The beginner’s guide to motorcycle camping

By Luke H. Koferl

Are you ready to ride off into the sunset on your motorcycle? If so, there are many ways that you can enjoy camping with your bike. Motorcycle camping is one of the most enjoyable experiences you can have on two wheels. You will get to see the world from a different perspective, see new places, and meet new people while being in control of your own comfort level and schedule. Just you, your bike, and the open road, if this is something that peaks your interest, then this may be just the article for you.

So you’ve taken the leap and want to dive into motorcycle camping, your first step should be getting the right gear. A good helmet and a sturdy pair of gloves are essential for both comfort and safety. You might also want to invest in some riding pants with knee pads or armor, as well as chaps or jeans that have been reinforced at the knees and hips.

Depending on when you plan on camping, make sure to pick out a riding jacket that, if in higher temperatures, is very breathable so you don’t overheat while riding. If you’ve decided on braving the cold and camp during the winter months, consider purchasing a heavier jacket or heated gear. Having the right riding gear is one of the most important things to consider, not only for safety but for comfort while riding as well.

Now that you have your basic riding gear picked out you’re on your way. When you’re looking to pack for your trip what should you consider? To get the most out of your motorcycle camping trip, make sure to pick gear that are compact, lightweight and durable items that are easy to use and carry.

Compact: You don’t want a tent that takes up half your garage when it’s not being used. Be sure to look for tents designed for motorcyclists—they’ll be smaller and lighter than regular tents, but still provide adequate space when set up properly. (Check out the 10 Best motorcycle tents of 2022) Be prepared for your trip and any emergencies that may arise, make sure you have enough supplies to last at least a few day in case something comes up.

Lightweight: No one wants to carry around extra weight when they’re already hauling their bike around everywhere they go. If an item doesn’t need to be with you all the time or on every ride, consider leaving it at home or carrying it in a backpack instead of attaching it directly to your bike. It’s important not to overdo it when packing your motorcycle camping essentials.

Durable: If something breaks or tears during travel then it could mean a very bad day for everyone involved (including any wildlife in the area). When looking at options, choose equipment that has been proven over time rather than something flashy on the market today with no track record yet under its belt, this will help ensure quality as well as peace of mind while out on adventures!

What should you carry on your bike?

When preparing for any motorcycle camping trip there are some basic necessities which should always be taken along: food, water, & shelter. After those three things are taken care of then add on anything else necessary depending on what type of adventure it might be. Some items should be on your bike at all times in case something happens. When you’re out on the road and it’s just you and the bike, a flat tire or broken part can bring your trip to a screaming halt real quick. Preparing for the worst and having the correct resources to fix it can take some stress away.

Things that are highly recommended to bring is a good toolkit. Find name brand, reliable tools that wont strip any screws or round off bolts. The tool kit that comes with your bike is a great starting point, but consider replacing the tools that aren’t of good quality. Consider purchasing a trusted kit that has plenty of reviews, Mosko Moto offers a tool kit that has a bunch of what you may need on your trip.

Make sure that your bike itself is ready for travel, complete an overall checklist of your motorcycle to possibly catch something before its an issue. Check your tires’ air pressure regularly; if anything looks like it could cause problems later down the road (such as bulging sides from over inflation), correct it immediately.

A tire kit is an essential item for anyone preparing to go on trails or outside cell service. Find a tire repair kit that comes with rubber plugs, an insertion tool and a compact air pump that runs off the bike’s battery; having these can help a bad situation that could leave you on the side of the road or trail waiting for help.

A first aid kit is a great addition to your emergency gear packing. Make sure to actually know how to use everything in the first aid kit, it’ll do you no good if you have no clue what to do with it when a problem arises. Consider taking first aid, CPR, and other lifesaving techniques before heading out on a big trip.

Plan your trip ahead of time

Planning your trip is the key to having a successful motorcycle camping experience. Planning ahead can help you avoid emergencies, last minute decisions, expensive decisions and stressful situations. It’s important to plan your food as well as your camping gear. If you have specific dietary needs or allergies it can be very difficult to find foods that meet those needs when camping.

So, let’s say you’ve got your motorcycle and all the necessary gear. Now what? Well, now it’s time to plan your route and schedule.

Plan your route. There are a lot of places to go camping with your motorcycle! The best way is to find some friends who like motorcycles as much as you do (or at least can tolerate them) and plan an epic road trip together. If that doesn’t work for whatever reason, then you should look into camping at spots near where you live or in areas that are less than four hours away from home — just in case there’s any kind of emergency or anything else that could happen on the way there.

Plan your schedule. When leaving on a long-distance trip such as this one, it’s important not only to know when exactly everything will happen but also how long each step along the way will take so things don’t get messy later on down the line and timing has messed up your trip plans.

Set up camp & enjoy

After you’ve found a campsite, its time to set up camp. It’s a good idea to keep your motorcycle near by so that you can keep an eye on it and easily take off in the morning. Next, set up your tent and get some rest but remember, camping isn’t just about sitting around all day; it’s also about enjoying the great outdoors. Make sure you don’t sit down too much or else you won’t be able to enjoy yourself as much!

Find some trails that you can take your bike on and go explore, the best part of adventure riding is getting to go to places you normally wouldn’t be able to get to. Just keep in mind the added weight on your motorcycle, it will have an effect on riding, so consider practicing with the weight on your bike before hitting some harder trails.

We have covered some of the basics on motorcycle camping and have given you some tips on what gear to take and how to plan your trip. Camping with your motorcycle is a great way to spend time in nature while still having access to all the comforts of home. We hope this article has helped you decide if camping with your bike is right for you, and if so we wish you happy travels!