I've done some motorcycle camping trips and would like to do more. I searched for threads, but didn't find much. Other sections maybe?... I recently watched a couple inspiring vids: One guy was traveling through Baja CA and Mexico on an Enduro bike. The other documented two friend traveling the Trans America Trail on WR250s, from the Mississippi River in Arkansas, to the Pacific Ocean in Oregon. Absolutely amazing scenery!
The last trip I took was from Sacramento to the Los Angeles area, May 2018, for a custom motorcycle show in Silverado, CA. I Started the journey on Hwy 99 S, which was uneventful, but crammed with valley commuters. It's an amazing feeling to start a trip while 99% of the public is headed to their work-a-day nonsense. The trip got much more scenic on Hwy 5 south of Stockton and continued that way along 152 W and 101 S until reaching Ventura.
I planned to camp on the coast, and make my way to the show early the next day, but all the grounds were completely full with travelers. Stopping became a gamble. The bike I purchased from a friend 1 month prior, 03 Sportster 1200, bone stock w/15,000 miles, was having trouble starting. I pulled off the highway to a county park with a teenager working the gate. He explained that the grounds were full. I asked him nicely if I could pitch a tent out of the way; it would be dark soon and my bike was having mechanical issues. That idea didn't sit well with him. He was a bit of a square and was probably concerned with losing his job. That's understandable.
Commence Plan B. After a few phone calls I was able to secure lodging with my brother-in-laws parents, super nice people who live in Orange County. A friendly camper heard me on the phone and offered to give me a push start. I rode from Ventura to OC without stopping, and arrived just before it got dark. What a relief!
I had a good idea of what potential problems with the bike were, but the fact that I had to home in 4 days to resume work left me little time to trouble shoot. The next morning I had my bike towed to Orange County Harley Davison and paid the extra bucks for them to find the issue. The voltage regulator was failing, which would not charge the battery, thus the bike was having starting problems. Huge thanks to those super accommodating, friendly people at OC Harley Davidson. Believe it or not, other dealerships in OC refused to take my bike in for service, eventhough I explained that I was only in town for the show and 500 miles from home.
The remainder of the trip was uneventful and relaxing. Went to the show on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, met some cool people and saw a lot of very nice machines. Monday arrived and it was time to hit the road. I did not have lodging prepared for my trip back, but I figured I would camp roadside or find a campground. As dusk approached I pulled into San Luis Obispo for fuel. A quick phone search (they are actually good for something) revealed a campground in nearby Morro Bay. Two friendly, female park employees greeted me at the entrance just as the low fog engulfed the area, and there were sites open. Yes! I set up camp and took the bike into the quaint town of Morro Bay for dinner and beers. More welcoming people awaited me at the local brewpub, The Libertine Pub. I was working in the beer industry at the time, and it is a tight nit community, so naturally the staff was eager to talk shop. They even knew some people I had worked with in the past. It was a nice evening of libation and conversation.
I woke the next morning eager to leave the dew and fog. Make no mistake, I thoroughly enjoyed Morro Bay and will sometime return to its laid back vibes. Stop in if you are near. My return trip followed the same route, mostly stopping for fuel/stretch breaks. My bike needs a fill about the time a rest is needed, so it works out perfectly. I made it home by dusk content from the journey.
Moral of the story for OP: motorcycle camping can be done on any bike. Its very similar to backpacking because you are limited on space. I prefer to travel light. Carry some basic tools, extra socks, underwear, t-shirts, some snacks. Water and Gatorade are a must. Layers for under the riding jacket as well. Earplugs and a small amount of hidden cash are helpful.
Never intended for my post to be this long, but I'm trying to contribute here in order to re-enter the freight hopping forum. Safe travels!