Basic Motorcycle Camping List
- Tent
- Ground cloth
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
- LED headlamp, flashlight(s)
- Maps
- Water
- Non-perishable food
- Motorcycle Safety Reference Card
It's amazing how far you can go and what you can do with just those items listed above (and some riders would forego the food and only grab some eats on the run). However, most camping motorcycle riders may not be inclined to travel that lightly. So...what follows is an expanded list for the rest of us. And it probably can't be emphasized too much that all items should be as small as possible. And whatever you bring needs to be compactible and/or sturdy enough to survive the adventures of motorcycle travel. Many of these items can be stored in Ziploc bags which will protect them from the elements and keep them readily identifiable which makes them easy to grab.
Safety/Utility
- First Aid kit
- Water containers
- Toothpaste/brush
- Hand sanitizer (or soap)
- Thermometer
- Compass
- Knife
- Cord
- Hatchet
- Sunscreen
- Bug repellant
- Shovel
- Extra Ziploc bags
- Small trash bags
- Camera, batteries and extra media cards
Clothes
- Underwear
- Socks
- Shorts
- Shirts
- Pants
- Light jacket
- Bathing suit
- Hat
- Sandals
- Towel
- Rain gear
The quantity of a camping rider's stored clothing is highly personalized. Depending upon the extend of the trip, and the season, some motorcycle riders may bring very, very little in the way of extra clothes. Other's may bring more than what might seem necessary. Such choices are simply weighed against your storage capacity, and relative to the other camping items you will be carrying. Of course, if you are riding, camping and carrying gear for two persons on your bike, then you would likely be even more selective about what you will fit into your available storage space.
Cooking
- Waterproof matches
- Stove/Fuel
- Cooking kit
- Cooking utensils
- Eating utensils
- Can opener
- Cleaning supplies
Some bikers love to cook and bring along mini-kitchens. Some riders don't cook at all, and do not bring any cooking gear, choosing instead to eat on the road, eat prepared foods, or non-perishables, and/or eat groceries that do not require fire, pots and pans. What's your style?
Basic Eating
- Water
- Food bars
- Nuts
- Coffee/tea
- Dehydrated items
- Pita bread (or any food that can be readily stuffed into motorcycle bags)
This much abbreviated "Basic Eating" list only focuses on a small portion of the practical, non-perishable food items that are useful for a motorcycle camping rider. These noted items do not need to be cooked! Of course any perishable food items that you prefer are limited only by your cooling and cooking capacity. Heck, we went motorcycle camping one year in Southern California with an entire Thanksgiving meal, including all the trimmings! (Everything was pre-cooked at home and we only brought along enough turkey for the weekend). Even a small cooler can considerably expand your dining choices while picking up ice and groceries on the road.
Motorcycle Gear
- Helmet
- Sunglasses
- Motorcycle jacket
- Motorcycle pants
- Motorcycle boots
- Motorcycle gloves
- Ear plugs
- Motorcycle kidney belt (really makes long-distance riding more comfortable)
- Rain Gear
- Tire pressure gauge
- Tire repair kit
- Pump or CO2 cartridges for tire inflation
- Tool kit
- Chain lube (No need for shaft- or belt-drive bikes)
- Duct tape
- Cell phone and charger (I will plug a charger in at a restaurant while traveling on the road)
Basics
Motorcycle Safety
And of course, no matter whether you are motorcycle camping across town, the state, the country, or the world, more riding enjoyment is a result of more rider safety awareness. If you haven't already taken advantage of your "Motorcycles Only" reference card of "Motorcycle Safety Tips", order it now and it will be mailed to you within 1 business day.
Keep the card with you on your motorcycle camping adventures so that you can read it and use it!