Newly minted ADV bike owner seeking advice

[EBDan]

Hi,

I've been riding a sport bike for the past couple years (I started late in life in my early 50s), and as much fun as it is, I realized I enjoy just being out there on the road exploring new places and decided, impulsively, to jump into the ADV world.

I picked up a BMW 750GS back in July and took the MSF Dirt Riding Course so I guess I'm now qualified to ride around in a dirt lot and go over some 4"x6" beams. :laughing

It's been a bit overwhelming trying to figure out how to get myself and my bike ready for my first moto camping trip somewhere. I recently installed pannier racks (I didn't like the BMW Vario hard cases and figured soft bags would act as pillows on tip-overs) and I'm now researching soft luggage. MoskoMoto panniers are at the top of my list. I suppose after that I'll need to figure out all the gear I need for camping (I have some but it's for car camping stuff so probably too heavy), as well as safety and maintenance related gear to bring along.

What words of wisdom can you offer to a newbie with regards to skills, equipment, places to go that won't be beyond my beginner dirt riding abilities, etc?

Thank you and I really appreciate having this forum to ask questions.

Daniel

 

[HadesOmega]

Be careful where you ride your adventure bike. Know your skill level and what your bike can do. If a trail or obstacle looks sketchy get off the bike and scout ahead.

I generally stick to published routes (BDR, TAT, Butler Maps) or I ride dual sport riding events. Learn how to use a GPS too, there are tracks you can download that will tell you where to go, they use them in these dual sport events.

 

[EBDan]

Cool, yes...so at the moment, I just use my phone and Butler Maps on Rever; but I'm assuming that a standalone GPS is a must as I travel out of cell range and having a backup nav is essential. Do the other maps (BDR, TAT) provide technical difficulty of the roads and trails?

Are there any recommended places around the bay area/coast which would be a good start for a first outing? Maybe something with well groomed dirt roads to an easy to access campground? I'd like to start easy and work out any gear/logistical issues close to home.

 

[SFMCjohn]

:newbie

love the BMW 750GS, congratulations! I’m with you about enjoying exploring ...

+1 with what HadesOmega said about dual-sport events and Butler maps ... I love my AAA maps and the big $10 National Forest maps ... still have not adopted GPS myself, but hear they are great to share routes ... :dunno

also enjoy the BARF and ADVrider.com rallies.

The Mendocino National Forest has hundreds of miles of well-maintained fire roads to explore, lots of dispersed camping, and was where I started my first n00bie dual-sport experiences ...

a final trick I like is to look for watchtowers ... almost always a big-ADV-bike-worthy road with a view.

enjoy the BMW! :ride

 

[EBDan]

Thanks for the advice and recommendation! Is there a specific campground up in Mendocino you recommend? Mendocino is one of the areas at the top of my list for a first trip. Any thoughts about Big Sur as another destination for a noob?

As for watchtowers, are those marked on butler or one of the other maps you mentioned?

 

[EBDan]

Btw, where do I find out about dual sport riding events? Here on the barf forum or advrider.com? How much experience/skill is needed before riders should attempt those?

 

[Kalvin00]

Be careful where you ride your adventure bike. Know your skill level and what your bike can do. If a trail or obstacle looks sketchy get off the bike and scout ahead.

Yes. The times i've dropped my Tiger off road, was because I was on a road I really should have thought twice about.

The Mendocino NF is basically in the process of burning to the ground and won't be open for a year, at least (the northern 2/3, anyways.) I'd seek routes in the Sierra--of which there are many!

 

[SFMCjohn]

well, seems like the whole state is on fire tonight, plus Covid cancellations, so you have to take everything as a maybe ... :angel

think I mostly find watchtowers on the $10 Ntnl Forest maps ... often they’re only foundations left, but the old roads are still there.

I like to carry lots of water and to find a spot to disperse camp with a view, which is to say I avoid established fee campgrounds ...

here’s some Sierra/Hwy 108 suggestions:
Eagle Meadows off Hwy 108, and camp near the Bennett Juniper ... just over Sonora Pass, there’s a left on Silver Creek that has a nice view dispersed campsite off to the left. And Masonic Peak above Bridgeport has a microwave tower.

in Mendo, I like Hull Mtn, Sheetiron Mtn and Anthony Peak (two foundations and a watchtower).

Big Sur and Prewitt Ridge can be nice off season during the week, but hear that’s closed now, and can be crowded ... instead, I like the Williams Hill BML area above Jolon ... there’s a couple view camps, the south one has a watchtower.

think all these places are fairly accessible on a big bike with so-so skill ... have accepted that I’ll always be a perpetual n00b ... :laughing

I had zero experience/skill when I started doing the Sheetiron 300 with 500 of my best moto pals, who helped me when I needed direction ... ADV probably has more “organized” annual rallies ... the ADVrider.com n00bs Rally in Death Valley is awesome.

also like Carizzo Plain in the winter and early spring, the Sierras in the summer and Mendo when it isn’t winter.

sure other people here will have better ideas and may know what’s closed now ... envy you getting to see all these places for the first time, remember what an adventure my first trips to Mendo and DV were ... :laughing:thumbup

the Bennett Juniper and a view of The Three Chimneys on the way down from Eagle Meadows ... :ride

Hurricane Ridge, Carrizo Ntnl Monument ...

anyway, to Kalvin00’s point:

MASSIVE FOREST CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS ANNOUNCED FOR CALIFORNIA
Campgrounds in all the state's national forests will close, and other prohibitions are being put in place, due to fire danger. Many Southern California forests are being shut down completely.
Posted: Sep 7, 2020 12:03 PM
Updated: Sep 8, 2020 12:42 PM
Posted By: Lorraine Dechter

praying for rain, and a return of “normal,” myself ... :angel

 

[EBDan]

Thanks HadesOmega, Kalvin00 and SFMCJohn. Your feedback is gold! I'm definitely putting off going on a trip until the fire situation calms down. Maybe later in October (hopefully weather is cooler as well).

In the meantime, I guess I'll be working to outfit myself with all the proper gear. Any recommendations on what you typically bring out on your trips? What are some must haves for 1-2 days of moto camping? I've been watching FTA Adventures on YouTube to get some ideas.

Oh, I was also looking at mounting a rotopax to hold a fuel container, but then I read somewhere that in California, I actually have to use metal and not the molded EPA CARB Compliant fuel containers Rotopax has?

@SFMCJohn - gorgeous pictures! I hope to ride these places in the future.

 

[SFMCjohn]

I'm definitely putting off going on a trip until the fire situation calms down. Maybe later in October (hopefully weather is cooler as well).

In the meantime, I guess I'll be working to outfit myself with all the proper gear. Any recommendations on what you typically bring out on your trips? What are some must haves for 1-2 days of moto camping? I've been watching FTA Adventures on YouTube to get some ideas.

Oh, I was also looking at mounting a rotopax to hold a fuel container, but then I read somewhere that in California, I actually have to use metal and not the molded EPA CARB Compliant fuel containers Rotopax has?

@SFMCJohn - gorgeous pictures! I hope to ride these places in the future.

:thumbup

keep an eye out for the next StonyBARF ride in Dirty BARFing ... hopefully there will be one in October. they get a group campground in Fouts Springs.

like you, I use soft saddle bags, ride with about 4 liters of water per day, Jet-Boil for coffee, eat trail mix and cookies, lots of instant coffee/hot coco, and pack a tent, down sleeping bag (two 30 deg bags in winter), ground tarp, mug and spoon, sneakers, two thermarest pads and one of those flat back support “seats” and recently my wife’s inexpensive folding camp chair (which I admit is awesome ... :facepalm)

most of the stuff fits in a big river bag strapped to the luggage rack, with cloths/spare tubes/bicycle airpump/tire irons in one soft saddle bag and food/Jet-Boil in the other.

anyway, that’s just me ... no “right” way, really ... :gsxrgrl

thanks about the pics ... also came to dual-sport later in life, and spent hours on ADV and BARF and loved looking at pics folks posted ... arty

my friend mounts the plastic Roto-Pak gallon containers on his vintage bikes here in CA, with no issues I’m aware of ... you might need extra fuel for Death Valley’s huge long loops, but if the GS has four fuel-injected gallons, you may find Roto-Paks more useful for carrying water ...? :dunno

 

[usedtobefast]

One thing to consider, for your first several outings, just stay in a hotel.

That way you have less stuff you are carrying and you can try out the dirt road exploring with a lighter less bulky bike.

And once you have all you camping stuff sorted and your full load figured out, do a 2-3 hr pavement/backroad ride to make sure it all works ok.

Basically, work up to the full load camping trip.

 

[matty]

Pack a siphon tube, so you can share some of your fuel with guys like me, who only have a 2 gallon tank....kidding.

:thumbup

Jet-Boil , ..and cookies, .. ground tarp, ... two thermarest pads and one of those flat back support “seats” and recently my wife’s inexpensive folding camp chair (which I admit is awesome ... :facepalm)

Woah, someone is living in the lap of luxury:laughing Actually, it really is a trade of off of weight and space vs comfort and I haven't been that comfortable my last few trips.:nchantr

By the way, I'm an utter newb to ADV/dirt too, so I'm learning from this thread too.

One thing I will suggest is when you go tent shopping, look for shorter poles. With shorter poles you can mount them anywhere on your bike and then you can smash pack the soft bags. Also, tent clips are easier and quicker to set up than sleeves. Peanuts are a great source of fat and protein, can really carry you along on a long day.

Finally, when you look on a map and think to yourself, I'd like to go there. Eg: Eagle meadow, go to google and type site:bayarearidersforum.com eagle meadow and then read John's ride report. Seriously, I've read so many of his trip reports by first finding some place on a map and then searching barf and anywhere you might want to go, John's been there:ride

 

[dravnx]

There's a thread on Adv rider about tent pole lengths. Advrider is really the place to learn about moto camping and Adv riding.

 

[SFMCjohn]

Finally, when you look on a map and think to yourself, I'd like to go there. Eg: Eagle meadow, go to google and type site:bayarearidersforum.com eagle meadow and then read John's ride report. Seriously, I've read so many of his trip reports by first finding some place on a map and then searching barf and anywhere you might want to go, John's been there:ride

think you’re just really saying I’m old ... :x


:laughing:thumbup

seriously though, I think of you for all things Big Sur (and Cabrito) ... WoodsChick has a sticky-thread for all her awesome ride reports and two wheel tramp gets me out of my comfort zone with her annual Cedarville and Weaverville rallies ... all the BARF Baja guys ... arty

and like dravnx sez, ADVrider.com is awesome too ...

idk, see if we can do a Deer Island overnight soon ... :dunno

 

[Tom G]

I also have an adventure bike (BMW R1200 GSA). The adventure is picking it up, although the bike is perfect for touring and I have the hard luggage. I would make sure you use the proper tires, start with maintained gravel roads, and most importantly have the proper riding boots. I will slip in my Sidi road boots even on the slightest sand on the road, so I have a pair of Sidi adventure boots as well (Vibram soles), but they are a bit bulky. Need to say, my bike once survived traversing Knoxville N of Lake Berryessa w/o me dropping it, but I decided not to push my luck. Your 750 should be lighter though.

 

[matty]

think you’re just really saying I’m old ... :x


:laughing:thumbup

seriously though, I think of you for all things Big Sur (and Cabrito) ... WoodsChick has a sticky-thread for all her awesome ride reports and two wheel tramp gets me out of my comfort zone with her annual Cedarville and Weaverville rallies ... all the BARF Baja guys ... arty

and like dravnx sez, ADVrider.com is awesome too ...

idk, see if we can do a Deer Island overnight soon ... :dunno

I'm calling you an intrepid explorer of roads less traveled:ride

And if the world ever stops burning... you can try out the WR

And OP, one thing I participated in was doc wong's adv clinic, it was fun and really boosted my confidence. Plus it's an excuse to ride. http://docwong.com/dirtclin/index.htm

also, when looking for dispersed camping on natl forest land, my general rule, is once you pass the yellow and red no fire, no charcoal signs, start looking for previously camped in spots.

 

[SFMCjohn]

And if the world ever stops burning... you can try out the WR

And OP, one thing I participated in was doc wong's adv clinic, it was fun and really boosted my confidence. Plus it's an excuse to ride. http://docwong.com/dirtclin/index.htm

also, when looking for dispersed camping on natl forest land, my general rule, is once you pass the yellow and red no fire, no charcoal signs, start looking for previously camped in spots.

would like to try the WR, it's on my short-list as the KLR gets harder to pick up ... :laughing

+1 on Doc Wong adv clinic ... and my trick for finding dispersed camping spots is to look for old fire rings ... :thumbup

 

[EBDan]

One thing to consider, for your first several outings, just stay in a hotel.

That way you have less stuff you are carrying and you can try out the dirt road exploring with a lighter less bulky bike.

And once you have all you camping stuff sorted and your full load figured out, do a 2-3 hr pavement/backroad ride to make sure it all works ok.

Basically, work up to the full load camping trip.

Fantastic idea. At one point, I was considering riding up to Mendocino Grove and doing some glamping as a warm up :teeth

Pack a siphon tube, so you can share some of your fuel with guys like me, who only have a 2 gallon tank....kidding.

One thing I will suggest is when you go tent shopping, look for shorter poles...read John's ride report.

CHECK, and CHECK

There's a thread on Adv rider about tent pole lengths. Advrider is really the place to learn about moto camping and Adv riding.

Thanks, I've joined ADVRider, but I do like BARF for local rider ideas.

I also have an adventure bike (BMW R1200 GSA). The adventure is picking it up.

Definitely! I can lift it up without luggage on. Glad I went with one of the smaller GSs. I suspect if I go down, I'll have to remove all the stuff first before getting the bike back up. I recently got some Forma Terra EVO boots. I'm in the process of breaking them in now.

And OP, one thing I participated in was doc wong's adv clinic, it was fun and really boosted my confidence. Plus it's an excuse to ride. http://docwong.com/dirtclin/index.htm

I've heard about Doc Wong's street clinics, but I'll look into his ADV class. I plan to take the RawHyde course at some point in my ADV training...

would like to try the WR

What is WR? :dunno

EDIT: I just realized you were referring to a bike and not a Trail or something...DUH

 

[HadesOmega]

The butler maps are great. The state maps have "recommended dual sport road" and from riding them those are adventure bike friendly roads.

The BDR maps are even more detailed. They will have alternate routes and more difficult routes. They warn you hazards also, like if it's wet its impassable that kind of stuff.

I kinda bring a lot of stuff when I go camping. I figure if you at least used it once during the trip it was worth it to bring along.

Also FREE CAMPSITES dot net! If you are looking for a place to camp the night for free as the name states or not free also you can use that website. Unfortunately some places are not good for motocamping like casinos.

Also I don't know how it is with the whole coronavirus thing going on but airbnb is good to have. It has saved my bacon a few times when I am finding a place to stay. Sometimes it's like man I don't wanna camp tonight it's gonna be in the 40's I want a warm place to stay. Or your too close to civilization to find a place to camp. I even found some places to camp when I was riding through Texas through AirBNB.

Also when looking for place to camp I usually look for some place someone has camped before, that way you know it MIGHT be ok to camp there.

 

[EBDan]

Thanks. I'll check out the BDR maps and the free campsite website.

Ok, to a separate topic...

What were some difficult situations you've been caught in while ADV riding and how did you get yourself out of those jams?

eg - Did you ever blow a tire out in the middle of nowhere and couldn't just patch it? Ever have a mechanical failure and needed to get towed but no cell signal? Get injured when riding solo? Robbed/gear stolen at motel or hotel?