Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > All Miscellaneous questions > Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else
Two up and camping gear?? Two up and camping gear??
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Like Tree1Likes

Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 2 Feb 2012
lozza1986's Avatar
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: ST. Albans , Hertfordshire
Posts: 14
Talking Two up and camping gear??
Hi everyone. This is my first post on here. I have seen this web site in many places and in the Adventure Motorcycling Book so thought i'd ask the experts.

My Girlfriend and I are planning a 10 day trip to Scotland in June and we are hoping to mostly camp as hotels or even B&B's are just to much money. To be fair we would both rather spend it on fuel.

Im riding a Yamaha XT660Z Tenere 2011 reg. I Have the Yamaha Side cases and top box but im not to sure how im going to fit a 2 man tent as well the clothes and sleeping bags on the bike.

Can anyone help??

Also does anyone know any good places to stop around Scotland?

Cheers Loz.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 2 Feb 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Hey, what a lot of questions! Or rather, what a lot of related points you raise.
Consider giving your GF a break and budget for a night or two with a solid roof over your heads, especially when it has been raining during the day.
You can stop riding a bit earlier than usual and shop around for the best bargains - I've done that on the mile or so of B&B places on the south side of Fort William. Think of it as just an additional cost, over and above that for a camp site. It being June, you are outside the school hols season.

For me, I would just get some Ortlieb type dry bags and bungie them to your hard luggage for the camping kit.

As for Scotland, it is bigger than is often appreciated if you haven't been there before - head for the West coast and take it as it comes; you can do 250 miles per day and still be just up the coast from where you departed that morning.

by the way!
__________________
Dave
Last edited by Bertrand; 3 Feb 2012 at 16:24. Reason: tidied up as quote mixed in response
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 2 Feb 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: London
Posts: 105
Welcome to the Hubb Loz.

First off you need to learn as much as you can about these little blighters
Culicoides impunctatus paticularly as you are going in June!
Dont let them put you off because Scotland is one of the most wonderful places for all that is an adventure and much much more.

Camping is good just about anywhere as long as you are sensible and ask if unsure. Bothies are sometimes just up a track off the road or if you enjoy walking (which is recomended for Scotland) more bothies come to you as you walk.

Carrying luggage = there is a wealth of info here on the Hubb take a look around and enjoy.

Socks
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 3 Feb 2012
Dodger's Avatar
Large Golden Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 1,085
Get some down sleeping bags and compression sacks and you'll save lots of space .
Don't take too many clothes .
Use canoe type dry bags .You'll be amazed at what they can hold .
Strap everything down with Rocstraps and you'll be fine .
__________________
Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 3 Feb 2012
klaus's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Ehime-ken, Japan
Posts: 273
No problem(s) at all!!

My former g.f. (now wife) and I went to Hokkaido 2 years ago and many other places, too.

I own a Honda TransAlp equipped with 2 H&B panniers. (pics on my website )

We fitted everything in them and used another (smaller) pack on the back.

A 2-person tent, sleeping bags and the stuff you need for one week should really be no problem. As mentioned before, use compression bags!

Enjoy your ride!!
Attached Thumbnails
Two up and camping gear??-hokkaido-2007-seito-bruecke.jpg  

__________________
Klaus D. Orth
A German in Japan
1992 Honda TA
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 3 Feb 2012
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: England
Posts: 277
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 3 Feb 2012
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: England
Posts: 277
Not saying that is necessarily perfect! But that is two people and living and camping kit.

Birdy
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 3 Feb 2012
lozza1986's Avatar
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: ST. Albans , Hertfordshire
Posts: 14
Sweet thankx for all your help guys!

Might just try and pack the tent to my bike in the next few weeks and see how my G/F feels on the back.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 3 Feb 2012
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,656
Go to your local DIY store and buy two long cupboard door handles.

Drill 4 holes in your top box (assuming you have one) and make yourself a set of top rails..

Nice place for a tent... Just don't go crazy with the weight.
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 3 Feb 2012
lozza1986's Avatar
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: ST. Albans , Hertfordshire
Posts: 14
Will bear that in mind Ted. Iv only just brought my yam top box and side cases so if i can get away with out drilling them id be a little more happy.lol

Im going to see if i can pack the side cases and top box on the bike and see if i can get the tent strapped to the top box with cargo nets and some sort of strapping. Not to sure on what sort of straps yet tho.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 3 Feb 2012
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,656
Quote:
Originally Posted by lozza1986 View Post
Will bear that in mind Ted. Iv only just brought my yam top box and side cases so if i can get away with out drilling them id be a little more happy.lol

Im going to see if i can pack the side cases and top box on the bike and see if i can get the tent strapped to the top box with cargo nets and some sort of strapping. Not to sure on what sort of straps yet tho.
It aint happening with out some kind of rack on top. It's just too slipperly and rounded..

You can buy OFFICIAL givi racks which fit on your top box. They require drilling too. It costs about £50 and does exactly the same thing.

Just because your box cost £200, doesn't mean it ain't just a lump of moulded plastic to put stuff in..

Get your drill out dude
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 4 Feb 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Cornwall, in the far southwest of England, UK
Posts: 597
Quote:
Originally Posted by lozza1986 View Post
if i can get the tent strapped to the top box with cargo nets and some sort of strapping. Not to sure on what sort of straps yet tho.
Like Ted suggests, you'll need to anchor your tie-down straps to something. Once you've organised this there are a few tents around that when packed you can strap on top of one of your cases.

We also ride a 650 V-twin - a perfect-sized machine - and carry this little quick & easy to erect (5-mins) 2/3-person tent that packs down into a bag size and weight of 42cm x 23cm and 2.95kg, which means that it easily fits and can be carried /strapped-down on top of one of your side case panniers. Easy-peasy.





Btw, the northwest coast of Jockland is simply sensational. Best place in the world to ride a motorcycle. You'll love it up there.

All the best

KEITH
.
__________________
Right Way Round ...
Last edited by Keith1954; 11 Feb 2012 at 18:32.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 4 Feb 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Cornwall, in the far southwest of England, UK
Posts: 597
PS

Here's our cases set-up. Notice the strapping anchor points on each corner of the lids. Plus the non-slip surfaces.

__________________
Right Way Round ...
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 4 Feb 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2008
Location: SW France
Posts: 304
This set up carried everything we needed for 2 up year long trip to Cape Town, not perfect but I think the best idea is to junk the top box and use a compression bag for your sleeping bags (and take less clothes)
Attached Thumbnails
Two up and camping gear??-africa-002b-small-.jpg  

Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 4 Feb 2012
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,656
Quote:
Originally Posted by Magnon View Post
This set up carried everything we needed for 2 up year long trip to Cape Town, not perfect but I think the best idea is to junk the top box and use a compression bag for your sleeping bags (and take less clothes)
Yeah.. A large Ortlieb dry bag will fit WAY more than a top box.
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Tags
camping, scotland, xt660z

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 09:56.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top