Early Fall Trip
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- BLAIR1200R
- Basic User
- Posts: 113
- Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2011 6:45 pm
- Location: Aledo, Texas
Early Fall Trip
The ride through West Texas last week was great intro to moto-camping for both me and my buddy. The months of gearing gathering and planning paid off. We used virtually every piece of equipment we packed and everything worked great.
We experienced sunny skies, dust storms, and an early cold front that brought rain and cooler temps... enjoyed every bit of it. Hard to gear up for such a wide range of weather, but things worked out.
We also had fun with Apple products...my wife used an iPad app to track our progress real time that she said worked pretty good, except when we lost cell signal in the mountains, I used an iPhone on a RAM mount for both GPS w/ voice nav (3rd party product) and for tunes on the road.
The R1200R was fantastic. Even in the sustained higher speeds (out West the posted limit is 80 mph), I simply leaned down on the tank bag to get a bit more relief from my sport screen. The twisty road along the Rio Grande was custom made for the R12 ... my ride partner said, "what's the deal, you never used your brakes ? ! I said, "yeah, we talked about that some on the BMW forum"
His FJR1300 is also a fantastic bike!
Here's some picts -->
We experienced sunny skies, dust storms, and an early cold front that brought rain and cooler temps... enjoyed every bit of it. Hard to gear up for such a wide range of weather, but things worked out.
We also had fun with Apple products...my wife used an iPad app to track our progress real time that she said worked pretty good, except when we lost cell signal in the mountains, I used an iPhone on a RAM mount for both GPS w/ voice nav (3rd party product) and for tunes on the road.
The R1200R was fantastic. Even in the sustained higher speeds (out West the posted limit is 80 mph), I simply leaned down on the tank bag to get a bit more relief from my sport screen. The twisty road along the Rio Grande was custom made for the R12 ... my ride partner said, "what's the deal, you never used your brakes ? ! I said, "yeah, we talked about that some on the BMW forum"
His FJR1300 is also a fantastic bike!
Here's some picts -->
bLaIr1200R
2012 Grey Matt R1200R
"The universe rings true wherever you fairly test it."
2012 Grey Matt R1200R
"The universe rings true wherever you fairly test it."
-
- Basic User
- Posts: 120
- Joined: Tue Apr 10, 2012 12:57 am
Re: Early Fall Trip
Looks like a great time was had by all.
We're in the process of remodeling the kitchen, 4 weeks into it with as many to come and I have an overnighter planned when it is finished.
My friends say the same thing about my not using the brakes. The Pace is a good thing, flow.
Oddly enough, a friend and I went on a week long tour of Northern California last June. He also rides an FJR 1300. I remember looking at it in my mirrors from time to time and marveling at how nice a figure it cut on the road, real muscular. Handled well too.
We did take a trip out to the coast at Legget where the world famous "Ride-through Redwood Tree" is located. When we finally got off that roller coaster, I had a grin as big as the Joker, he... did not.
We're in the process of remodeling the kitchen, 4 weeks into it with as many to come and I have an overnighter planned when it is finished.
My friends say the same thing about my not using the brakes. The Pace is a good thing, flow.
Oddly enough, a friend and I went on a week long tour of Northern California last June. He also rides an FJR 1300. I remember looking at it in my mirrors from time to time and marveling at how nice a figure it cut on the road, real muscular. Handled well too.
We did take a trip out to the coast at Legget where the world famous "Ride-through Redwood Tree" is located. When we finally got off that roller coaster, I had a grin as big as the Joker, he... did not.
- AncientMariner
- Lifer
- Posts: 415
- Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2009 6:06 pm
- Location: Stoughton, MA
Re: Early Fall Trip
Nice pix! Thanks for sharing.
How about showing us your list of camping gear.
Bruce
How about showing us your list of camping gear.
Bruce
'13 R12R Montego Blue
'10 R12R's Black Biarritz Blue RIP
'95 Mystic Red K75
'94 Black HD FXDS
'10 R12R's Black Biarritz Blue RIP
'95 Mystic Red K75
'94 Black HD FXDS
Re: Early Fall Trip
Annie and I camp about 9 nights out of 10 when we travel. This year we've been on the road almost 10 weeks so that's a bunch of camping. Saves money in a big way. We have our load plan down to a science. The only cooking we do is boiling water with a jet boil. Dinner is often meat, cheese, humus and wine.
Kevin Huddy
Intrepid Incompetent
Canyon Creek, MT
Team Pterodactyl Montana Outpost
Intrepid Incompetent
Canyon Creek, MT
Team Pterodactyl Montana Outpost
Re: Early Fall Trip
Great pix. Good story. I'll bet you do more motorcycle camping
May I ask what top case you have mounted? It looks to be sitting much lower and maybe more forward that the OEM boxes I've seen -- and those are good things as far as I'm concerned.
Chuck
May I ask what top case you have mounted? It looks to be sitting much lower and maybe more forward that the OEM boxes I've seen -- and those are good things as far as I'm concerned.
Chuck
Chuck DeSantis
11 R1200R
75 850 T3
73 Eldo Project
K75C <RIP>
K1100LT <Sold>
11 R1200R
75 850 T3
73 Eldo Project
K75C <RIP>
K1100LT <Sold>
- BLAIR1200R
- Basic User
- Posts: 113
- Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2011 6:45 pm
- Location: Aledo, Texas
Re: Early Fall Trip
WOW.. that's great! ... and a long time to sleep on the ground!Annie and I camp about 9 nights out of 10 when we travel.
Factory BMW system case, 28 literMay I ask what top case you have mounted?
Here's my packing list in no particular order... might have stuffed a few more things in the night before. Side case weight was 25 lbs each, top case 20 lbs, tank bag ~2 lbsHow about showing us your list of camping gear.
- (2) zip-off cargo pants
(4) ride shirts
(4) ride socks
(3) ride pants liners (Under Armour Heat Gear)
(3) underwear
(2) tee shirts
(2) Lg sleeve thermal tops
Sleeping shorts
Sleeping tee
Thermal jacket (Mountain Hardware Zonal)
Helmet
Helmet beenie
Moto pants
Moto jacket
Moto Gloves
Moto glove liners
Moto Boots
Shave bag
Shower towel (REI)
Camp soap
Flip Flops
Jet Boil (Flash)
Coffee cup (REI)
Utensils
Bottle opener
(6) Power Bars
Bag of pistachios
Bag of nut crunch
Camp meals (Backpacker's Pantry, various)
Instant Coffee (Starbucks VIA)
Fire Starter Stix
Lighter
Knife (Gerber)
(2) Flashlights
(4) Glow sticks
Tent (Nemo Morpho 1P)
Nemo footprint
Sleeping bag (Mountain Hardware Pinole 20)
Thermarest
Camp chair (Alite Monarch)
Net Hammock
Camp towel
Emergency TP
(2) Hats (baseball & thermal)
Sunglasses w/ case
Prescrip glasses
Clear visor
Sm Plexus
Microfiber cloth
Air compressor
Tool kit / tire kit
Spare Key
20W/50 in 6.5 oz container
Sony camera and charger
iPhone and charger
Pigtail for chargers
Map (Hardcopy)
(1) 1 ltr Platypus bottle
(1) 2 ltr Platypus bottle
bLaIr1200R
2012 Grey Matt R1200R
"The universe rings true wherever you fairly test it."
2012 Grey Matt R1200R
"The universe rings true wherever you fairly test it."
- R12RnHouston
- Basic User
- Posts: 172
- Joined: Tue Jul 28, 2009 7:33 pm
- Location: Houston, TX
Re: Early Fall Trip
Awesome!
The picture with your tents pitched… is that Davis Mountains Sate Park? Looks like a nice site.
I love my Nemo Losi II; are you happy with your Nemo Morpho?
David
The picture with your tents pitched… is that Davis Mountains Sate Park? Looks like a nice site.
I love my Nemo Losi II; are you happy with your Nemo Morpho?
David
07' R1200R Kristall Grau
ex 2007 F650GS
ex 2007 F650GS
- BLAIR1200R
- Basic User
- Posts: 113
- Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2011 6:45 pm
- Location: Aledo, Texas
Re: Early Fall Trip
Yeah, that's site 47... not many tent campers there that day. The cool thing was that Steve had only viewed our campgrounds on Google, so he didn't know what the hills looked like...he really enjoyed the scenery.The picture with your tents pitched… is that Davis Mountains Sate Park? Looks like a nice site.
I love my Nemo Losi II; are you happy with your Nemo Morpho?
Morpho pros are - fits perfect in my tail bag, sets up faster than any tent I've owned ... cons are - it's a single wall tent (no fly) and I get some condensation on the inside, regardless of weather condition. We had wind, rain, cool and cold-ish weather, and it handled all without issue, so I like it. I also like the quality of the product... seams, stitches, air beams, everything seems very well designed & manufactured.
bLaIr1200R
2012 Grey Matt R1200R
"The universe rings true wherever you fairly test it."
2012 Grey Matt R1200R
"The universe rings true wherever you fairly test it."
Re: Early Fall Trip
how about the route, can you share? thanks
--------------------------------
2009 R1200R
2009 R1200R
Re: Early Fall Trip
Thanks for the photo's, and comments were interesting. I liked your comprehensive list. Weather forecast is very good for this coming week. My plans are a few days riding with a friend from NJ, then a few days on my own for Vermont and New Hampshire. Really looking forward to it!
- BLAIR1200R
- Basic User
- Posts: 113
- Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2011 6:45 pm
- Location: Aledo, Texas
Re: Early Fall Trip
Leg 1 - Hooked up in Weatherford, I-20 all the way to Pecos, then 17 down to Davis Mtns St Pkhow about the route, can you share?
Leg 2 - 17/67 to Presidio, 170 along the river (epic), pickup 118 outside of Terlingua, and Chisos Basin Rd to Big Bend camp
Leg 3 - Chisos Basin Rd to 385 out of the National Park (epic) and all the way to Fort Stockton, then East on I-10 to S. Llano
Leg 4 - 377/29 through Mason to Llano (I know this area well and like to take 16 all the way back to I-20)
Mileage is approximately L1 = 463, L2 = 190, L3 = 348, L4 = 280
bLaIr1200R
2012 Grey Matt R1200R
"The universe rings true wherever you fairly test it."
2012 Grey Matt R1200R
"The universe rings true wherever you fairly test it."
- BLAIR1200R
- Basic User
- Posts: 113
- Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2011 6:45 pm
- Location: Aledo, Texas
Re: Early Fall Trip
Hope you made the trip jandaMy plans are a few days riding with a friend from NJ, then a few days on my own for Vermont and New Hampshire. Really looking forward to it!
I like the fact that you plan to solo for part of the trip. I think I might give that a try next trip as well.
I really enjoy the fellowship of other riders, but enjoy the solitude of solo riding / camping as well. I've been on trips with larger groups too and that's a lot of fun, but found that things are really easy with a smaller numbers ... gas stations, places to eat, overall decision making... the list goes on.
bLaIr1200R
2012 Grey Matt R1200R
"The universe rings true wherever you fairly test it."
2012 Grey Matt R1200R
"The universe rings true wherever you fairly test it."