Motorcycle Camping gear

[PistonBlown]

Agree with the comments so far on tent size, getting better quality equipment etc.

For the sleeping mat I have a 'self inflating' one. With this you just open a valve and leave it while you get on with other stuff and then close the value up once its expanded. its goes from 1/6" to 1" in thickness and its surprisingly comfortable. You can blow in a bit more air if required but normally don't need to. When its time to pack-up you just open the value and roll it up carefully, letting the air push out through the value. These a couple of advantages. firstly they pack up nice and small. But more importantly they contain a honeycomb foam that expands when the air is let in they have very good insulation factor as you don't have air moving under you - I've camped out in -15C (5F) at the Brass Monkey Rally with one of these and its worked well. The make I've got is Katmandu but I imagine there's similar in the US.

I also carry a small, very heavy duty tarp. Its called a Matador Surface (https://matadorup.com/products/matador-surface). This is something my wife got for me, I would never have thought of it myself, and its been invaluable. Just chuck it down and you've got a dry place to sit, cook, etc. regardless of how wet/muddy/snowy the ground is. The pocket on it is also more useful than you'd think it will be.

On the stove side I personally like my old Optimus Nova as it packs up small and uses very little petrol (can run petrol, lamp oil etc). However that sort of stove is a bit fiddly to use so I can understand why the Jet ones have become popular recently.

I carry the tarp and the stove (plus water, coffee and soup) with me all the time, even if I'm not planning to camp. So in some middle of no where place with a fantastic view I can stop a while in comfort to enjoy it.

[ARtraveler]

Agree with the comments so far on tent size, getting better quality equipment etc.

For the sleeping mat I have a 'self inflating' one. With this you just open a valve and leave it while you get on with other stuff and then close the value up once its expanded. its goes from 1/6" to 1" in thickness and its surprisingly comfortable. You can blow in a bit more air if required but normally don't need to. When its time to pack-up you just open the value and roll it up carefully, letting the air push out through the value. These a couple of advantages. firstly they pack up nice and small. But more importantly they contain a honeycomb foam that expands when the air is let in they have very good insulation factor as you don't have air moving under you - I've camped out in -15C (5F) at the Brass Monkey Rally with one of these and its worked well. The make I've got is Katmandu but I imagine there's similar in the US.

I also carry a small, very heavy duty tarp. Its called a Matador Surface (https://matadorup.com/products/matador-surface). This is something my wife got for me, I would never have thought of it myself, and its been invaluable. Just chuck it down and you've got a dry place to sit, cook, etc. regardless of how wet/muddy/snowy the ground is. The pocket on it is also more useful than you'd think it will be.

On the stove side I personally like my old Optimus Nova as it packs up small and uses very little petrol to use (can run petrol, lamp oil etc). However that sort of stove is a bit fiddly to use so I can understand why the Jet ones have become popular recently.

I carry the tarp and the stove (plus water, coffee and soup) with me all the time, even if I'm not planning to camp. So in some middle of no where place with a fantastic view I can stop a while in comfort to enjoy it.

Bingo, bingo on the tarp(s). One for a ground cloth (under the tent) and one to put over the main area in case of rain. Makes a big difference for comfort. About 10 pieces of 12 ft rope for the overhead tarp. I used to call it "tarpology." I got to where I could hang a functional tarp most anyplace.

[asp125]

Last moto-camping trip, I had the following: Jet-Boil stove, MSR fuel bottles, a set of lightweight nesting pot/skillet/spork, goose down sleeping bag, Big Agnes self inflating sleeping pad, 3 person tent with rain fly (for 2 riders and their gear), groundcloth, fire starters, Petzl LED head lamps. I cannot recommend that last item enough - great for when your ride goes long and you're setting up camp in fading light. What we couldn't pack in the frunk we stuffed into a waterproof rafting dry bag; perfect for keeping rain out. Oh yeah.. stuff sacks.. lots of stuff sacks for compressing clothes etc. Also a pair of flip flops are great for after ride around camp.

[canamjhb]

Just make sure you REALLY want to camp. I carried camping stuff on my annual solo motorcycle trips for 10 years before retirement. Got to know a lot of motels along the way. Ended up giving the camping geer away..... unused after 10 years of packing it around. Come to think of it, I might still have my new sleeping bag......somewhere.....

[gerald37]

When traveling alone on any motorcycle I would rather camp than stay in any motel. Years ago when my wife went with me she did not like to camp we always stay in motels. She stopped riding in 2004 and I have been camping every since. I usually go to El Paso, Texas every September and that is about the only time I stay in a motel. I usually ride about 700 miles a day when I go their so I don't feel like setting up a tent. I am always alone and you meet a lot of friendly people in camp grounds. I go to Sturgis every year and it is hard to find motels their. I have a three man tent, air mattress and good sleeping bag and that is all I need. This all fits in one small pack that fasten on the passenger seat. I eat out so I don't need a stove and coffee pot. At Sturgis I will stay in one camp ground for two or three nights but other wise I stay one night and move on. It takes less than a half hour to set up or tear down.

[2dogs]

One of the most important items to take along on a motorcycle camping trip is a fully loaded Visa card.

[MR. H1956]

One of the most important items to take along on a motorcycle camping trip is a fully loaded Visa card.

I agree. There is a lot to be said for a good nites sleep in a cheap motel with a hot shower and a cafe next door. My old bones and health issues don't like sleeping on the ground anymore. So a visa card is nice to have.

[Haze]

Join us for all the info the you seek about camping and gear.
My Spyder is a 2013 STS. I carry my gear and chair in Dry bag tied across the Pillion seat

http://motocampers.com/

I have a 4 man tent and sleeping bag from Cabella's.
Wide sizze Go-Kot to keep off the ground.
Carry a chair from Walmart. It fits in the tent for use on rainy days.
Have a light weight 10x10 tarp to pitch for cover over the tent an eating area.
Also carry LED lights and assorted cooking gear + an alcohol stove.
Last but not least is a battery to power my CPAP. CPAP is carried in a case on the sport rack.
My gear has evolved to become a very useful and comfortable kit.
Decent gear doesn't have to cost a fortune.

[PistonBlown]

... I eat out so I don't need a stove and coffee pot...

What no Bacon Sarnies with HP sauce cooked on a camp stove?! The main reason I camp so I have an excuse to eat those for breakfast:-)

[CarolinaSpyderRyder]

I have a Eureka solitaire 1 Person backpacking tent. I fits right in the frunk of my RSS. It is easy to set up. It stands up very well to the weather.

[Bob Denman]

What no Bacon Sarnies with HP sauce cooked on a camp stove?! The main reason I camp so I have an excuse to eat those for breakfast:-)

Damn... that sounds almost too good to be true...