Let's start your camping trip! How to choose a motorcycle and gear, and information about campsites

For camp touring, I believe the best motorcycle is one you're already used to riding. However, if you're considering riding on forest roads, you might also choose to purchase an off-road bike, trail bike, or dual-purpose bike, which are suitable for unpaved roads.

For motorcycle beginners who are planning to buy a motorcycle and enjoy camp touring, it's wise to avoid purchasing what are called "supersport" bikes. While it's not impossible to do camp touring on a supersport, the riding position is strenuous, so riding long distances on a tour can be more tiring than expected, making it difficult for beginners.

Regarding engine displacement, if you plan to ride on highways, you should, of course, choose a motorcycle with an engine size of 125cc or more. However, if you don't plan to use highways, even a moped can be perfectly enjoyable for camp touring. I've compiled a list of recommended motorcycles for camp touring beginners.

HONDA CrossCub 110 (Displacement: 109cc, Max. Output: 5.9kW, Max. Torque: 8.5N・m, Price: 334,800 yen)

KTM 250DUKE (Displacement: 248.8cc, Max. Output: 22kW, Max. Torque: 24N・m, Price: 570,000 yen)

SUZUKI V-Strom 250 (Displacement: 248cc, Max. Output: 18kW, Max. Torque: 22N・m, Price: 570,240 yen)

YAMAHA Tricker XG250 (Displacement: 249cc, Max. Output: 14kW, Max. Torque: 20N・m, Price: 467,640 yen)

HONDA CB400 SUPER FOUR (Displacement: 399cc, Max. Output: 41kW, Max. Torque: 39N・m, Price: 868,320 yen)

HONDA 400X (Displacement: 399cc, Max. Output: 34kW, Max. Torque: 38N・m, Price: 811,080 yen)

Camp touring combines the enjoyment of camping and touring, so you'll need gear for both. This article summarizes what you'll need.

・Choosing a tent
There are various types of tents, including dome tents, two-room tents, tipi tents, pop-up tents, and lodge tents. For beginners bringing a tent for touring, a dome tent is recommended. Dome tents are lightweight and pack down compactly, so they don't take up much space when transported on a motorcycle.

Regarding capacity, even if you plan to use it alone, a 2-person tent is recommended for more comfortable space. It's also safer to choose a tent with a water pressure resistance of 1500mm or more, anticipating potential rain during outdoor activities.

・Choosing a sleeping bag (sleeping bag)
Sleeping bags come in various shapes such as rectangular, mummy, and egg-shaped. For beginners bringing a sleeping bag for touring, a mummy-shaped one is recommended. Mummy bags are very warm because they fit closely to the body, and they are lightweight and pack down compactly, so they don't take up much space when transported on a motorcycle.

For sleeping bag insulation, while down and polyester are options, down is recommended because it packs down compactly. Sleeping bags sometimes have a comfort temperature rating; if it says 10℃, remember to add 5℃, meaning it's suitable for use at 15℃.

・Choosing a camp mat
If you set up your tent on uneven ground, your body will ache while sleeping, so you should lay down a camp mat. Camp mats include closed-cell foam mats, air mats, and self-inflating mats. Among these, an air mat is perfect for camp touring as it packs down compactly, but a self-inflating mat is also recommended for its convenience as it inflates when you open the valve.

・Choosing a lantern
A lantern to illuminate your campsite and inside your tent is essential for camp touring. There are various types of lanterns, such as gas lanterns, gasoline lanterns, and LED lanterns. Among these, LED lanterns are recommended for beginners because they are powered by batteries or other sources, making them safe and easy to handle. Once you're more experienced, why not try gas or gasoline lanterns?

・Choosing a single burner
At camp, you use a single burner to boil water and cook meals. Single burners are divided into those that use LP gas and those that use white gasoline. While white gasoline single burners have strong heat output, they are as difficult to handle as lanterns. Therefore, an LP gas single burner, which uses easy-to-handle cartridges, is recommended for camping beginners.

・Choosing a Sierra cup
A Sierra cup is an indispensable camping item because it's a convenient multi-purpose tool that can be used as a pot, frying pan, coffee cup, and measuring cup. Since Sierra cups are made of stainless steel, they can be placed directly over a fire, allowing you to cook or make coffee. A Sierra cup with markings is also convenient for use as a measuring cup.

・Choosing a table & chair
Tables and chairs come in low-style and high-style. For example, combining a high-style table with low-style chairs can be uncomfortable to use. High-style refers to combining a table about 70cm high with chairs with seats about 40cm high. Low-style refers to combining a table about 40cm high with chairs with seats about 30cm high.

・Choosing a fire pit
A fire pit is a classic camping item as it allows you to warm up and cook at the campsite. For camp touring, a fire pit that folds compactly and measures 20cm x 20cm or less when stored is recommended.

・Choosing a seat bag
Seat bags are attached to the tandem seat of your motorcycle. Since seat bags can be securely fixed to the motorcycle, they are recommended for camp touring. A size around 50L can hold a considerable amount of camping gear, making it a good benchmark.

Rainwear is essential for camp touring because sudden rain can cause your body to get cold and potentially make you ill. Criteria for choosing rainwear include a water pressure resistance of 10,000mm or more, breathability, and reflective materials for safety and comfort.

3 Key Points for Choosing a Campsite for Camp Touring

This article summarizes three key points for choosing a campsite for camp touring.

Point 1: Can you park your motorcycle at the tent site?

If the campsite is quite a distance from the parking lot, it can be difficult to carry your luggage. Furthermore, you might feel uneasy leaving your precious motorcycle in a parking lot where it's out of sight. Therefore, choosing a campsite where you can park your motorcycle at the tent site is a key point.

Point 2: Are there accommodation fees specifically for motorcycles?

When using a paid campsite for camp touring, accommodation fees are required. Even if a paid campsite has accommodation fees set for car-based auto-camping, if there are no specific motorcycle accommodation fees, you might be charged the same as auto-camping, which can be more expensive. Therefore, choosing a paid campsite that has specific accommodation fees for motorcycles is a key point.

Point 3: Is there a convenience store or supermarket nearby?

For camp touring, the amount of luggage you can carry is limited, so you might plan to leave your luggage at the campsite and then procure food and water locally. Having a convenience store or supermarket near the campsite is convenient, making it an important factor when choosing a site.