Here are a few good threads on packing for camping off the DS style bikes
http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85385
http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35164
On my KTM 530 ECX, I use the
Kriega Overlander 30 setup. I like where the bags sit. They are tough and have removeable water proof liners that can be replaced independent of the bags if they ever wear out. The bags are very easy to mount/dismount. They hold a good bit. They don't move around. They are easy to access on the side of the road. If I need to carry more, I use a Wolfman Drybag on the tail of the bike and put light stuff in it like a sleeping bag, tent, air mat, etc,... Tools and spare tubes go in the side bags. I use a Wolfman tankbag for misc small stuff. This still leaves me plenty of room for moving around on the bike when the riding gets technical.
Examples of what I think is "technical"
A few shots of the bike fully loaded
Typical camp setup - 3 man tent, cot, chair, extra fleece blanket, a few days of dry food and a JetBoil stove with two cans of fuel. No extra clothes, just the riding gear... Warm/cold sets of gloves. All in all, a pretty minimal setup.
I also have the Giant Loop Mojavi bag, which I like a lot. However, it is really only big enough for day rides where you are carrying tools, spare tubes, and maybe a few other misc pieces of gear. It is no where near large enough to use for camping. I have not used the larger bags, but one of the guys riding a KTM 530 with us had one and seemed happy with it.
On my KLR 650, I used the
DirtBagz Ranger panniers. They were good for the KLR. They are NOT waterproof at all. At best, they are mildly water resistant. You can put rain covers on them, but they will still get wet on deep water crossings or in heavy rain. Even water just splashing up from the rear wheel will soak through the backside of the bags where they are not covered by the rain covers. They also require a mountain bracket. Brackets bend and break. The Kriega bags don't (you drill a small hole in each side of rear fend or use a tail plate like I already had installed). They are super easy to mount/dismount. They hold a LOT.
Another popular brand is the
Ortlieb dry bags. They are waterproof. Some require mounting hardware and some don't. I've never used them but from what I have read they seem to be pretty durable. There are lots of different types/sizes of bags to choose from.
The
Wolfman bags are also very popular. They have a nice selection of types/sizes. Not ALL of their stuff is waterproof. So you have to really check that for whichever ones you might like. I would strongly advise against the idea of getting one big tail bag and cramming everything in there. This is a BIG safety issue. You want your weight down low. Weight up high makes the bike difficult to handle, especially at high speeds or in rough terrain. On the technical stuff, weight up high will drastically increase the odds of you dropping the bike and getting hurt! On my KLR 650, I liked to used the Wolfman tank panniers. I kept stuff like rain gear, extra sweat shirt, and other light weight items in them. They also made for nice soft pads for when the bike fell over...
Some folks like to use front fender bags to carry a spare tube and maybe tire irons/patches. I think this is where the particular bike can make a difference. If you can get the bag right up close to the forks, it usually works well. However, if the front fairing/headlight pushes the bag further away from the forks, the weight of the bag can really affect the handling of the bike, especially when the terrain starts getting technical. It will tend to make the wheel want to flop to one side or the other. I have stopped using a fender bag.
There are some folks that like to use hard luggage. I would only suggest this if you are going to be riding pavement and easy unpaved roads (something on which you'd drive a typical sedan without any issues). Generally, the hard bag and their mounting hardware don't hold up to serious abuse real well and they are expensive to repair/replace. There is also the issue of getting your leg pinned between the ground/rocks and the leading edge of the bags. There have been quite a few people that have suffered broken legs/ankles because of this. Soft bags are MUCH more forgiving... I use hardbags on my 1200 GS, but never on the KLR or KTM. Even then, I rarely use the hard side bags and instead mostly use the hard tail bag, but I don't carry a lot of weight in it. If you do use hard bags (or even soft bags), having some bailing wire or lots of LONG zip ties can be a real ride saver if you have to keep the bag attached to the bike after a nasty drop that damages the mounts.
Hand pumps for inflating tires
http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46173
I like to have an electric pump. Yeah, I am lazy. But I have been on too many trips where having that electric pump came in REAL handy, not just for me, but for other riders in the group. You can also use CO2 cartridges, but once they are gone, you are screwed if you still need more air. There are all kinds of air pumps available. I just got the inexpensive "Slime" brand pump at the local auto parts place and it works great. Some people tear them apart to get down to the bare minimum pieces. Again, I am lazy and that is more work that it is worth in my opinion given the small reduction in weight and size.
There are some folks that will tell you to carry a front tube only. If you get a flat, you can temporarily run the front tube in the rear. Personally, I don't like this advice. I have seen too many front tubes fail when used in the rear, even when only used for a few miles. I'd rather just carry a rear and a front so I don't have to risk ruining my whole ride just because of a flat. I also carry patches to that if I just get a clean puncture rather than a tear, I can simply patch the tube and keep going. I have even occasionally carried two spare rear tubes. There have been times when other riders had problems and my extra tube kept the group moving.
PRACTICE changing tubes at home BEFORE you go on trips. It is much better to learn in the comfort of your garage than on the side of a road/trail when you have a group of riders standing around waiting for you to get your bike rolling again. ONLY use the tools you will have with you on the bike. With a little practice, you will be able to fix a tire problem pretty quick. There are loads of YouTube videos out there on how to do it easily and correctly.
The biggest safety issue is having the proper adjustment of the nut between the handlebars and seat. Seriously, I cannot stress this enough. Develop your skills. Do NOT ride as fast as you can or over ride your sight lines. Adjust your riding to the terrain and conditions. Stay properly hydrated and keep your body cool/warm as needed. Dehydration and fatigue are literally killers. Ego can be a real issue as well. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen people get in over their heads because of the feeling that they have to impress the group or because of a fear of holding the group back. A GOOD group won't be worried about you holding them back. They will understand that you are riding as a group and the group takes care of everyone! If you are riding with people that don't get this, find new riding partners. Also, the good riders in the group should be willing to help the less experienced riders learn to become better riders.
Good gear is a big issue as well. You can find decent gear for a decent price. I would not skimp on gear in terms of quality or coverage. Even a mild accident can result in BIG medical bills. It is easy to think of gear as being too expensive and to go for something really cheap. All it takes is ONE serious injury and all of a sudden that better gear is not so expensive in comparison. I am not saying you have to buy the most expensive stuff. Quality is the issue. Good quality gear will last you at least 5-10 years depending on how hard you use it. It might be more upfront, but in the end it is usually cheaper because it gets replaced less often. I have had many instances where good boots, pants, jacket, gloves, and helmet have protected me from very serious injuries. I cannot stress this enough either.
Good gear will not only offer you physical protection from injury, but it will be comfortable and keep you cool/warm/dry as needed. Cold can be just as dangerous as heat. Wet and cold is the worst! Good venting is important as well as the ability to close everything up to keep out wind and rain. The ability to add layers under the jacket and pants is also important if you plan to ride in a wide range of temps and weather. Personally, I like Gore-Tex pants/jackets because I hate messing with liners or over suits. It does usually cost more though.
You will have to experiment with what you like. Most likely, you will start with one thing and gradually figure out what you like or don't like. I've used all manner of gear over the years and still haven't found the perfect setup
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