motorcycle camping trip
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 6,905
Likes: 4,877
From: Midwest
How much you bring obviously depends on if you are riding solo and what type of camp site you will be staying at. If you are by yourself, it isn't that complicated. If you are at a primitive campground, you will also have to pack in your own food and water.
I rode out to Sturgis last year from Ohio and tent-camped at one of the sites in the area. I didn't have to bring a lot because I was by myself and there was food and water readily available everywhere. No packing that stuff. It was surprisingly easy to bring what I needed--tent, blanket, small bag of clothing, towel, and tool bag. Everything else I needed, I bought.
If I was camping in a primitive area or wilderness, it would have been different and I would probably be wishing for more space to carry stuff and would have got saddlebags to put on.
I rode out to Sturgis last year from Ohio and tent-camped at one of the sites in the area. I didn't have to bring a lot because I was by myself and there was food and water readily available everywhere. No packing that stuff. It was surprisingly easy to bring what I needed--tent, blanket, small bag of clothing, towel, and tool bag. Everything else I needed, I bought.
If I was camping in a primitive area or wilderness, it would have been different and I would probably be wishing for more space to carry stuff and would have got saddlebags to put on.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 9
From: Marina del Rey
m/c camping
Some good info in this thread and others, if you search.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...starter-3.html
Riding solo you have the capacity to carry just about any camping gear you'd like. But keeping the bulk and weight down is still important. Quick and easy deployment of your sleeping arrangement is huge. My own bedroll consists of a sleeping bag with manual air mattress rolled up inside a breathable, rain-proof, bug-proof bivy sack. Additionally I carry an ultralight tarp, for very bad weather. While I have a 2-man tent, the bivy sack is easier and quicker.
Though I carry backpack-style cooking gear and dehydrated rations, I mostly eat out while on multi-day trips. So this stuff is there more as survival gear and to supplement the water and snacks I always bring along. As most of my camping is in cadged sites carrying enough drinking water is essential. Prior to finding these sites, I have scoped out the area and located toilet and shower facilities. Then find my campsite within less than a few minutes ride of a toilet, when possible.
Riding alone, as I do, it is wise to count only on the emergency gear you have with you.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...starter-3.html
Riding solo you have the capacity to carry just about any camping gear you'd like. But keeping the bulk and weight down is still important. Quick and easy deployment of your sleeping arrangement is huge. My own bedroll consists of a sleeping bag with manual air mattress rolled up inside a breathable, rain-proof, bug-proof bivy sack. Additionally I carry an ultralight tarp, for very bad weather. While I have a 2-man tent, the bivy sack is easier and quicker.
Though I carry backpack-style cooking gear and dehydrated rations, I mostly eat out while on multi-day trips. So this stuff is there more as survival gear and to supplement the water and snacks I always bring along. As most of my camping is in cadged sites carrying enough drinking water is essential. Prior to finding these sites, I have scoped out the area and located toilet and shower facilities. Then find my campsite within less than a few minutes ride of a toilet, when possible.
Riding alone, as I do, it is wise to count only on the emergency gear you have with you.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 64
From: Southern Maryland
I am out a five or so times a year.. I have an OLD Coleman 4 person dome tent and bring sleeping bag with queen air mattress. Plenty of room and big think is can stand up in the tent. I got the tent back in 1984 and still working great. Sleeping bag and air mattress get rolled up together.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,938
Likes: 23
From: MD just outside DC
I agree that when it was just me and for a night I would use a REI camp dome 2 person. Easy to set up and fine when it was just me. Still brought a good bag and a ground pad. Plus a tiny chair and tiny stove to make coffee in the am.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,128
Likes: 51,461
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Yup at this point in life roughing it is Motel 6 .
Spent a couple decades camping on bike roadtrips all over the states & Europe , while I have no regrets and some damn fond memories I like that hot shower & sheets anymore .
Spent a couple decades camping on bike roadtrips all over the states & Europe , while I have no regrets and some damn fond memories I like that hot shower & sheets anymore .
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,397
Likes: 106
From: -)
If you can be sure of trees, get a Hennessy hammock, a compact 3/4 length pad (just for insulation) and a sleeping bag. Beats the crap out of sleeping on the floor, and takes hardly any weight or space. Cooking kit as required, and I have a Kermit chair that fits in a saddlebag. Made in Tennessee, and worth every penny of its high price, trust me.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver, BC
I camp a couple times a year but keep the camping to a night or two and stay mostly at motels.... All I bring is a small tent, sleeping pad and a sleeping bag in one saddlebag - plus my rain gear, a few tools and a couple changes of socks, underwear and t-shirts and a toothbrush in the other. I can go a full week and get everything in my saddlebags. Don't overthink it... Just pack the essentials and hit the road - whatever you decide you need on the way you can always buy it if necessary.
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Joe Kucinski
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,306
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From: Vancouver, BC
How much you bring obviously depends on if you are riding solo and what type of camp site you will be staying at. If you are by yourself, it isn't that complicated. If you are at a primitive campground, you will also have to pack in your own food and water.
I rode out to Sturgis last year from Ohio and tent-camped at one of the sites in the area. I didn't have to bring a lot because I was by myself and there was food and water readily available everywhere. No packing that stuff. It was surprisingly easy to bring what I needed--tent, blanket, small bag of clothing, towel, and tool bag. Everything else I needed, I bought.
If I was camping in a primitive area or wilderness, it would have been different and I would probably be wishing for more space to carry stuff and would have got saddlebags to put on.
I rode out to Sturgis last year from Ohio and tent-camped at one of the sites in the area. I didn't have to bring a lot because I was by myself and there was food and water readily available everywhere. No packing that stuff. It was surprisingly easy to bring what I needed--tent, blanket, small bag of clothing, towel, and tool bag. Everything else I needed, I bought.
If I was camping in a primitive area or wilderness, it would have been different and I would probably be wishing for more space to carry stuff and would have got saddlebags to put on.
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