M/C camping gear suguestions
M/C camping gear suguestions
Road Captain
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 546
Likes: 2
From: Rio Grande Valley, TX
The type of tent you need will depend on the climate and if you go it alone or have a passanger. I ride cross country and camp during the summer months. I have a decent 2 person tent. A 1 person tent is good, but usually not large enough to store your gear in overnight with you in the tent. So find a tent with a small rolled footprint and the same goes for a sleeping bag. Also, go to either Walmart or a local sporting goods store (we have Academy here) and get a single air mattress, along with a small air pump that can be used to air up a flat tire and the mattress. If you're like me and need support under your head, a camping pillow fits the bill nicely. They stuff into a small bag and take up very little room. Get a "stuff bag" that is a water proof bag with straps that criss-cross around it and as you pull the straps tright, the bag get smaller as it squezes everying inside nice and tight. You can fit you're sleeping bag, air mattress, and pillow in them with no problems. If you have any more questions feel free to pm me. I've been camping since I was a kid and have camped with the bike numerous times over the years.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 1
From: Riverview, FL
I have a 2 man tent and sleeping bag. I use a self inflating pad for use under my sleeping bag. I have a single burner camp stove and a single mantle light. Both are propane and use the small tank. I have a french press coffee maker and small set of pots and pans. All fits on my ultra with my cloths. I also take an additional blanket and small pillow. Cooler, ice, beer,gallon jugs of water and food are bought when I get to my destination. I always have a great time and can make do with the above. I also have a fold up chair. I really use that.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 566
Likes: 4
From: First State
I use North Face two person hiker tent - compact and light. IT can survive gale force wind with no water leak 
For sleeping bag, I use a cheap Coleman bag from Wally world. I also carry small single propane burner and a couple cans of soup as emergency food. When I need something I buy along the way. Toss it away when done or ship it back home. I travel light.
For sleeping bag, I use a cheap Coleman bag from Wally world. I also carry small single propane burner and a couple cans of soup as emergency food. When I need something I buy along the way. Toss it away when done or ship it back home. I travel light.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,230
Likes: 12
From: Mount Holly, NC
i have an older tent from rei.com. its a two-person dome. it packs down into its own compression bag and i can get it, a small tarp, and a home-made hammock stuffed into the bag. this tent survived several trips to the mountains, a trip to new orleans for disaster relief, and a few weekends in the local woods.
i'm still shopping for a decent sleeping bag. until recently, i only camped in hot weather and carried a fleece blanket.
i'm going to get a hennessy hammock next spring. no need for a tent and it packs down into a tiny ball, which leaves more room in my saddle-bag for condoms and bail-money.
i'm still shopping for a decent sleeping bag. until recently, i only camped in hot weather and carried a fleece blanket.
i'm going to get a hennessy hammock next spring. no need for a tent and it packs down into a tiny ball, which leaves more room in my saddle-bag for condoms and bail-money.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 566
Likes: 4
From: First State
Trending Topics
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
I get the three man tent as it is just large enough for me, single air mattress, and sleeping bag. I carry one pair of jeans for each three days of rides. I set of socks, under ware and a tee shirt for each day. I throw them away when I shower each night. That way the load gradually gets lighter. I save my old stuff for that purpose. I do have at least two more sets than the number of days that I expect to be gone just in case. Accidents do happen.
That stuff will fit a duffel bag with no problem. It worked for me going to Sturgis five times. This year I did the Alaska Highway and the Dalton to the Arctic Circle for 8,322 miles. The set up worked fine. We did stay at motels periodically for showers.
Again check the measurements of the tent. What says two man tent is good maybe for two very close friends. I find that a three man tent is needed to get the air mattress in and some gear.
That stuff will fit a duffel bag with no problem. It worked for me going to Sturgis five times. This year I did the Alaska Highway and the Dalton to the Arctic Circle for 8,322 miles. The set up worked fine. We did stay at motels periodically for showers.
Again check the measurements of the tent. What says two man tent is good maybe for two very close friends. I find that a three man tent is needed to get the air mattress in and some gear.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 918
Likes: 3
From: England
I do a lot of bike camping summer and winter. I've got three tents and 3 sleeping bags that I can swap round depending on the weather and how many nights I'm spending out.
It's worth buying good equipment. Any fool can be uncomfortable.
I take a blow up air mattress and a 12v mattress pump which blows a high volume at low pressure. Don't use a tyre pump because they pump a small volume at high pressure. I've got a self inflating mattress but I don't find it comfortable.
In summer I use a fleece sleeping bag. In the winter I use a genuine down filled bag. It was very expensive but worth every single penny. If it's really cold I fit the fleece bag inside it.
It's worth buying good equipment. Any fool can be uncomfortable.
I take a blow up air mattress and a 12v mattress pump which blows a high volume at low pressure. Don't use a tyre pump because they pump a small volume at high pressure. I've got a self inflating mattress but I don't find it comfortable.
In summer I use a fleece sleeping bag. In the winter I use a genuine down filled bag. It was very expensive but worth every single penny. If it's really cold I fit the fleece bag inside it.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 8,423
Likes: 2
From: Ellenwood, GA - The Ghetto Part
I don't camp on bike because wife is not into it.
Good suggestions above. I would also recommend a piece of plastic to put under your tent. It should be just a little smaller than the footprint of the tent. It helps with condensation. A cheap piece of regular black plastic that can be cut to size is fine.
As far as sleeping bags go, I would recommend buying a good one that you can stuff into a sack as opposed to one you have to roll up. The ones you stuff are easier to deal with and can be compressed a lot easier than the roll up kind. An air mattress(or any kind for that matter) will make your back very happy.
Also, someone mentioned compression. Go to REI or any decent sporting goods store that sells camping equipment and look into an actual compression bag. They make it easier to pack some things.
Good suggestions above. I would also recommend a piece of plastic to put under your tent. It should be just a little smaller than the footprint of the tent. It helps with condensation. A cheap piece of regular black plastic that can be cut to size is fine.
As far as sleeping bags go, I would recommend buying a good one that you can stuff into a sack as opposed to one you have to roll up. The ones you stuff are easier to deal with and can be compressed a lot easier than the roll up kind. An air mattress(or any kind for that matter) will make your back very happy.
Also, someone mentioned compression. Go to REI or any decent sporting goods store that sells camping equipment and look into an actual compression bag. They make it easier to pack some things.