Five Mistakes New Motorcycle Campers Make: Motorcycle Camping Beginner Tips

Five Mistakes New Motorcycle Campers Make: Motorcycle Camping Beginner Tips

Motorcycle camping is different from other types of camping like car camping and backpacking in several fairly significant ways. Because of this, it’s easy for new motorcycle campers to make mistakes as they’re preparing for their first trips into the world of moto camping. So if you’re looking for some helpful beginner motocamping tips, I’ve got five pieces of motorcycle camping advice for you that will hopefully make your first motorcycle camping trip a successful one.

The five mistakes beginner motocampers make are:
1. Taking too much motorcycle camping gear
2. Not taking enough moto camping gear
3. Not planning ahead
4. Not testing motorcycle camping gear and motocamping luggage setup beforehand
5. Going motocamping alone
and two bonus mistakes to avoid:
6. Not cooking while motorcycle camping
7. Not allowing space for a few motocamping gear luxuries.

Motorcycle camping is an amazing way to get out and see the world on your bike, and I sincerely hope that these beginner motorcycle camping tips will help you find the confidence you need to jump into the world of having your own motocamping adventures!

Videos mentioned in this video:
Motorcycle Camping Gear Kit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdCsriVVAgw
Four Essentials of Motorcycle Camping: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m536py_I464
Motorcycle Camping Luxuries Worth The Space in Your Bags: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYNobLKr9DM

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:43 #1: Bringing Too Much Stuff
02:29 #2: Not Bringing Enough Stuff
03:18 #3: Not Planning Ahead
04:45 #4: Not Testing Your Gear
06:48 #5: Going By Yourself
07:56 #6: (BONUS) Not Cooking
08:50 #7: (BONUS BONUS) Not Allowing Space for a Few Luxuries

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Nemo Fillow Luxury Pillow: https://amzn.to/3rHJ5op
Big Agnes Diamond Park 0 Sleeping Bag: https://motocampnerd.com/products/big-agnes-diamond-park-0?ref=dork
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Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow: https://motocampnerd.com/products/sea-to-summit-aeros-premium-pillow/?ref=dork
Sea to Summit X-Set 21 Mess Kit: https://motocampnerd.com/products/sea-to-summit-x-set-21-pot-bowl-mug/?ref=dork
Sea to Summit Titanium Utensil Set: https://motocampnerd.com/products/sea-to-summit-titanium-utensil-set/?ref=dork
Sea to Summit Pack Tap Water Bladder: https://motocampnerd.com/products/sea-to-summit-pack-tap/?ref=dork
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Big Agnes Air Core Insulated Sleeping Pad:https://amzn.to/3tQoJt1
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50 Comments

  1. Marius Olteanu on August 30, 2022 at 5:21 am

    I’m trying to go motorcycle camping for the first time and I’m thinking on how to avoid the mistakes that you are describing. So, without watching until the end, I’ve said to my self, that I’m going to bring a few beers and some snacks, no need to cook :)). And then you came with the bonus mistake. Now I think this is the biggest mistake, it’s not all about the trip, I think cooking will enhance the experience. I did this all the time when I was camping with the car and it was awesome, why not doing on a motorcycle trip. Nice video, thanks!

  2. Croaking Toad on August 30, 2022 at 5:21 am

    Great video … take the Goldilocks amount of stuff … use your gear locally first … and have fun! Your camping, not going to the range, to keep weight down, only take an extra magazine or two. You will seep better with a safety tool when tent camping.

  3. IN MULUND on August 30, 2022 at 5:25 am

    👍
    INDIA

  4. HolyMaryFullOfShit on August 30, 2022 at 5:25 am

    as someone who hikes i was like "you bring too much stuff" when you showed the campsite. and then boom there it was xD.

  5. Kevin Lytle on August 30, 2022 at 5:30 am

    Tanks for good inof and all valuable. Some thoughts that might help… your tent – if it requires staking out to stand it is not good for many locales like desert and shale areas. Find one that is free standing. If you have a camp knife do you need a fancy food prep chef’s knife? Basically everything that can serve multiple purposes is good for keeping weight down. Tupper Ware bowl for food and spices storage or whatever, the lid is your cutting board and where you can set cooked items to rest while you finish cooking no need for a separate board etc.

    Don’t go cheap on warmth items. Cheap means less performance per pound and cubic inch and possibly can fail in worst cases. Choose food items by calorie density except for the comfort items. BTW whiskey is pretty calorie dense!

    Clothes is another area where folks over pack. Same for string lights, battery powered fans and lanterns etc. Nice to have but add to weight fast.

  6. Ramblin' Jay on August 30, 2022 at 5:30 am

    We camp nightly in a conversion van. Next year our first time motorcycle camping is full sending it on the TAT lol. I’m excited yet a bit worried at the same time because it’s difficult holding a job and wanting to do such feats (Extended time off just isn’t allowed unfortunately, like a sabbatical). But we all gotta live at one given moment in our lives and challenge ourselves. I guess when we get back we will figure everything else out.

  7. Les on August 30, 2022 at 5:31 am

    Be flexible. My first big camping trip on the bike was with brother, and my two sons. We packed up our 4 bikes and headed out on a 320 mile ride.. That was too far for the first leg with the bikes we had. We were running way behind schedule due to unscheduled stops in pouring rain all day. When it was dark and we were soaked and still had a good 100 miles to go, we passed a small motel. I thought about stopping, but I had reservations at a campground. We pushed on through the dark woods of Vermont, with moose crossing signs along the route. We made it to the campground around 11pm. I should have been more flexible and pulled into the motel. It would have been a much safer and more enjoyable trip.

  8. First Last on August 30, 2022 at 5:31 am

    Keep your options open and have alternatives. The worst things I lived through while bike camping were bugs, sunburn, upset stomach, getting too wet, too cold and not getting enough sleep. None of the not-so-good stuff was ever enough to stop me from seeking new adventures so much as learning, adapting, improvising and overcoming whatever was out of balance and finding ways to optimize. Thank goodness, there were never any major mechanical issues, flat tires or running out of fuel.

    There have been some times when I seriously wondered where in the world people got fuel in some remote areas. In some cases, they don’t. If you think you will need it and can rig it up, carrying some extra gas… is dangerous. An extra gallon will only take me 35 miles.

  9. robert nickel on August 30, 2022 at 5:34 am

    One mistake I made was to trust a self inflating sleeping pad to actually work when I hit the road. It wasn’t the priciest pad on the market and I had no experience with it prior to the trip but when I got to my first camping spot I found the valves didn’t work and I spent a most uncomfortable night sleeping on the ground. No fun for an old guy with arthritis in my hip.

  10. geoff lawrence on August 30, 2022 at 5:35 am

    I dont have any friends that ride, nor do i want any really, im a loner dottie, a rebel. Its so much better to camp with someone else, most of the time, but its nice to be able to get your primal side out alone in the woods and be weird without a witness.
    Ive had the joy of classic campground camping as a kid and as an altenative to a hotel during a cross country road trip. Had to do urban/stealth camping for survival/fun while homeless and while trainhopping around the eastern us. Ive done ultra light bicycle trip camping and a litte moto camping. And a lot of squatting. Ive camped everywhere man, and in places you wouldnt dare.
    Go minimal. You really dont need anything more that the 4, 1Shelter, 2fire, 3water, 4food, except 5tools.
    1-Tarp, paracord, hammock, hammock bug net and straps, sleeping bag and a sleeping pad in the hammock for bottom insulation. Bigger tarp will cover bike and make tent if needed. Keep bike next to you for a shelf for boots.
    2- fire starter kit. MAKE A PROPER FIRE PIT!As simple as a lighter and good multitool and some toilet paper and dry wood, almost never fails. Dont burn pine unless it the only thing. PUT YOUR FIRE COMPLETELY OUT!
    3- Water, always bring 2 or more liters for a single night, just to drink. Additional water to cook if not near stream. Over hydrate before the trip and during the ride if possible. Buy a Sawyer water filter kit for $25. Or bring a pot to boil water. Dont wanna have the squirts on the ride back.
    4- food. Bring it, because you wont find it or catch it when you NEED it. Cook if you wanna, but buy food from the closest store to the campsite and be prepped for loading it somewhere on the bike before. You dont need instagram camping steaks, but they are the best steaks.
    5- bike tool kit. Camp tools you can carry. Whatever you want. If you cant load everything you need into and on a hiking back pack , you dont need it. If you cant lift that bag, its too much. 30-40lbs is more than enough gear for one night.
    Bonus- Dont sleep under big branches. Boil water. Be quiet when riding in. If you can play a mandolin or ukelelele, it may be worth it. Learn a long story to tell. The north star is useful to locate after setting up camp. Take the big dipper star at the pouring tip and the one below it, 6x that distance when followed from bottom star past pouring tip star, will give you the north star.
    Also, i never and have never looked at replies or replied to comments, so hope this adds something.

  11. Dab-pre-ss-ion Austin on August 30, 2022 at 5:36 am

    Dang ya i just bring a hammock a army knife water and granola bars and patches for tires and a small air pump. And gorilla tape most of time also a lighter for fires

  12. S Chicko on August 30, 2022 at 5:36 am

    I’m particularly new, but what do you do when you rely on a CPAP machine for sleeping purposes? I suppose the people around you are gonna hate your snoring and no one gets any sleep! It’s not gonna a fun trip! I can’t be the only one thinking about this 🤔

  13. BPK MM30 on August 30, 2022 at 5:36 am

    Summer 1975,my brother (Suzuki 500, unknown year) and I (1969 suzuki 350) rode and camped through New England to Nova Scotia and back. Made lots of mistakes, but had a very cool summer.

  14. William Ashton on August 30, 2022 at 5:38 am

    Biggest mistake? Hahah! 2000 miles through France and Spain on a Hobda Rebel 250! I loved it but it was hard!

    I prefer the solo camping as you can do as you like. Wake up, stop, eat, whatever. You do it in your timescale.

    Done partner trips. Not overly sold on it.

  15. fqras on August 30, 2022 at 5:38 am

    Jeez. My first time was 6 weeks to eastern Europe by my own. It was amazing. This video is full of bullshit except for the first rule: Don’t bring too much.

  16. GhostHxr Gaming on August 30, 2022 at 5:40 am

    Money clip with gas money. Pocket tool. Bolts get loose from the aggressive engine movement, nuts break for various reasons. I have taken a ride before and had to ride back home with one of my exhaust pipes against my footrest because a bolt unscrewed even with thread glue on there.

  17. Mark Williamson on August 30, 2022 at 5:43 am

    Gun and a knife on you at all times.. ground cover…sleeping bag..rain cover…jacket ..extra levis…shirt…insulated one piece water proof riding suit with neck protection…stop and get beer and sausages before camping for the night if staying out…make sure your girl friend in the chase Van knows where you have parked for the night..lol…. if not a unmovable picnic table makes a great secure structure to sleep under …and for the newbies for heavens sake put something under your kick stand every night unless parked on concrete…bad asphalt can still drop your bike

  18. Louis on August 30, 2022 at 5:43 am

    #6 Not cooking. I agree here big time, dehydrated meals are vulgar and cooking is life.

  19. J. B. on August 30, 2022 at 5:45 am

    Great list and video, brother! I am definitely guilty of taking too much! Who is to say that bringing shark repellent won’t be useful, just because I left Bend (Oregon) on my way to the Rockies? That doesn’t mean I might not make a wrong turn somewhere, and end up in the Gulf… It happens. Not to me, mind you, not yet, but as a Boy Scout as a boy, (oh wait, whew, yea, okay, I just checked, yup, I still am, thank God! I’ve got to stop watching MSM…it can get very confusing), with: "Be prepared" perpetually stuck in my brain, so, if there’s room, I may just take that darn shark repellent… Funny you mention strange noises at night? I welcomed those the first few years after I got hitched, but soon, it segued into dread, thus, motorcycle camping with the bro’s. : ) I don’t need an excuse to go for a long ride out to John Day, or up through Gov’t Camp, and finding 10 different windy roads on the way home: that is part of my mental health program! Where do you and your bud’s go riding? Maybe we’ll meet on the road, sometime? There are so many awesome rides here in the Pacific Northwest!! Safe riding, brother! Thanks for the great videos! God bless. : )

  20. Paul Davies on August 30, 2022 at 5:45 am

    Tip: if you put any food on a stick from the woods, get your knife out and remove the bark first.
    Bark can contain nasty bacteria.
    Also make sure its green wood or it will go up in flames! 😄

  21. misterspot on August 30, 2022 at 5:46 am

    Hotdogs, the actual reason a black man doesn’t go camping. I wouldn’t 🧐 they stipulate lies. It’s a bit embarrassing when our black clergyman eating 🌭 by the side like a 🥪

  22. tom t on August 30, 2022 at 5:47 am

    I plan ahead by researching the area I want to ride and plan on not riding to far as to enjoy the ride. Camping is so much fun why would you want to stay in a motel. Only if I cant camp or want to stay in a city on a longer trip would I stay in a motel. Pick out some campgrounds that fit your specifications on google, you can find everything you need. remain flexible Bring a friend, Its much more fun and safer. I bring what I need to be comfortable in all weather. I use a hammock with a rainfly and hiking sticks or motorcycles if no trees.

  23. gary Ib on August 30, 2022 at 5:47 am

    Another mistake. I find myself taking people on trips that are new to motorcycle camping. Perhaps that is my mistake, but I like to have company and share knowledge. What I find annoying is when they need help with a lot of things. From setting up their tent to using their stove. They bring a quart of water and no filter.
    I guess I haven’t learned to prepare people for the trip. Then I get annoyed with both myself and them. I like the company but not the hand holding.

  24. Deleted on August 30, 2022 at 5:47 am

    Let people know what your route will be and check in times incase you have an accident on the trail.

  25. one_stoic_rider on August 30, 2022 at 5:47 am

    Only bringing a flask and thinking I’ll share my bottle with you squids.

  26. shawn gibson moto guy. on August 30, 2022 at 5:51 am

    My first time out. I took way to much stuff. My friend that was gonna go with me didn’t cause it was gonna get in the 30’s at night. So I went by myself. Learned you use more water than you expect too.

  27. Hammer Slammer on August 30, 2022 at 5:52 am

    Just bought a like new 2020 Moto Guzzi V85tt adventure , has the three panniers on it and it can haul a decent amount of stuff. I’m stupid excited to get into motorcycle camping and ( after watching countless reviews ) really the reason I bought this motorcycle . Now to learn all the great tips before hand . Thanks for a great video!

  28. Squirrel Covers on August 30, 2022 at 5:52 am

    Solo ONLY

  29. parker Azz on August 30, 2022 at 5:53 am

    Excellent information

  30. quazy1328 on August 30, 2022 at 5:56 am

    I treat it just like when we would go to the field in the army. One ruck sack full of stuff, anything more is a waste.

  31. Ricky O'Neill on August 30, 2022 at 5:56 am

    That bed dude..looks excellent..number ONE rule..you’ve got to be able to sleep comfortably…l cannot sleep on the ground…just can’t do it..but the orange bed looks great..

  32. Gary Wilson on August 30, 2022 at 5:56 am

    Dont put your tent up in the dark, and find out the next morning it was in a pet area!

  33. Incog Nito on August 30, 2022 at 5:57 am

    Personally, after a couple of trips (lower 48) I started leaving cooking gear behind.

  34. T. K. on August 30, 2022 at 5:57 am

    Whan all the people you know and have camped with have camped with at least one weirdo except you, um, never mind.
    Kidding, great advice all round. Looking forward to more videos and btw, yours was one of the videos that pushed me over the edge and "made" me pull the trigger on the 890R.

  35. Jim bo on August 30, 2022 at 5:58 am

    A hot meal or at least a hot drink is essential for your energy, mood and spirits in my opinion. Particularly in northern England where I’m from as it is very often cold and wet (take The Lake District for example)

  36. Uncle Jim on August 30, 2022 at 6:02 am

    7:43 They say that if you can’t spot the wierdo in a group….. then you are the wierdo….. just sayin…..

  37. Jim Jim on August 30, 2022 at 6:02 am

    Bushcraft skills will produce superb camping results when linking those skills with backpacking experience. At that point the bike just serves as a unique mode of transportation adding to the overall trip.

  38. steve oconnor on August 30, 2022 at 6:04 am

    Another thing is to be sure your bags don’t block the brake lights, turn signals or license plate.

  39. CSowers2 on August 30, 2022 at 6:05 am

    It would nice to bring somebody ride with but I ain’t got nobody so I ride alone

  40. Bike Life on August 30, 2022 at 6:07 am

    Doing a local dry run at like a KOA is hands down the most important thing.

  41. Bryan Dover on August 30, 2022 at 6:09 am

    I think one of the mistakes is not planning to carry the proper tools to work on the bike, if need be. Look at the bike and say to yourself, "if that broke, do I have what I need to remove/repair it?". Go through the motions, actually. Will that wrench fit in that area, or is a socket required? Also… zip ties. You can’t have enough, in my opinion. They are almost like duct tape. 🙂

  42. Bryan Dover on August 30, 2022 at 6:11 am

    Coordinate with your riding partners who is going to bring what. You don’t need 2 or three of everything, it just wastes space a lot of times. I also always carry my handheld ham radio with me. You never know…

  43. Clinton Blackmon on August 30, 2022 at 6:13 am

    I’ve got cancer, Multiple Myeloma, and was recovering from a stem cell transplant. I went solo motocamping and took too much stuff. Had a small one man tent, but had to pack everything in it with me since there were so many people around and I didn’t trust the situation enough to leave cameras and other gear out. Anyway, I was pretty beat and sore and didn’t sleep well in my cramped quarters and painful medical condition. I was determined tho, and the weather was perfect. Learned my lesson!

  44. Jeff Bell on August 30, 2022 at 6:14 am

    Don’t park your motorcycle next to your tent, especially leaning towards it. If it sinks in the dirt and falls over in the night, ot lands on you. 🤣

  45. Shaun St on August 30, 2022 at 6:14 am

    I camped off a 250 Honda Elite scooter for 3 days, stealth camped "leave no trace" practice… basically just brought my light weight backpacking hiking gear and strapped entire backpack of it to back, keeping other items in trunk. I could bring more weight than hiking, but not as much as car camping obviously. You find solitude and relaxation when doing this alone, and no baggage of bringing anyone that may need hand holding of how to do it, or needy people in a rush that need to follow some stupid schedule of their own that does not agree with yours. Thanks for video of this.

  46. Diaz Alex on August 30, 2022 at 6:15 am

    You seem like a pretty nirmal dude but if you have never met the weird camping guy… it might be you. peace

  47. 666 Dual Sport on August 30, 2022 at 6:16 am

    the first mistake is not taking the the caravan 🤣🤣

  48. Touring Midwest on August 30, 2022 at 6:19 am

    It definitely takes some trips to determine what is to much stuff and what is to little.. trial and error right 😂 I know I don’t have it all figured out yet but I’ll keep practicing.

  49. Tom Horn on August 30, 2022 at 6:20 am

    I love backpacking so I have my setup down to a manageable size and weight. I’m saving for my first bike. This is the first video I’m watching to prepare and learn. Cheers bro.

  50. Old Dirtbiker on August 30, 2022 at 6:20 am

    I was selling a WR450 and got a call from an out of state guy who wanted to know if my Yamaha would get him back home. He was camping around Silverton Colorado, and used some gas from his motorcycle to start a campfire. He left a trail of spilled gas between his bike and the campfire, and when he stared his campfire it promptly found it’s way back to his bike and engulfed it in flames, a total loss. At least he didn’t start a forest fire.

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