set up. That way I was close to home if I needed to get something I had forgotten. I ended up with too much stuff (most of us have) and pare it down and re-do the "must carry" list from time to time.:tent5: My biggest challenge is the stuff the "Princess" thinks she needs to bring when we go out 2-up. That is why I have a trailer as well.

Even the process is fun!

[grinder man]

CT Bandit, how are the JC Whitney ags holding up ? I have the large ag mounted as a top box on my 99 nighthawk, and I am thinking of mounting the bags to my bike. Any problems with them falling apart or anything else. Thanks Grinder manP^

[WANDRR]

With my dog, she loves it.

[Bruce Storts]

wife and I started out on a R80/7. You just have to learn to down size (toiletries-motel size soaps,sample size deoderants,shampoo, toothpaste, folding toothbrush,small hairbrushes.) Two days perpair jeans, I do have to have clean underwear and socks every day. You have to think like a backpacker. If you wouldn't carry it on you back don't put it on your bike. If you are going to be out more tha a week (5-7) days plan on a lundry mat. It takes some getting use to but a lot more fun.

[quadancer]

I dunno man, I'd hate to try to backpack all the stuff I carry on the Harley! I wouldn't get very far!

[Rhoadzie]

My wife and I have tried this a couple of different ways. But, our favorite is to camp and eat out. We pack a tent, very compact sleeping bags, two therma-rest pads, and then clothing for all weather conditions. We have always been able to go for at least 18 days. We do laundry and have stayed in a lot of KOA's. Most of them offer reasonable camp rates for tents. Many of them also offer low cost meals and sometimes, free.