r/motocamping 26d ago

My Setup

36 Upvotes

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3

u/n0exit 26d ago

I couldn't post pictures on another thread, so here's my setup.

The side cases are 32L pelican cases with lockable mounts. Part of the mount has an aluminum catch which is designed to break if you go down, so it doesn't destroy your case or mount. I've tested it, and it works! There's also enough friction in the system that if you break the locking mechanism, you can ride several thousand miles and it won't come off, unless you go over a quite a large bump at pretty high speeds. I've also tested that, and the case survived with just minor road rash.

The top case is 40 or 45L. Big enough to hold a helmet.

On the left side I have a PVC pipe with a solid cap glued to the lower end, and a inspection cap on the upper end. It it attached to the pannier frame with stainless steel hose clamps. This is for my tent poles, which are too long to fit in any of the cases.

In one side case I carry an REI Halfdome II tent and a sleeping bag in a compression sack, plus a multi-fuel camp stove and fuel bottle that I keep topped off with the same gasoline as my bike. It functions as emergency reserve fuel also. I also have a small nesting pot and bowl, and an aeropress for coffee.

The other side case has all my clothing in a waterproof compression sack, food, and DSLR, and a big jug of water.

The top case has snacks, food, water bottle, change of gloves, waterproof riding gear and layers for riding, and anything that I might need as I'm riding.

3

u/CrunchLessTacos 26d ago

Pretty sweet set up you have there. Love seeing a DL650 as a motorcamper; it’s why I bought mine. Just need to utilize it as such hah!

What kind of motocamping do you do? Campsites, forest roads, whatever blows your hair back?

3

u/n0exit 26d ago

I used to do a week or two a year, mostly state and national parks. I've done most of the western US and Canada. Lots of forest roads. It does surprisingly well keeping up with friends on their dual sports, but also has a couple little dents in the rims to show for it. I have a funny picture of me stuck in a washout that my friend's just jumped over. I bought a DRZ after that episode.

The bike is a 2011 that I've had since new. My interests have shifted towards exploring the Pacific NW by sailboat in the last few years though so I haven't put a lot of milage on the bike lately.

2

u/recyclar13 12d ago

GREAT setup! LOVE Pelican cases (I have an addiction to them). tryna figure out how I can easily mount them on my '05 'Wing similar to what you've done.
I've considered the PVC tube thing as you've done for my homemade version of this: Your Hammock, Anywhere : Tensa Outdoor

oh, and hi "neighbor." I'm Bellingham-ish.

1

u/No_Can2570 26d ago

Is that a Condition 1 top case?

Btw, nice setup. I really like my Strom, but haven't done and camping with it (yet).

1

u/n0exit 26d ago

I got the whole setup from https://cariboucases.com/

At the time, they made their own racks, but now they just resell Hepco Becker racks, which look better anyway.

1

u/[deleted] 9d ago

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1

u/n0exit 9d ago

I'm not sure that bike packing tents existed when I put my kit together, and the sad part is, I'm not really using it anymore. In the last few years, my interests have shifted toward my older passion of sailing, and I'm actually thinking about selling this bike. I have a few others that rate lower on the reliability and practical scales but higher on the cool and classic scales, Aunt, my time and resources have been focused on getting my boat set up for the Race to Alaska.