Motorcycle Camping

[MrArn]

I’ve always had this dream of crossing America, experiencing roadside attractions and exploring the area’s history. For the last couple of years I’ve been preparing myself to make this type of journey from the back of a motorcycle. For me this adventure of a lifetime is still many years away because of family and finance.

This last year I’ve been exploring New Mexico, using lots of day trips because hotels cost too much. One night is a hotel is equal to about a 1000 miles of gas. Now, because I want to extend my range, I’m taking up motorcycle camping.

Camping is not totally foreign to me, in my teens I was an avid backpacker.  As a newlywed I took my wife out for a weekend of backpacking and almost ended our marriage. Years latter we did a couple of outing as a family that were fun, but now I didn’t enjoy the discomfort roughing it brings.

Now my desire to extend my rides is pushing me figure out how to camp. My first step was to get an air mattress with a portable air pump. Sleeping on the ground was something I could do when I was younger, not anymore. The backpacking tent and sleeping bag were two things I already owned.

Last week I loaded the bike with all my camping gear for one of my ride’s, wanted to get a feel for how the bike would handle packed with the extra dead weight.

This weekend I’m using a KOA campsite, they will give me power for my computer and light. Also a shower and area to relax before going to bed. I’m looking at this trip as a shake down before going out for more days.

If you have any tips to make my tent experience as close to one I would have in a hotel, they would be appreciated.

[VALKIFIED]

Check the ADV board. Lots of moto-camping info there. www.adv.com

[grandpaweaver]

I've been thinking the same, we camp a lot as a family in a Coleman pop-up. Don't think I would like a tent sleeping on the ground at my age. I was thinking of a small trailer and build my own one person pop-up. Big enough to sleep in then store gear while on the road. May be a couple years off until I retire, just turned 65 and plan on working 5-10 more years. Saw a coffin/trailer on here somewhere that gave me the idea.

[3fan4life]

I have the same plan for the future as well (I just don't know when that will be yet).

This is what I plan to use:






They are $3,000- $4,000 new and good used ones are around for $1,500 - $2,000

The VALK will pull one with no problems.

I figure on parking it at a central location while I explore an area.

I also plan on getting a National park pass when I finally make the trip and staying in National parks as much as possible.


That's my plan anyway, of course you know what they say about the plans of mice and men.

[macdoesit]

Saw a M C trailer tint on CL about a year ago factory made had queen air matress.
Like the one above it had an AC or That might be ice chest. One I saw had ac.

[Bob E.]

I have the same dream/fantasy of travelling the country by motorcycle some day.  But my wife will probably have none of it.  She wants to get a toy-hauler and travel with the bike in the trailer and do day rides from there.  It might be a worthwhile compromise, but still not my preference.

Check out the forum at www.motocampers.com.  Lots of info there.  And they make some pretty nice campers to tow behind motorcycles nowadays.  Personally, I like the Roll-a-home, but there are others that are nice too.

[Oss]

chuck I remember when I was out in Sweetwater in 06 with the VOAi there was a fellow in his 70's who had come from california with one of those pop up campers

We all went to the campsite and it was as follows   a 9x12 room with the bed  an same size screened in room where he sat on his chair with the computer and his portable radio listening to baseball game and a 3rd 9x12 room that he parked the Valkyrie in. Just a few poles  that collapse is what framed the 3rd room for bike privacy and keeping it dry That was also the 1st time I tried riding a GTT
Wish I could remember his name,  Also Dennis (Rodeo1) from over in Clifton CO has or had one and used it to go around the country with the CMA ministry during rodeo season

Good luck. I use motels, like to have a shower and bathroom just for me and free breakfast and internet.  Also members like me also put up other members who are on the road  We pay it forward
Dont be afraid to ask folks  If you fly the wife here we would put you both up a day or so no problem

Heck we even put up Norwegians and texans

[donaldcc]

 
  I camp at Comfort Inn when on moto trips.  i think it qualifies as camping because they do not have room service.  But, reasonable rates, free breakfast and credit for free room every couple of stays.  And they usually let you park in the entrance where front desk has a view of the bike.  

[bigguy]

I've always been a bit of a minimalist when it come to camping. Just don't like the idea of a trailer. Here is some of the gear I use for one and two night trips. Photo Album   Blog I don't worry about hauling consumables (food, drinks, more than one pair of cloths.) I do carry a water bottle, but wait til I'm on site to worry about any other drinks. If you just find a camp, then hit wally-world or some other discount store for the night's supplies, you save a lot of room on the bike. And in the long run, it's not any more expensive than trying to keep enough ice and other supportive gear.
Just my 2¢.

[Jack]

Lotsa ways to go camping.  Either go all the way or with the essentials.  Most campgrounds have facilities, even laundromats.  Without the mrs, I use to go with the least I could carry.  Now, I use a toyhauler or stay in motels.  Actually, I enjoyed going by myself more.(just dont tell the mrs)
I met a guy a few years ago while I was returning from HotGlue's.  This guy was on an old Goldwing all piled up with bags.  He was wearing a blue plastic raincoat(it was raining hard) and flip-flops.  He had just returned from Belize in Central America and had been to Alaska before that.  He was retired and his wife had passed.  He said he was having the time of his life.

[fudgie]

We sleep at rest stops. Its free! You cant camp, but you can sleep.   We just blow up the mattress, find a dark area of the park, and cover with a sleeping bag. Now I do separate my cc, dl, ccw, and money when doing this incase I get robbed. I do lay our boots under my mattress so I dont wake up to no foot wear!   I've done this x3 already, once with Kit. It did storm on me once but laid the mattress up between the restrooms. Stayed dry.   If its hot and humid, I find a cheap hotel.
We use a 9x7x4 backpack tent. Fits a queen mattress and a small place for things. We usually have to stand outside to dress. Give the nieghbors something to look at.  
You can also find old barns and stuff to sleep in out west.
If I'm at a rally and dont set up a tent, I lay down a 10x10 tarp. Lay on the side and throw the other half over me. It keeps the morning condensation off of me and the sleeping bag. Keeps you warm to. I used a black one once and some chic about peed on me cause I was in the shadows and she didnt see me. 

[glideman]

This is what I've been using for the past couple of years. It's really lightweight, has a lot of storage, and takes about two minutes to set up. It also tows great. It has cushions inside to sleep on, but I also use a twin air mattress to make it that much more comfortable. I also have a cooler mounted on the front so I can keep cold drinks available. On hot days, I run an extension cord and set up a little 12" fan. Keeps me comfortable enough to get a good nights sleep. Brand new, it set me back less than $3K and that's tough to find in any towable motorcycle camper. You can check it out at http://www.jdtrailers.com.