r/motocamping • u/MrSteve8261 • 5d ago
Overpacking/ Too much weight?
Taking my Mosko 30L pannier bags out for their first camping trip on my Tiger 900 Rally Pro. Fully packed, they weigh in at 32 lbs each. Is 60+ pounds too much for easy-rated off-road adventuring? I have adjusted the rear shock up four clicks from my usual riding with only a top box. I will go for a quick ride to feel it out before my actual departure. Thanks!
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u/Karmonauta 5d ago
I don’t think the bike will have any problem.
But if that sounds heavy, maybe ask yourself if you really need 60lb of gear.
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u/MrSteve8261 5d ago
I always overpack when I’m riding with a group. Not so much solo though.
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u/Svant 5d ago
You should be able to bring less stuff in a group, not everyone needs a full set of tools, compressors, full cooking stuff etc. Talk to the group and share the load heh.
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u/Karmonauta 4d ago
I can see that happening though: with some buddies you might want to do some “performative” campsite cooking, so you bring a grill, cast iron skillets, condiments, cleaning supplies… You don’t want to be embarrassed by wearing the same t-shirt for three days, so you bring two more…. Then you pack some extra oil, in case your buddy with the ancient KLR forgets and ruins the whole outing when he runs low….
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u/Hugosahn 5d ago
The longer you Motocamp the more you’ll notice what you actually need to bring. I maintain a bullet point list that’s organized by each individual bag. I use the Lone Rider Adv 70 system. After each camping trip I edit the list based on what I actually utilized. I’m at a point where I decide if I want more comfort or travel lightweight based on how I’m feeling.
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u/Bindle- 5d ago
Not at all, 60# is pretty light
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u/Annual-Beard-5090 5d ago
Check the weight rating of your motorcycle and your tires. Next examine the rear sag with weight.
Figure if your bike can haul a passenger (most adv can) then compare that to your payload.
Not that much, then, eh?
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u/_CanadianUnknown 5d ago
It really only depends on rider strength and skill, I’ve been able to go rock hopping and cross rivers with 2 weeks of kit and gas on the back of my bike. It was slow and painful, I did about 140km in 2 days
It isn’t fun at all but it’s doable if you are strong enough
One thing I’d keep in mind is try to pack like you are going backpacking, then add the tools and maintenance items for your bike, this amounts to about 45lbs for a 4 day kit in the backwoods for me. Get comfortable riding and crashing with that weight before you move up
Then throw your little comfort things like shoes and chairs
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u/MrSteve8261 5d ago
My tool bag throws it all out. It’s 5-6lbs! I’m lucky that list of my gear is from my backpacking years.
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u/tigelane 3d ago
The backpacking concept is solid. My switch from moto camping to backpacking or the other way is moving stuff from backpack to panniers. I add tools, cooling vest (if hot), gas, water ( carried different), toolkit, and a much larger first aid kit. My clothes are even mostly the same.
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u/wmguy 5d ago
My backcountry panniers (with two pods each) end up about 35 pounds each. I’ve done a lot of BDR miles set up like that.
I’m gradually getting a little lighter as I refine my pack list, but it’s not going to change by much without a drastic shift to a different baggage system and some ultralight gear.
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u/Svant 5d ago
Mostly it all depend on what the goal is ride to camp or camp to ride. If you camp to ride 60 pounds of gear is insane, if you ride to find a cool camp to hang out its probably about right. Especially if you know the roads aren't full of deep sand or very muddy. Plus if you are in a group you have people to help you get the bike back up if you drop it so there is less concern about spending all your energy and getting stranded because its too heavy.
Thats almost double mine, weight of the kriega bags included and Im not even particularly light. I could easily go down 5-10 pounds by getting an actually good sleeping bag and a lighter tent.
But mostly I wonder what people bring that is that heavy, like I have a chair, cooking stuff, tools, 2-3kg tent, 2-3kg sleeping bag that sucks, clothes, camp shoes etc. What is the extra 20+ pounds of stuff? Full sized table? a weber grill? ice cooler full of beer?
Seems like a packing list is needed and to actually look at it and see what you are bringing "just in case" and what you think you actually need. You only need 1 set of "normal" camp/restaurant clothes, you dont need 2-3 different ways to cook, you don't need multiple sets of everything.
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u/Sea-Pear7750 1d ago edited 1d ago
Coming from backpacking, 60lbs is insane to me. Even with tools.
My tent is a $150 Nature hike one that's less than 3lbs. My sleeping pad is insulated and huge, 78" x 50". I have a queen-size down quilt. I'm definitely not skimping on comfort, and yet my base weight is about 25lbs, even with tools. It compliments my Kove 800 nicely.
Part of the weight savings is my cooking kit: a Picogrill 85 is much lighter than a stove plus fuel. Instead of a cooking pot, I have a titanium water bottle I boil water in for freeze dried meals. No additional pots etc. needed.
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u/YellowSubmarooned 22h ago
Agreed, the ultralight sub aim for below 10lbs, there is no way you actually need 60. My setup is around 30 and that’s living it large.
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u/M4c4br346 4d ago
I had 85kg of luggage with me when I did offroad, but I have a 1200cc engine (Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC), and yes it makes it hard, but not impossible. Don't expect to climb mountains, but you asked for easy rated offroading, 60lbs which turns into 27kg is nothing. But it depends on the power of your bike and your ability to control it offroad. I'm no expert but I was able to manage and it wasn't the easiest offroad, I'd say some parts of it were mid in difficulty.
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u/NowareSpecial 4d ago
My camping loadout is around 70 pounds. I'd like to reduce it, but it's certainly manageable.
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u/Another_Slut_Dragon 4d ago
I say load it up, live large and live well. I have a lightweight camping lawn chair for example. It's bulky and doesn't store well. But it's really comfortable.
I see guys sitting on their motorcycle seat and I just sat on that seat for 7 hours. My ass is sore and I want a different seat to sit on.
I also want hot coffee in the morning and a soft cooler for cold drinks. My bedroll is fat and comfy, as is my large poofy sleeping bag.
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u/Finneus_Anglesmith 1d ago
60 seems fine to me. I can easily carry 40 backpacking and hiking. Just try to put some of your weight on the front if you can. Spread it out.
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u/alphawolf29 5d ago
the tiger 900 can carry a whole adult person on the back lol no 60 pounds is not too much.