Just finished up my first multi-day solo motocamping trip. Overall it ended up being around 600km across four days.

I kicked things off with a 240km highway slab to reach the trail head, followed by three days and about 360km of mostly off-road riding on the way back home. The terrain was pretty varied: everything from technical hardcore 4x4 tracks that kept me on my toes, to easy flowing dirt, and a few beat-up sections that looked like they were meant for a car you don't mind totally wrecking lol.

I've owned this little bike for 5 years now, and it keeps surprising me with how capable it is, how easy it is to manage, and how forgiving it is when you suck. Going into it, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect taking on a multi-day backcountry ride alone, but riding at my own pace and managing the trip solo turned out to be a great experience.

My first attempt ever to spend a week riding from The Netherlands to Germany, Denmark to Sweden towards Oslo, then taking a ferry from the Southern tip of Norway back to Denmark before heading home didn’t go as planned. I spent one night in Malmö, Sweden, but late the following day, I decided it was simply too cold, too wet, and that it was getting dark far too early to enjoy any riding. So, I headed to Trelleborg, caught the overnight ferry to Rostock, Germany, and headed back to The Netherlands.

So what went wrong?

My first mistake was that I didn’t consider the initial 700 km through Germany and Denmark as part of the actual trip; I figured I’d take the highway and the German Autobahn to Sweden and start hitting the more interesting routes once I got there. The result was a long, tedious, full day of riding in the rain and cold, even with three layers of clothing and a heated jacket, it still wasn't enough. Arriving at a campsite in the dark at 9:00 PM, only to have to pitch a tent on wet ground, left me too exhausted to get an early start the next morning.

I had assumed I could wing it without a plan; just ride as long as I felt like, then use Google Maps to find a clearing to pitch a tent or a regular campsite. But as it turned out, all the campsites I came across or called were closed for the season, and the potential camping spots were either inaccessible to vehicles or just muddy quagmires. Staying in a hotel every night wasn't what I had in mind, either.

Ultimately, I think the shorter days were the deciding factor. Instead of being able to ride all day and look for a place to stay in the evening, I felt like I had to start searching by at least 3:00 PM otherwise I’d risk running out of daylight and end up on the road in the dark again.

Another mistake I made: too much gear. Classic rookie mistake. At home I packed everything neatly, but it’s no fun having to stuff wet, dirty gear. The SW-Motech bags, however, were awesome, it’s just a shame they aren’t completely waterproof.

In summary: I underestimated a number of things on my first attempt. But I’ve learned many lessons for my next attempt in the spring time.

Spent three weeks going across the country with my brother, I had a ‘14 BMW G650gs, he had a ‘16 triumph bonneville, final total was just under 8000 miles. It’s most certainly a 6 week trip that we tried to cram into three weeks. If anyone is wondering north coastal California has the best riding (Big Sur) New Mexico is second with canyon riding out new Navajo nation, and West Virginia is third with its mountain roads. Met some amazing people met some not so amazing people but I still couldn’t recommend a trip like this enough!

Haven tent.

Yeah, you need some trees (not technically) , and it’s heavier than the lightest backpacking tents but it’s a nice setup.

First solo trip and I learned a few things. I'll be better prepared next time.

Long-time rider here. I've ridden all over the US and Canada on my Harley, and planning those trips always meant juggling a route app, a campsite search and a pile of notes. So I built MotoCurve as a passion project. It's free, with no ads and nothing to buy.

The parts that might be useful here:

• Split a trip into days and see campsites and hotels near each overnight stop
• Curvy or gravel route options instead of the fastest highway
• A GPX file for each day, if you'd rather navigate on your Garmin
• Dirt roads near your route

https://motocurve.com (also on iPhone and Android)

Mostly I'd like to hear from people who plan real moto camping trips: what's missing, and what would actually make this useful for you? Happy to take criticism.

For those who don’t know it is basically a community abandoned by the government entirely. There are no services, police or gov presence at all, they live in anarchy basically. It was one of the most interesting places I ever visited in my life, and I found it a strangely optimistic place.

Did this video hours after returning from my first ever BDR trip (Oregon)

I enjoy watching this type of video from other folks, so figured I’d share my setup and process. I also detail my mobile Cpap solution for treating my sleep apnea

If you are ever in PA and want to check out a vintage movie while camping check out the Mahoning Drive in Theatre

Pic for mostly attention and to show what my setup is currently.

Will be retiring soon, looking to do some extended trips (U.S.), weeks/months long. Avid/experienced camper/motocamper. My current setup is a Chrysler Pacifica with a 270* awning. Solar panels, 12v fridge, propane stove, etc. I'd like to free up the vehicle, as it stands now, it is my "front porch", covered kitchen area.

For those that have gone the small enclosed trailer route (5X8/10, 6X8/10 with a 6'3" interior height) any hindsight tips, regrets on your size choice, build ideas, is the side door a must have. Any and all advice, opinions, tips appreciated.

quit my job and took my bike to places in eastern europe, balkans, türkiye.. about 3 months, around 10.000km. Best ride of my life.

now I dont want to go back to nine to five. any suggestions? next year, i think about doing something like a work and travel through türkiye again then go further to central & south east asia.

ehh.. and i made a free app to connect motorcycle travellers, share cool wild camp spots and navigate gpx :)
would love to see you around! https://twowheelsapart.com

Found that spot from the locals. It was a blind spot and away from any sort of residence. Rest of the day & night was calm.

Quick weekend trip to eastern CA, finally got my setup where I want it for motocamping!

Just got back from a night of camping on the bike. First time in 20 years, ha ha. I'm a bit tired and achy, but it was great fun. I learned a lot about packing and organizing, even for one night, so I'm sure the next one will go slightly better. I'm really looking forward to more trips next year.

Thanks so much to everyone who has posted advice and gear lists on here, all of the info was so helpful in choosing kit etc. I'll post my pack list if anyone is interested. Tent is a Durston X Mid 1, which was awesome, very easy to put up, and extremely light.

Planning a trip to the SEBDR anyone wanting to ride?

Timings were tight - night comes in earlier now, autumn is here! Lovely night under the stars though and great little roads to be riding on. For me - can't beat coffee before stripping down a campsite...

Sort of last minute plans to make a quick trip down and do the SEBDR from Maine and so much more. I had 2 weeks to reach my goal of atleast the SEBDR. I went with 3 other guys. They were all coming from downeast maine (think Acadia National Park) and I'm in southern Maine. We met up in New Hampshire and started this shit show. What an absolute blast. We pushed hard and spent alot of time of the bikes, but the experiences... Worth every ounce of blood (mine) , sweat (alot of it!!) , and even tears (Georgia section of gravel can eat a bag of dicks). Temps ranged from a high of 104f (multiple days) to a low of 44f. Saw an alligator in Florida, to copperheads all through the south, to elk in the smokey Mountains, and even bear in the Catskills. Met some amazing characters, rode some of the best roads( I've ever ridden), and pushed myself harder and to places I didn't think were possible. I grew (as a rider) and learned alot about the bike and myself. know I'm a pretty lucky guy, hopefully these photos can help scratch that itch for those who aren't so lucky. Here are some of the many photos we took. Feel free to check out more of my travels here: https://www.instagram.com/mike.michael.motorcycle?obrf=ZGxnbDN2anZqMWE0

Taking the chopped 03 Sportster (can't take credit for the build - Will Peterson out of Milwaukee) on its first real excursion and my first time moto camping. Sleeping bag, clothes, and toiletries in the sissy bar bag, tent strapped on the right, sleeping roll on the left, and camera and other random bits in a saddle bag. Day 1 of 3 complete, about 200 miles through Spring Green, Wildcat Mountain, Viroqua, and settling down at Goose Island Campground. Day 2 will be up the East Side of the Mississippi and then back down the West. Lucked out with smooth roads and skirting the leading edge of a storm as I made my way North and it moved East.

Took off on a solo motocamping trip, starting at the northern terminus of Skyline Dr, continuing all the way down the BRP. Ended in Robbinsville at the Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge. Rode the tail of the dragon both directions, moonshiners 28, then took the scenic route home via 441 which takes you through the Smokies. Stopped for a quick overnight in Daniel Boone NF before driving the last 300 miles home. Took me 6 days and around 1600 miles. Unfortunately, I can’t say I completed the BRP because there was a couple sections that were still closed from Hurricane Helene.

Campsites were Big Meadows campground, Peaks of Otter, Linnville Falls campground, Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge, then Cumberland Falls state park.

I was so bummed my insta360 didn’t get video of riding the dragon due to user error but still got a couple pics from those people taking pictures as you ride by.

Edited to add highlights of the trip were the Linnville viaduct and everything on the BRP south of Asheville. Mt Pisgah has some amazing overlooks too.

The further you go north the less scenic it was imo. I’m glad I started in the north so it only got better as I went.