let's see a picture of your camping setup and how it all fits on your bike... please

Yea, I have their Incubator under-quilt (20 degree) and it's FANTASTIC!! The customer service is top shelf and the product is the same. Cannot go wrong!

If you're in the market I saw this (NEW) one listed for a great deal

https://www.campsaver.com/exped-ven...MI8cv4gMf74AIVKSCtBh3gOAeLEAQYAiABEgJQmvD_BwE

What backpack is that leaning against the tree? Looks interesting...

If I get one, I want the deluxe model with the big vestibule. still not sure. kinda leaning toward one of these instead. big enough for what i want without being huge.

https://www.naturehike.com/hiby-2-3-person-camping-tent-with-one-bedroom/

Been sitting down and rethinking my setup since I posted(last page I think?).

This is what I’ve ended up with.



Jetboil, cups, sporks in left front giant loop dry bag
Hammock stuff in right front.
Teton -7c mummy bag, chair, rope, small bits in left rear hard case
Food, first aid, asst cooking stuff, small bits in right rear hard case
Clothes in top waterproof firstgear 25l roll top dry duffel.
Alps engineering Zephyr 1 tent and Keynote luxe insulated pad in top rear bag.
Rotopax fuel can on tail rack.
Sunglasses, wallet, phone stuff, sony a600 and other camera stuff, extra gloves, map in large ktm tank bag.

I’ll strip it down if it’s just a weekend trip or something, but this is what I’ll have for something over a week. And everything is all mounted with Rok Straps so all I need to do is clip in and go. No struggling like my previous trip with dry bags and bungees.

Nice gear set up but...

The highlight of that picture is the TS250.

It looks like it's getting serviced.

Care to share?

Haha. The bolts that hold the clutch cover on vibrated out on the highway causing the clutch cable to unseat itself and me to have to ride 2hrs home with no clutch.

Super minor fix, just haven’t gotten around to it yet.
Bikes got 2000 miles on it. All original parts minus tires and the rack. Obnoxiously loud, super slow, and tons of fun.

There’s a rc390 and a dr650 to the left of the Honda as well. Those ones aren’t mine though.

I also use a 2 bag set up held by rok straps. One bag has rain gear etc.., the other camping and stuff that I don't need until I get to the site. I use 2 sets of straps - one for each bag - so access is easy without having to undo the whole rig. Also, in a pinch, you have a spare set of straps.

My TS 250 was wicked fast, quiet and lots of fun!

Being 17-19 at the time I owned it might have given me that perspective.

When mine left me it looked “different” than yours...

Idunno haha. Maybe it needs a tune up?
Maybe I’m fat?

It tops out at 60ish mph, with a tail wind.
Definitely not even close to any modern 250.
But ripping around town or on some small trails it’s a blast.

The 500 is the perfect BDR bike IMHO. Once you rig it right with large tank, proper gearing, windscreen, and soft bags, it will take you anywhere you want to go. And a throttle lock, cush hub and aux lights to complete the package.

Looking good....what year is your KTM500, and what windscreen are you using? Have you weighed the bike as shown?

RTWPaul is in the process of building up a 500 EXC for further RTW exploration. His build thread is up.

You end up with a virtual 690.

My buddy has a 690 which weighs a lot with gear and all. The 500 starts at 268lbs vs 348 lbs for the 690/701, my TE630 is 356 lbs without camping gear, I'm thinking I could loose about 100 lbs.

The big difference being, when you have to pick it up after the dirt naps! It hurts to pick up the TE 630 after the 2nd or 3rd drop of the day.

That's exactly the reason I just got a 501 to replace my X-challenge

Here's my bike loaded up.
50ltr dry bag has all my camping gear, chair & table, hammer, shovel.

Right side "exhaust" saddle bag has all my clothes, shoes, towel, wash bag.

Left side saddle bag has all my food, cooking, eating & medical stuff.

Tank bag has my camera, sunnies, electronic/ charging gear. Compressor, Rear tube. Odds and ends

If needs be I've a 12ltr fuel bladder and 10ltr water bladder. For when we go well out of the way.

I hear ya. however, by the time you add all the other stuff to the 500 (large tank, wind screen, cush hub, etc).....i imagine the weight gap closes considerably, if not totally.

This has been my set up for the last 7 days.

pretty lean