WYBDR: Strapping Things To My Bike And Buying Better Camping Gear

I don’t like when “adventures” involve shopping. However, sometimes you need good gear. Luckily, my bike didn’t need much. The essentials remain totally stock and all I added was small details. I’m as impressed as anyone that it worked. I ran that poor beast to somewhere around 9,500’ elevation on a bone stock carburetor! Honey Badger is tough as nails and didn’t give a shit. So long as I kept it in a low gear she’d climb to the moon… at the speed of patience.

Before departure I paid a shop to install handguards. They look cool. I probably overpaid but I like the idea of not breaking fingers or bending levers if I dump the bike. I did an oil change too. I wanted handlebar risers but parts weren’t in stock locally and I had no time to wait. I wanted to change the chain but ran out of time.

I’d been fiddling with cheap aftermarket lights ($35!!!) but hadn’t installed them. In 2023 I wired switches but I hadn’t figured out the light mounts. In desperation, I paid a welder to solve all my problems. I was as surprised as anyone when I flipped switches that have been wired but unused all this time and everything functioned. This was done 3 days before departure.

I’d also wired a super heavy duty cigarette lighter. This was meant to power my air compressor. This would go with the new patch kit I’d acquired. I also bought new tubes. Unfortunately, the tubes were too big to carry. They remained behind in my truck.

I installed a plug so I can use my Noco GB20 to jump start the bike directly. That eliminated carrying jumper clips. During the ride I depleted my GB20 trying to keep my cell phone charged. Good thing I didn’t need a jump (and I can bump start).

I installed a sheepskin. The OEM seat sucks. It’s not a perfect solution but it’s DEFINITELY an improvement.

I bought a Tusk Olympus (Large) tank bag, which was the thing I used most (aside from the lights which were life savers).

My bike has Milwaukee Packouts that stack on the Cycleracks back rack. (Note: I get a small kickback from Amazon if you buy anything. I have no association with Cycleracks at all.) It also has Rotopax containers on hard racks; 1 gallon Rotopax gas can on one side, 1 gallon Rotopax water can on the other side. They’re overkill but I used them anyway. No point in going “light” on water and gas, at least until I’d seen a BDR myself.

The Packouts are glorious for afternoon fun rides but didn’t work well for the heavier packing of multiple days. That frustrated me! With the clock ticking, I purchased Nelson Riggs Hurricane Dual Sport Saddlebags. When the saddlebags didn’t fit over the very wide ass of a TW200 with 2 Rotopax, I called them. They recommended a Velcro extension. I ordered it right away and it did exactly what I needed.

I have a tool tube but didn’t like the high mounting I’d used for years. I paid the welder to weld a mounting plate to one of the Rotopax brackets. This moved it lower and it rode flawlessly.

In something not quite panic but approaching one, I purchased a shitload of tools, components, replacement bits, and other emergency errata. I’ll describe it all some other time. I crammed all that stuff onto my heavily loaded bike. It rode well but I needed almost none of it. Does that mean it was dumb? I don’t think so.

I bought a Zdrag. I didn’t use that either. It felt like overkill but then again I only have to need it once.

Also, solo. Solo changes things.

I tested out my existing tent and it wasn’t going to work. I bought a new tent; that’s a story for another day. I tested a cool sleeping solution that sounded great but it wasn’t good either. I whimpered about the cost but bought a new sleeping bag. The tent and bag were big ticket items for this trip but they did indeed serve me well.

At the last minute I picked up an overpriced REI compression sack. It turned out to be worth it’s weight in gold. I got some thermal underwear too. The elite douchebag at REI insisted on calling it “base” (as if “base layer” is too many letters for the truly enlightened). Also they wouldn’t give me a bag to carry my purchases because Greta Thumberg would cry or something. I put up with their shit when I need the very best gear but I dislike REI in general. The store reminds me of the person who hangs an Ansel Adams calendar on their cubicle and then lectures me (who really goes out in the shit) about “mother nature”.

Buying fancy camping gear was particularly nerve wracking. But it had to be done. If “a million miles from nowhere in Wyoming” isn’t a time for good gear what is?

Mrs. Curmudgeon helped by insisting I get whatever I felt necessary. I think she wants me to live. That’s so hot!

I programmed my Baeofeng handheld (HAM radio) with NOAA weather channels and all the WY repeaters… then left it behind. Not enough room. I loaded navigation gadgets with GPS waypoints. I charged everything that needed charging.

I did absolutely nothing about my riding clothes. I have an Aerostich suit, a cheap but full face helmet, adequate boots, and two pairs of gloves (one nibbled on by mice). That’s what I’d wear to cruise the interstate and it’s what I’d use on a BDR. It’s what I own. It was a bit bulky but otherwise OK.

My truck decided it wanted in on the fun. I dropped a shitload of cash rectifying deferred maintenance for the Dodge. This included a rear brake job. A few days after that “annoying” expense I was rolling down a steep Wyoming mountain pass at 9% grade for miles. The brakes functioned like a boss. Money well spent!

Finally the day came. There was no more I could do in the time allotted. I climbed in my Dodge and rolled out with my TW200 “Honey Badger” perched on the trailer.

I breathed a deep breath. I was more nervous than I’ve been in years. Which was the whole point.

You’re never quite as ready as you’d like.