What to Pack for Motorcycle Camping

Motorcycle camping trips are a little different than normal “car” camping trips because your space is way more limited. You only have as much room in the bags or luggage cases you attach on your bike or wear on your back. Motorcycle camping is all about packing efficiently and trying to pack as light and minimal as possible at the same time BUT also manage to bring everything you need. There are so many things you need to bring and it can be easy to forget one. But we are here to help you organize those thoughts and give you an idea to remember what you’ll need

Having the Right Gear:

Investing in the proper riding and camping gear is key. For your ride, you want to make sure you have enough layers on if there is colder weather. Heavy duty jackets are also a must have so that you can protect yourself from the wind or a crash. There are leather or textile jackets that you can choose between. Each has its own pros and cons. We also recommend pants of that material. Good riding shoes are important to have on while riding since you will be on a long ride. You don’t want your feet to be uncomfortable or to be hit by some debris on the road. Once you get to your campsite you’ll need your sleeping bag, sleeping pad, flashlights or headlamps, knife, ax, first aid kits, cooking utensils if you will be cooking, bug spray, extra camp shoes, and an extra blanket. Of course, there are many other things you could bring along but those are some of the main camping gear you should have been to be comfortable.

Luggage:

You want to make sure you are packing your items in something that will keep them safe, dry, and clean. You can always go with a cheaper route and use plastic bags but they may not be able to sustain certain weather conditions and the flapping of the bag can be very annoying. Luckily there are lots of options to accommodate what you’d like or fits your style better. Three main categories that luggage’s come in are leather luggage, hard luggage, and textile luggage. Each can do a great job of protecting and holding your gear but have minor differences. Leather luggage is very durable and appeals to that vintage style if you’re in a cruiser or older bike. Although, you will need extra time to maintain the leather and make sure it’s protected from water. Hard Luggage carries a major advantage over the other types of materials because it can lock. You can lock other materials but you’ll need an additional lock. Hard luggage is a little pricier than the other options. And lastly, textile luggage is the more popular choice because depending on the bags they can be waterproof, they’re more affordable and very durable. Dry bags are very popular as they can be rolled up if they are not completely full to minimize their size.

Tents:

Tents are a factor that you cannot camp without and there are also a few different options when looking for the right tent for you. You want to pack something that you can easily fit in your luggage or strapped on top of. There are expedition tents which were specially designed for an adventure motorcycle rider. These tents offer an area for one to two people to sleep and then an area for you to park your bike inside! This will help you protect your bike from any harsh weather. Another option you have is the Backpacker tent. They’re lightweight and pack very small making it very easy to fit into your bags. They are a little small so don’t expect too much room inside. And the last option we’d like to discuss is the family tent. These tents can hold up to 6 people in most cases but may also be a little hard to fit into all of your luggage if you’re on a smaller bike. Each of these tents will do the job just choose based off of what suite you better.

Food:

When planning on what you’re going to pack for food you actually have a lot of options. You can choose to go small and simple and bring items that do not require refrigeration and can be stored easily. Then you also have the option to bring a small soft cooler bag and bring items that you’ll have to heat up later on or eat cold depending on what it is. If you’re a beginner camper you may want to choose the easier option just so that you can get a feel for the whole camping experience and not worry about the food so much just yet. You can always do both too. Here is a list of very common camp food you can and should bring along:

Water
Instant coffee
PB & Jelly
Bread
Protein Bars/Snacks
Dehydrated foods
Trail Mix

The type of food you bring may also depend on how many days you are going for and also how much work you’re ok with putting into your meals.

Adventure Gear:

Based on where your ride has led you to remember to bring gear that you can use to participate in what your campsite offers nearby. For example, if there is a lake or river nearby that you are allowed to swim in or just sit on a floaty and relax in, don’t forget some type of swimsuit or swimwear. If there are hiking trails nearby, don’t forget your hiking boots and a backpack. Just find out ahead of time what you can do so you can enjoy every bit and time of your weekend getaway. And if you just rode out to sit at camp, that’s fine too. Don’t forget a small foldable chair to kick back and relax!

Don’t forget any of these points and you should have a very successful and enjoyable camping trip. Remember that planning a trip will take time and effort but with the right amount of each you will have a great time. You will have the chance to combine two of your favorite hobbies together and be on with your bike and nature. Have a fun and safe trip!

Related:
- The Ultimate Guide to Motorcycle Camping
- Is an Adventure Motorcycle Right For You?
- Finding the Motorcycle that Fits You Best!

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