TheSavagePJ wrote on 06/16/13 at 11:14:38:Being a northerner, I do have some great scenery in my backyard. However, I've heard from many people, biker and non-biker alike, that I should definitely run the entire stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Being a fan of great scenery, camping and the Southern US, I want to end up making the trip with whatever I can fit on my scoot.
I am realistic; I am not out to strap a bunch of crap to the bike tomorrow and head on my way half-cocked. I wanted to know if any of you guys had experience with motocamping with the S40. This probably wont happen until next year, due to my lack of funds and inexperience. This year, I plan on outfitting my bike with a sissy bar, saddle bags (I have the bags, just need the bracket) and gathering the essential equipment. The Adirondacks are at my back door, so this year I'll plan a short camping trip on the bike to get the feel for it and make my mistakes on a two day trip rather than a 2-3 week excursion.
Any pointers you guys could throw my way? I mean, how much stuff can you strap to an S40 safely and without compromising highway speed (55 mph)?
Well PJ, for starters, what do you have for bags and storage at the moment? I wouldn't run out and buy a bunch of stuff just cause they "look" big enough to store what you would need.
Also, what type of camping? full blown cut your own firewood for cooking type? or tent tossing campground with running water and facilities?
Lots of things to consider, the blueridge campground had all the facilities you could want, including hot water and laundry. They also serverd food on friday and weekends.
I originally was planning on doing some blue ridge running on my way back, so I packed like I was going to do that, then removed the items I didn't "really" need after I made my final plans not to do so, I ended up with lots of extra room in my bags.
Start out by planning a route to campgrounds with facilities like you want, then pack to match and maybe throw in a couple of things in case you don't meet your destination and have to settle for something a bit more "primitve".
As far as clothing goes, you will pass through towns with laundrymats, and some campgrounds have washer and dryers, and in a pinch a creek and some line will do, so I wouldn't pack more than 3 sets of each and wear one. Also there are walmarts everywhere! and they have travel size sections to refill your shampoo, toothpaste, deoderant ect... needs.
If you have AAA or the like roadside recovery, then a can of compressed tire saver of somesort would get you to a town where you could call for help, but if you don't, carry a minicompressor and tire kit and learn how to do a removal teardown/replacement onsite (tough to do on the roadside tho, I'd never attempt it myself).
Anyway there are tons of senario's you could prepare for and still others would pop up that you could not forsee. Thing is, in today's world unless you are traveling a totally non-populated area you really don't have to carry much in the way of teardown/repair if you service and inspect your bike before you go, you shouldn't run into any problems.
I tend to always overpack, next trip, I won't do that. Fill us in on what you have bag wise and plan wise and maybe we could suggest a few items we would take.
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