This is your first time out huh? Then you must have done a ton of research, you are remarkably well equipped and smart about the choices you have made with your gear consider your lack of experience. I am very impressed. I have looked at a few of your other vids and can tell your a strong person and wanting to enjoy your life. If you ever want to ride around the smoky mountains, (I try to do it a couple of time a year) then let me know. Great place to really fall in love with riding. Cheers.
Hi there! Thank you for your kind words. I definitely spent a lot of time doing research before deciding on some/most of the gear for motocamping. I've experienced enough mistakes that I've learned to read as much as possible to minimize having to spending multiple different times on the same item. It doesn't always work out but trying to minimize overspending is the best I can do. That's also why I've tried to document as much of my journey with the gear. Just to try help other people see how my gear works out to help them with their decisions. I spent a lot of time saving up money for this gear too. It's always challenging when trying new things. I will let you know if I ever head towards the Smokey Mountains. Thanks for stopping by!! :)
i recommend getting the tall windshield from Kawasaki. it makes a BIG difference on your ride....less fatigue and protects ya from airborne crap that wants to pepper you while riding. don't mind the cold...don't care for the rain...any lowering of the barometric pressure really pisses off my arthritis. i have an exped insulated air mat with several big agnes bags. if it's wet i just use a camping blanket with primaloft fill and sleep in layers. the best thing to do is wear a balaclava and a Dickie. that way ya get a lot of heat retention and can use a lighter blanket/quilt/bag. another great video
Ok, I'll look into the tall windshield. If you don't mind me asking, how tall are you? Thanks for the advice! I have so much to learn with cold camping and the bike. I'll have to pack a balaclava for my next camping adventure. Thanks for stopping by again! :)
i am 5"4 inches (64"). my inseam is 29". i originally bought the short shield. then bought the tall one...found that the extra height a big difference. if you need waterproof bags i recommend getting backpacking dry bags. that way you can still use your sunny day luggage and keep your contents dry. just load your stuff in the bags...if it is gonna be a tight fit place the empty dry bag into the piece of luggage THEN stuff the bag with your gear. when using the balaclava i still bring a fleece beanie to wear underneath it. (i have to wear it underneath because my head shape wont allow the beanie to stay on while sleeping.) if i am too hot i take the beanie off and put it either under the pillow or in the little what not pouch that comes with the bag. if i am still too warm i will pull the balaclava down and just use it as a neck warmer. the winter i tested my gear it was 0 deg F with wind chill of -15F. i was in my marmot tent so the wind was blocked decently. i had a thermarest reflective pad...then my exped insulated mat with a big agnes 0 deg F storm king...wearing silk bottoms, wool sox, tshirt w/thin fleece top and balaclava w/beanie. the bala was over my face with only my eyes showing (later i got it covering my eyes). i wore some mittens that i could pull off the finger part when needed. i was very comfortable. i firmly believe that bala w/beanie combo was critical in my warmth retention.
Hey man, that xtherm is an ultralight winter pad. Way too warm for what you are doing and really noisy. I suggest you use the bag as a quilt too. Unzip the bag and tuck the ends in the pad. When you are in a sleeping bag, the insulation under you does nothing. It’s the pad that keeps you warm. But that pad is rated to -20. You would be more comfortable with something a little bigger. I take that pad well below zero with a zero quilt. And, snow actually keeps things warmer. Hammocks are more comfortable, but you need to have bottom insulation for that too. Under quilts are the best.
Hi! I've since been using a much lighter weight sleeping pad for tent camping. I've also switched to hammock camping since then. LOL Thanks for stopping by!
If you try the hilleberg tents, ( Nallo2 is fab for 1 person) the inner tent and footprint can be left attached. They pitch in just 3 minutes ...and remove the need to mess about with a tarp.
Hello. It was cold for me too but I'm glad the gear held up for the night. I'll have to do a separate video about my gear soon. Thanks for stopping by!
I would recommend if you're going to ride in the rain, to take that key fob off your key chain and hold it in your jacket while you ride. They have a weather stripping in them but not so great on a bike with wind and rain. Also, we had a tent that we could pull the bikes into a little area inside to shield them from the elements. You're braver than I, I'd have to bring a space heater, lol.
Hi there. I'll remember to put my key fob in my jacket next time. That key fob is actually to my garage, LOL. It's not even for anything bike related. I've looked at tents with an area for the bike, but they were too heavy. I wanted to keep my equipment as light weight as possible because I didn't want any strain on my bike. Especially around corners, lol. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Do you mind telling me your suspension settings for a full camping load, and your weight? I've been trying to dial mine in on my vulcan. Any issues with the exhaust side bag and the heat from the exhaust? I'm happy to see someone else on the Vulcan in ADV gear, everyone looks at me like I'm insane. Yes, I could have got a V-strom, but love my vulcan too much. :P If you could go back in time, would you still get these bags today?
My suspension settings were from factory. My weight is 150lbs. No issues with exhaust what so ever. The bags are so good on this bike. They don't drag around the corners either which is a plus. I would not change a thing on this bike, especially the bags. Lol
Unfortunately, it was not a good touring bike for me. It isn't as smooth on the highway. I took it on a 1500 mile road trip and didn't care for all the vibration it has while riding on the highway.
lol piece of piss, as long as you dress for it ;) !!!- cold weather camping is a piece of piss. you, to the best of my knowledge, are most definitely NOT lol. my atrocious way with words, bud
Anything is a "piece of piss" if you're equipped for it. I understand that. As I've mentioned above, I was testing out my gear. I wanted to see how low of temperatures my gear can handle. Apparently, not that low. LOL Thanks for commenting.
Why did you not secure the bottled water ? If you were flying at high speed the bottles vibrated and fly off and could of caused somebody an accident , way to make sure the bottles were secure , not ! Please be more thoughtful and don’t do something stupid like that again , thank me later
This is your first time out huh? Then you must have done a ton of research, you are remarkably well equipped and smart about the choices you have made with your gear consider your lack of experience. I am very impressed.
I have looked at a few of your other vids and can tell your a strong person and wanting to enjoy your life.
If you ever want to ride around the smoky mountains, (I try to do it a couple of time a year) then let me know. Great place to really fall in love with riding.
Cheers.
Hi there! Thank you for your kind words. I definitely spent a lot of time doing research before deciding on some/most of the gear for motocamping. I've experienced enough mistakes that I've learned to read as much as possible to minimize having to spending multiple different times on the same item. It doesn't always work out but trying to minimize overspending is the best I can do. That's also why I've tried to document as much of my journey with the gear. Just to try help other people see how my gear works out to help them with their decisions. I spent a lot of time saving up money for this gear too. It's always challenging when trying new things. I will let you know if I ever head towards the Smokey Mountains. Thanks for stopping by!! :)
I've only gone moto camping one time and I really enjoyed it. I really like that Vulcan S... I'm hoping to get one in the next year. Loved the video.
i recommend getting the tall windshield from Kawasaki. it makes a BIG difference on your ride....less fatigue and protects ya from airborne crap that wants to pepper you while riding.
don't mind the cold...don't care for the rain...any lowering of the barometric pressure really pisses off my arthritis.
i have an exped insulated air mat with several big agnes bags. if it's wet i just use a camping blanket with primaloft fill and sleep in layers. the best thing to do is wear a balaclava and a Dickie. that way ya get a lot of heat retention and can use a lighter blanket/quilt/bag.
another great video
Ok, I'll look into the tall windshield. If you don't mind me asking, how tall are you?
Thanks for the advice! I have so much to learn with cold camping and the bike. I'll have to pack a balaclava for my next camping adventure. Thanks for stopping by again! :)
i am 5"4 inches (64"). my inseam is 29". i originally bought the short shield. then bought the tall one...found that the extra height a big difference.
if you need waterproof bags i recommend getting backpacking dry bags. that way you can still use your sunny day luggage and keep your contents dry. just load your stuff in the bags...if it is gonna be a tight fit place the empty dry bag into the piece of luggage THEN stuff the bag with your gear.
when using the balaclava i still bring a fleece beanie to wear underneath it. (i have to wear it underneath because my head shape wont allow the beanie to stay on while sleeping.) if i am too hot i take the beanie off and put it either under the pillow or in the little what not pouch that comes with the bag. if i am still too warm i will pull the balaclava down and just use it as a neck warmer. the winter i tested my gear it was 0 deg F with wind chill of -15F. i was in my marmot tent so the wind was blocked decently. i had a thermarest reflective pad...then my exped insulated mat with a big agnes 0 deg F storm king...wearing silk bottoms, wool sox, tshirt w/thin fleece top and balaclava w/beanie. the bala was over my face with only my eyes showing (later i got it covering my eyes). i wore some mittens that i could pull off the finger part when needed. i was very comfortable. i firmly believe that bala w/beanie combo was critical in my warmth retention.
Good point about a 2-person tent for motorcyclists! Love those ROK Straps in the beginning..I bought two and then decided I "needed" two more.
Ron C Yes. Rok straps are so useful! And I'm so glad I bought a 2-person tent. Thanks for stopping by.
Cold and rain.. Looks like camping in the summer in Norway.. LOL Another great video. Keep them coming! Ride free and stay safe.
Eva Alice Ånensen I'll try to document as much as I can this season. Hopefully, it turns out useful and fun for some people. Lol
VotoCycling Looking forward to it.
Hey man, that xtherm is an ultralight winter pad. Way too warm for what you are doing and really noisy.
I suggest you use the bag as a quilt too. Unzip the bag and tuck the ends in the pad. When you are in a sleeping bag, the insulation under you does nothing. It’s the pad that keeps you warm. But that pad is rated to -20. You would be more comfortable with something a little bigger.
I take that pad well below zero with a zero quilt.
And, snow actually keeps things warmer.
Hammocks are more comfortable, but you need to have bottom insulation for that too. Under quilts are the best.
Hi! I've since been using a much lighter weight sleeping pad for tent camping. I've also switched to hammock camping since then. LOL
Thanks for stopping by!
If you try the hilleberg tents, ( Nallo2 is fab for 1 person) the inner tent and footprint can be left attached. They pitch in just 3 minutes ...and remove the need to mess about with a tarp.
I was looking into that tent, but it will have to wait. It's really expensive. LOL
Ya for the money they cost they should pitch their self !!
Beautiful color & detailing on the Kawi 👍🏼
Thanks! I didn't think I'd like the color of the bike when looking at the pictures. But in person, it's a beautiful color scheme. :)
Yup... that's a little colder than I will usually attempt. Good video and I was interested on what you were packing for gear.
Hello. It was cold for me too but I'm glad the gear held up for the night. I'll have to do a separate video about my gear soon. Thanks for stopping by!
I would recommend if you're going to ride in the rain, to take that key fob off your key chain and hold it in your jacket while you ride. They have a weather stripping in them but not so great on a bike with wind and rain. Also, we had a tent that we could pull the bikes into a little area inside to shield them from the elements. You're braver than I, I'd have to bring a space heater, lol.
Hi there. I'll remember to put my key fob in my jacket next time. That key fob is actually to my garage, LOL. It's not even for anything bike related. I've looked at tents with an area for the bike, but they were too heavy. I wanted to keep my equipment as light weight as possible because I didn't want any strain on my bike. Especially around corners, lol. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Do you mind telling me your suspension settings for a full camping load, and your weight? I've been trying to dial mine in on my vulcan. Any issues with the exhaust side bag and the heat from the exhaust? I'm happy to see someone else on the Vulcan in ADV gear, everyone looks at me like I'm insane. Yes, I could have got a V-strom, but love my vulcan too much. :P If you could go back in time, would you still get these bags today?
My suspension settings were from factory. My weight is 150lbs. No issues with exhaust what so ever. The bags are so good on this bike. They don't drag around the corners either which is a plus. I would not change a thing on this bike, especially the bags. Lol
Love the colour of your bike.
Thank you!
Hey are you able to give some feedback on whether this is a satisfactory touring bike?
Unfortunately, it was not a good touring bike for me. It isn't as smooth on the highway. I took it on a 1500 mile road trip and didn't care for all the vibration it has while riding on the highway.
Liked and Subscribed!
Thank you!
Great video. I'm so ready for some bike camping this year
Thank you, I'm hoping to get more footage this season. I'm ready for warm weather. Any day now. Wishful thinking. LOL
You are braver than I am...camping in cold temps and rain like that...brrrrr!
More like craziness than bravery. It's all in the name of science (testing out gear). LOL
lol piece of piss, as long as you dress for it ;) !!!- cold weather camping is a piece of piss. you, to the best of my knowledge, are most definitely NOT lol. my atrocious way with words, bud
Anything is a "piece of piss" if you're equipped for it. I understand that. As I've mentioned above, I was testing out my gear. I wanted to see how low of temperatures my gear can handle. Apparently, not that low. LOL Thanks for commenting.
Hi, A little late to the party. Hope you had an amazing time, great video. Can you tell me what tarp you are using? Safe travels.
REI 6'x9'. Hope you have fun out there!!
I really like the red color of your bike, so shiny, what color red is this? It reflective too, like xmas ornaments, really like it
The official name is Metallic Imperial Red. Thanks for watching and commenting!
You can sleep diagonal and put your stuff on both sides
That is actually a good idea!!! Thanks for the advice!!
So the best way to live life is doing biking and camping . I want to know
Motorcycle camping is a pretty solid way to live. For sure. And you like hotels, motorcycling to such hotels is pretty awesome too. LOL
Thats nice bike.
Thank you! Thanks for stopping by. :)
Do they sell heaters
i have a vulcan s 2018 . you havent done more videos on riding. you dont look happy to cold . next time summer road trip.
Yep! Summer road trips are the best!
👍
cup holder my friend. ;)
LOL! I'll see if I can find room on my tiny bike. :P
Bear down!!
Hammock is the only way I go.
I'm going to try hammock camping this summer. I'm really looking forward to it. Thanks!
Why did you not secure the bottled water ? If you were flying at high speed the bottles vibrated and fly off and could of caused somebody an accident , way to make sure the bottles were secure , not ! Please be more thoughtful and don’t do something stupid like that again , thank me later