Use this as a baseline to get started. Add or remove items to suit. Once you’ve camped a few times, add your location on the bike for each item to the list, as putting items in the same location consistently will help you find things and set up camp. For instance, “TENT – left pannier.”
Read “Getting Started on Your First Motorcycle Camping Tour”
RIDING SUIT
HELMET
HELMET LINER (Winter)
BLUETOOTH HEADSET (Optional for use with your phone and other riders)
JACKET & PANTS (WITH WATERPROOF LINER OR RAIN SUIT IF REQUIRED)
HEATED JACKET & CONTROLLER (Winter)
COOL VEST (Summer)
GLOVES – SHORT (Warmer days and Summer)
GLOVES – LONG
GLOVES – HEATED (WINTER)
BOOTS
SOCKS (High for use with boots)
PHONE & WALLET
EAR PLUGS
SPARE DOCUMENTS
SPARE KEY
TISSUES
WALLET / PHONE
NECK GAITER
HYDRATON PACK
SUNGLASSES AND/OR READING GLASSES
WHISTLE, MIRROR, EYE DROPS, MATCHES (kept in jacket)
CLOTHING
LOW SOCKS
CAMP SHOES / SANDALS
UNDERWEAR
T-SHIRTS
LONG SLEEVE CAMPING SHIRT
CONVERTIBLE PANTS /SHORTS
LIGHTWEIGHT RAIN PARKA (for walking around; depends on riding jacket / rain suit)
CAMP HAT
BATHING SUIT (SUMMER)
WOOL BEANIE
QUILTED NYLON JACKET
GLOVES (REGULAR) (FALL THROUGH SPRING)
SHOWER FLIP-FLOPS
CAMPING EQUIPMENT
SLEEPING BAG
SLEEPING BAG LINER / BLANKET (SEASON AND ELEVATION)
INFLATABLE MATTRESS (optional with cot, but insulates when used with cot)
COT (luxury item if you have room)
CAMP PILLOW (alternate is a small pillow case stuffed with down jacket, clothing)
TENT WITH SPARE STAKES
GROUND CLOTH
FOLDING CHAIR (mot mandatory, but nearly so)
FLASHLIGHT, SMALL LED LANTERN, & HEADLAMP
STOVE AND FUEL
MESS KIT AND UTENSILS
CAN OPENER & BOTTLE OPENER
CUTTING BOARD
FOOD / COFFEE /TEA / SPICES
HAND / FOOT WARMERS (air activated chemical packs)
COMPASS AND MAPS
FOLDING SAW & HATCHET (For gathering firewood and pounding tent stakes – optional)
SHOVEL (Small)
CLOTHESLINE (optional high strength and a pulley or two for recovery)
DUST PAN
LIGHTER & MATCHES
FIRE STARTER BLOCKS (or Fritos)
EXTRA ROK STRAPS (for picking up firewood or food close to camp)
PERSONAL
SPARE DOCUMENTS (SECOND SET)
TOILETRIES KIT (TOOTHBRUSH / FLOSS / COMB / SOAP/ NAIL CLIPPER / NAIL FILE)
LAUNDRY DETERGENT AND SINK STOPPER
CAMP TOWEL
TISSUES / TOILET PAPER
PREMOISTENED TOWELLETTS
ASPRIN / IBUPROFEN
PRESCRIPTION MEDS (if any)
FIRST AID KIT
SUNSCREEN
INSECT REPELLENT & MOSQUITO NETTING
MOTORCYCLE
TOOL KIT (VARIES BY BIKE- be sure to include a good knife and multi-tool such as a Leatherman)
SPARE TUBES OR PATCH/PLUG KIT
AIR COMPRESSOR OR CO2 CARTRIDGES
MICROFIBER CLOTH
SPARE BULBS / FUSES
JUMPER CABLES
SIPHON TUBE
TIRE CHANGING CLOTH
ELECTRONICS
SPOT OR INREACH for emergency SOS (with two-way texting ability is desirable)
SPARE BATTERIES AND/OR SOLAR CHARGER FOR ALL LIGHTS AND ELECTRONICS
CAMERA WITH SPARE MEMORY CARDS
POCKET TRIPOD
GPS
PHONE AND CAMERA CHARGING CABLES
USB CHARGER COMPATIBLE WITH YOUR BIKE’S ACCESSORY PLUG
120 VOLT USB AND CAMERA CHARGERS
Read “Getting Started on Your First Motorcycle Camping Tour”
Hello,
I enjoyed the article about getting started on your first bike tour and camping trip. I have a new Yamaha FJ-9 (900) and want to go on a trip like that one day, to the Smokies, etc. But where did you camp on your trips? I mean is there some list somewhere of designated camping spots? Or did you just find a likely spot, park your bike, and set up camp? But aren’t places like that on private property, etc.?
Thanks
Dave
Depending on WHERE you are going camping, (trees or no trees) a hammock is a fantastic alternative to a tent! You are then suspended above the ground, rain water, rocks, roots, wild critters, etc. etc. You will need a good rain fly and bug net, but so does a tent. Hammocks are far more comfortable and compress down to almost the size of a large beer mug or smaller! There is a lot of great hammock info online if you want to check it out! Because there’s little or no “footprint” with a hammock it’s easier to find spots to camp. You can literally sleep over a rock pile or stump!
Problem w/ a hammock is you cannot change clothes in it, put any gear in it or attend to anything personal. Sorry, have seen them, poor idea in my opinion for this kind of trip.
Hi TK, if you have a tarp over the hammock there is plenty of dry storage and it’s easier to get changed when standing than in a tiny tent. Just my thoughts regards, PH
I’ve comfortably traveled and camped with a hammock across the country and back. Mine has room for storage and I’m able to change into and out of presentable clothes just fine. It’s great for saving space and can even be set up on the ground in a pinch. Don’t knock it til you try it. 🙂
The one additional item I would add and always carry is the manual for my motorcycle. Especially on a long trip, it’s very handy when you have a problem with your bike and you’re tired after a long day.
i second the suggestion of a hammock for adventure touring and camping. I have a Hennessy Hammock, with integrated rain fly and bug netting. It packs very small, has no poles, needs no sleeping pad, and doesn’t even require trees. I have very nice tents, but these advantages are huge for the hammock. You can store a small amount of gear in it and also change clothes, if necessary.
I just had my first hammock camping experience in the spring, not bad, going again in a few weeks. Takes a little getting used to, I like it so far. The fly can be set up to give privacy and you’ve got a place to sit when putting on your boots. My hammock has a shelf for small items which is great. The mosquito netting is built in.
There is an app out called The Dyrt. It will help you find every camp site in the United States.
I’d add some sort of water purification capability. Steripen, tablets, filters etc