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.
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.