My number 1 rule, I learned from a friend of mine. Never park your motorcycle with the side stand facing your tent, next to your tent. My friend almost got crushed by his bike at night, because it started raining and the side stand sank into the "before solid and now soft" ground.
While away on a campingtrip i expetienced that two times. Although i warned them not to do that. That the bike needed to lean away from the tent or to put more space between the tent and the bike. One guy got the bike on his face in the middle of the night. He was not serious injured but imagine what could have happenend ? Loosing an eye ? My stomach turns thinking about that. He had a headdache for a full day. Just from the sudden scare while sleeping. It was plain stupid, nothing more then that. So your advise is spot on.
Just use compress a beer or soft drink can and put it under the sidestand....avoids the problem easy or go buy a plate to put under your sidestand.....
Good point. But WHY anyone would set up a tent so near to their bike is beyond me. That is camping done wrong, in my mind. Park your bike a good few feet away. You are camping-- not biking. The bike brought you there, but it is not a focal point of your trip. I would easily keep mine ten or twenty feet away. You need to be able to see in every direction around your camp, too.
Sage advice from Wanders of ... With my motorbike in Australia, usually about an hour to half-hour before dusk I start looking for a suitable site. Sometimes I’d double back just before dark and set up my campsite. The beauty of the bike was that I could wheel it about 100 metres into a state forest, over anti-car ditches etc, and no one knew I was there. Never was bothered by anyone. Careful not to make a mess or leave rubbish behind.
I can attest to this. Especially if you’re alone in the woods and hearing strange noises, can be quite ominous. Having someone there will help mitigate those fearful thoughts 😅
My first advice? Just DO it! You'll learn from it (and have fun) Started doing it at 17. Canvas pup tent, cheapo sleeping bag, flashlight, and matches... that was about it. And loved it!
In 2019, I hit 34 states and 4 Canadian provinces, tent camping everywhere I went. I carried all camping gear in a Navy seabag, which I strapped across the seat behind me. Besides being large enough to hold tent, sleeping bag, tarp, cooking gear, food, sandals, and clothes, I also believe the seabag helped me avoid speeding tickets. Many people in law enforcement are ex-military. I deserved a buttload of speeding tickets, but never got pulled over. Over 22,000 miles in 2 1/2 months.
My bike is a 2003 Kawasaki Concours, a 1000cc sport-tourer. I did not keep a record of how much I spent on my best summer ever, but it was in the thousands.
The #1 biggest mistake is to not motocamp, after years of long rides and nights at hotels I finally decided to pack my camping gear, needless to say we've not missed the expensive hotel rooms!
My thoughts exactly when people say they don't camp, but stay in hotels.. Those people do not know what they are missing, waking up in nature is awesome. Besides, I always find hotel rooms to be way too warm during the night and some don't even let you open a window.
By far my biggest mistake was leaving for a campsite in Acadia National Park, 450 miles from home, hoping the weather would change. I spent eight hours in the rain riding to the site. Which was almost flooded when I arrived. Sometimes it's better to change your plans when the weather is uncooperative. - Frank
@@d4nial I should have sought the advice of someone from Miane! I have been previously, with the Campervan to hike and those trips were sunny and or / foggy, but mostly dry. Poor planning on my part! - Frank
sometimes when you plan a trip you are going come hell or high water... no pun intended... my first cross country run from Chicago to PA (Stroudsburg) was 2 days riding in the rain on the interstate.... 2 days there 'having fun'... and then 2 days back where on the last morning the sun came out so I could ride home and get dry.... good times
As far as shelter; I did very well with a plastic tarp (for years) that folded small for packing. It would go over the bike , over me, and under my bed roll. It kept rain off well. Until the MOSQUITOES attacked at Grand Teton National Park. That was a nightmare X 10000 I always have a fully enclosed tent now.
The biggest mistake I made was going motorcycle camping with 5 strangers. None of us had ever met each other, and it was a disaster. Everybody had different riding skill levels and financial abilities for the ride. And some expected to sleep in 5 Star Hotels almost every night and that, since they didn't have enough cash to support that idea, expected the others in the group to pay for their hotel expeses. Even after they were told that the overall plan was to camp in our tents and only hostel every 4 days, or shower at pay showers at campsights. Major Hotel stays ( one guy expected me to pay for his Hampton Inn Stays, BION) were not even in the planned agenda, that was made clear during our planning emails. Our trip was supposed to be 6 weeks across the USA and do as much off-roading as possible. (Dirt Backwoods Roads and Fire Roads through the mountains.) By the 4th week, we had members of our group either peel off and go their own way, or just outright quit and head home I finished the 6th week riding with a guy, who, although rode on my skill level, thought that getting drunk every night and then complaining about a hangover all day the next day was acceptable. We had quite an adventure other than that! Bears walking through our campsite in the middle of the night and waiting for a herd of Buffalo to move out of the road kinda stuff. Really ruined my experience. ( My retirement celebration ride and all riders were recent retirees! ) Since then I limit my adventure rides to 3 to 4 people, and all who I know and have ridden with before. And guys I like!
All of my trips are solo. I really enjoy the opportunity to meet people along the way. When you’re riding with a group, striking up a conversation with a stranger is much more difficult. The only person I would consider spending that much time with is my wife. The thought of riding across the country with even two or three other guys sends chills down my spine 🤣
On my 22,000 mile ride in 2019, I rode alone. When asked by group riders why, I explained that I could get up in the morning whenever I felt like, I could ride as far and as fast as I wanted to every day, I stopped where and when I wanted to, and if I didn’t feel like riding one day, I wouldn’t. Total freedom.
I've been thru similair experiences and then realized I don't need buddies like that. I prefer being alone and do things my way instead of babysitting some wanna be adventurers
My tip, book a room at the pub, take a change of cloths, that’s it. Camping sucks if you’re on a motorcycle. Save the money ya gunna spend on camping gear for a bike. Ps, I enjoy camping, but when ADV riding I give it a miss if possible. After a big day on the bike, I like a cold beer, shower, nice meal, and a bloody good bed, because day 2,3,4 etc gets harder especially when camping with minimal gear.
@@alripley5335 lol, I’m still up to a 10 hr day on the bike, and love every minute of it, but I’m old enough to appreciate a pub stay 😉. Ya just can’t pack cold beer and hot/cold shower on ADV bikes 😢. Ya get older and wiser; 👌
I prefer the camping with minimal gear. I can sleep in a bed at home. I've camped/backpacked for decades, the motorcycle just means I can carry better food.
I came at motorcycle camping from an ultralight camping perspective from hiking, mountain biking and kayaking. I've been a fan of ultralight camping since reading Colin Fletcher's book The Man Who Walked Through Time in the mid 1970s. I view motorcycle camping as high speed bicycle camping. It's also great for old folks who aren't going to pedal a bicycle anymore. Everything I carry fits in a 66L waterproof roll top duffle bag on the pillion and rack, and a lot of that is the ample 7 pound tool roll, riding rain jacket (good waterproof wind breaker in camp too), and a few other motorcycle related items. It's better to carry the weight lower, but 35 pounds on the pillion seat carries just fine with no panniers causing aerodynamic drag or catching on trees or rocks off road. Pannier racks and panniers add a LOT of weight, even before any items are placed inside. I don't think I'm carrying too little. My goal is safe and comfortable camping with the least weight and complexity. Good shelter, sleeping bag and sleeping pad (for tent campers) are very important and are no place to cut corners. I prefer my Hennessy hammock if there are trees. It's much more comfortable than a tent, lighter and more compact, and not needing a thick mattress is a huge additional size/weight savings. Tip: I don't carry spare batteries for the LED headlamp because the Surefire headlamp I bought recharges from the bike with the same cable that I use to recharge my phone. Less is more. I hate needless clutter and complexity. Fewer items makes life simpler and more enjoyable. More items means more to stumble over when looking for something.
Funny that you mention not needing a thick mattress, my nemo pad is by far the smallest and lightest item of the shelter 4 (tent, pad, sleeping bag, pillow) and its even smaller and lighter than my warbonnet hammock. In fact, I've done some research on the topic and it seems that most experts agree that in the end, tent-camping is (weight and size wise) more minimalist than hammock camping. But preferences are quite personal and some like a hammock more and some like a tent more, and all is good in the end.
@@athaphian - I'd love to have a hammock tent that I could sleep in as a hammock whenever there are trees but also pitch as a tent when there are no trees. I'm looking into the Haven tent hammock as a possibility for motorcycle camping. I have an idea for an integrated tent hammock specifically optimized for motorcycle camping but there's no chance that will be anything but a pipe dream unless someone else makes it. I love the idea of a hammock tent with a perfectly fitted inflatable sleeping pad with some convective and radiative insulation and sleeping bag that is easy to set up and tear down, with everything rolling up into a single storage bag.
@@jammcguire1276 - One of my favorite places to camp is the Red River Gorge in southeastern Kentucky. Once every year or two, someone would go camping in The Gorge, get drunk, wake up in the middle of the night to pee, stumble out of the tent, and fall off a cliff and die. Please drink responsibly when camping. I spent a decade of weekends rock climbing in The Gorge, back in the 80s. There were a few times we'd see someone carrying in a styrofoam cooler when camping near the road. They'd drink the beer and then it seemed like a fun idea to smash the styrofoam cooler and toss it around their campsite for future campers to enjoy. We'd clean up their mess after they left. None of them "accidentally" fell off a cliff, but it could have very easily happened. Maybe if we had a little to drink and our inhibitions had been lowered....
@@Liberty4Ever Being a lifelong surfer taking trips all over the world, that is a problem in a ton of scenarios especially going South into Mexico (I live in San Diego). Moderation is the key but the 'bottle' was meant as much as fun, portability and acts as an 'extra' blanket. Drunks are drunks and no amount of intervention with them seems to do any good except, in your case, when they hit the bottom of the Gorge.
As a retired Army veteran I thoroughly enjoy moto-camping by myself after many, many years of Army "camping" with 50+ others sleeping under the stars with just my sleeping bag setup. It's calming and relaxing for me, but I tend to be a loner as well, love making new friends though.
I think how much you take and what is to much really depends on the ride and what you are riding. Taking a 1200GS on mostly paved roads with some easy gravel to a campground, you can carry a lot of stuff without the weight doing much. Riding a WR250 on tough trails, the weight really matters. You really have to evaluate it for what ride you are doing and packing what is appropriate.
I gave this comment a thumbs up, but I followed that logic in the other direction. I didn't want a big bike. I'm in my 60s and I wanted a light maneuverable bike. Actually, I've ridden nothing but small dual sport bikes since the mid 70s, so that was always my preference, but now I NEED a lightweight bike. I bought a G310GS for my 60th birthday and it's awesome. It's all I need for the ultralight camping that I prefer to do. Less is more.
I'm currently 60 years old and don't camp much anymore. However, some years back, my wife and I camped often in a 1978 VW Camper Bus we owned, just for camping. We did this for many years and had a lot of fun. Then, we decided to give motorcycle camping a try. Our first two attempts were at very active biker rallies. No sleep for two nights, too much activity, loud bands, party activities. Then we tried a more low-key adventure and stayed awake all night due to bad weather and froze. Looking back, both styles were really fun. You are right about packing as light as possible.
Regarding planning, I find useful to separate it in two parts: planning the ride and planning the camping. My biggest mistake in my first trip was overthinking the road part so much that when I arrived I had no plans on what to do so I kinda just hanged around. In the ride plan we account for tools, maintenance, spare parts and where to get them, weather, road conditions, traffic, local laws, navigation, emergency plans, communication, etc. Basically sit dow and think of every bad thing that could happen and what to do about it. In the camping plan it's basically what you said in this video. I might add hygiene items and procedures, food preservation, water storage/filtration... All depending on where you're planning to go but the same principle applies: imagine the worst an plan accordingly. Then don't forget as I did to check out what activities you can do in your destination to have fun. Every place has something unique, find it to make the trip memorable.
Your’s is one of the more thoughtful posts. Back in the 80s I probably got lucky first up by taking just enough of the right equipment for a comfortable stay over nights in Australia’s national parks (just off main roads). I camped using 1/ a big fat comfortable 750 cc 2/ a smallish 4 stroke 250 cc that was nowhere near as comfy but did the job. I always carried a small tent; sleeping bag; and two old ex-hessian army bag used as saddle bags. Took the usual fry pan, boy scout tin cookware, even a small spirit lamp, plus tiny gas stove. I had a back pack that rested on the folded up tent and the sleeping bag at the back of the bike, and a small carry bag that rested on the petrol tank. Some canned food and a water bottle, and some small tools, bits and pieces and it was all I needed. Not enough attention gets paid to solo entertainments. In my carry bag, I had a radio 📻, a couple of handheld computer games, my wordmaster dictionary, a small portable chess set, a thin book of chess problems, a couple of novels, a mouth organ, and a deck of cards, etc. Never got bored, and people were generally friendly enough along the way to provide additional entertainment (of the sort you can talk about on YT). I don’t think I could have squeezed much more on the motorbike but what I took covered the journeys quite well.
Another good video. I think everyone should have a check list. keeps you from forgetting something. I started using one when I went on one of my first group rides with camping overnight. I somehow forgot my sleeping bag. I was wondering why I had extra room. Once we got to camp it started raining and it rained hard all night. Seriously living in AZ it was the most rain I had ever seen for that long of period. The good part was it wasn't too cold. So I slept in my riding gear. I used my giant loop bag to keep my feet warm and made it through better than expected. Since that trip I have a checklist I use to avoid mistakes like that.
My solo camping realizations. Not mistakes but things I became aware of: 1- A tent won’t stay put in windy weather, so bring long tie downs in addition to what comes with your tent. A tent that lets plenty air flow through when erected without the rain fly. 2- A thick tarp to put your tent on, and a thick throw to put inside the tent. Don’t want to puncture your tent’s ground layer and you need some comfort padding in the tent. 3- A wide air mattress with a pump bag, and a soft pillow. Many of the air pillows are too stiff to sleep on. I feel camping mattresses are often narrow. 4- take a photo of your items after you stuff them in your luggage so you don’t have to guess what goes where.
My biggest mistake was using a single person tent. Motorcycling gear is bulky (helmet, jacket, pants, etc) there simply is not enough room to protect gear, keep it out of the elements, get dressed if it's pouring rain, etc. Adding a tarp would have been helpful but I won't do single man again.
I come from a backpacking background and have my gear for that pretty much dialed in. A 5 night trip will bring me just over 30 pounds with food and a couple of liters of water, all in my backpack and that includes camera equipment. I really look forward to ALL the extra space on a bike!
I watched a lot of motorcycle camping videos and make similar comments. You are the only other person I've seen make a similar motorcycle camping comment. I carry 35 pounds in a 66L roll top duffle bag on the pillion and rear rack, and probably ten pounds is motorcycle tools and related stuff.
@@iosoi3145 My backpacking tent is a 2 person tent, under 3 pounds with poles, fly, ground sheet, stakes. Lightweight 2 person backpacking tents are generally around 3 pounds +/- and pack up quite small. IF I were buying a tent for MC Camping I would likely go for a 3 person backpacking tent, it would weigh a bit more but would give more room to put luggage. All my gear for backpacking, including food and cooking equipment fits in a 50 liter backpack (and that includes my luxury item, a chair which straps on the pack). To go to Motorcycle camping I need to add tools and a larger first aid kit. Plus I'd add a bit more clothing and maybe cooking stuff (oh and a nice 4 liter water bag so I could easily camp in areas without water).
I would say 2-3 person tent. Or it become to much, to heavy and big. Mountain tents are mostly 3 person tents. And camping or house tents are way to heavy. If you need more space, bring an extra tarp. Set it up like a roof with some sticks and/or cords/rope. Then you have a bigger space under a roof outside the tent. Even a place to park your bike under.
Solo camping at least get a 2 person tent so you have room for your gear when the weather is bad, if camping with your partner, get at least a 3 person tent.
Fun one! One mistake was mentioned by other commenters, but it bears multiple mentions. That is, arriving at a camp well before dark. It’s easy to push too long into the evening and then regret it later. A second mistake I’ve made is underestimating the amount of water needed for my ride AND supper AND an overnight stay AND breakfast in the morning. Water is critical and after messing that one up, I now pack along more than enough to make sure I get to enjoy the morning in camp before getting back out on the trail/road.
@@jochenschrey2909 that’s a good question and it varies a little bit with heat. I generally keep between 5 and 7L per 24hr period. The upper end in summer heat and the lower end in the shoulder seasons when daily highs are net above something like 25 Celsius. This is an estimate of course, and may be adjusted if you’re planning to eat at restaurants or stay close to civilization. I ride solo in mostly remote areas of Colorado and Wyoming, so the options limited and taking care of yourself alone is imperative. I find that a Sawyer water filter can save the day if running low and you can find a stream suitable to filter. Cheers!
A background in backpacking helps keep gear in check. However, I find it relates closer to canoe camping -especially on canoe trips involving a portage. You can pack more gear than backpacking but you don't want to take a whole lot more.
A hot meal or at least a hot drink is essential for your energy, mood and spirits in my opinion. Particularly in northern England where I'm from as it is very often cold and wet (take The Lake District for example)
Oh man, the weird campmate: My first moto camp I joined a buddy and his friend that were car camping. About 1 AM the friend gets too cold and gets into his car and starts it to run the heater. Then every 20 minutes, starts the car. For the rest of the night. And my tent is like 10 feet in front of the car, if the guy falls asleep and hits the shifter I'm toast. Plus the ground was very uneven, my old Thermarest did not cut it. And at first light, 4:30 AM, about a million birds started chirping and squawking. I'll just call it a learning experience.
I've camped with a super-weirdo!! ;-) He drank all the beer and ate all of the sausages then complained about the abundance of firewood! hahaha j/k love ya man! My first motocamping mistake was bringing way too many tools. We were going thousands of miles on the bikes through Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho. Yeah. I had waaaayyy too many tools. Great video man!
I did a long ride some years back where we all rode the trusty KLR's. I owned a Motorcycle Repair & Mod Shop so somehow all the maintenance and tools we took somehow became my burden. I was ok with most of it, but the one guy who rode a smoking clapped out 650, that should have been left at home, became my challege to keep running. (For Free too!)
Suffering DEFINITELY enhances the experience. When everything goes right you rarely remember, it’s when things go wrong and there is suffering that you never forget. Those times you will never forget. Anyone can have easy/cheap fun. It’s when we face adversity that we REALLY have fun. Fun that we don’t forget.
I'd argue that suffering enhances the memory (and the storytelling potential), but not the actual experience itself. Small distinction, but an important one.
This is all good advice. I have been moto camping for over 30 years. I still struggle with taking too much "just in case" stuff, as noted here. I have come full circle on tent size and highly recommend a roomy tent. Inclement weather can force some extended tent time, and having your gear out on the bike is no fun,and neither is not being able to move around a bit. Also, if you are with someone else, having them in for some cards,coffee or just conversation while waiting out severe weather can make a disappointing day bearable. If I am hub camping in the same place for more than one night, I generally unload the bike so as to enjoy the days ride unladen and being able to stash all in the tent while still being able to use the tent keeps my gear out of sight and out of any weather . Sorting,repacking and prep for loading out while awaiting clearing weather can also be very convenient and a way to make for lost time.... Space and weight are very important. But trying to make space and lower weight by using a tiny tent is not the way to go about it.
The “cards, coffee and conversation” making downtime bearable due to rain bit etc, highlighted the need for planning for this. A pack of cards I considered a necessity, even if it were just for Solitaire. I bought either a chess set or Scrabble set, a couple of 80s handheld computer games that were light on batteries, some letter writing / drawing material and a windup transistor radio, etc. Friends used to laugh at all this but came to see the wisdom of it when ... you guessed it we were stranded due to mechanical breakdown, or floods, and / or other inconveniences. We’re all different but I always found my 4 ft high 2-person tent sufficient for my needs. But then again, I was never trapped in it for more than a day, and merely used it mainly for storing luggage on one side, my sleeping bag on the other.
Actually as an older retired person my thoughts is at this point in life with my health is to revert back to using my AWD mini van as the camping machine and picking up a mini moto such as a grom or monkey, maybe even a modded ct70 or possibly something even up to a tw200 or xt250 type of bike for exploring on while in the area I am at. My general location offers multiple state and National parks and campgrounds close to National Forest with service roads and parks which offer fishing opportunities as well as biking opportunities all within basically a few hours driving distance from home and some even much closer . Not to mention these parks with the national park senior pass also offer 1/2 price rates to seniors on the campgrounds and also as being disabled I do not have to pay the entry fees for day entry of any of the parks or facilities. Also nice being retired you can plan your trips away from holidays or weekends and take advantage of the Monday - Thursday slots when the facilities at many times during the year are basically almost deserted. One time a few years back in the spring I stayed at one major state park with a lakeside camping spot on a major reservoir and from Monday until late Thursday afternoon I was the only occupant of the entire campground! which has 70 camping opportunities within the park. Using my mini van I can just do an air mattress/sleeping in the back eliminating needing to set up a tent or really worrying about rain, I can bring a cooler for the ice and beverages, I have an easy up canopy and can just bring my regular camping bag chairs, camping stove and lanterns for comfort while in the campsite. I already have a ceiling mounted fishing rod holder that holds 4 rods and the van was originally a conversion van which has the rear side windows which will slide open with a screen to offer a little air flow. The bike I can transport on the rear of the van on a hitch carrier as I plan to definitely stay under about a maximum 300lb weight limit for the bike. Although older and not quite at the point physically where I want to or am able to log in a lot of miles on a bike traveling anymore does not mean that camping, nature and motorcycles still do not hold importance, you just have to adjust exactly how you pull it off or keep your expectations to what you still can or cannot do realistic as you age. Just like I know in my current state of health gnarley single tracks are definitely in my rear view mirror but a nice wooded 2 track fairly well maintained fire service road can still be immensely enjoyed at a much reduced pace from my younger years. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow, enjoy what you can while you can.
Liked your post 😃. My motorbike camping days are gone, but YT videos like this are useful for people with small cars, as in what to take. I’m 5ft 9ins but I have slept quite comfortably in a small 4 door hatchback. It takes a bit of arranging, trial and error, and finding the smallest pump up airbed you can find, as in narrow. Cheap pump up cushions and pump up pillows take up little space when deflated but come in handy when needed. If you’re into stealth camping, curtains and an indoor sun reflector for the front windscreen, should just about make one invisible in a quiet side street late at night.
My first time moto camping I had no plan, my gear was untested, I packed too much, and I was far away from home. I had an absolute great time. I had good weather, my bag only got slightly burned from my exhaust, and i cooked myself some canned chicken soup. It was certainly a learning experience and I'm still rethinking how to pack everything and what is necessary to bring along. I will say that I don't know if I would have enjoyed camping with others, I suppose it would be nice to have someone to talk with, but I also just really liked being alone and meeting a few strangers along the way.
When you travel alone, you interact more with the people you meet, and the places you go. When you travel with others, strangers are less likely to interact with you because they don’t want to intrude. The trip becomes about the people you are traveling with. One is not necessarily better than the other, just a lot different.
I agree with camping alone. Nobody to have to upkeep a synergy with. Just time that I can completely zone out. As for the canned soup, you'll figure out that items like that take up too much weight and space. Anytime you can omit water from what you haul, the better off you'll be. A Sawyer water filter is awesome, and just boiling water for use, is the next best thing.
@@ElementofKindness I don’t carry food at all. I prefer to buy it as I need it along the way. That being said, I don’t destination camp, I’m always travel camping, so I’m back on the road moving to a new location almost every day, and picking up supplies, or buy food at cafes is easy. It’s warmed up enough for me to get out of my northern US town, and I’m heading to Mexico this week, and I will most likely stay 2 - 3 days at a few of the costal towns on this trip. Being retired is great 🤣😎
@@clarson2916 That makes a lot of sense for long trips in populated areas. However, I always try to disconnect from society, going deep into the woods, where nothing but the sounds of nature to keep me company, so that option wouldn't be available to me. It's cool how many ways "camping" can be done. As long as one doesn't end up injured or dead, pretty safe to say that there is no wrong way to do it!
@@ElementofKindness I’m with you on this. Café meals along the way are okay but even in populated areas I took one or two cans of my favourite food (ravioli or sausages & veg for supper, small packs of instant porridge etc for breakfast, etc) plus the obligatory coffee, and water. This stuff if packed properly doesn’t take up a ton of space. Even a small 250 cc commuter bike or scooter will allow you to take an inordinate amount of equipment. The secret is not to take what you don’t need (i.e. a chair; TV set; bar fridge etc). I do recommend some thought to entertainment and always took my portable chessboard set and a slender volume of puzzles, plus a paperback and a windup transistor radio.
I have experience back packing and bicycle touring/camping, and that is extremely helpful. I’m 66 now and have congestive heart failure, so motorcycles work better for me these days. I would say the single most important thing to be aware of is the difference between camping as you are traveling, as apposed to traveling to a camping area and staying a few days while you explore, fish, or otherwise enjoy the area. When you camp as you are traveling, you want to approach camping like someone, for instance, hiking the Appalachian trail. Moving every day and eating on the trail, or on the road in our case, greatly changes your gear selection. You will often find that cooking equipment, coffee making equipment, fire building equipment, and possibly even a chair to sit on, are all unnecessary. The last thing you do at the end of the day might be stopping for dinner and fuel, and the first thing you do in the morning is to pack up and head for the nearest cafe or coffee shop. When I was traveling by bicycle I was always on the road at first light, because the, cool temps, quiet roads, and that first cup of coffee, after 10 or 20 miles of riding, were so enjoyable :)
Sir you sound right but I dare to disagree. On a first long trip with my girlfriend I spent more on roadside coffee than on gasoline. If I have the space and payload to make myself independent from tourism's vampires, why shouldn't I use them? I happily stop and brew instant coffee on my gas stove or carry my trusty steel thermos to get me through most of the day. Going out and eating out are fine, when they feel right, but shouldn't be necessarry, when you aren't in that mood.
@@jochenschrey2909 when I say I pick up food along the way, I often eat from grocery stores, but I never feel bad about leaving a little money in the small towns I pass through. Often times the folks running the little cafe need the money a lot more than I do. I do also enjoy the opportunity to interact with the local people, and other travelers. In addition, we all have different financial situations. To one person, stopping at a motel and dropping $150 for the night is no big deal. To another person, that would break the budget. We all have to be responsible, and make the financial part of this equation fit our personal situation.
@@jochenschrey2909 I guess I should mention, in case it’s not obvious, that you don’t need a stove to eat from grocery stores. Often times, people hiking the Appalachian trail carry no cooking equipment at all.
@@clarson2916 Replenishing groceries on the way makes sense. No stove on a bike? Sure, I can spend days or weeks on bread and caffeine pills but coffee and warm meals seem very desirable, at least during the vacation part of a trip.
When you live in a country like Australia ... everything you said went into the bin ... I'm a solo rider in the most inhospitable desert country ... key factors ... blow up mattress & pillow by mouth ... sleeping bag is determined by coldest expected temp ... small single person light hikers tent & ground sheet ... same with cooking utensils ... food is made up of tin food/rice/noodles/fruit/energy bars ... water/camelbak ... hygiene ... etc ... study fuel stocks & supplies & the ability to carry extra ... tools & kits are made up of spark plug/chain tension/fuel/filters/fuel hose/air filter socks/tyre levers/compressor & puncture kit/bulbs/electrical/cable ties/ etc etc ... medical ... thermal underwear ... head lamp & rechargeable batteries ... you get my drift ... essentials only ... Epirb is an absolute must & must always be worn on the body ... never ever not wear it on the body ... ever ... Practice repairing punctures by hand at home over & over before leaving ... You will never fix any major mechanical mishaps along the way ... so bike must be prepared prior to leaving from steering head bearings to wheel bearings to wiring routes so as not to rub thru ... tools are for maintenance/adjustments & anything coming loose ... tie in & route spare cables like clutch/throttle with ends taped up greased & sealed ... When planning ... always start from the front of the bike & work your way to the back to identify any potential mishaps occurring & carry spares & tools to suit ... Oils & coolants depend on bike ... Any questions ... just sing out ...
Whenever camping I also bring a firearm, usually just a handgun, in my essentials list. Especially if solo camping eases a lot of anxiety at night from animal noises. That and you’re in the middle of nowhere (or at least where I go) where 4 and 2 legged creatures that come up to your campsite may not have great intentions
The two legged creatures worry me more than the four legged ones. I’m usually out where I generally shouldn’t see other people (at least not close), so if they get near my camp it’s probably not to be neighborly.
Me and my lady drilled setting up our tent as if it were raining so we wouldn't get the tent wet. Basically set up the poles into the rain fly so you have a shelter crawl under, lay down the footprint then clip your tent up under the fly. This may be more hard-core than most campers though. We ride and camp year-round no matter the weather.
Nice video, but I prefer a hotel. After 400 miles of riding in a day, last thing I want to do is set up a tent ,and look for fire wood. I guess I'm just not a camping person. Ride safe , Mr. Dork.
I used to be the same way. Have done loads of moto travels every year, but with Covid. I started to camp. It adds to the trip! Big fan! But if there’s heavy rain, air bnb or hotel it is!
I have spent over 40 years motorcycle camping, in the US and in more country`s that I can`t even remember anymore. My last trip out of the US was in 2003 to 2005 traveling all over Aisa and the middle East. 99% of the time I`m by myself. I actually don`t like to travel with other people other than having a nice chat with other people. Most of the times I have traveled with other people I have ended up saving their ass because of their stupidity and at that point the fun is gone. I probably travel with more then I need but who cares, and I want to be comfortable. I take food but lots of time I fish or trap my dinner hear in the US. About planning well, I don`t except the destination, say I want to check out Az. back country I kind of look at the area I want to see, and I just head out, I also live in Portland, Oregon and every year I typically do a 2 -to 4-thousand -mile ride ...alone. this year 2022 I`m heading to South Dacota bad lands, Yellowstone then bounce around the Canada border on my way back. I have no reservations except for Yellowstone and that`s only for two nights, I wing it and that works for me. I will not go into Canada because I carry a handgun for bear protection and? I camp, ride in any weather I don`t care. I`m prepared for all climates. I actually like seeing new riders/ campers who bring the lattice junk out on the road and watch them fail miserably its entertaining... happy trails.
Don't bring recharchable headlamps(a must for hands free vision) & flashlights, battery operated with the same batteries with a few extra batteries(aaa rules in weight & compactness). Would take a Gerber Gator Junior over an axe any day of the week, chops & saws, & a good weapon against critters that go bump in the night. Zippos & a small bottle of lighter fluid can get a fire going in wind &, or, wet. Contractor bags are handy dandy & a must, as is electrical tape & at least two emergency blankets.
I'm smokejumper and bike rider. Pack whatever you need first in the top of your pack eg tarp, torch flint.. The 7P's are proper preparation planning prevents piss poor performance. Thank you for your video
Biggest mistake I ever made motorcycle camping, taking the wrong bike. Dude. You do not want to be fighting a bike from the 80s on the trail. For 1, the on board equipment is archaic and simple. That's fine on the road you can compensate, but a drum brake in the dirt is a nightmare. Then once I was out there, good and stuck in the woods, it took me 2 hours to get this thing moving how I wanted through the bush. Didn't think to get more aggressive tires for the trip because it's just a little trail not a single track. My mistake. 10 minutes of rain changed the entire dynamic of the day. My advice would be: if you're only halfway in and it's going miserably trying to get there, turn back. It's ok to bail out and try again later. If not you might spend 2 hours going half a mile an hour through slippery thin mud, tree roots, and facing mechanical problems.
Tips 1 and 2, and at least partly 3 boil down to: don’t take what you might need, take what you can’t do without. But a little ingenuity goes a long way. All those little things I need like prescription meds, pain killers, sewing kits etc, I pack into a mess tin, in slightly larger quantities than I think I’ll need for the trip. That’s better than taking whole boxes of things. I take a torch to hang up in the tent, another one to carry around; they back up each other. 4 Yep. 5, 6, and 7 don’t apply to the camping I do, because it’s either with 100 to 1,000 other bikers at a rally, or I’m on an organised camp site. One good tip is not to park your bike too close to your tent. If it goes over in the night you don’t want a wrecked tent as well, or to wake up with the bike on top of you.
I'm going by myself because I'm running into too many weirdos in my groups. They ALL seem NORMAL until I am ALONE with them and there's no other women who I know that ride. So I'm just fed up....I just want a good friend I can trust. I just want to go around, do art and hide in my tent with my art supplies, I'm only doing day trip... but they all want to share this tent with me it seems lol
Make sure you don’t use softwood logs and sticks (pine trees) for cooking, too much unhealthy resins. Use hardwood (leafy tree) wood and sticks for food.
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Great video and explanation. Made most of those mistakes myself, and still have some front panniers to prove that I can over pack with the best of them.
Always bring a good knife. A mora kinfe is a great choice. Flip flops. Getting up at night to piss sucks having to put on boots. Oil for the bike, a wash cloth and soap. Camping for a few days creates swamp ass and that sucks. First aid kit, headlamp and fresh batteries, a beanie and a boonie hat for sun, off, sunblock. A small tarp. Hiking gear crosses over nicely
Reminds me of a time 35 years ago on my first moto camping trip with my older cousin, one tent thin camping mat and two tins of bakes beans, the king sizes tins, no stove and only one spoon...and no can opener, we had to use a camping knife to open the tins....what a night lots of farting and laughs, 35 years on things have improved a bit. I moto-camp now and pack the same gear as I would for an overnighter of a 10 day trip as it is good to see how the components of the bike and gear hold up. Water is so hard to pack and heavy, MSR dormitory bags are good and can easily go in the bottom of you soft saddle bags.
Excellent video! The freedom one can experience on a long moto-camping trip is truly amazing! Along with the essentials I usually bring along a collapsible fishing rod, small tackle box, and a gold pan! For me, weight is more important if I'm doing more back-country riding, but less important if I'm sticking to paved or gravel roads. Like most things, the more you do it, the better you'll become, and you'll develop your own little tricks. Keep making great videos!
ive been camping/ tramping for over 45 years by myself with the exception of last year where i took my 15 year old 85# pitbull Izzi with me and circumnavigated the U.S so two things we are vegan. finding food on the road is harder than you might think. so i make meals, dehydrate them ( about a months worth) its 12# and we always have food. anther thing about eating/ cooking at your camp sight isn't the smartest thing. we spend a good amount of time in big bear country. the dehydrated meals are in shrink wrap and in two zip lock bags. the other tools i didnt hear you mention was i carry an axe, saw, bear spray .44 mag.if your ridding long days ( we've done plenty of 12 hour days) sun screan. water!! as much as you can carry. ive been in places if you dont have that and you break down you might die in a day or two. if your like me your camp is your home so make it as comfortable as possible. i have a 35 year old Eureka timberligh that is just the best tent ever built. a two expeds two sleeping bags a super light one 40° and a heavy one 10° we've camped in as low as 15° and as high is 110°. take enough tools to tighten up rattley stuff. good video bud.
Not investing in the best gear for comfort at camp. Don't cheap out on the bed/ sleep system. A warm soft comfortable bed like at home makes camping that much better. I need a soft bed to sleep good. And a tent tall enough to stand up in to dress in. A good night sleep makes all the difference in how fast you'll be wanting to go camping again. Lol So, the best biggest tent you can buy and the best sleep system you can buy. Beyond that it can be got at Wal Mart. Lol
I dont have any friends that ride, nor do i want any really, im a loner dottie, a rebel. Its so much better to camp with someone else, most of the time, but its nice to be able to get your primal side out alone in the woods and be weird without a witness. Ive had the joy of classic campground camping as a kid and as an altenative to a hotel during a cross country road trip. Had to do urban/stealth camping for survival/fun while homeless and while trainhopping around the eastern us. Ive done ultra light bicycle trip camping and a litte moto camping. And a lot of squatting. Ive camped everywhere man, and in places you wouldnt dare. Go minimal. You really dont need anything more that the 4, 1Shelter, 2fire, 3water, 4food, except 5tools. 1-Tarp, paracord, hammock, hammock bug net and straps, sleeping bag and a sleeping pad in the hammock for bottom insulation. Bigger tarp will cover bike and make tent if needed. Keep bike next to you for a shelf for boots. 2- fire starter kit. MAKE A PROPER FIRE PIT!As simple as a lighter and good multitool and some toilet paper and dry wood, almost never fails. Dont burn pine unless it the only thing. PUT YOUR FIRE COMPLETELY OUT! 3- Water, always bring 2 or more liters for a single night, just to drink. Additional water to cook if not near stream. Over hydrate before the trip and during the ride if possible. Buy a Sawyer water filter kit for $25. Or bring a pot to boil water. Dont wanna have the squirts on the ride back. 4- food. Bring it, because you wont find it or catch it when you NEED it. Cook if you wanna, but buy food from the closest store to the campsite and be prepped for loading it somewhere on the bike before. You dont need instagram camping steaks, but they are the best steaks. 5- bike tool kit. Camp tools you can carry. Whatever you want. If you cant load everything you need into and on a hiking back pack , you dont need it. If you cant lift that bag, its too much. 30-40lbs is more than enough gear for one night. Bonus- Dont sleep under big branches. Boil water. Be quiet when riding in. If you can play a mandolin or ukelelele, it may be worth it. Learn a long story to tell. The north star is useful to locate after setting up camp. Take the big dipper star at the pouring tip and the one below it, 6x that distance when followed from bottom star past pouring tip star, will give you the north star. Also, i never and have never looked at replies or replied to comments, so hope this adds something.
When riding with a buddy, set up camp and then go buy a 12 pack of beer and a bag of ice. Take 6 cans out and fill the remainder of the box with half bag of ice. Put the 6 beers taken out into the remaining half bag of ice. I've got mine for the night, He's got his.
A good trick is to use a T-shirt, towel and get it wet. Just rap it around the beer. It will take out all the heat from the beer, when it dry up. And the beer gets cold. The same with only water, in a bucket or other things that hold water, or a stream/river/lake. The last 3, you have to moor them in a way. They really want to go swimming. A net bag is a nice easy thing to use. Fishing stores should have them.
Another mistake. I find myself taking people on trips that are new to motorcycle camping. Perhaps that is my mistake, but I like to have company and share knowledge. What I find annoying is when they need help with a lot of things. From setting up their tent to using their stove. They bring a quart of water and no filter. I guess I haven't learned to prepare people for the trip. Then I get annoyed with both myself and them. I like the company but not the hand holding.
I was camping in NZ mountains one time with a buddy.. he had a meltdown.. ruined my trip, had to cut short. Pick your travel mate carefully.. and a (catestrof) plan..
If you need to get to a campsite early enough to prep a dinner and cook it ... that is time you're not riding. If you need to get to a campsite early enough to scrounge around looking for firewood ... that is time you're not riding. If you're riding by 9am and at 2pm you're thinking 'we need to find a place soon enough so I can cook my dinner and look for firewood' that is a big time constraint. There are dozens of tasty choices that require no cooking. Save the space cooking gear requires.
Good for you !! Too many people forget about the entertainment side of traveling and camping. I always took 2 books - one I hadn’t read and an old favourite I just loved reading again and again (Robertson Crusoe). I also took a small portable chess set and some chess puzzles. A pack of cards for solitaire and a few other things to play with. A good but cheap portable radio that is light on batteries was good, too. The thing was portability. If you’re ever trapped somewhere while traveling you’ll be glad you have packed these things ... especially if others around you are bored because they didn’t have the foresight to do likewise.
Don't camp next to a golf course. The sprinklers can come on at 5 AM and that just a wake up call you don't need. We passed up too many places on our ride to The Road to the Sun from Nor-Cal about 15 years ago. So, this was an unplanned camping experience. Found a rest area or restrooms, I dunno, it was dark and kinda cold on that Montana morning. Slept in our AeroStitch Roadcrafters next to the bike, until those damn sprinklers chased us into the restroom.
Fantastic advice! I'm an (inspiring) moto camper on an HD Ultra Limited with my wife and a buddy of mine (Road Glide). We're going to start next riding season so we're prepping now and taking as much advice as possible. Thanks for sharing!
Another great video. Appreciate your candor and experience :-) must take items (in addition to your shown/discussed) for me include trail mix, a good knife, nylon rope, and a tarp. I go cheap on sleeping pad...a dollar store pool floatie/raft is great under sleeping bag.
This is great. First time I went motocamping was at a campground solo past fall creek Oregon. Didn't bring firewood and surprise camp post showed up and offered to sell me some and deliver it:). You gotta have a camp fire when camping and you can't forget your spirits and cigars. It was a great experience. Dig your content dude. Thanks for sharing
Just went on a 4 day bow hunting trip w tags in AZ.... made split second decision NOT to bring spirts and cigars as we thought we'd be backpacking in and out...vs. car supported. NEVER AGAIN will skip those 2 items!
My mistake was after the trip. Clean and prep your gear, mildew sucks. Also take notes while it's all still fresh. Camping is awesome spur of the moment, be ready to ride.
Especially when coming from car-camping first make yourself familiar with backpacking stuff! This will be inspiring enough to know what’s essential, what’s possible and then to decide for those additional „luxury“ items you are able to bring along on your bike. After all carrying less weight (and not the maximum possible) will result in having much more fun on your bike when handling wouldn’t be that demanding 😉
@@DorkintheRoad I don't think so....that misunderstanding it is particular addressed to my person. We can have a conversation about English grammar,but you are from USA...and that mean one long and hopeless discussion.
The biggest mistake is not going at all..
been doing that for years
"Every time you don't even try, you fail"
My number 1 rule, I learned from a friend of mine.
Never park your motorcycle with the side stand facing your tent, next to your tent. My friend almost got crushed by his bike at night, because it started raining and the side stand sank into the "before solid and now soft" ground.
that never happened to me but is in my paranoid brain as a big reason why i have ordered a center stand for my bike lol
While away on a campingtrip i expetienced that two times. Although i warned them not to do that. That the bike needed to lean away from the tent or to put more space between the tent and the bike. One guy got the bike on his face in the middle of the night. He was not serious injured but imagine what could have happenend ? Loosing an eye ? My stomach turns thinking about that. He had a headdache for a full day. Just from the sudden scare while sleeping. It was plain stupid, nothing more then that. So your advise is spot on.
I have seen once a bike fall on a tent with people in it. The injures was not light. It was hospital stuff.
Just use compress a beer or soft drink can and put it under the sidestand....avoids the problem easy or go buy a plate to put under your sidestand.....
Good point. But WHY anyone would set up a tent so near to their bike is beyond me. That is camping done wrong, in my mind. Park your bike a good few feet away. You are camping-- not biking. The bike brought you there, but it is not a focal point of your trip. I would easily keep mine ten or twenty feet away. You need to be able to see in every direction around your camp, too.
Give yourself time to find a campsite while it's still light out if on a long ride, finding a spot and setting up in the dark isn't ideal
Beyond annoying when solo!
Sage advice from Wanders of ... With my motorbike in Australia, usually about an hour to half-hour before dusk I start looking for a suitable site. Sometimes I’d double back just before dark and set up my campsite. The beauty of the bike was that I could wheel it about 100 metres into a state forest, over anti-car ditches etc, and no one knew I was there. Never was bothered by anyone. Careful not to make a mess or leave rubbish behind.
I can attest to this. Especially if you’re alone in the woods and hearing strange noises, can be quite ominous. Having someone there will help mitigate those fearful thoughts 😅
My first advice? Just DO it! You'll learn from it (and have fun) Started doing it at 17. Canvas pup tent, cheapo sleeping bag, flashlight, and matches... that was about it. And loved it!
If you don't know who the weirdo is at camp...........
In 2019, I hit 34 states and 4 Canadian provinces, tent camping everywhere I went. I carried all camping gear in a Navy seabag, which I strapped across the seat behind me. Besides being large enough to hold tent, sleeping bag, tarp, cooking gear, food, sandals, and clothes, I also believe the seabag helped me avoid speeding tickets. Many people in law enforcement are ex-military. I deserved a buttload of speeding tickets, but never got pulled over. Over 22,000 miles in 2 1/2 months.
Great advice!
Wow, that sounds like an awesome trip!!
Love it.
How much did it cost you and what bike did you ride? I wanna do it this summer.
My bike is a 2003 Kawasaki Concours, a 1000cc sport-tourer. I did not keep a record of how much I spent on my best summer ever, but it was in the thousands.
The #1 biggest mistake is to not motocamp, after years of long rides and nights at hotels I finally decided to pack my camping gear, needless to say we've not missed the expensive hotel rooms!
My thoughts exactly when people say they don't camp, but stay in hotels.. Those people do not know what they are missing, waking up in nature is awesome. Besides, I always find hotel rooms to be way too warm during the night and some don't even let you open a window.
By far my biggest mistake was leaving for a campsite in Acadia National Park, 450 miles from home, hoping the weather would change. I spent eight hours in the rain riding to the site. Which was almost flooded when I arrived.
Sometimes it's better to change your plans when the weather is uncooperative. - Frank
@@Random-ed2xf DOH! Hey, think of it this way, you are providing a service to the locals when you end their drought! - Frank
Even being a Mainer, I've NEVER had a trip to Acadia not be half in the rain! Something magical about that island 😊
@@d4nial I should have sought the advice of someone from Miane! I have been previously, with the Campervan to hike and those trips were sunny and or / foggy, but mostly dry. Poor planning on my part! - Frank
sometimes when you plan a trip you are going come hell or high water... no pun intended... my first cross country run from Chicago to PA (Stroudsburg) was 2 days riding in the rain on the interstate.... 2 days there 'having fun'... and then 2 days back where on the last morning the sun came out so I could ride home and get dry.... good times
Good one. Follow the sun!
As far as shelter; I did very well with a plastic tarp (for years) that folded small for packing.
It would go over the bike , over me, and under my bed roll. It kept rain off well.
Until the MOSQUITOES attacked at Grand Teton National Park.
That was a nightmare X 10000
I always have a fully enclosed tent now.
The biggest mistake I made was going motorcycle camping with 5 strangers. None of us had ever met each other, and it was a disaster. Everybody had different riding skill levels and financial abilities for the ride. And some expected to sleep in 5 Star Hotels almost every night and that, since they didn't have enough cash to support that idea, expected the others in the group to pay for their hotel expeses. Even after they were told that the overall plan was to camp in our tents and only hostel every 4 days, or shower at pay showers at campsights. Major Hotel stays ( one guy expected me to pay for his Hampton Inn Stays, BION) were not even in the planned agenda, that was made clear during our planning emails. Our trip was supposed to be 6 weeks across the USA and do as much off-roading as possible. (Dirt Backwoods Roads and Fire Roads through the mountains.) By the 4th week, we had members of our group either peel off and go their own way, or just outright quit and head home I finished the 6th week riding with a guy, who, although rode on my skill level, thought that getting drunk every night and then complaining about a hangover all day the next day was acceptable. We had quite an adventure other than that! Bears walking through our campsite in the middle of the night and waiting for a herd of Buffalo to move out of the road kinda stuff.
Really ruined my experience. ( My retirement celebration ride and all riders were recent retirees! )
Since then I limit my adventure rides to 3 to 4 people, and all who I know and have ridden with before. And guys I like!
All of my trips are solo. I really enjoy the opportunity to meet people along the way. When you’re riding with a group, striking up a conversation with a stranger is much more difficult. The only person I would consider spending that much time with is my wife. The thought of riding across the country with even two or three other guys sends chills down my spine 🤣
On my 22,000 mile ride in 2019, I rode alone. When asked by group riders why, I explained that I could get up in the morning whenever I felt like, I could ride as far and as fast as I wanted to every day, I stopped where and when I wanted to, and if I didn’t feel like riding one day, I wouldn’t. Total freedom.
@@rastus666
“The man who goes alone can start today, but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready.” - Henry David Thoreau.
I've been thru similair experiences and then realized I don't need buddies like that. I prefer being alone and do things my way instead of babysitting some wanna be adventurers
how are others even considered? either drive or mingle; dont talk & drive
Here inn norway we know its gonna rain.
The pre trip ride and shake down overnighted are EXCELLENT TIPS!
My tip, book a room at the pub, take a change of cloths, that’s it.
Camping sucks if you’re on a motorcycle.
Save the money ya gunna spend on camping gear for a bike.
Ps, I enjoy camping, but when ADV riding I give it a miss if possible.
After a big day on the bike, I like a cold beer, shower, nice meal, and a bloody good bed, because day 2,3,4 etc gets harder especially when camping with minimal gear.
Spitting the truth there. I feel and do the same.
@@alripley5335 lol, I’m still up to a 10 hr day on the bike, and love every minute of it, but I’m old enough to appreciate a pub stay 😉. Ya just can’t pack cold beer and hot/cold shower on ADV bikes 😢. Ya get older and wiser; 👌
I prefer the camping with minimal gear. I can sleep in a bed at home. I've camped/backpacked for decades, the motorcycle just means I can carry better food.
Here here!
I concur; when I got the $$ that's what I do.
When I'm short on cash I know how to camp.
I came at motorcycle camping from an ultralight camping perspective from hiking, mountain biking and kayaking. I've been a fan of ultralight camping since reading Colin Fletcher's book The Man Who Walked Through Time in the mid 1970s. I view motorcycle camping as high speed bicycle camping. It's also great for old folks who aren't going to pedal a bicycle anymore.
Everything I carry fits in a 66L waterproof roll top duffle bag on the pillion and rack, and a lot of that is the ample 7 pound tool roll, riding rain jacket (good waterproof wind breaker in camp too), and a few other motorcycle related items. It's better to carry the weight lower, but 35 pounds on the pillion seat carries just fine with no panniers causing aerodynamic drag or catching on trees or rocks off road. Pannier racks and panniers add a LOT of weight, even before any items are placed inside.
I don't think I'm carrying too little. My goal is safe and comfortable camping with the least weight and complexity. Good shelter, sleeping bag and sleeping pad (for tent campers) are very important and are no place to cut corners. I prefer my Hennessy hammock if there are trees. It's much more comfortable than a tent, lighter and more compact, and not needing a thick mattress is a huge additional size/weight savings.
Tip: I don't carry spare batteries for the LED headlamp because the Surefire headlamp I bought recharges from the bike with the same cable that I use to recharge my phone. Less is more. I hate needless clutter and complexity. Fewer items makes life simpler and more enjoyable. More items means more to stumble over when looking for something.
Funny that you mention not needing a thick mattress, my nemo pad is by far the smallest and lightest item of the shelter 4 (tent, pad, sleeping bag, pillow) and its even smaller and lighter than my warbonnet hammock. In fact, I've done some research on the topic and it seems that most experts agree that in the end, tent-camping is (weight and size wise) more minimalist than hammock camping. But preferences are quite personal and some like a hammock more and some like a tent more, and all is good in the end.
@@athaphian - I'd love to have a hammock tent that I could sleep in as a hammock whenever there are trees but also pitch as a tent when there are no trees. I'm looking into the Haven tent hammock as a possibility for motorcycle camping. I have an idea for an integrated tent hammock specifically optimized for motorcycle camping but there's no chance that will be anything but a pipe dream unless someone else makes it. I love the idea of a hammock tent with a perfectly fitted inflatable sleeping pad with some convective and radiative insulation and sleeping bag that is easy to set up and tear down, with everything rolling up into a single storage bag.
Bring a bottle of your favorite booze.
@@jammcguire1276 - One of my favorite places to camp is the Red River Gorge in southeastern Kentucky. Once every year or two, someone would go camping in The Gorge, get drunk, wake up in the middle of the night to pee, stumble out of the tent, and fall off a cliff and die. Please drink responsibly when camping.
I spent a decade of weekends rock climbing in The Gorge, back in the 80s. There were a few times we'd see someone carrying in a styrofoam cooler when camping near the road. They'd drink the beer and then it seemed like a fun idea to smash the styrofoam cooler and toss it around their campsite for future campers to enjoy. We'd clean up their mess after they left. None of them "accidentally" fell off a cliff, but it could have very easily happened. Maybe if we had a little to drink and our inhibitions had been lowered....
@@Liberty4Ever Being a lifelong surfer taking trips all over the world, that is a problem in a ton of scenarios especially going South into Mexico (I live in San Diego). Moderation is the key but the 'bottle' was meant as much as fun, portability and acts as an 'extra' blanket. Drunks are drunks and no amount of intervention with them seems to do any good except, in your case, when they hit the bottom of the Gorge.
The most important thing to bring is commonsense. If you don't have that, stay home.
As a retired Army veteran I thoroughly enjoy moto-camping by myself after many, many years of Army "camping" with 50+ others sleeping under the stars with just my sleeping bag setup. It's calming and relaxing for me, but I tend to be a loner as well, love making new friends though.
I think how much you take and what is to much really depends on the ride and what you are riding. Taking a 1200GS on mostly paved roads with some easy gravel to a campground, you can carry a lot of stuff without the weight doing much. Riding a WR250 on tough trails, the weight really matters. You really have to evaluate it for what ride you are doing and packing what is appropriate.
I gave this comment a thumbs up, but I followed that logic in the other direction. I didn't want a big bike. I'm in my 60s and I wanted a light maneuverable bike. Actually, I've ridden nothing but small dual sport bikes since the mid 70s, so that was always my preference, but now I NEED a lightweight bike. I bought a G310GS for my 60th birthday and it's awesome. It's all I need for the ultralight camping that I prefer to do. Less is more.
I'm currently 60 years old and don't camp much anymore. However, some years back, my wife and I camped often in a 1978 VW Camper Bus we owned, just for camping. We did this for many years and had a lot of fun. Then, we decided to give motorcycle camping a try. Our first two attempts were at very active biker rallies. No sleep for two nights, too much activity, loud bands, party activities. Then we tried a more low-key adventure and stayed awake all night due to bad weather and froze. Looking back, both styles were really fun. You are right about packing as light as possible.
Regarding planning, I find useful to separate it in two parts: planning the ride and planning the camping. My biggest mistake in my first trip was overthinking the road part so much that when I arrived I had no plans on what to do so I kinda just hanged around.
In the ride plan we account for tools, maintenance, spare parts and where to get them, weather, road conditions, traffic, local laws, navigation, emergency plans, communication, etc. Basically sit dow and think of every bad thing that could happen and what to do about it.
In the camping plan it's basically what you said in this video. I might add hygiene items and procedures, food preservation, water storage/filtration... All depending on where you're planning to go but the same principle applies: imagine the worst an plan accordingly. Then don't forget as I did to check out what activities you can do in your destination to have fun. Every place has something unique, find it to make the trip memorable.
Helpful. Thanks.
Your’s is one of the more thoughtful posts.
Back in the 80s I probably got lucky first up by taking just enough of the right equipment for a comfortable stay over nights in Australia’s national parks (just off main roads). I camped using 1/ a big fat comfortable 750 cc 2/ a smallish 4 stroke 250 cc that was nowhere near as comfy but did the job. I always carried a small tent; sleeping bag; and two old ex-hessian army bag used as saddle bags. Took the usual fry pan, boy scout tin cookware, even a small spirit lamp, plus tiny gas stove. I had a back pack that rested on the folded up tent and the sleeping bag at the back of the bike, and a small carry bag that rested on the petrol tank. Some canned food and a water bottle, and some small tools, bits and pieces and it was all I needed.
Not enough attention gets paid to solo entertainments. In my carry bag, I had a radio 📻, a couple of handheld computer games, my wordmaster dictionary, a small portable chess set, a thin book of chess problems, a couple of novels, a mouth organ, and a deck of cards, etc. Never got bored, and people were generally friendly enough along the way to provide additional entertainment (of the sort you can talk about on YT).
I don’t think I could have squeezed much more on the motorbike but what I took covered the journeys quite well.
Another good video. I think everyone should have a check list. keeps you from forgetting something. I started using one when I went on one of my first group rides with camping overnight. I somehow forgot my sleeping bag. I was wondering why I had extra room. Once we got to camp it started raining and it rained hard all night. Seriously living in AZ it was the most rain I had ever seen for that long of period. The good part was it wasn't too cold. So I slept in my riding gear. I used my giant loop bag to keep my feet warm and made it through better than expected. Since that trip I have a checklist I use to avoid mistakes like that.
My solo camping realizations. Not mistakes but things I became aware of:
1- A tent won’t stay put in windy weather, so bring long tie downs in addition to what comes with your tent. A tent that lets plenty air flow through when erected without the rain fly.
2- A thick tarp to put your tent on, and a thick throw to put inside the tent. Don’t want to puncture your tent’s ground layer and you need some comfort padding in the tent.
3- A wide air mattress with a pump bag, and a soft pillow. Many of the air pillows are too stiff to sleep on. I feel camping mattresses are often narrow.
4- take a photo of your items after you stuff them in your luggage so you don’t have to guess what goes where.
My biggest mistake was using a single person tent. Motorcycling gear is bulky (helmet, jacket, pants, etc) there simply is not enough room to protect gear, keep it out of the elements, get dressed if it's pouring rain, etc. Adding a tarp would have been helpful but I won't do single man again.
I come from a backpacking background and have my gear for that pretty much dialed in. A 5 night trip will bring me just over 30 pounds with food and a couple of liters of water, all in my backpack and that includes camera equipment. I really look forward to ALL the extra space on a bike!
I watched a lot of motorcycle camping videos and make similar comments. You are the only other person I've seen make a similar motorcycle camping comment. I carry 35 pounds in a 66L roll top duffle bag on the pillion and rear rack, and probably ten pounds is motorcycle tools and related stuff.
All that ultralight backpacking background helps.
I'm about to get started with motorcycling camping. Do you use a hiking tent, tarp... something super light like that?
@@iosoi3145 My backpacking tent is a 2 person tent, under 3 pounds with poles, fly, ground sheet, stakes. Lightweight 2 person backpacking tents are generally around 3 pounds +/- and pack up quite small. IF I were buying a tent for MC Camping I would likely go for a 3 person backpacking tent, it would weigh a bit more but would give more room to put luggage.
All my gear for backpacking, including food and cooking equipment fits in a 50 liter backpack (and that includes my luxury item, a chair which straps on the pack). To go to Motorcycle camping I need to add tools and a larger first aid kit. Plus I'd add a bit more clothing and maybe cooking stuff (oh and a nice 4 liter water bag so I could easily camp in areas without water).
@@donmartin9567 Awesome. Thanks
My mistake is not doing it sooner in life.
Don’t take a one person tent! Upsize to a 3-4 person tent. Much more enjoyable especially if weather is bad.
I would say 2-3 person tent. Or it become to much, to heavy and big. Mountain tents are mostly 3 person tents. And camping or house tents are way to heavy. If you need more space, bring an extra tarp. Set it up like a roof with some sticks and/or cords/rope. Then you have a bigger space under a roof outside the tent. Even a place to park your bike under.
Solo camping at least get a 2 person tent so you have room for your gear when the weather is bad, if camping with your partner, get at least a 3 person tent.
Fun one! One mistake was mentioned by other commenters, but it bears multiple mentions. That is, arriving at a camp well before dark. It’s easy to push too long into the evening and then regret it later. A second mistake I’ve made is underestimating the amount of water needed for my ride AND supper AND an overnight stay AND breakfast in the morning. Water is critical and after messing that one up, I now pack along more than enough to make sure I get to enjoy the morning in camp before getting back out on the trail/road.
How much water do you suggest? 5l/24h? Even more?
@@jochenschrey2909 that’s a good question and it varies a little bit with heat. I generally keep between 5 and 7L per 24hr period. The upper end in summer heat and the lower end in the shoulder seasons when daily highs are net above something like 25 Celsius. This is an estimate of course, and may be adjusted if you’re planning to eat at restaurants or stay close to civilization. I ride solo in mostly remote areas of Colorado and Wyoming, so the options limited and taking care of yourself alone is imperative. I find that a Sawyer water filter can save the day if running low and you can find a stream suitable to filter. Cheers!
#8 bug spray!!!
A background in backpacking helps keep gear in check. However, I find it relates closer to canoe camping -especially on canoe trips involving a portage. You can pack more gear than backpacking but you don't want to take a whole lot more.
Nice comment. I use my gear for both moto and kayak
A hot meal or at least a hot drink is essential for your energy, mood and spirits in my opinion. Particularly in northern England where I'm from as it is very often cold and wet (take The Lake District for example)
All you need is some meat, a potato, a few carrots 🥕 tinfoil wrap it all up and throw it in the fire for about 45 minutes
Oh man, the weird campmate: My first moto camp I joined a buddy and his friend that were car camping. About 1 AM the friend gets too cold and gets into his car and starts it to run the heater. Then every 20 minutes, starts the car. For the rest of the night. And my tent is like 10 feet in front of the car, if the guy falls asleep and hits the shifter I'm toast. Plus the ground was very uneven, my old Thermarest did not cut it. And at first light, 4:30 AM, about a million birds started chirping and squawking.
I'll just call it a learning experience.
I've camped with a super-weirdo!! ;-) He drank all the beer and ate all of the sausages then complained about the abundance of firewood! hahaha j/k love ya man!
My first motocamping mistake was bringing way too many tools. We were going thousands of miles on the bikes through Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho. Yeah. I had waaaayyy too many tools. Great video man!
Sounds like you camped with my brother! A six-pack of beer means one for me, five for him. :)
I did a long ride some years back where we all rode the trusty KLR's. I owned a Motorcycle Repair & Mod Shop so somehow all the maintenance and tools we took somehow became my burden. I was ok with most of it, but the one guy who rode a smoking clapped out 650, that should have been left at home, became my challege to keep running. (For Free too!)
@@CurtisDrew1 After 2 repairs, I think I would have called for a tow- truck. Not much fun working, when you're supposed to be relaxing.
Suffering DEFINITELY enhances the experience. When everything goes right you rarely remember, it’s when things go wrong and there is suffering that you never forget. Those times you will never forget. Anyone can have easy/cheap fun. It’s when we face adversity that we REALLY have fun. Fun that we don’t forget.
I'd argue that suffering enhances the memory (and the storytelling potential), but not the actual experience itself. Small distinction, but an important one.
This is all good advice. I have been moto camping for over 30 years. I still struggle with taking too much "just in case" stuff, as noted here. I have come full circle on tent size and highly recommend a roomy tent. Inclement weather can force some extended tent time, and having your gear out on the bike is no fun,and neither is not being able to move around a bit. Also, if you are with someone else, having them in for some cards,coffee or just conversation while waiting out severe weather can make a disappointing day bearable. If I am hub camping in the same place for more than one night, I generally unload the bike so as to enjoy the days ride unladen and being able to stash all in the tent while still being able to use the tent keeps my gear out of sight and out of any weather . Sorting,repacking and prep for loading out while awaiting clearing weather can also be very convenient and a way to make for lost time.... Space and weight are very important. But trying to make space and lower weight by using a tiny tent is not the way to go about it.
The “cards, coffee and conversation” making downtime bearable due to rain bit etc, highlighted the need for planning for this. A pack of cards I considered a necessity, even if it were just for Solitaire. I bought either a chess set or Scrabble set, a couple of 80s handheld computer games that were light on batteries, some letter writing / drawing material and a windup transistor radio, etc. Friends used to laugh at all this but came to see the wisdom of it when ... you guessed it we were stranded due to mechanical breakdown, or floods, and / or other inconveniences.
We’re all different but I always found my 4 ft high 2-person tent sufficient for my needs. But then again, I was never trapped in it for more than a day, and merely used it mainly for storing luggage on one side, my sleeping bag on the other.
An ultralight tarp can give you some living room on a rainy day.
I was motorcycle camping before it was cool. 79 to 81 wife and I spent every weekend in the mountains on the bike. Suzuki GS1000. I miss those days.
Motels were real cheap then like 10 bucks...if one wanted a night in...
Actually as an older retired person my thoughts is at this point in life with my health is to revert back to using my AWD mini van as the camping machine and picking up a mini moto such as a grom or monkey, maybe even a modded ct70 or possibly something even up to a tw200 or xt250 type of bike for exploring on while in the area I am at.
My general location offers multiple state and National parks and campgrounds close to National Forest with service roads and parks which offer fishing opportunities as well as biking opportunities all within basically a few hours driving distance from home and some even much closer .
Not to mention these parks with the national park senior pass also offer 1/2 price rates to seniors on the campgrounds and also as being disabled I do not have to pay the entry fees for day entry of any of the parks or facilities.
Also nice being retired you can plan your trips away from holidays or weekends and take advantage of the Monday - Thursday slots when the facilities at many times during the year are basically almost deserted.
One time a few years back in the spring I stayed at one major state park with a lakeside camping spot on a major reservoir and from Monday until late Thursday afternoon I was the only occupant of the entire campground! which has 70 camping opportunities within the park.
Using my mini van I can just do an air mattress/sleeping in the back eliminating needing to set up a tent or really worrying about rain, I can bring a cooler for the ice and beverages, I have an easy up canopy and can just bring my regular camping bag chairs, camping stove and lanterns for comfort while in the campsite.
I already have a ceiling mounted fishing rod holder that holds 4 rods and the van was originally a conversion van which has the rear side windows which will slide open with a screen to offer a little air flow.
The bike I can transport on the rear of the van on a hitch carrier as I plan to definitely stay under about a maximum 300lb weight limit for the bike.
Although older and not quite at the point physically where I want to or am able to log in a lot of miles on a bike traveling anymore does not mean that camping, nature and motorcycles still do not hold importance, you just have to adjust exactly how you pull it off or keep your expectations to what you still can or cannot do realistic as you age.
Just like I know in my current state of health gnarley single tracks are definitely in my rear view mirror but a nice wooded 2 track fairly well maintained fire service road can still be immensely enjoyed at a much reduced pace from my younger years.
None of us are guaranteed tomorrow, enjoy what you can while you can.
Liked your post 😃. My motorbike camping days are gone, but YT videos like this are useful for people with small cars, as in what to take. I’m 5ft 9ins but I have slept quite comfortably in a small 4 door hatchback. It takes a bit of arranging, trial and error, and finding the smallest pump up airbed you can find, as in narrow. Cheap pump up cushions and pump up pillows take up little space when deflated but come in handy when needed. If you’re into stealth camping, curtains and an indoor sun reflector for the front windscreen, should just about make one invisible in a quiet side street late at night.
My first time moto camping I had no plan, my gear was untested, I packed too much, and I was far away from home. I had an absolute great time. I had good weather, my bag only got slightly burned from my exhaust, and i cooked myself some canned chicken soup. It was certainly a learning experience and I'm still rethinking how to pack everything and what is necessary to bring along. I will say that I don't know if I would have enjoyed camping with others, I suppose it would be nice to have someone to talk with, but I also just really liked being alone and meeting a few strangers along the way.
When you travel alone, you interact more with the people you meet, and the places you go. When you travel with others, strangers are less likely to interact with you because they don’t want to intrude. The trip becomes about the people you are traveling with. One is not necessarily better than the other, just a lot different.
I agree with camping alone. Nobody to have to upkeep a synergy with. Just time that I can completely zone out.
As for the canned soup, you'll figure out that items like that take up too much weight and space. Anytime you can omit water from what you haul, the better off you'll be. A Sawyer water filter is awesome, and just boiling water for use, is the next best thing.
@@ElementofKindness I don’t carry food at all. I prefer to buy it as I need it along the way. That being said, I don’t destination camp, I’m always travel camping, so I’m back on the road moving to a new location almost every day, and picking up supplies, or buy food at cafes is easy. It’s warmed up enough for me to get out of my northern US town, and I’m heading to Mexico this week, and I will most likely stay 2 - 3 days at a few of the costal towns on this trip. Being retired is great 🤣😎
@@clarson2916 That makes a lot of sense for long trips in populated areas. However, I always try to disconnect from society, going deep into the woods, where nothing but the sounds of nature to keep me company, so that option wouldn't be available to me.
It's cool how many ways "camping" can be done. As long as one doesn't end up injured or dead, pretty safe to say that there is no wrong way to do it!
@@ElementofKindness I’m with you on this. Café meals along the way are okay but even in populated areas I took one or two cans of my favourite food (ravioli or sausages & veg for supper, small packs of instant porridge etc for breakfast, etc) plus the obligatory coffee, and water. This stuff if packed properly doesn’t take up a ton of space.
Even a small 250 cc commuter bike or scooter will allow you to take an inordinate amount of equipment. The secret is not to take what you don’t need (i.e. a chair; TV set; bar fridge etc). I do recommend some thought to entertainment and always took my portable chessboard set and a slender volume of puzzles, plus a paperback and a windup transistor radio.
I have experience back packing and bicycle touring/camping, and that is extremely helpful. I’m 66 now and have congestive heart failure, so motorcycles work better for me these days. I would say the single most important thing to be aware of is the difference between camping as you are traveling, as apposed to traveling to a camping area and staying a few days while you explore, fish, or otherwise enjoy the area. When you camp as you are traveling, you want to approach camping like someone, for instance, hiking the Appalachian trail. Moving every day and eating on the trail, or on the road in our case, greatly changes your gear selection. You will often find that cooking equipment, coffee making equipment, fire building equipment, and possibly even a chair to sit on, are all unnecessary. The last thing you do at the end of the day might be stopping for dinner and fuel, and the first thing you do in the morning is to pack up and head for the nearest cafe or coffee shop. When I was traveling by bicycle I was always on the road at first light, because the, cool temps, quiet roads, and that first cup of coffee, after 10 or 20 miles of riding, were so enjoyable :)
Sir you sound right but I dare to disagree. On a first long trip with my girlfriend I spent more on roadside coffee than on gasoline. If I have the space and payload to make myself independent from tourism's vampires, why shouldn't I use them? I happily stop and brew instant coffee on my gas stove or carry my trusty steel thermos to get me through most of the day. Going out and eating out are fine, when they feel right, but shouldn't be necessarry, when you aren't in that mood.
@@jochenschrey2909 when I say I pick up food along the way, I often eat from grocery stores, but I never feel bad about leaving a little money in the small towns I pass through. Often times the folks running the little cafe need the money a lot more than I do. I do also enjoy the opportunity to interact with the local people, and other travelers. In addition, we all have different financial situations. To one person, stopping at a motel and dropping $150 for the night is no big deal. To another person, that would break the budget. We all have to be responsible, and make the financial part of this equation fit our personal situation.
@@jochenschrey2909 I guess I should mention, in case it’s not obvious, that you don’t need a stove to eat from grocery stores. Often times, people hiking the Appalachian trail carry no cooking equipment at all.
@@clarson2916 Replenishing groceries on the way makes sense. No stove on a bike? Sure, I can spend days or weeks on bread and caffeine pills but coffee and warm meals seem very desirable, at least during the vacation part of a trip.
@@jochenschrey2909 if you really want to avoid buying any prepared food, yeah you should carry a full set of cooking equipment.
When you live in a country like Australia ... everything you said went into the bin ... I'm a solo rider in the most inhospitable desert country ... key factors ... blow up mattress & pillow by mouth ... sleeping bag is determined by coldest expected temp ... small single person light hikers tent & ground sheet ... same with cooking utensils ... food is made up of tin food/rice/noodles/fruit/energy bars ... water/camelbak ... hygiene ... etc ... study fuel stocks & supplies & the ability to carry extra ... tools & kits are made up of spark plug/chain tension/fuel/filters/fuel hose/air filter socks/tyre levers/compressor & puncture kit/bulbs/electrical/cable ties/ etc etc ... medical ... thermal underwear ... head lamp & rechargeable batteries ... you get my drift ... essentials only ... Epirb is an absolute must & must always be worn on the body ... never ever not wear it on the body ... ever ...
Practice repairing punctures by hand at home over & over before leaving ...
You will never fix any major mechanical mishaps along the way ... so bike must be prepared prior to leaving from steering head bearings to wheel bearings to wiring routes so as not to rub thru ... tools are for maintenance/adjustments & anything coming loose ... tie in & route spare cables like clutch/throttle with ends taped up greased & sealed ...
When planning ... always start from the front of the bike & work your way to the back to identify any potential mishaps occurring & carry spares & tools to suit ...
Oils & coolants depend on bike ...
Any questions ... just sing out ...
Whenever camping I also bring a firearm, usually just a handgun, in my essentials list. Especially if solo camping eases a lot of anxiety at night from animal noises.
That and you’re in the middle of nowhere (or at least where I go) where 4 and 2 legged creatures that come up to your campsite may not have great intentions
Almost got eaten by bears along blue ridge Pkwy a few years ago
The two legged creatures worry me more than the four legged ones. I’m usually out where I generally shouldn’t see other people (at least not close), so if they get near my camp it’s probably not to be neighborly.
@@michiganmoto7687 agree there, I like to be totally out and away from everyone and just be my dog and l
@@barryackerman3331 damn, glad you’re ok and not post processed bear food
Big foot coming for your ass?
Me and my lady drilled setting up our tent as if it were raining so we wouldn't get the tent wet. Basically set up the poles into the rain fly so you have a shelter crawl under, lay down the footprint then clip your tent up under the fly. This may be more hard-core than most campers though. We ride and camp year-round no matter the weather.
Best Western sounds like my campground!
Nice video, but I prefer a hotel. After 400 miles of riding in a day, last thing I want to do is set up a tent ,and look for fire wood.
I guess I'm just not a camping person.
Ride safe , Mr. Dork.
I used to be the same way. Have done loads of moto travels every year, but with Covid. I started to camp. It adds to the trip! Big fan! But if there’s heavy rain, air bnb or hotel it is!
If your doing 400 miles in a day your all highway miles not riding ADV off road. Completely different style and purpose.
@@sarahdell4042 I agree Sarah! My body is getting way to creaky in bad weather.
@@markust8904 I just hate setting up, and tearing down in the pouring rain. If it’s a short trip, not really a concern but on a longer one. I’ll pass
I have spent over 40 years motorcycle camping, in the US and in more country`s that I can`t even remember anymore. My last trip out of the US was in 2003 to 2005 traveling all over Aisa and the middle East. 99% of the time I`m by myself. I actually don`t like to travel with other people other than having a nice chat with other people. Most of the times I have traveled with other people I have ended up saving their ass because of their stupidity and at that point the fun is gone. I probably travel with more then I need but who cares, and I want to be comfortable. I take food but lots of time I fish or trap my dinner hear in the US. About planning well, I don`t except the destination, say I want to check out Az. back country I kind of look at the area I want to see, and I just head out, I also live in Portland, Oregon and every year I typically do a 2 -to 4-thousand -mile ride ...alone. this year 2022 I`m heading to South Dacota bad lands, Yellowstone then bounce around the Canada border on my way back. I have no reservations except for Yellowstone and that`s only for two nights, I wing it and that works for me. I will not go into Canada because I carry a handgun for bear protection and? I camp, ride in any weather I don`t care. I`m prepared for all climates. I actually like seeing new riders/ campers who bring the lattice junk out on the road and watch them fail miserably its entertaining... happy trails.
lol. yep pretty much the same.
Don't bring recharchable headlamps(a must for hands free vision) & flashlights, battery operated with the same batteries with a few extra batteries(aaa rules in weight & compactness). Would take a Gerber Gator Junior over an axe any day of the week, chops & saws, & a good weapon against critters that go bump in the night. Zippos & a small bottle of lighter fluid can get a fire going in wind &, or, wet. Contractor bags are handy dandy & a must, as is electrical tape & at least two emergency blankets.
I'm smokejumper and bike rider. Pack whatever you need first in the top of your pack eg tarp, torch flint.. The 7P's are proper preparation planning prevents piss poor performance. Thank you for your video
Bike camping: bedroll poncho whiskey cigars some rations wash kit med kit tool kit spare fuel rain gear. DONE.
KSU let's ride.
Wow! Motorcycling, camping & cigar smoking - definetly needs to subscribe 😁 Greets from Poland!
Biggest mistake I ever made motorcycle camping, taking the wrong bike. Dude. You do not want to be fighting a bike from the 80s on the trail. For 1, the on board equipment is archaic and simple. That's fine on the road you can compensate, but a drum brake in the dirt is a nightmare. Then once I was out there, good and stuck in the woods, it took me 2 hours to get this thing moving how I wanted through the bush. Didn't think to get more aggressive tires for the trip because it's just a little trail not a single track. My mistake. 10 minutes of rain changed the entire dynamic of the day. My advice would be: if you're only halfway in and it's going miserably trying to get there, turn back. It's ok to bail out and try again later. If not you might spend 2 hours going half a mile an hour through slippery thin mud, tree roots, and facing mechanical problems.
Tips 1 and 2, and at least partly 3 boil down to:
don’t take what you might need, take what you can’t do without.
But a little ingenuity goes a long way. All those little things I need like prescription meds, pain killers, sewing kits etc, I pack into a mess tin, in slightly larger quantities than I think I’ll need for the trip. That’s better than taking whole boxes of things. I take a torch to hang up in the tent, another one to carry around; they back up each other.
4 Yep.
5, 6, and 7 don’t apply to the camping I do, because it’s either with 100 to 1,000 other bikers at a rally, or I’m on an organised camp site.
One good tip is not to park your bike too close to your tent. If it goes over in the night you don’t want a wrecked tent as well, or to wake up with the bike on top of you.
I'm going by myself because I'm running into too many weirdos in my groups. They ALL seem NORMAL until I am ALONE with them and there's no other women who I know that ride. So I'm just fed up....I just want a good friend I can trust. I just want to go around, do art and hide in my tent with my art supplies, I'm only doing day trip... but they all want to share this tent with me it seems lol
Make sure you don’t use softwood logs and sticks (pine trees) for cooking, too much unhealthy resins. Use hardwood (leafy tree) wood and sticks for food.
Subscribed... we riding buddies now! lol
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Great video and explanation. Made most of those mistakes myself, and still have some front panniers to prove that I can over pack with the best of them.
Always bring a good knife. A mora kinfe is a great choice. Flip flops. Getting up at night to piss sucks having to put on boots. Oil for the bike, a wash cloth and soap. Camping for a few days creates swamp ass and that sucks. First aid kit, headlamp and fresh batteries, a beanie and a boonie hat for sun, off, sunblock. A small tarp. Hiking gear crosses over nicely
If you don’t know who the “super weirdo” in your group is? Then it’s probably YOU lmao 🤣
Reminds me of a time 35 years ago on my first moto camping trip with my older cousin, one tent thin camping mat and two tins of bakes beans, the king sizes tins, no stove and only one spoon...and no can opener, we had to use a camping knife to open the tins....what a night lots of farting and laughs, 35 years on things have improved a bit. I moto-camp now and pack the same gear as I would for an overnighter of a 10 day trip as it is good to see how the components of the bike and gear hold up. Water is so hard to pack and heavy, MSR dormitory bags are good and can easily go in the bottom of you soft saddle bags.
Get yourself a small and lightweight camping chair. It’s much more convenient to sit on a chair than on the ground.
I treat it just like when we would go to the field in the army. One ruck sack full of stuff, anything more is a waste.
Only bringing a flask and thinking I’ll share my bottle with you squids.
Excellent video! The freedom one can experience on a long moto-camping trip is truly amazing! Along with the essentials I usually bring along a collapsible fishing rod, small tackle box, and a gold pan! For me, weight is more important if I'm doing more back-country riding, but less important if I'm sticking to paved or gravel roads. Like most things, the more you do it, the better you'll become, and you'll develop your own little tricks. Keep making great videos!
Five mistakes people who have never been outside of their house make.
Another thing is to be sure your bags don't block the brake lights, turn signals or license plate.
You gotta leave room for booze and a can of beans and weenies that you pick up in the last town before camp
One major mistake many people make is not bringing enough water! To cook with, drink, wash dishes, brush your teeth, and even wash yourself…
ive been camping/ tramping for over 45 years by myself with the exception of last year where i took my 15 year old 85# pitbull Izzi with me and circumnavigated the U.S so two things we are vegan. finding food on the road is harder than you might think. so i make meals, dehydrate them ( about a months worth) its 12# and we always have food. anther thing about eating/ cooking at your camp sight isn't the smartest thing. we spend a good amount of time in big bear country. the dehydrated meals are in shrink wrap and in two zip lock bags. the other tools i didnt hear you mention was i carry an axe, saw, bear spray .44 mag.if your ridding long days ( we've done plenty of 12 hour days) sun screan. water!! as much as you can carry. ive been in places if you dont have that and you break down you might die in a day or two. if your like me your camp is your home so make it as comfortable as possible. i have a 35 year old Eureka timberligh that is just the best tent ever built. a two expeds two sleeping bags a super light one 40° and a heavy one 10° we've camped in as low as 15° and as high is 110°. take enough tools to tighten up rattley stuff. good video bud.
Mistake: When you not bringing enough boze...
If youve never camped with a weirdo - its cuz youre the weirdo 😂😂🤪
First time seeing your channel (RUclips suggested this video). Great presentation style, clean audio, sharp video, nice background. Good stuff man 👌
Not investing in the best gear for comfort at camp. Don't cheap out on the bed/ sleep system. A warm soft comfortable bed like at home makes camping that much better. I need a soft bed to sleep good. And a tent tall enough to stand up in to dress in. A good night sleep makes all the difference in how fast you'll be wanting to go camping again. Lol So, the best biggest tent you can buy and the best sleep system you can buy. Beyond that it can be got at Wal Mart. Lol
If you don't use it for 2 trips then it is "just in case" the only must have is dude wipes.
I dont have any friends that ride, nor do i want any really, im a loner dottie, a rebel. Its so much better to camp with someone else, most of the time, but its nice to be able to get your primal side out alone in the woods and be weird without a witness.
Ive had the joy of classic campground camping as a kid and as an altenative to a hotel during a cross country road trip. Had to do urban/stealth camping for survival/fun while homeless and while trainhopping around the eastern us. Ive done ultra light bicycle trip camping and a litte moto camping. And a lot of squatting. Ive camped everywhere man, and in places you wouldnt dare.
Go minimal. You really dont need anything more that the 4, 1Shelter, 2fire, 3water, 4food, except 5tools.
1-Tarp, paracord, hammock, hammock bug net and straps, sleeping bag and a sleeping pad in the hammock for bottom insulation. Bigger tarp will cover bike and make tent if needed. Keep bike next to you for a shelf for boots.
2- fire starter kit. MAKE A PROPER FIRE PIT!As simple as a lighter and good multitool and some toilet paper and dry wood, almost never fails. Dont burn pine unless it the only thing. PUT YOUR FIRE COMPLETELY OUT!
3- Water, always bring 2 or more liters for a single night, just to drink. Additional water to cook if not near stream. Over hydrate before the trip and during the ride if possible. Buy a Sawyer water filter kit for $25. Or bring a pot to boil water. Dont wanna have the squirts on the ride back.
4- food. Bring it, because you wont find it or catch it when you NEED it. Cook if you wanna, but buy food from the closest store to the campsite and be prepped for loading it somewhere on the bike before. You dont need instagram camping steaks, but they are the best steaks.
5- bike tool kit. Camp tools you can carry. Whatever you want. If you cant load everything you need into and on a hiking back pack , you dont need it. If you cant lift that bag, its too much. 30-40lbs is more than enough gear for one night.
Bonus- Dont sleep under big branches. Boil water. Be quiet when riding in. If you can play a mandolin or ukelelele, it may be worth it. Learn a long story to tell. The north star is useful to locate after setting up camp. Take the big dipper star at the pouring tip and the one below it, 6x that distance when followed from bottom star past pouring tip star, will give you the north star.
Also, i never and have never looked at replies or replied to comments, so hope this adds something.
Great tips... you just saved us watching and reading all the other bla..😂
Biggest mistake for me is not picking a destination camp spot by noonish to be In a couple hours before dark
Something to sit on other than your bike is important - a fold up stool is better than sitting on the ground.
Dont put your tent up in the dark, and find out the next morning it was in a pet area!
When riding with a buddy, set up camp and then go buy a 12 pack of beer and a bag of ice. Take 6 cans out and fill the remainder of the box with half bag of ice. Put the 6 beers taken out into the remaining half bag of ice. I've got mine for the night, He's got his.
A good trick is to use a T-shirt, towel and get it wet. Just rap it around the beer. It will take out all the heat from the beer, when it dry up. And the beer gets cold. The same with only water, in a bucket or other things that hold water, or a stream/river/lake. The last 3, you have to moor them in a way. They really want to go swimming. A net bag is a nice easy thing to use. Fishing stores should have them.
100% agree.
If we've never camped with that one weird guy, maybe we are the one weird guy...
Another mistake. I find myself taking people on trips that are new to motorcycle camping. Perhaps that is my mistake, but I like to have company and share knowledge. What I find annoying is when they need help with a lot of things. From setting up their tent to using their stove. They bring a quart of water and no filter.
I guess I haven't learned to prepare people for the trip. Then I get annoyed with both myself and them. I like the company but not the hand holding.
I was camping in NZ mountains one time with a buddy.. he had a meltdown.. ruined my trip, had to cut short. Pick your travel mate carefully.. and a (catestrof) plan..
If you need to get to a campsite early enough to prep a dinner and cook it ... that is time you're not riding.
If you need to get to a campsite early enough to scrounge around looking for firewood ... that is time you're not riding.
If you're riding by 9am and at 2pm you're thinking 'we need to find a place soon enough so I can cook my dinner and look for firewood' that is a big time constraint. There are dozens of tasty choices that require no cooking. Save the space cooking gear requires.
Some people ride to go camping and others camp so they can ride farther. Both are valid options.
Pack a good book to read. Something you really WANT to dive into. I love reading at the campsite by the fire.
Good for you !! Too many people forget about the entertainment side of traveling and camping. I always took 2 books - one I hadn’t read and an old favourite I just loved reading again and again (Robertson Crusoe). I also took a small portable chess set and some chess puzzles. A pack of cards for solitaire and a few other things to play with. A good but cheap portable radio that is light on batteries was good, too. The thing was portability.
If you’re ever trapped somewhere while traveling you’ll be glad you have packed these things ... especially if others around you are bored because they didn’t have the foresight to do likewise.
Subscribed for the KLR650 content. Stayed for the Moto-camping content👍
everything's a learning curve. these days I hit the road in 3rd world countries for couple of weeks with less than 20kg baggage in total.
facing the bike for an easy exit, a fully loaded bike is heavy to start doing 8 point turns !
Yup no matter what or how you are camping cooking on a fire for dinner is a must for me. 👍
I bring too much stuff every time I travel!
He who dies with the most stuff wins. This is all alien to me 😏
Don't camp next to a golf course.
The sprinklers can come on at 5 AM and that just a wake up call you don't need.
We passed up too many places on our ride to The Road to the Sun from Nor-Cal about 15 years ago.
So, this was an unplanned camping experience. Found a rest area or restrooms, I dunno, it was dark and kinda cold on that Montana morning. Slept in our AeroStitch Roadcrafters next to the bike, until those damn sprinklers chased us into the restroom.
Fantastic advice! I'm an (inspiring) moto camper on an HD Ultra Limited with my wife and a buddy of mine (Road Glide). We're going to start next riding season so we're prepping now and taking as much advice as possible. Thanks for sharing!
@@agentinsidious2090 aspiring?
Another great video. Appreciate your candor and experience :-) must take items (in addition to your shown/discussed) for me include trail mix, a good knife, nylon rope, and a tarp. I go cheap on sleeping pad...a dollar store pool floatie/raft is great under sleeping bag.
The floatie madras is not insulated. So if it gets cold, you frizze all night. Then you need a pad to have under/over the floatie…
Been using floaties since the 90s backpacking. Use the bike now. I got fkg old.
This is how all videos should be made, tldr list in the description and cool nostalgic nes effects😁
Baby wipes
This is great. First time I went motocamping was at a campground solo past fall creek Oregon. Didn't bring firewood and surprise camp post showed up and offered to sell me some and deliver it:). You gotta have a camp fire when camping and you can't forget your spirits and cigars. It was a great experience. Dig your content dude. Thanks for sharing
Just went on a 4 day bow hunting trip w tags in AZ.... made split second decision NOT to bring spirts and cigars as we thought we'd be backpacking in and out...vs. car supported. NEVER AGAIN will skip those 2 items!
too much/not enough. I feel like one will never "get it right" after 15 years. best thing you can do is coordinate with your buddies!
🏍️💨
Thanks for the video!
beer is too bulky. only bring spirits, which can also be used to start a fire in the rain.
And can put spirits or wine in a plastic coke bottle to save weight. (we do this when hiking)..
My mistake was after the trip. Clean and prep your gear, mildew sucks. Also take notes while it's all still fresh. Camping is awesome spur of the moment, be ready to ride.
Especially when coming from car-camping first make yourself familiar with backpacking stuff! This will be inspiring enough to know what’s essential, what’s possible and then to decide for those additional „luxury“ items you are able to bring along on your bike. After all carrying less weight (and not the maximum possible) will result in having much more fun on your bike when handling wouldn’t be that demanding 😉
Is it preschool failure ? ...."Dork IN THE Road" ?! WAF is it ? Or, might ,should be " Dork ON THE Road" ?
Puns aren't really your strong suit, eh?
@@DorkintheRoad I don't think so....that misunderstanding it is particular addressed to my person. We can have a conversation about English grammar,but you are from USA...and that mean one long and hopeless discussion.