Camping Equipment

[AL-]

Plan on doing long weekends away on the bike (FZS600 Fazer) with the missus, starting off in the UK to get her used to it then we shall venture into Europe for longer breaks!

I've got the tent sorted (Can't remember the model but it's a vango). Also got a couple of pillows sorted (Vango half moons)

Now I just need to sort out a matress and a sleeping bag (I am sure a double will be more suitable )

So what does BCF recommend for biking goodness?

[chillyman0]

best thing to do is find your nearest Go Outdoors or something similar and go in and have a look around, picked up a single lightweight ribbed airbed (kinda like a beach lilo) that has an inbuild memory foam type pump for around a tenner packs down to probably a litre in volume... get a couple of those and a couple of lightweight stuff sack single sleeping bags will probs be the most space effective way....
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preivious : 2007 Skyjet 125 (died), 1991 gsf400 (problems, rotting in garden)
1996 gsf600n (sold)
current : 1996 VFR750 for sale, PM for info! 2000 E1 ZX-9r

[stinkwheel]

I bought a genuine therm-a-rest camping mat about 12 years ago for what seemed a reduculous amount of money at the time.

I do a LOT of camping (I lived in a tent on my UK tour for three months last year) and it's still going strong.

EDIT: Mummy sleeping bags are "handed". If you get a left and a right hand zip of the same make, you can join them together for double sleeping bag action. You also don't get grief for smelly feet because you each have a seperate foot bit.

The Missus and I have a pair of Blacks own brand sleeping bags with handed zips. Hers is a ladies one which is a bit shorter but they still zip toghether fine. It's even possible for one person to have one with a higher season rating then the other so you both stay in your comfort zone.

Snugpack sleeping bags are good for on the bike because they compress down to a very small pack size. I have one of their one season jungle bags, it's great in the summer because the sun doesn't chase you out of bed at 6am and has a square toe so you can move about inside it. Also compresses down to the size of a coconut. If it's a bit cooler, I have a liner for the inside that ups the warmth level considerably.


It also unzips totally to make a quilt and has a built in mosquito net that zips over the hood.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[c-m]

Personally I wouldn't go down the air bed route as then you need also pack a 12v compressor. I reckon a decent self inflating matt will last much longer, and give you more head room in your tent.

As for sleeping begs, you need to work out what temperatures you're likely to be sleeping in. I have a Vango50 which pack down so about the size of 750ml drinks bottle. It comes in left/right handed zips. It is a one season bag only.
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Motorcycle headlight bulbs and HIDs
Blogging about my bike and trips
https://ridershandbook.com/

[AL-]

Cheers for all the help so far guys. I am heading to my local camping shop tomorrow (camping international) to have a look around.

I certainly think a self inflating matt would be ideal so will try them out

[ms51ves3]

[c-m]

[ms51ves3]

[AL-]

Picked up a couple of self inflatting matts from the camping shop. Small pack size and comfortable

Now just the sleeping bags to sort out

Cheers for all the help guys

[Charlie]

If you can make sure they stay dry and have a few pennies I'd get a down bag of some sort. They pack very small
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Past: Honda x8rs, Honda City fly, Honda Hornet 250, Honda VFR750, Yamaha xt600e.
Current: Honda CBR929RR & Yamaha XT660Z Tenere

[shereen]

[Charlie]

Same, my Nanok Comfort Down is awesome, double zips is awesome. Plus it packs down tiny and I've never been cold. Yet to use it in a tent with snow, but had frost inside the tent before and was lovely and warm still, while only wearing boxer shorts.

Mother has just got some down summer weight bag yet, packs ridiculously small and looks good.... I'll hopefully borrow that at some point to give it a test.
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Past: Honda x8rs, Honda City fly, Honda Hornet 250, Honda VFR750, Yamaha xt600e.
Current: Honda CBR929RR & Yamaha XT660Z Tenere

[Handsome]

Double skin tent+Camp Bed ( saves the back )+thin but decent sleeping bag+Blow up pillow+Wet Wipes+Minimal clothing=Sorted...

The lads normally have two or three of everything else food and cutlery wise so Meh, that's me done...
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Previous Bikes...Honda NSR 125 RR...Kawasaki Zephyr 550...Suzuki SV 1000 S...Yamaha FZ8...Current Bike...Suzuki GSX-R 750...

[The Shaggy D.A.]

I found a couple of these from Poundland handy, as an internal carpet in the tent for an extra layer of insulation, and as an entry mat.

Fold up small, waterproof and only a quid.

https://www.poundland.co.uk/images/4183/original/picnic-blankets.jpg
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Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[Peirre oBollox]

[stinkwheel]

A couple of more tips.

1) Get an ortleib dry bag to pack your sleeping bags and spare clothes in. You could then drop them in a river and they'd come out dry.

I also put my gear in it when I arrive and can happily dump it outside the tent, leaving more rom for me inside.

2) That rubber mesh matting people use to stop luggage rubbing on their paintwork can be put on the floor of your tent under the sleeping mats and stops them slipping about through the night.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Charlie]

Tamarack Outdoors's clearance list have 2 dry bags on clearance.

£15 for a 50L
£12 for a 25L

If you subscribe to their newsletter there is also a 25% discount on these as well...

pm me for the code
____________________
Past: Honda x8rs, Honda City fly, Honda Hornet 250, Honda VFR750, Yamaha xt600e.
Current: Honda CBR929RR & Yamaha XT660Z Tenere

[AL-]

I got some of the rubber matting stuff from poundland to protect the bike when I put the panniers on (oxford first time)

[Clanger]

[Biker Alex]

Does anybody have any advice on tents? And I assume you all put your gear in panniers etc.. was thinking about getting the mrs to carry it in a backpack? Lol

[c-m]

Put is in a waterproof bag like the ones you use for sailing.

All my sleeping equipment goes in one of those, and then is strapped to the rack.

Do not use a rucksack, your mrs will be uncomfortable and the drag will try to pull her off the back of the bike at speed.
____________________
Motorcycle headlight bulbs and HIDs
Blogging about my bike and trips
https://ridershandbook.com/

[FrankGill]

We manage to stap on a couple of light weight camping chair's. A bit of comfort after a good day's ride.