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Two up and camping gear?? Two up and camping gear??
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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 Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 2 Feb 2012
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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.
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Old 2 Feb 2012
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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!
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Last edited by Bertrand; 3 Feb 2012 at 17:24. Reason: tidied up as quote mixed in response
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Old 2 Feb 2012
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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
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Old 3 Feb 2012
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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 .
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Old 3 Feb 2012
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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!!
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Old 3 Feb 2012
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Not saying that is necessarily perfect! But that is two people and living and camping kit.

Birdy
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Old 3 Feb 2012
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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.
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Old 3 Feb 2012
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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.
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Old 3 Feb 2012
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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.
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Old 3 Feb 2012
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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
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Old 4 Feb 2012
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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
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Old 4 Feb 2012
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PS

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

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Old 4 Feb 2012
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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)
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Old 4 Feb 2012
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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.
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