The Best Motorcycle Camping Gear (Review) in 2020

If you plan to ride your bike in the city where there are hotel options, then you don’t need camping gear. If you plan to ride in more rural areas or off-road, then you need camping gear. Sleeping out in the elements is uncomfortable and can be unsafe. Camping gear protects you from the elements, animals, and other people. 

You can use the minimal equipment of a tent and sleeping bag, or you could bring small creature comforts with you. A sleeping pad will cushion you from the hard ground. A cooking kit will let you make fresh, hot meals right at your campsite. 

The Advantages of Owning a Motorcycle Camping Gear

With camping gear packed on your bike, you are no longer limited on where you can travel or how long you can ride. Feel free to ride for hours out into the most rural parts of the world. When you get tired, you simply pull over and set up camp. 

Camping is a more affordable way to travel even when you want to stay more local. You can find cheap camping spots at all of the biggest motorcycle rally destinations. This will let you save your budget for other things. 

• Protection from the weather 
• A good night’s sleep 
• Travel further and more remote

Popular Types of Motorcycle Camping Gear

The different types of camping gear that you can buy center around the equipment that is available. This includes a sleeping bag, tents, sleeping pads, cooking utensils, portable lights, and much more. What they all have in common is that they are lightweight and can be packed away for compact storage on your bike. 

• Tent

You can purchase a backpacking tent that is large enough to accommodate between one and five people. Think about how much space you want inside of your tent. A single-person tent will be just big enough for you to lay down and sleep in. A two-person tent is big enough for you and all of your gear or another person to fit inside. 

Some tents have special features that make them better for use in wind and rain. Consider the climate where you plan to use your tent. Look for other features like window guards or interior pockets to hold your smaller items. 

• Sleeping Bag

Sleeping bags are rated by their ability to keep you warm in different climates. You need to look for one that’s rated for the temperatures that you expect to experience while camping. For the best colder weather sleeping bags, look for ones that are body-shaped and have a hood. 

Pay attention to the filler used to insulate the sleeping bag. Down is the lightest and the most effective at keeping you warm. Synthetic fillers are quick-drying. Look at how small the sleeping bag will compress down to. You want to make sure it’s compact enough to fit comfortably on your bike. 

• Solar Charger

When you’re out on the open road, there aren’t a lot of electrical outlets available for charging your devices. A solar charger is a perfect solution. This lets you keep your phone, GPS, and camera running. You should also look at the durability of the charger. The solar screen can be delicate, but life on the road on your motorcycle is rough and tumble. 

You want to make sure that the charger you choose has the right power output for your devices. You can risk damaging them if it isn’t compatible. Higher-quality chargers will have multiple outputs so that they’re compatible with several different types of devices. 

The Most Important Features of Motorcycle Camping Gear

Choosing your camping gear to bring with you on the motorcycle is different than choosing the gear you’ll bring on a family weekend camping trip. You need to choose gear that is durable, effective, lightweight, and compact. This will enable you to load everything on your bike while still being able to safely ride it. 

• Lightweight

Look for gear that’s lightweight. You want to add as little excess weight as possible to your bike. The more weight you have on your bike, the harder the motor works to move it all, and the worse your fuel efficiency gets. That extra weight will also change the weight distribution of your bike and make it harder to maneuver. 

Materials like metal and canvas weigh more than materials like nylon, polyester, polymers, and plastics. Try to avoid buying unnecessary gear that while you’d like to have it, you don’t necessarily need it. Stick to the essentials to keep you warm, dry, and out of the elements. 

• Compact Storage

You need to choose gear that will pack down into a compact space. That way, it takes up as little room as possible on your bike. You should be able to fit all of your gear inside panniers and a top luggage bag. Any more than this, and you’ll struggle to keep your bike balanced. 

Your sleeping bag should compress down and roll up. Your tent should also break down and fold up into a small bag. A sleeping pad should flatten and roll up. 

Small items should fit into your bags. This includes your cooking kit, solar kit, personal hygiene products, and clothes. 

• Durable

You ride a motorcycle, so you’re already familiar with the harsh conditions that you experience while riding. Your camping gear needs to be durable enough to withstand sun, wind, rain, and road grit. Durable stitching and fabrics mean you can rinse your gear off, let it dry, pack it up, and be off and rolling again. 

Look for things like ripstop or ballistic nylon. This fabric is used in the military and is highly durable. Double-row stitching provides strength to the seams. UV coatings protect from the sun’s damaging rays. Waterproof coatings can prevent your gear from becoming soaked through, which can encourage rotting. 

Tips for Buying and Using Motorcycle Camping Gear

When buying motorcycle camping gear, it’s best to start by talking to those who’ve gone camping on a bike. They can help you decide what’s necessary and what’s frivolous. They can also give you input on their experiences with particular brands and equipment. 

It’s smart to give your gear a test run before you commit to going on a trip with it. This will help you find any defects before you’re out on the road. This will make any necessary replacement much easier. 

Inspect the connections and seams of your equipment. This is where equipment is most likely to fail. Anything that looks loose or weak is a sign that you shouldn’t buy or use that gear. 

• Buy gear for the climate you’ll be camping in.
• Look for versatile equipment that can serve multiple purposes. 
• Buy well-made, high-quality gear that will last through multiple trips. 

Best Motorcycle Camping Gear FAQ:

While it’s important to buy the right gear, you need to take this one step further. Asking a few more questions will ensure that you pack your gear in a safe manner. Knowing how to pack your gear can mean the difference between being able to bring it all and it not fitting. It can also make your ride a comfortable one. 

Q: How do I pack my camping gear on my motorcycle?

A: You want everything to be balanced left to right and front to back so that the weight doesn’t throw you off balance in the turns. 

Q: Why does the weight of my gear matter?

A: Heavy gear will add to the overall weight of your motorcycle. It can make it hard to handle and reduce your fuel efficiency. 

Q: Can I buy camping gear not specifically meant for motorcycles?

A: Yes, you can. Backpacking camping gear will work great. This gear is designed to be carried, so it’s lightweight, durable, and perfect for this purpose. 

Our Top Pick

Our top pick for motorcycle camping gear is the Harley Davidson Bar & Shield Road Ready Tent with Fiberglass Frame. This tent is ideal for carrying with you on your motorcycle and has plenty of room once it’s set up. The cord and fiberglass system is easy to use, so you won’t have to spend a ton of time struggling with the setup and takedown.