By Mike Huber
I know many people on this page camp and ride, but some have yet to dive into mixing these two great passions. My objective in this article is to help you bridge riding and camping, alleviate any concerns on this topic, and build a foundation of knowledge for those new to motorcycle camping. In doing so you will discover a deeper level of motorcycling that many riders experience.
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Start with Less
With all the social media posts of riders from around the world sharing their epic adventures and providing reviews of the gear they use can cause anxiety. Intimidation from the expense and amount of equipment people use for moto camping can become overwhelming when starting this hobby. I’m not saying any of these riders are wrong in the gear (or the amount) they use, but my philosophy while motorcycle camping is less gear is much more efficient and cheaper. My first time moto camping I had nothing other than a one-person Kelty tent (which I still use), a sleeping bag, and a small personal hygiene kit. I planned to give moto camping a shot and figured I could survive one night out on Washington’s Olympic peninsula even if I was a bit uncomfortable.
I wasn’t uncomfortable at all. In fact, other than adding a 6-pack of beer and a crushed Subway sandwich my gear didn’t grow or change for the next 8 more years (even after “maturing” from a Ducati Monster M1100 to a BMW GS1200). Would I have been more comfortable with a sleeping pad, cooking set up, and maybe even a chair? Yes, but that came years later after learning from others (I am a bit set in my ways even if they force me to be uncomfortable). Starting from such a minimalist perspective and adding gear slowly allowed me to tailor my equipment perfectly. You will find everyone has a “better” way of doing things; you might want to learn what works best for you and expand slowly.
Start in a Familiar Location
Roaring through the dense rainforest of the Olympic Peninsula on my Ducati Monster I was excited to be camping with my motorcycle for the first time. In hindsight this choice was probably a further and more isolated location than I should have started with, but it worked for the most part. I had ridden the road several times, I was comfortable with the distance, and I was aware of the ever-changing weather conditions. Being new to this I didn’t pack rain gear and of course it rained heavily that night (I was forced into my tent by the weather by 7:00 p.m.). You must pack raingear if you want to ensure it never rains on your moto camping trip. But even with the weather not cooperating it was a fun first night and it was enough to get me hooked on the lifestyle.
Looking back, a more comfortable way to experience my first moto camping adventure would have been a more controlled environment. Even for those well-seasoned campers, testing new gear in your home or backyard to learn how to set up, adjust, and break down the equipment makes for a less stressful time in a real-world environment. Purchasing lots of expensive gear, not testing it, and going on a multi-state tour can be a painful way to learn the gear isn’t right for you or the climate. Another way to learn your equipment and build experience is at a state park close to your home or a KOA. Even if you have to retreat to the KOA store or end up back inside your house, don’t be discouraged. That’s what this step is for. Take notes on what worked and what didn’t, and build off that until you are comfortable with the next step, which can be dispersed camping or a longer distance ride. It is better to learn in this semi-controlled environment than to have a horrific night with improper gear in poor weather and become completely deterred from ever moto camping again.
Learn From Experience
Having completed a successful test runs with your gear it is now time to begin learning how to increase your confidence in harsher and more remote environments. This point in your experience level is also the perfect time to make gear adjustments based on your notes. With a few nights camping under your belt you can seek advice and learn from others, including their set up tricks and in what type of climate they moto camp. In doing so you will fine tune your camping outfit so that it is perfect for you, your motorcycle, and the climate.
During this phase it is important to remain open minded. Everyone has a method that works best for them. For some it is a half shelter at a roadside pullout, for others it can be as elaborate as a 6-man tent with copious gear that requires 2 hours to pack. Normally when I travel and moto camp it isn’t for just one night. I’m on the road for two to three months at a time with Airbnbs or hotels as resting points or for working. Even though I am comfortable with my moto camping equipment it’s always fun to chat up other motorcyclists. In most cases, even if their set up is completely different there is usually one or two takeaways I learn from conversing with them.
Conclusions
Moto camping is an easy and inexpensive way to escape the rat race with less effort than many would think. These experiences and the people I meet along the journey are some of the most best I have had. Being so removed from everything as you sit relaxing in the glow of a warm campfire reflecting off your moto is a fulfilling feeling that few venture to achieve.
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Well Joe, we definitely learned that less is better.
Amen to that, Brother!
Great read Mike! I have been living through you and Bobbie’s adventures until I get back on the road! Be safe and have fun!
Awesome! Thank you.
I have done some camping on a bike. Many years ago . I don’t remember ever being very prepared.
I woke up once under somebody’s side car. Normally I just crashed around a camp fire. And there was the time I was hiding from a thunder storm under a picnic bench in the white mountains of New Hampshire.
And there was sturgis back in 1980. I can’t believe my own history. I used to have some balls. Wow.
The white mountains are nothing to go lightly into. Highest wind on planet (I believe) mt Washington like 212mph. If I remember correctly
Yes. 212 I believe is correct. And I did go up the mt Washington auto road on a Honda 400F on one camp trip.
Wind was so bad steering was counter to counter steering . Actually scarey. But I made it . Lol!
Wind is a lot more normal at lower elevations.
I traveled the USA on one seven week trip with my ZRX1200 and a Givi 52 liter top box. If it didn’t fit in there, I didn’t take it. It’s not like I was traveling to the Moon. Of course I motel’d it and ate in restaurants the whole trip. The beautiful part as well as the unfortunate part of traveling in the US is that you’re never far from a big box store where you can pick up something you need or forgot. Yard sales work for that $2 dollar sweater you need for extra warmth to get over the Rockies. You won’t feel bad about dropping it in a Salvation Army box on the other side. (Again, you can’t do that if your traveling to the Moon). Two things are a must however… baby powder and handy wipes.
Actually you’re previous comment how you hadn’t camped was my motivation for this write up. You should give it a try! 😀 thanks Marcus
Hmmm, last summer I packed my sleeping bag when I rode to my friend’s lake house up in Maine. But I slept in it on a bed, which was in the house. So… it’s a start I guess.
Not too far from where?
Well maybe these days . But
I remember coasting off the interstate in South Dakota for almost a mile on my fully laden 79 FLH out of gas, down a long ramp and to a gas station that was closed for the day.
Another time driving a Catalina thru Utah , they were working on the road .for miles and miles they would change lanes over to one side of the road to the other. I got hypnotized by the cones and forgot what lane I was in . No sense stopping because nobody else on the road . But it was another hairy experience.
I mention this because there was no exit for 350 miles! Pitch black October sky. Almost 50 years ago so maybe there are seven elevens along tge way now. But then you could only see some Ranch lights off in the distance once in a while.
America was still a wonderous place.
I still remember a truck stop near Pittsburg with a small display of cassettes near the register.
Terry Bradshaw sings country ! And he had hair in his picture. Lol. Different states , different areas , local flavor still abounded! This was Steelers Country!
nice write up Mike. can’t believe you did the rain forest with no rain gear. even in the summer I bring a shell there. I try to pack the same way I did when I used to go backpacking, those years are helpful when transitioning to moto camping. I have to say though, with moto camping, I can bring a couple of creature comforts with me that make all the difference. I don’t go anywhere without my hammock and yo-yo.
Here’s a product called Rocket Shower. If the stuff works, it would be worth packing. https://www.roadbikerider.com/rocket-shower-d1/
Your advice in starting out close to home is really good. Even when van camping my rule of thumb is to make my first excursion with a new rig to a campground near home, preferably with a camp store. There’s invariably going to be something I forgot the first time.
Also: Checklists. Pilots use them and campers should too. They’re great both for making sure you don’t forget something, and for alleviating that “did I forget something?” anxiety that invariably sets in about 50 miles down the road!
Thanks. The checklist is a GREAT idea to add to this. Yes, closer to home is easier to recover from as is a camp store near your location. Pro to learning the hard way though is you most likely wont make that mistake again. LOL. Thanks for the feedback.