The Ultimate Guide to Motorcycle Camping

You’re a city rider looking to get away from the busy city life, looking for open roads and awesome adventures potentially with other riders. Sometimes these open roads that you find can lead you to a beautiful place that is off the beaten path, a place where you can camp! There is nothing better than a quick getaway, especially when it can be mixed with another hobby that you enjoy. Camping and riding your motorcycle is the perfect way to get your mind off of this busy world and wander around on two wheels in the wilderness for a while! As easy as it may sound to just pack up a tent and be on your way, there are a few things we want you to know about and consider before hitting the road.

Make Your Bike Ready to Go!

Whether you are traveling far or not so far you always want to make sure that your bike is ready for the ride. Doing the proper maintenance before heading out is always a great idea because you will have the peace of mind knowing you just lubed the chain, check tire pressure and maybe even changed the oil. It also never hurts to carry a few tools that you may need and also know how to use them.

Making your bike ready to go also includes packing what you take properly. Heavier items should be closer to the center of your bag and keep your bags balanced out with weight. And try to keep similar items together. You’ll be using bungee cords and it’s always a good idea to carry an extra one. Just make sure everything is properly tied down!

Check What Is in Store on the Road!

Even if you know how to get to your camping destination it is always smart to check up on traffic through a GPS, your smartphone or even a news station. You don’t want to get to the highway that you normally take just to find out it is closed. And for riders who are planning a long ride out of state make yourself familiar with the states motorcycle laws. Every state has different laws and we don’t want your trip to be spoiled by a run in with the law. A great example is "lane sharing". While legal here in California no other state allows it.

Also, make sure to check the weather reports. The weather can change in a matter of minutes. Even if the skies look sunny where you are now doesn’t mean they will look like that 10 miles from there or if you gain or lose elevation.

What to Wear?

When motorcycle camping you want to minimize the number of things that you pack since you don't have the space a car does. All of the clothes you’ll need should be on you while you’re riding to your destination and then maybe one change of clothes in your bag (the number of extra clothes also depends on how long your trip is). You normally dress in layers while riding so this is nothing different then what you already do. The best material to wear is wool because they’re odor resistant and really help prevent itchiness.

You must have proper riding gear, like a textile or leather jacket and heavy duty pants that could also be textile or leather. They will protect you from colder weather conditions and just keep you comfortable in general. There are also adventure motorcycle suits available that offer a little better protection than anything you use. Also wearing the proper riding shoes will keep your feet comfortable and protect them from any minimal unexpected debris on the road Just please don’t take-off in a hoodie and jeans!

Choosing a Campsite?

When you choose a campsite you will have to consider what the weather is like. When the weather is a little on the warmer side we recommend you do not choose a campsite with any type of water collection too nearby. Water is the perfect hosting ground to those nasty bugs like mosquitoes, small wasps, beetles, etc. There could also be heavy morning fog that can lead really uncomfortable moisture in your tent. If you’re ok with some of these factors with water nearby, you can also choose a campsite with a lake or river to cool off in. Choosing a campsite in colder weather is easier because your options are not as limited as you may be during warmer weather with bugs and humidity. Camping in either type of weather can be found just as enjoyable as the next.

If possible we also recommend scoping out the campsite online and maybe reading what other riders or campers have said about it. Flat campsites are more favorable to you because you will be laying on the ground but hopefully remember to pack some kind of sleeping pad. You don’t want to get to your campsite and sleep uncomfortably because it was super bumpy.

What to Pack?

As we’ve mentioned before, you should try to minimize the number of things you pack. Don’t bring items that you think you may need like an extra t-shirt after you’ve already packed 4. Most of us overpack and come home with untouched items in our bags. You are camping so let’s go over the items you will need to have a successful campsite area. You’ll need a tent to stay inside of for the next few days, a sleeping bag to keep yourself warm from any colder weather at night, a sleeping pad and an extra blanket. Now that your sleeping situation is handled let’s talk outside of your tent. If you can squeeze it in there a small foldable chair could be a nice item to bring with you so that you can sit back and enjoy nature. Camp shoes are a must so that you are not in your riding shoes the whole time you’re out there. Cooking utensils, a first aid kit, non-perishable foods, lighter and lighter fluid, and your basic toiletries are also great items to bring along, as long as its all organized properly.

Setting up and Camping Time!

After making that tiring but rewarding ride you arrive at your well-researched campsite! Before doing anything park your bike and give it a quick inspection; check your tire pressure, for visible leaks, or anything else that can negatively affect your safety on the next day’s riding. Once you’ve checked your bike and everything is good, scope out the ground and find a good area of flat ground to set up your tent. You can begin to unpack and place everything you have packed out on the proper place. Sit back and relax or take a ride on your now lighter bike since you’ve unpacked everything.

A motorcycle camping trip is a great way to get away and be one with your motorcycle and nature. There may be a lot to keep in mind when planning your trip but with effort and decent planning skills, you can have a very fun and fulfilling trip. Don’t forget to leave your campsite as it was when you arrived so that others can enjoy the serenity and nice scenery as well. We hope these tips helped you organize all of your thoughts and you get started on planning your next motorcycle trip!

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