Go Camping Like A Pro On Any Of These Machines

If you’re simply planning to pull into a freshly groomed campsite with access to a toilet and shower, complete with a tidy out-of-the-way parking spot, picnic table, and firepit, then ride whatever you’d like on your next camping trip. But if you’re itching to get up into the hills, away from families on holiday the next spot over, then the bikes below will be for you. These motorcycles are capable of packing in the essential gear you need, of navigating tricky terrain, and getting you to places that will live long in your memory once you’re back to the nine-to-five. These are the perfect bikes for motorcycle camping.

In all honesty, just about any version of Honda’s new Africa Twin would do just fine on a camping trip, but for the best of the best, the new Adventure Sports ES version is the way to go. For 2020, Honda made its impressive ADV even better with a bump in displacement up to 1,084cc and revisions to the chassis to make it more lightweight and capable off road. The ES version has electronically adjustable long-travel suspension, a tall windscreen, more than 6 gallons of fuel capacity, heated grips, a 12V socket, and it also comes in a ridiculously easy-to-use DCT version that eliminates the need for clutch work. The decent-sized pillion seat is a fantastic platform for all the gear you’d ever want to pack in to the hills, or throw down a little extra cash and bolt on some panniers for even more carrying capacity.

The KLR650 has been tried and tested by countless riders the world over, and its simplicity and capability have been winning features since its debut in the late ’80s. Unlike the Africa Twin, the KLR650 is not flashy, doesn’t have the latest and greatest electronics or engine or suspension. Rather, it’s a reliable 651cc single that will chug up just about any mountain road or trail you’d want to ride. It can take a beating and keep on rolling, which is great for riders who want to really explore the depths of the wild. Its 6.1-gallon fuel tank is also nice, since you won’t likely need to add extra weight to carry reserve fuel. The wide, flat seat and tail rack provide plenty of room to strap down essentials, and there’s a wealth of aftermarket bags and cases you can get for a good price to avoid having to use tie-downs. Plus, it’s been only lightly updated since the ’80s, meaning if you find a used KLR650 in decent condition, you can be confident it will do the job about as well as one fresh from the showroom floor.

Bigger isn’t always better when you want to have a successful camping trip, so for those riders who want a more compact ride, the KTM 390 Adventure promises to be a great companion. It’s got a touch of sophistication in its fully adjustable suspension, enduro-inspired chassis, traction control, off-road ABS, and cornering ABS. In fact, it’s actually an impressive machine for its class and the torque from the 373cc single is going to be a boon in off-road scenarios. KTM already has accessory bags ready for the new machine, which might be a worthwhile investment if you’re camping for longer than a day or two. The tailsection doesn’t offer as large a tie-down platform as the previous two bikes, but it’ll still do the trick if you’re camping light.

The long-standing DR-Z400S from Suzuki likely figures in many reader’s tales of early days riding from home out to the trail and back again. It takes the best of the KLR650 and 390 Adventure, simplicity of design and compact aspect, and turns these elements into a bike that was bred for camping. The liquid-cooled 398cc single will pull you through tricky sections while the 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel configuration means you can fit some pretty knobby, off-road tires on there for serious backcountry rides. Rear suspension has preload adjustment, so you can account for the added weight of your gear, and its 317-pound curb weight will be markedly easier to handle than some of the larger bikes on this list. There are no frills here, but that’s to its benefit for the camper/rider who doesn’t want to worry about anything but the journey.

The big-bore BMW adventure bike warrants inclusion because it’s just so good at everything. And the R 1250 GS, with seamless ShiftCam technology and a bump in displacement among other upgrades, does everything even better. True, it takes some skill and experience to really get the most out of this mount off road, but those who have the practice can get through some seriously tough terrain. The high level of electronics aids and suspension performance mean you can be prepared for whatever the trail throws your way, and with 12V charging ports and plenty of storage options, you’d be hard-pressed to find fault as a camping companion. Think of it as the Swiss army knife of camping bikes, you just have to know how to open it.

The pure dual sport Yamaha WR250R is perfect for the rider/camper who can travel light. This bike will take you just about anywhere off road you want to go—its 250cc single is designed to provide ample torque and its long-travel, fully adjustable suspension is capable of being dialed in to handle any conditions. The 295-pound curb weight is the best of those we’ve chosen for this list, and its slim, compact profile will make it a whole lot easier to navigate single-track than the GS or Africa Twin. You lose some carrying and fuel-tank capacity, but a 20- to 30-mile heavy ride through rough terrain to the perfect camp spot won’t be a problem. Just make sure a gas station is nearby when you come back to civilization.

Finishing off with another of the larger adventure machines on the market, Triumph’s Tiger 900 Rally Pro promises to be a camper’s best friend. The 888cc triple was redesigned to improve weight distribution without sacrificing ground clearance and the Rally version comes with adjustable suspension front and rear. It also has wire-spoked wheels and a 21-inch front and 17-inch rear configuration. It’s got 5.3 gallons of fuel capacity and a range of electronic aids that could be helpful in a pinch. There’s plenty of room to pack on your gear and Triumph has kindly put together some upgrade packs for the bike that will fit you with all the bags, cases, and bike protection you’d want on a long ride into the hills.