As someone that has done quite a bit of motocamping, I'm thoroughly impressed by how light you manage to pack and yet still manage to have a tent, cooking supplies, food, clothing and all the other essentials. I've worked on it for years and notice you don't even have a dry bag mounted on your seat. You sir have truly mastered the art.
Hi @baldandbiking. I actually do carry a 70 liter dry bag on the seat which holds my clothing, sleeping bag, and air mattress. Maybe it was removed on the video you were watching. I have fine tuned my gear over the last several years and keep removing anything (other than emergency gear or tools) that I don't regularly use. I try to be ruthless about it since I hate clutter. Thanks for watching! Paul
Hi paul .lovely scenery and ride .(I know it's August) but I'm watching this and looking out of window. And it's snowing and cold .(I am on my way over to your lovely warm countryside 😂lol )..old dave..uk
As a family we used to camp at Grundy every summer weekend in the early 60’s. There wasn’t a bear problem at that time. I went back a few years ago and they brought me a bear box to my campsite. I too am just getting reacquainted with a chain drive. I have both a VStrom 650 and an ST1100. I was a couple weeks ahead of you doing The Lake Superior route to Winnipeg and back, in August 2023. Thanks for the video.
@@paulzig4323 since 2013 I would do that round trip twice a year, it never gets old for me. Every time I stop at the Agawa Bay lookout. In May 1984 I proposed to my now wife at that lookout. I shall follow along on your series. Cheers
Looking forward to this series. I attempted a trip on my vstrom 650 from Guelph, Ontario to Vancouver Island back in June but I never made it out of Ontario.
Hi Terry! Thanks for the comments. Always good to hear from a fellow rider. It's a long ride across Canada that is for sure. I have come to dread the Great Plains both in the US and Canada. Maybe Vancouver in 2024? Regards Paul
Hi toslow - My preference is Motul Chain Clean and Motul Chain Lube (Road). I like the lube's performance, durability, thin can profile for stowage while traveling, and the long applicator spray tube. On my western Canadian trip I bought a can of Motul Chain Lube (Factory Line) which works well but it stains the rear tire and bike frame if the spray is misdirected. Overspray is very difficult to remove. I will go back to Motul Chain Lube (Road) once I use up the can of Factory Line. I also use a TIROX 360 degree brush to clean the chain - it is quick and compact to carry. Before a trip, I estimate the number of times I will need to service the chain and bring an appropriate number of Scott blue shop towels and disposable gloves (both compressed with Velcro straps to minimize space) to handle the chain servicing. I also carry a long strip of reusable oil absorbing pad (cut from a larger one I use in my garage for my autos) that I lay on the ground under the chain to protect from any spillage. The items above are all carried in a home sewn heavy canvas (i.e., Sunbrella) storage bag made by my wife that sits in the bottom of my top case. The bag keeps all the chain servicing supplies together, and protects everything else in the top case from grime. I hope that helps. Thanks for the question and watching! Regards Paul
Hi thomasmcandrews6637. When I first bought the bike I checked the mileage and was able to go 275 miles on 4.2 gallons averaging between 35-45 miles per hour (for a calculated 65+ miles per gallon). During my trips out in the western US where highway speeds limits are set at 80 mph on some roads, my mileage would drop into the upper 40's mile per gallon range. Once when crossing a desert area and running low on fuel I slowed the bike to bring the mileage back up again and made my destination. The fuel tank is specified at 5.3 gallons. I once rode the bike down to 22 miles remaining on the range indicator though when I filled the tank I was only able to add 4.359 gallons. It seemed like the fuel range indicator was overly conservative though perhaps the tank may still have fuel in it but not enough to feed the engine. Note that these mileages are based on the V-Strom's speedometer/odometer which tends to run 3-5% higher than the speed indicated on my GPS. I am not sure whether the speedometer or GPS is correct but I record my mileage each day based on the bike's odometer. I use regular octane on the motorcycle and have never had an issue. The engine runs very smoothly for a V-twin and I have never experienced vibration fatigue common in some single or twin cycle engines. Great questions. I hope this helps. Thanks for watching. Regards Paul
As someone that has done quite a bit of motocamping, I'm thoroughly impressed by how light you manage to pack and yet still manage to have a tent, cooking supplies, food, clothing and all the other essentials. I've worked on it for years and notice you don't even have a dry bag mounted on your seat. You sir have truly mastered the art.
Hi @baldandbiking. I actually do carry a 70 liter dry bag on the seat which holds my clothing, sleeping bag, and air mattress. Maybe it was removed on the video you were watching. I have fine tuned my gear over the last several years and keep removing anything (other than emergency gear or tools) that I don't regularly use. I try to be ruthless about it since I hate clutter. Thanks for watching! Paul
Ah yes I noticed in the next video you did have a bag. Similar to how I went out east except mine was yellow lol @@paulzig4323
Great video it was great seeing my old stomping grounds in Ontario.
Thanks for watching marcbrunell7562! I just saw your note now. Regards Paul
Great video! I’m excited for the series. I also ride a v-Strom 650
Thanks for the kind comments Keith. I appreciate your interest. Always good to hear from a fellow V-Strom rider. What year is your bike? Regards Paul
Hi paul .lovely scenery and ride .(I know it's August) but I'm watching this and looking out of window. And it's snowing and cold .(I am on my way over to your lovely warm countryside 😂lol )..old dave..uk
Awesome mate great scenery looks a lot like here in New Zealand keep foing the vids enjoy your channel
Thanks packrat61! New Zealand is on my bucket list to ride. Regards Paul
As a family we used to camp at Grundy every summer weekend in the early 60’s. There wasn’t a bear problem at that time. I went back a few years ago and they brought me a bear box to my campsite. I too am just getting reacquainted with a chain drive. I have both a VStrom 650 and an ST1100. I was a couple weeks ahead of you doing The Lake Superior route to Winnipeg and back, in August 2023. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for the comments yaitsred. I hope you enjoyed the Lake Superior route as much as I did. What a splendid place in North America. Regards Paul
@@paulzig4323 since 2013 I would do that round trip twice a year, it never gets old for me. Every time I stop at the Agawa Bay lookout. In May 1984 I proposed to my now wife at that lookout. I shall follow along on your series. Cheers
@@yaitsred Great story! Regards
What a great adventure. I wish I could have accompanied you on my 2019 V-Strom 650 XT Touring.
Good to hear from you again! Thanks for watching Robert. It was a fun journey indeed.
Looking forward to this series. I attempted a trip on my vstrom 650 from Guelph, Ontario to Vancouver Island back in June but I never made it out of Ontario.
Hi Terry! Thanks for the comments. Always good to hear from a fellow rider. It's a long ride across Canada that is for sure. I have come to dread the Great Plains both in the US and Canada. Maybe Vancouver in 2024? Regards Paul
Enjoyed your last ride in the east, Looking forward to this ride. Wondering what you are using for cleaning and lubing the chain.
Hi toslow - My preference is Motul Chain Clean and Motul Chain Lube (Road). I like the lube's performance, durability, thin can profile for stowage while traveling, and the long applicator spray tube. On my western Canadian trip I bought a can of Motul Chain Lube (Factory Line) which works well but it stains the rear tire and bike frame if the spray is misdirected. Overspray is very difficult to remove. I will go back to Motul Chain Lube (Road) once I use up the can of Factory Line.
I also use a TIROX 360 degree brush to clean the chain - it is quick and compact to carry.
Before a trip, I estimate the number of times I will need to service the chain and bring an appropriate number of Scott blue shop towels and disposable gloves (both compressed with Velcro straps to minimize space) to handle the chain servicing.
I also carry a long strip of reusable oil absorbing pad (cut from a larger one I use in my garage for my autos) that I lay on the ground under the chain to protect from any spillage.
The items above are all carried in a home sewn heavy canvas (i.e., Sunbrella) storage bag made by my wife that sits in the bottom of my top case. The bag keeps all the chain servicing supplies together, and protects everything else in the top case from grime.
I hope that helps.
Thanks for the question and watching! Regards Paul
Just found your videos. Good so far. The pans your cooking meat in are they NON STICKY? God Bless safe ridin rubber down
@@southernrebel The pan (and I believe pot) is hard anodized so it does resist sticking somewhat. Thanks for watching! Paul
Hi, I was just wondering how many miles to the gallon do you get? And what octane do you use?
Hi thomasmcandrews6637. When I first bought the bike I checked the mileage and was able to go 275 miles on 4.2 gallons averaging between 35-45 miles per hour (for a calculated 65+ miles per gallon). During my trips out in the western US where highway speeds limits are set at 80 mph on some roads, my mileage would drop into the upper 40's mile per gallon range. Once when crossing a desert area and running low on fuel I slowed the bike to bring the mileage back up again and made my destination.
The fuel tank is specified at 5.3 gallons. I once rode the bike down to 22 miles remaining on the range indicator though when I filled the tank I was only able to add 4.359 gallons. It seemed like the fuel range indicator was overly conservative though perhaps the tank may still have fuel in it but not enough to feed the engine.
Note that these mileages are based on the V-Strom's speedometer/odometer which tends to run 3-5% higher than the speed indicated on my GPS. I am not sure whether the speedometer or GPS is correct but I record my mileage each day based on the bike's odometer.
I use regular octane on the motorcycle and have never had an issue. The engine runs very smoothly for a V-twin and I have never experienced vibration fatigue common in some single or twin cycle engines. Great questions. I hope this helps. Thanks for watching. Regards Paul