Newbie From Michigan

[crazymactech]

Hello from cold snowy Michigan. Started riding last year (07 sportster 1200L) and have been on a few long trips (over 27,000 on the bike so far) and enjoy camping with the bike. Some insist you can't go touring and camping with a bike. Well, I can with the setup in the picture below.

I hauled my bike to Florida last December and had to leave some camping items behind when I unloaded it near Atlanta. So I bought compact gear and all the camping gear fits in the back bag.
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa170/crazymactech/winter-2007a.jpg

[Mellow]

Nice looking bike. Everyone here will disagree with the 'can't go touring and camping' comment that 'some' insist.. .LOL

You're in good company.

Welcome to the site!

[crazymactech]

Sorry, I meant to write that people say you can't do that with a sportster (meaning it's not a real touring bike). Yes, the suspension sucks, but I only weigh 130.

[Mellow]

Sorry, I meant to write that people say you can't do that with a sportster (meaning it's not a real touring bike). Yes, the suspension sucks, but I only weigh 130.

Hey, you can probably pack more stuff on your bike than my Wing.

130 huh? I used to weigh 130... I think I was 4.:run1:

[Tx White Knight]

Sorry, I meant to write that people say you can't do that with a sportster (meaning it's not a real touring bike). Yes, the suspension sucks, but I only weigh 130.

Welcome
I have not been yet but this year has had some problems but to the bright side I am going to use my V Star to camp with. I have put a HD fairing on it for better weather protection and hope to finish the hard bags in Jan for more room. I still have some small stuff to put together but that wont take long as having researched things here I know what I want so now it is just money :D

I think I remember 130, like Joe I am sure it must have been about 3rd grade :) I quite smoking in June and I am now over 240 and I have already got a bigger spring for my bike, just hope it is big enough :eek:

:tent3:

[msscull]

Welcome to the forum.

There is a lot of good info here that help you continue to prove the "naysayers" wrong!!!

:tent3: :tent8:

[Trekker]

Welcome. Looks like you have a nice setup for packing gear.

[Hemibee]

Sorry, I meant to write that people say you can't do that with a sportster (meaning it's not a real touring bike). Yes, the suspension sucks, but I only weigh 130.

It sure looks :cold1: in the picture.

WELCOME to the site. That's one nice looking scooter in the picture. I also remember 130, it comes an hour and a half after noon if you wait long enough. Of wait you said weigh 130, nope don't remember that far back.

[Trailace]

Welcome to the site, nice looking bike and set up.
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa170/crazymactech/winter-2007a.jpg

I loss a 130 lb one year and that one wife I will not miss. :D

[motomac]

Welcome to the site. I camped in Alabama last night with my ST and had the tent area to myself and the deer and other critters. I think the last time I was at 130 was my Junior year in HS. 1960! Again welcome!

[Motocentaur]

Whereabouts do you live there in the post-industrial tundra? I grew up about a 30 minute drive northwest of Lansing out in the sticks.

[wrk101]

I used to camp, two up, on a Suzuki GS550. And we took food, cooking gear, etc. I don't know how we did it. Now most camping trips means pulling a trailer......

I did go camping (one up..) on my F650 Dakar. It was a reminder of packing right...

As far as your first year riding, congrats! It took me over ten years to get to 27,000 miles. I have since put on more serious miles, over 35K in '07. But 27K puts you probably in the top 1%. And in your first year no less. Well done!

[crazymactech]

Mtocentaur, I live in Alma. An hour north of Lansing. I'm going to turn the sportster into a sportster bagger soon. Hard saddle bags and tour pack. Should make things easier for me for future camping trips.

[Ironheadziggy76]

That is one fine looking Sporty, the yellow looks great. I know lots of guys who tour on Evo model Sportsters, they are probably one of H-D's most reliable rides. Answer a stupid question for me, does the yellow attract small bugs like gnats and such? The reason I ask is my cousin and I have ATVs that are identical except mine is dark green and his is yellow. The little bugs swarm his quad and ignore mine. He thinks it's the color but I think it is whatever he is using to clean and polish his plastic. His is always clean, mine is lucky to see a power washer.

[crazymactech]

Bees seem to like the yellow

[sandman]

Welcome,

That is one clean looking load on your Sportster. Looks like you've done your homework and I think we'll be needing your input on how you pack your rig.

I love efficiency, I just haven't found out where it's made. :D :D

:tent4:

[Motocentaur]

Mtocentaur, I live in Alma. An hour north of Lansing. I'm going to turn the sportster into a sportster bagger soon. Hard saddle bags and tour pack. Should make things easier for me for future camping trips.


I grew up a bit north of Grand Ledge. I used to pass through Alma quite a bit when I was in college in Mt. Pleasant in the early '90's. The roads around there are pretty straight and flat, but one thing they've got that I miss is emptiness/zero traffic.