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Top 10 Moto Camping Essentials


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IMG_6784.JPG.e7e3ce9394a4ece3f4775e49ed8fc2c9.JPGGreat review of the "essentials".  Ever since i picked up the Redverz Atacama Tent last March 2017 I have not looked back.  Mind you most of my camping is no more than 1 or two nights in one spot. It is a bit of chore to haul, but one you set up it is great.  I had chronic back pain for some time and to be able to stand up in the tent is really comfortable.  I used a Eureka 3 man tent for 10 years for fly fishing trips, weekend camping and it served its purpose.  The quality of the Redverz is unmatched.  This version is really durable.  I have tested it out in the silty sands of the Nevada desert, grassy forest hills in NorCal and some very windy conditions in Death Valley & High Sierras.  I'll continue to use the Redverz.  it does take up a little space on the bike, especially when on the F650 GS Dakar.  But I have learned to save space on my bike in order to compensate for the tent space.  I have learned that a good nights rest out in the field is extremely important.  I agree, the axe may be too much, but I have not really had the use for one.  The Helinox zero chair is nice.  I bought a knock off one of the same style and I'm going to test it out this weekend.  

Well being a chef and all I'm intriqued at the portable grill.  I havent' really put too much thought in that because you essentially need a good ice pack to haul your "flesh".  But I do know Eric Hall enjoys his steak anywhere!  Great food porn opportunity! lol!

At the end of the day it does take a few moto camping trips to figure out if you want to "bring the kitchen sink" or not.  Also when adventure riding you want your camping product to be strong and hardy.  A fine balance when you get into harsh terrain and start dropping your bike, you will quickly figure out wether you carried too much or not.  

 

 

Edited by motochefarwi
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@michnus at that point I was kind of running out of items that I typically bring but I have found the axe to be handy for use as a hammer for tent stakes and to make kindling from wood I bought at a local town or dead fall.  Mine has a plastic or nylon handle and isn't that heavy.  I don't take it with me all the time though but always when car camping.

@motochefarwi it packs really flat and it's kind of a treat to be able to grill a steak you found at a local town like when riding a BDR or something.  Most times you're done riding about 3 pm, go to a town for groceries/beer, get to campground and set up your grill, etc...  You know how many friends you make when you have good food to share ;)

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To each his own, I like to pack as light as possible so my ultralight backpacking gear does double duty for motor camping. 

The type of backwoods exploring I do is the reason I like to be weight conscious as sometimes you have to pick up a dropped bike or pull yourself through some muck etc. 

Its amazing what you think you might need to what you actually use camping is evident after a trip and you unpack and realize you never used some items you've brought.

Ive really invested in the Sea to Summit product as its quality light weight gear. 

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On 12/06/2018 at 7:16 PM, Eric Hall said:

@michnus at that point I was kind of running out of items that I typically bring but I have found the axe to be handy for use as a hammer for tent stakes and to make kindling from wood I bought at a local town or dead fall.  Mine has a plastic or nylon handle and isn't that heavy.  I don't take it with me all the time though but always when car camping.

Man, I am so allergic to weight I try and get away with the bare essentials. But some luxuries when camping is nice :)


I see so many people use and promote the Redverz tents. Which is one of the absolute not takes for me, a tent alone that weighs 6kg! And packs 23 x 53 cm! That's the entire back seat gone just on a tent. Then the need to have a bike inside a tent? For what I don't know. If it is for security, I won't camp at a place where security is an issue. 
For the odd sand storm? That tent won't stand in a sand storm. For space to sit up? Well get a normal tent with good liveability there's loads of them for a lot less, and weighs and packs less. Also having a tent that is self standing and which can be used with out the fly sheet is a bonus in summer. It must be erected in 2min and packed in 5 or so. Everything about that tent I can not imagine I want as a bike tent. For a family car trip maybe.

But luckily each person carry their own shit on their bikes and we have so many choices of tents, so good up on the ones that wants to drag that behind them :D 

https://www.pikipikioverland.com/motorcycle-trip-planning-and-preparation/how-to-pick-the-best-tent-for-motorcycle-travel/

We have been using cheap DIY store supplied tarps to cover our bikes since we started travelling in 2010. Use for working on the bikes, as a ground sheet in thorny places to not get punctures in the air matts and tent and rain cover. Having a tarp is one of my absolute camping essentials. 

Edited by michnus
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