MOTORCYCLE CAMPING SURE DOESN’T SEEM LIKE IT SHOULD BE FOR EVERYONE. But it might be right for you! Well, I am a bit biased. I’ve been motorcycle camping for a long time and I’ve camped all over North America. Which, in my case, is a good and bad thing. The good part is that I still enjoy it! The bad part is that I’ve become somewhat like an old dog who hasn’t learned any new tricks in a while. Stated another way, I’ve been enjoying camping pretty much the same way, with the same (or similar) gear, for a long time.
I started camping as a Boy Scout back in the early 70′s, and began motorcycle camping a few years later, still a teenager. Since that time, my motorbike adventures have encompassed camping in deserts, in mountains, on the shores of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, next to lakes, along rivers, in the rain, in climates too hot, and too cold, and even in the snow. (Nowadays I avoid camping in the snow with a motorbike).
Here in the 21st century, I’m betting you’ll be able to teach me a few new tricks.
I’ve written enough on motorcycle camping that I devoted a separate website to the matter (Camping-Rider.com). However, there’s enough information on that site, that I thought I’d offer an outline on this page, so that you can go directly to any parts that might interest you by clicking the appropriate links below.
Regardless, I’m primarily hoping that you’ll offer your own comments, tips, suggestions or anything else you want to say about motorcycle camping further below (after the outline).
Camping-Rider.com
Click the following links for more information:
What Is The Best Bike For Motorcycle Camping?
♦ The Best Motorcycle
♦ Motorcycle Storage
♦ Riding Gear
♦ The Best Motorcycle – Revisited
Motorcycle Camping: How Much Stuff Can I Bring?
♦ Tent
♦ Sleeping Bag
♦ Clothes
♦ Let There Be Light
Motorcycle Camping Food: What’s to Eat?
♦ Water
♦ Perishables
♦ Non-Perishables
♦ Cooking (or not)
♦ Campfire
♦ Cleaning
♦ Trash
♦ Safety/Utility
♦ Clothes
♦ Cooking
♦ Basic Eating
♦ Motorcycle Gear
What Are Your Motorcycle Camping Tips and Suggestions?
So, here’s your chance to offer your motorcycle camping insights. Share your experience, tips, suggestions, and whatnot to help this old dog learn some new tricks about enjoying motorcycle camping even more. On the other hand, if you just want to note your appreciation (or lack thereof) about motorcycle camping, you are also welcome to join the conversation by “leaving a reply” below.
Started riding again a couple ofyears ago. Don’t know why i waited so long. We did our first camp trip last fall. It was only an overnighter but was great. Used my backpacking gear. My wife has her own bike so we were liberal with stuff. But the ackpack worked great. Hoping to do more this summer!
I took a few lenghts of 1/2 inch square stainless tubing and made a extension thats bolts on to the luggage rack of my 05 flstc, It is lite weight very sturdy and allows me to carry a few more comforts ,everything you need for two people.i.e.tent ,bags,tarp, small cooler, mess kits,even a camp chair for the wife..Its cheeper than a trailer and works great
Must have air bed, it made night time rest feel like staying at a hotel!
Awesome topic. I’ll check out the link you posted. I just wanted to say that I see a lot of folks on a daily basis who pack in dirt-bikes, ATVs, and yes, motorcycles with all their other gear, and head out in an RV. I like the idea of free-wheeling it, but you’ve gotta be pretty dedicated to just have yourself and two wheels out there. That’s a pretty freeing concept.
I would like to add 2 things
I have gone to a coleman 533 stove for my cooking, it is dual fuel and has never burned white gas (coleman fuel), I carry a $3 siphon pump from china-mart to fill it out of my gas tank. This way Im not carrying a pressurized tank of extremely flammable gas on my bike, I dont have to worry about running out of fuel in the middle of cooking dinner, and even with the price of unleaded these days, I feel its the cheapest to use. I was leary of cooking with unleaded but after giving it a try, I have a 2 burner stove and lantern that will also burn unleaded for car camping.
Also, a solar shower is a good thing, at your last stop, fill it with water, strap it to the top of your load and it will be nice and hot for you at the camp site, you can also heat the water on the coleman stove if you like.
Great ideas here. I’ll add 2. A light weight tarp can be set for daytime shade, and to cover things at night. A small thermos filled at dinner provides hot coffee in the morning and a cold drink at noon. I hope to see some of you out there.
This site has some neat gear & reviews.
Two suggestions:
If you are camping alone, consider a camping hammock instead of a tent. They’re about the same size and weight as a one-man tent, but you don’t need a ground cloth or ground pad. They are surprisingly comfy.
Conventional wisdom is that the new ultralight propane stoves are the backpacker’s choice. But if you are camping more than one night, a pump-up benzine stove is better. Burn time is over two hours vs. 45 minutes for a same-size propane tank. So one single-burner stove and a small aluminum bottle of gas does the same cooking as five or size tanks. Why pay for compresses air when you can work a pump?
The longest I have been camping is for a week. I prefer not taking food along as space is an issue riding 2 up. I use a top box, tank bag and have soft paniers for my bike. The most important thing is to pack light and try not pack unnecessary gear. Tent wise I use a 2man tent, a blow up mattress and pillows. Two sleeping bags and then clothing kept to a minimum. Going for a weekend wearing a pair of jeans and a spare pair packed has always been sufficient, mostly if it rains the 2nd pair helps. T shirt for every day and underwear too. Some sleeping shorts and a pair of flip flops for when you shower. Toiletries kept to soap(liquid form doubles as shampoo), toothbrush, toothpaste, face cloth and towel. Being at campsite usually toilet paper is provided, if not shops are never far. Flash light, puncture repair kit and knife always under seat. All other small items like mattress pump get stowed away wherever there is place. Important to remember keep weight in top box and panier as low as possible as you have a passenger too, all ‘heavy’ items should be in tank bag. NB! Keep speed to limits too, as a bike 2 up with luggage can be a nightmare if something jumps ahead of you.
I’ve done a lot of this in the last few years with 4000km one way trips from home to where I worked for three years. In that time i would have done two trips a year.
The bike is a 99 ST1100 and I tow a trailer which makes life a little easier while on the road. The trailer takes the basic camping needs clothing, bedding (air bed as well), an old gearsack bag which holds the cooking gear etc., an Eski to keep drinks and perishable cool (For ice I use bottles of water which when thaws gets used for fresh water). Esky also doubles as a seat when in camp and a laptop computer in its original box. I used to strap tent and a bag of clothing to top of the trailer.
Bike has two side cases which are now used for extra fuel storage (Ten litres in each).
I now have a top case which is used for storing things most often needed. rain gear, camping light, 12 volt air pump, etc. Also I lock money in there etc while I’m on the move. Oh! to put in shopping that I’ve done for the night.
I very rarely spend nights in paid accommodation and I try and find places near the road but out of sight. I use showers in the roadhouses.
I now camp using a hammock, and gortex covered sleeping bag (us Marine corps ecwss) you can use a tarp aswell and is useful when there are no trees lol.
I’ve Motorcycle tent camped for many years, but last year I got a tent trailer and it’s great. I carry what I want, get to the site, set up quickly, I’m off the ground and much more comfortable. I only lose about 4 to 5 MPG. Getting the bike wired properly and installing the hitch was a pain, but it was worth it. I got the Easy Camp.
one easy tip…pack your bike with just the things you think you might need…then throw out half of whats on the bike, cuz. it’ll just get in the way or you’ll never use it. Multi-use items, extreme packing, and ease of use. You’d be surprised at what you don’t really need. Try a trip, locally, before you head out for any time, pare down the size and weight, learn to make do with what you can afford…and remember the old timers who traveled all over the world with not much more than a blanket and a knife and a few spare tool items…
For me, motorcycle camping has taught me about packing properly. Since you don’t have a room to unpack your panniers, you’re basically living off the bike. Because of theft etc., I like to keep them locked and on the bike. I try to pack everything the same way every time, so I never have to wonder where anything is. All my cooking gear and food goes into a cardboard box in the topbox, with any emergency gear (first-aid kit, cable ties, tools), so all the loose items can be taken out and replaced as one unit.
I have been moto camping for 30 years. There is nothing like waking up outdoors, next to your bike, with nothing else to do, but pack up and go for another ride. I do alot of long multi state tours, and always camp along the way. Sometimes I stop at a hotel every 4 or 5 days, and some tours, I camp the entire time. The BEST gear for moto camping is backpacking gear. It is light weight, packs down small, and offers high performance. Look for a tent that has a rain fly that covers the entire tent. Pay the extra bucks for high quality gear. I have $500 tent I have been using for 10 years. While I cook at camp, I never carry food. You dont need to eat dried food or Army rations, there are grocery stores everywhere. I ride a HD Roadking and I save space by packing light on clothing. Like grocery stores, laundry mats are everywhere. Hotels and Interstates are boring and dont let you experiance the real feel of the land. I do massive research before heading out on tour, and I have discovered many, many beautiful and fasinating areas of our great country.
I love tent camping with my wife and refining what to pack on the bike is an ongoing activity.
Brilliant idea to go camping on your motorcycle! I never really thought about it before but I suppose it is ideal for getting to places that cars struggel to get to as well.
I always take along a folding chair – straps to the bike without too much trouble, and to sit round a campfire in a comfortable chair is sheer bliss. Would love to get a Kermit chair, but I’ve never seen one here in Australia. I also bought one of these sleeping mats – http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_homepage_na.nsf/0/48E15F320AFDC7EDC125767E00705EC7?opendocument. Worth every penny to be comfortable and warm when sleeping.
please could our bike friendly burgundy campsite be listed on your site ,.? vieuw us on http://www.campingmarcenaylac.com thanks dirk jansen the manager owner. bikers love the rides here… plus the cool ambience …
When I’m riding and camping for several days at a time, I also like to get into a motel now and again – specially if the places I’ve been camping do not have showers!
If you want coffee in the morning, camping with a little portable compressed gas stove is the answer. The smallest ones for backpackers and mountaineers are also great for motorcycle camping.
I camp simply. I bring as little as possible beyond the basics, such as a tent, sleeping bag, water, sandwiches, snacks and a few beers. I mostly enjoy the riding.
63 yr old on a 30 yr old harley here
so much for the gold wing longevity
and i can still buy any part that could possibly break and fix 90% my self on the road
RE: Jack (shouldn’t ride a bike)
Keep in mind, I’m 60 years old, on a 23 yr old bike (great testament for the Gold WIng), and prior to buying my wife a bike for last Christmas, I tote HER and the DOG along on most weekend trips. Sometimes we like to shop for unique horse tack for her “kids”, and now my trailer doubles as a dirt bike hauler. Appreciating that everyone is entitled to his opinion, I take issue with “should’t be riding a bike” simply because it’s all about the ride, and different strokes for different folks. Dog loves his trailer, even rides the back seat when the wife is on her own. And, it keeps the load off the bike.
About the camping thing, on our cross country ride, we found it fun camping, but more convenient to hit motels and be able to cover more ground. For overnighters, it can be a hassle to set up and tear down, having to stop sooner, leave later. For weekenders where we’ll be spending a couple nights in one place, it’s the funnest way to go, even for this old fart. We don’t pack food, other than snacks and water, and usually buy what we need for the night and next morning in the area of our campsite. We’ll be doing another 2 week ride this summer, and because the wife is rolling on her own, we’ll do more camping.
Back to the trailer issue, at least you can tell the difference between a Honda and a Harley right off the bat………with a Honda the trailer is BEHIND the bike, not UNDER it.
Cheers,
Jesse
“Old Dog” You have covered the basics of Motorcycle Camping very well. My thoughts are based on my camping experiences over the years and may help those thinking about camping. First; if you have not been camping for a long long time, take the car or truck and head out to a state camp ground or a KOA for a nite of camping. Now is the time to decide if you are going to be riding one up or bringing a significant other. My advice is to try it alone first. Borrow a tent for the trial run. If this is not possible, visit Wal-Mart, Big Five or any of the other sporting goods around and find an inexpensive two man tent. You need something big enough to sit up in and also store your gear. The same goes for the sleeping bag and bed roll (Borrow or inexpensive). Buy take-out dinner on the way to the campsite and take some dry food for breakfast. The next day, pack up and head home. On the way home, review what you have learned. Is the effort required to camp worth it? If so, congratulations, you are on your way to some wonderful experiences and adventures. Second; decide if you will be doing one niters or will be doing multiple nites on the road. This will sway your equipment purchases. Your tent purchase will be the next tough decision. In my case, I now have five tents, two of which are the ones I choose from to take depending on the possibility of cold rainy weather or extreme hot conditions. One is cozy warm and the other has two large openings on each side for good ventilation. Third; the best sleeping bag should be comfortable down to 30 degrees and come with a compression bag to limit carrying size. Mummy bags work best for me because you can completely zip the bag over your head. Mats to put the sleeping bag on are a must for both insulation and comfort. Get one that folds and rolls to about an eight inch diameter about a foot long. Fourth; for camping with my Harley Dyna Glide, I found a large waterproof bag that all my camp gear fits in. This makes it easier to strap just one bag to the sissy bar and also doubles as a backrest. Check the T-Bags or KURIAKIN web sites.
I think if one has to attach a trailer to his motorcycle to haul his gear, then he shouldn’t ride a motorcycle, he should drive a car. Just IMHO.
We just completed a 5200 mile round trip from Virginia to the Rockies. We camped some and settled into motels, especially after a 500 mile day. Nice to have a real bed under me and shower and wake-up call. We packed too much and ended shipping about 50 lbs home via UPS from Thermopolis Wyoming. Had we planned better, we would have found more campgrounds along the way, but we didn’t. I heard one fella along the road say “Nowadays, I pack half what I think I’ll need, and twice as much cash”. One way to look at it I suppose, but camping is a blast, especially on motorcycles. My old Gold Wing will haul a bunch of stuff, but I’d have been better off if i had pulled the trailer. Next time. A recommendation for those who really want to get into it is to check out IBMC on the web. The International Brotherhood of Motorcycle Campers. I joined, and next season will probably be doing a lot more camping with like minded riders. Still, seriously thinking of finding a lightweight teardrop camper so these old bones can get relief from sleeping on the ground. Great thread, keep it up. Jesse
I went to Sturgis/Yellowstone this year. 3,874 miles on the bike. I packed the sleepingbag and camp pillow in a compression stuff-sack. It worked perfectly. I also used webbing to attach along with a bunch of bungee cords. I had no problems with anything coming loose or shifting.
I don’t know much about motorbike camping so I can’t make any qualified suggestions, but I have to say this is such a COOL idea. I have been working around camping stuff for more than “awhile” and this is the first Motorcycle Camping blog I have come across. Very original… and kudos to you.
I am sure you will build quite a following. It would stand to reason that this crossing of interest would be popular.
Will check back often!
Bill
I buy all my camp gear at Wallmart, Harbor Freight and Costco & Salvation Army. I do alot of Forest park camping $5 and BLM which is free. I camp with a 2004 Roadstar 1700, it is no good for going up very steep dirt roads loaded because it is to heavy and just slides around with street tires, I think a Dual Purpose machine would be better. I use a Wallmart 2 man tent , Reclining lawn chair to sleep on because of a bad back. Since fires are not allowed sometimes I use Sterno in a metal box to cook with. The NFS camps have all the water you want otherwise I bring a gallon. I like tea and coffee for drinking, if I am just going for overnight I eat cup o soups that you just add water, if for a longer period I will bring the MRE’s like I ate in the gulf war, you can get them at surplus stores and online. For entertainmment I have a radio/light combination that I can crank a handle and charge the onboard batt, so I don’t have to worry about batteries dying and being in the dark. Make sure you protect your tires from going flat before you head into the wilderness, a flat sucks! Also at least bring a big knife, I always prepare a 5 foot stick by putting a point on it, if you ever have the misfortune of becoming the center of attention to a mountain lion you will know why. Never forget your twine and ducktape!
I found a tent Eureka 2 man tent with 13 inch poles that easily fit in either a top or side case. Most campsites sell firewood….bring a small hatchet that doubles to split wood and hammer in tent stakes if needed. Invest in a small micro stove and small propane canister then don’t take up much room. In order to easily start the campfire bring along a small ziplock bag with “dryer lint” it starts the fire easily and doesn’t take up much room. If your sleeping back is larger than you like a cinch sack and get it down to a much more manageable size. If your a coffee drinker the tea bag type coffee work well…You can also now buy in the grocery store small liquid single serving creamers that don’t require refrigeration. For a mess kit only bring one small pot to boil water and one heating and eating from. Bring as much bottled water as you can carry. Minimize bringing alot of extra clothing just make sure you have a something warm with long sleeves to help with the mosquitos…I found a white long sleeve heavy tshirt that is treated with bug repellant….Don’t forget the camera and get off the road early if you plan to camp…sites fill up quickly for walk ins. Enjoy the evening under the stars!
Tents, sleeping bags, etc often have slippery cover bags. I wrap a piece of fish net around everything before strapping it on the bike. This keeps everything locked into one neat package.