Are you a rider trying to take your love for adventure motorcycling to the next level? Or a novice looking to go on their first overnight trip? Then this article is for you! Adventure motorcycle camping is a great way to explore, combining the thrill of the open road with the beauty of the backcountry. Whether you’re navigating winding roads and dirt trails or camping off of your motorcycle, this guide will equip you with everything you need to embark on your next adventure ride.

Why Adventure Motorcycle Camping?

Adventure (ADV) motorcycle camping offers an exciting experience for those who crave exploration. Here’s 3 of the many reasons you should hit the road:

1. Exploration: Adv bikes are built for versatility, allowing you to ride everything from Interstates, to mild Singletrack.
2. Simplicity: Camping from your bike is not too different than backpacking, carrying minimal gear. Which in turn lets you connect more intimately with nature.
3. Community: Join a booming community of Adv riders who share your passion for exploration and motorcycles. With tons of in person events and a large online community, it's really easy to meet like minded people to share your adventures with.

Essential Gear for Adventure Motorcycle Camping

When planning your adventure motorcycle camping trip, packing the right gear is essential. Here’s your must-have checklist:

1. Tent

As mentioned before, camping gear for adventure riding can be very similar to lightweight backpacking gear. Light weight, high quality tents, that are capable of withstanding adverse weather conditions are preferred. 1-2 person tents are a perfect size as they are often quite packable and lightweight. Packability is a huge factor when it comes to packing your motorcycle. Tents often take up a lot of space which is scarce while camping off of a motorcycle. In the warmer months, a tent with good ventilation is very important for keeping your shelter cool at night. Look for a shelter with a mesh insert or large screen doors to allow airflow while keeping bugs and other unwanted guests out. In the cooler months when the bugs subside, looking for a 4 season shelter which offers more draft protection is recommended to keep you warm at night and in undesirable weather. At Seek outside we offer many shelters that are perfect for Lightweight Motorcycle adventures. Shelters like our Silex 1p, Guardian 2p XL, and Sunlight 2p are incredibly packable, easy to set up shelters that are designed to handle any kind of weather that might get thrown at them.

Learn more about our Adventure riding shelters here https://seekoutside.com/bikepacking

2. Quality Sleeping Bag and Pad

A Sleeping bag rated for the temperatures you plan to encounter on your trip, as well as an inflatable or foam sleeping pad for insulation and comfort are incredibly important. Nothing is as demoralizing as a bad night's rest with a big day of technical riding ahead of you. Down sleeping bags pack smaller than synthetic sleeping bags making them our preferred choice for camping off a motorcycle. Synthetic sleeping bags are higher performing when wet, but are much bulkier and often heavier than a down sleeping bag. When it comes to sleeping pads, air pads are the preferred choice, as they take up much less space than a traditional foam sleeping pad. Depending on the temperatures you will encounter while out adventuring a sleeping pad with a high R value (more insulation) will keep you warmer. In the warmer conditions a lower R value pad (less insulation) is advantageous as it can help keep you cool at night.

Seek Outside offers high end sleep systems check them out here

https://seekoutside.com/sleeping-bags-and-tarps/

3. Portable Cooking Equipment

A compact camping stove, lightweight cookware, and durable utensils are essential for preparing meals. We prefer to use small iso-butane stoves from companies such as MSR or Jetboil. These small stoves are great for boiling water quickly, all while being able to pack into an incredibly small package. Why would you want to boil water? Not only does this help get a warm tea or coffee into your stomach in the morning but it allows you to warm up freeze dried or dehydrated meals. These meals are super lightweight and packable while offering a ton of nutrition. With meals like chicken alfredo pasta, biscuits and gravy, and sweet pork and rice (to name a few) you can have quality meals at night while carrying a very small amount of weight. Check out our lightweight titanium Mug for boiling water and enjoying coffee on crisp mornings.

Check out our highly popular Titanium camping mug

https://seekoutside.com/titanium-bail-handle-mug/

4. Riding Gear

Invest in high-quality, protective riding gear designed for the conditions you may encounter on your trips. This includes a high quality helmet. Look for helmets certified by the department of transportation or Snell. These helmets have gone through rigorous testing to make sure your brain has the best chance of staying safe during an accident. Optionally helmets can have either a face shield (more of a street/adventure style helmet) or they can have an open helmet designed to be used with goggles like a motocross helmet. Most riders will opt for an adventure helmet with the face shield, but if your riding is in hot environments at slower speeds,some riders may opt for a motocross helmet that is designed to have a substantial amount of airflow. An abrasion-resistant riding jacket, pants, gloves, and weatherproof layers are highly recommended for both on and off road travel. Look for gear that offers plenty of ventilation for warm days, but has either liners, or closable vents to keep you warm in colder weather.

Watch Best beginner Motorcycle gear of 2024

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5. Navigation Tools

Bring a reliable GPS or a smartphone with offline maps to navigate remote trails and avoid getting lost while in unfamiliar territories. A device that has the ability to send out an SOS message if you are in an emergency, or offers offline satellite messaging is highly recommended for any backcountry travel. I run a Garmin Inreach Mini, this is a perfect tool for the job as it is small, and can be attached to your person at all times for easy access, pending an emergency. When Choosing navigation, never rely on technology. However if you have to, I use an app called onX Offroad. This app allows you to download digital maps of an entire area before your trip, which can be accessed while you are out of cell phone service. 

Planning Your Adventure Motorcycle Route:

Research Campsites

Look for campgrounds that cater to adventure motorcyclists. A place with showers and a clean bathroom is nice, however these spots often cost money and are rare to find when in more remote areas. If camping in dispersed National forest or BLM land, know where you can camp. Oftentimes there are no camp zones such as private land, vegetation restoration areas, and areas where motor vehicles are not allowed, plan accordingly. Bring extra water or a water filter in case there isn't water nearby. Check for campfire bans in the area you are camping in to keep the landscape safe. Remember to follow leave no trace etiquette while dispersed camping and if possible leave the campsite better than you found it.

The 7 principles of leave no trace https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/

Map Scenic Routes

Utilize apps like onX Offroad to map out scenic routes, focusing on the backroads and dirt paths that highlight your trip. Use the app to find spots to camp and pinpoint areas you want to visit. Google maps is also a great navigator for routes that have access to phone service.

Check Weather Conditions

Before heading out, stay updated on the weather forecast for your route. Be prepared to adjust your plans for sudden changes in weather conditions. Emergency tarps are great for shelter when the weather suddenly changes. They are often light and can keep you and your motorcycle dry in a sudden downpour.

Check out our lightweight emergency tarps here

https://seekoutside.com/camping-tarps/

Tips for a Successful Adventure Motorcycle Camping Trip

1. Pack Smart and Light: Use dry bags or a quality pannier system to keep water out of your gear. Pack the essentials at the top of your bag for easy access, while packing items for camp lower in the bag.
2. Stay Hydrated: Carry a hydration pack or water bottles to stay refreshed during long rides. Powdered electrolytes can be added to water for quick hydration and will re supply your body with the salts and minerals it needs after a hard day of riding.
3. Emergency Preparedness: Bring a first aid kit, essential tools for bike repairs, and a personal SOS device so you are prepared if the ride goes wrong.
4. Respect the Environment: Follow Leave No Trace principles to protect the natural beauty of the areas you explore.

Conclusion

Adventure motorcycle camping is the perfect way to blend your love for riding with the sheer adventure of the outdoors. With proper preparation and quality gear, you can create experiences that will stay with you for a lifetime. So gear up, hit the trails, and let your adventure begin!

Check out our lightweight USA made shelters and backpacks here

https://seekoutside.com/