500bm Int'l Edition: How to Start a Motorcycle Camping Trip ("Camp-touring") #1

I wonder how popular it is to go on a camping trip by motorcycle in other countries. Camp-touring (motorcycle camping) has been popular among riders in Japan.

Especially, recent boom for Enduro motorcycles (e.g. BMW　GS1200 Adventure, Yamaha Tenere, Triumph Tiger), many riders spend more time in the nature.

An enduro motorcycle is a type of motorcycle designed for a long-range ride with semi- or full off-road capability. It is a blend of motocross and touring/tourer motorcycles and often those bikes can equip with top- and side-case for extra luggage rooms; suitable for long range ride including camping trip.

I was not so interested in outdoor recreation before, but once I did it, I was hooked. We have so many locally-brewed sake, beer and wines in Japan, but one-day trip does not let me enjoy them so I have decided to camp. This way, I can ride during day and enjoy local drinks and foods at evening. Also, this gives me some missions to ride and search for them.

Also, I like looking for camping tools. I must say it is sometime more fun looking/searching online for new gears.

If you have not gone camping and no idea what to bring, don`t worry.　You will need some tools/gears but you won't need lots to start with.

Here are the FIVE MUST-HAVE items for going on a camping trip:

1. Tent
2. Sleeping bag
3. Sleeping pad
4. Lantern/Flashlight
5. Bug repellent

That`s all! Wait, don't I need more? Yes, you do and you will need or want more later, but for now, the above items are minimal stuff you need to start!

1. TENT
There are variety or types, sizes, and brands. When you choose a tent, the size is the most important. Because we are riding, we want to pack as small as possible and not like cars, when we are at camping site we need to keep all of luggage (unless your motorcycle has trunk rooms) inside of the tent at night time and keep them safe and dry. Most of one-person tents are too small so you want to choose the number of person camping plus one. If you are going a solo camping trip, you want to choose at least a 2-person tent. For 2 campers, a 3-person tent.

A tent with rain-fly or rain cover, vestibule, and ventilation or big windows/entrance would be ideal for Japanese climate especially during summer.

My tent is [Phad X3] by Coleman. The capacity is 3-person and has a large size vestibule, which provides a plenty of space for 2 people with full of luggage comfortably. I also appreciate its packing size; 20 x 40 cm (3.95 kg) is a very compact for this size of tent. A weak point is its ventilation. There is only one entrance/window so if you set it up where there is no shade, inside of the tent can be really hot.

I also had a [Coleman AVIOR X2] tent. This was for 2 person and much lighter and smaller when it was packed, however, I ended up choosing Phad X3 for my main tent because of its height. X2 was comfortable sleeping inside but its height was low. I am about 180cm height and　65 kg and had hard time changing cloth inside of X2.

2. SLEEPING BAG
There are two major shape of sleeping bags: mummy type and rectangular type. For the "touring-camp", I recommend the mummy type. You can　pack this smaller than rectangular type. Also, the mummy type fits better to body-shape and keeps you warm.

Also, there are 2 major types of materials used: down or man-made fiber e.g nylon. The nylon sleeping bag is popular because of its price and more varieties available. If you are not sure you would be going on camping trip often, I recommend this type. However, if you will be going camping often, down sleeping bag is highly recommended.　It can be packed significantly smaller and lighter, yet it is comfortable and keeps you warm.

Sleeping bags have temperature rating. This rating shows the comfortable temperature zone. If you are camping only during summer, 7c+ (Celsius) rating would be fine for most of camping sites.

If you are camping 3 seasons (spring~fall), you want to choose around 0 c rating.

I use a down sleeping bag by a Japanese manufacture, NANGA. This sleeping bag's rating is [-1 c~-6 c] and packing size is [15 x 25 cm]. I used to own a nylon rectangular shape sleeping bag (rating 7 c+, 22 x 35 cm) before. As you can see, their packing sizes are quite different:

I use this NANGA down sleeping bag for 3 seasons with no problem. Also, it was a perfect for a camp-touring in Hokkaido. When it gets cold, you can wear extra sweater or use your riding jacket as an extra cover and/or use some disposal heating pack/hand warmer (Hokkairo ホッカイロ).

3. SLEEPING PAD
Some people might say this isn't necessary, but I say this is the MUST item especially for riders. Camping site is not flat and often there are small rock and twigs under the tent. The pad makes it more comfortable and also shuts out coldness coming from the ground during night time (even during summer). Also, you would be riding back home next day and having a good night sleep and rest are very important for your safety.

In Japan, we have 2 major types. Roll-up pad and (self-) inflatable air pad. The roll-up is inexpensive, but it is not compact. Inflatable air pad is more expensive but you can pack it very small. If you are not sure you will be camping often, I recommend the roll-up pad. You can find it as cheep as around 1,000 yen (called Gin-mat 銀マットin Japan) at any local outdoor stores.

I use "Compact Inflator Mat II L" by Coleman.

4. LANTERN/FLASHLIGHT
Most of camp sites will have no lights so you will need lantern/flashlight for anything you do at night time. It looks awesome to have one of those gas/oil lanterns, but considering the luggage space, perhaps a led lantern is more useful and reliable. I like using a head-light as well. It makes both of my hands free when I cook and eat.

My lantern is "Micro-quad Lantern" by Coleman. This is great because 4-individual lights are connected to the base when I use it as a lantern and each led light can be taken off from the base and use it as a small flash light.

The base has four AAA batteries and works as a power station for those small lights and charge. Battery last for a long time too (probably last 5-6 nights easily).

Now days, you can find a lantern/flash light anywhere with a reasonable price around 1,000~2,000 yen (or sometime less). Make sure to bring extra batteries just in case.

5. BUG REPELLENT
Japanese mosquitoes are evil.... Without a Katori Senko 蚊取り線香　mosquito coils/incense, you might not be able to sleep because they will be flying by your ear all night. The mosquito coils works outside too but make sure that you also use bug repellent spray.

Those are the basic tools/gears you need to start camping. Plus, if your motorcycle does not have a room for luggage, you will need a big bag (waterproof or has rain cover to keep your stuff dry) and/or bungee cable/net to hold them tight on your bike. Many large size bags designed for motorcycle are also available at stores.

I use [Camping Seat-Bag 2] by TANAX.

This 59-75 litter size bag is designed for "camp touring". The size can be adjusted by the side zipper. Also, I use a saddle bag by DEGNER (12 litter).

It is fun cooking and eating outside but if you don't know how to cook, you can also get some lunch/dinner take out at local restaurants/stores/convenience store...etc. It is sometime fun to go find the local foods and drinks.

Some big camping sites offer rental tent gears and BBQ/cooking wears. Also, lots of camping sites often have log house, cabin, tree-house...etc.

Here is a camping site I recommend for those who are new to camp-touring (this was the site I camped fist time)

Pica Village, Saiko (Saiko Lake, Yamanashi Pref.)

This is a very clean and well managed camping site and also offers variety of accommodation styles (camping grounds, cabins, log house...etc) and rental gears you need. Its location is very nice; only a couple of hours from Tokyo city area.

Hope this information will motivate you to go out for camping this year on motorcycle. It is really nice and relaxing spending in nature and your motorcycle life will be more enriched!

In the next blog episode, I will talk about additional gears and tools for making camping more fun!

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