New, saying hi

[dualsportguy]

Hey guys, you have a fun little site here and I thought I would introduce myself. My name is John. Came accross this forum searching for camping/packing ideas for my bike. I ride a dualsported Yam WR450, which does excelent for the kind of riding I do. Even though we arent riding the same "type" bike, I have found this forum very informative and enjoyable. So far in my few camping excursions on the bike, saying I was "roughing" it would be a little of an understatement. I still havent found the right mix of stuff to comfortably carry and use. My bike is street legal only in the sense that it has a legitimate plate on it and is insured, and as such, I ride very little pavement. I have weight/bulk issues that I will be looking here for advise and comments. My riding style is almost like desert racing, only Im not that fast. The bike is running as fast as I can control it, leaves the ground often, and unfortunately hits the ground often (and not on the tires!) as well.
Here is my bike.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n273/johnnyjeep/wr450003.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n273/johnnyjeep/wr450011.jpg

Thanks for listening to me.

John in Vegas

[Trekker]

Cool !!! Welcome!

[Mellow]

Welcome John, I think Trailace will be gearing up on the ultra-light packing here in a little while as he just got his BMW X bike http://www.motocampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=631 so you two may have some things to talk about.

[Trailace]

John,
Welcome to the site and that is a nice looking ride you got there. After I get back from my East coast swing ride I will be focusing on packing lighter. I don't carry much now but could down size a few things.

Do you bring a Tent and sleeping bag with you now? The first thing I was going to do was find a good one man tent and go from there.

[Mark]

Nice bike.

I don't know if I'd enjoy dirt bike moto camping... I can barely fit what I want with me on the ST1100... :-)

Mark

[GoldWingGL]

Welcome John, and I think you have a good start here, with lots of info to come...have fun..

[dualsportguy]

The few times I did go I did bring the tent and bag, but they were just short "test" trips to the mountains around the valley. When its packed, the bike doesnt ride the way Im used to so it would really be for going out and setting up a camp base, then headidng out to trails. My short term goals with this is to be able to take maybe a week and tour Nevada, the ghost towns, old saloons, abandonded graveyards etc, the possible graduate to at least some of the trans america trail. This packing chore is huge, mostly because I will still need to be able to "throw" the bike around the tumbleweeds and rocks. I also need to teach myself a little throttle control, my mpg range has been from 50 mpg slow speed freeway, down to 21 on the trail trying to keep up with guys who think we are racing. Even that 6.6 gal tank doesnt last too long at 21mpg.
Looking forward to getting some advice from you experts.

John in vegas

[msscull]

:hi1: Welcome to the forum!!! :hi1:

[Tx White Knight]

Welcome
John, it certinaly looks like you can get to some of the lesser traveled camping spots. .:D

[dualsportguy]

Welcome
John, it certinaly looks like you can get to some of the lesser traveled camping spots. .:D

I started off camping with the JEEP (still do). That gave me practice in downsizing the packing. To tell the truth, eliminate the big things like a cooler, and somebody to talk to, the packing is almost the same. haha

John in Vegas