I Bought a Motorcycle and Went Camping. Am I In Over My Head?? 

Rescuing that biker may have ruined your first attempt, but I’m thinking it was a blessing in disguise. Seeing how his bike got bogged down in the muck would be hard to forget, and a good lesson learned. Kudos on stopping to help him out. 👍🏼

250s are a gateway drug Man! That's where I started and now I have a 350, 660 and 750 in the garage! Welcome to the RIDE!

When you come to a rough, steep gully crossing, slow down and learn to feather your clutch with and use your legs as outriggers. No need to blast thru those places. That bike can handle creeping along rough areas. If you're unsure of the terrain just slow down.

Welcome to life on two wheels...where you're riding IN the environment, not just driving THROUGH it.

Welcome to Dual Sport bikes, Tristan. The BDRs are great. You did great for a first timer. I know it can be intimidating to start off. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I also have a Yamaha 250, a WR250R. I’m looking forward to seeing more two wheel adventures from you (I really enjoyed your scooter videos too).

I’ve been riding motorcycles, started on mini-bikes at 8 yrs old, for about 55 years and I can’t even begin to think about not being able to ride a mc. You’re hooked and the feeling of freedom will never be the same! Ride on and Ride Safe! 51:36

Tristan I have been following your channel for several years now. I watch all your videos. I was a Nomad for one whole year traveling the Southwest after I retired in a Ford Explorer equipped with all the camping gear. I really really enjoyed your motor scooter and motorcycle videos. I hope you make a lot more. But, mostly I like the pure joy you convey in your videos. I totally get all the fun to be had out there exploring. And here's to a whole lot more adventures!

Love the drone shot after the prong horned sheep. Looks like you are on another planet as a sole survivor ❤ Beautiful scenery 😊

What fun to see Tristan on a motorcycle, and finally, in the vicinity of Adobe Town! Your experience is like mine: every time I visit Adobe Town, I have it entirely to myself. You're right, Tristan, you need to come back and concentrate on the Adobe Town Rim, where the best of the badlands are. Happily, it's a short ride from your home in Rock Springs. You could easily ride to Adobe Town, directly from home. Take your drone! I look forward to seeing your drone footage along Adobe Town Rim! The hoodoos are otherworldly! Riding a motorcycle around the wild horses can be great fun. They are curious about motorcycles, particularly if you're alone. I once encountered a herd of wild horses on the west side of Adobe Town. I was riding slowly, and the herd came over to the road, and they cantered along right next to me, for half a mile, then crossed the road in front of me, and cantered along on the other side for a distance too. The wild horses are one of my favorite parts of Red Desert rides! Tristan, you missed an interesting aspect of the ruins at Fort LaClede. The rocks it is built from contain billions of fossilized snails. The rock formation they built it from was once seafloor, and the rocks formed when conditions changed in the inland sea and killed off billions of snails, which then settled to the bottom and got cemented together. If you go to rock shops in Wyoming, look for a rock called "Turritella agate." Fort LaClede is built entirely from Turritella agate.

Nice to see a fellow Wyomingite producing some content on this beautiful state, just try not to reveal too much ;). I tried taking that road in my 4runner a couple months ago, got a flat tire within 200 yards getting off the pavement lol. Maybe next year, cheers!

Another fun adventure Tristan. Thanks for taking us along. I also really enjoyed your music choices!

Thanks for the history stops. I like the info that gives your videos depth and interest.

"DATE FILMED: Late August 2029" ....and you said that bike isn't fast! Nice adventure. Quite remote! Thanks for the ride!😂

Thanks for the ride, Tristan. That was a cool little adventure and I'm looking forward to your BDR ride.

That’s a great little bike. Congratulations. You will love it.

Thanks for taking us along.

Great bike to start off with, light and reliable, perfect to build confidence and get your skills up. Good luck with the rides, look forward to watching.

I have a recumbent electric trike and when I ride it, you can’t rub the smile off my face. It is so much fun. I have dogs that run beside me and they have a blast,so thank you for taking me along I always enjoy your videos.

Stick with the XT250, great bike it will take you anywhere you want to go, unless you decide to start cruising the highways. Always remember “Less is More”, being a backpacker you already know this.

You made a good decision when you bought this bike, 250cc is the ideal bike for trail riding like you are wanting to do, and you picked it up for a fair price, I would not sell this bike it will take you antwhere you wanna go, just enjoy it

Another awesome adventure! My son just got home from doing the COBDR and he can't wait to do more of them. As you said, you really had a fun time and I think that now you are "hooked". I predict many more similar motorcylce trips in your future. Living LARGE!

Great to see you doing this. Looking forward to the full BDR.

I also just got into ADV and Dual Sport riding and love the fact you have pursued this new activity!

Congratulations on joining the XT family! They are awesome!

Baggs, WY! I lived there about 44 years ago - silly young lady off to do some growing up after a bad situation. You never cease to amaze!

I rode dirt bikes for 50 years, including dozens of off road races; great choice for a first bike, it will serve you well. My passion was, and still is, exploring the desert backcountry, now in a SxS. My motorcycling tip - learn how to use your front brake competently, it's the most important safety control on the bike. Use it frequently, gently at first but you want to develop threshold braking (panic stops), muscle memory - you want to know where it is and how to use it when you don't have time to think. Be careful, it's a slowly developed skill but very important.

I'm ridden dirt bikes off and on for over 50 years. Recently spent time in Utahs Escalante and Capitol Reef area with my KTM 390 Adventure. Two pieces of advice, 1/ learn to ride on the pegs. You'll have better control. 2/ get a pair of actual off-road boots. Having crashed more than a few times, a good pair of boots will save a broken ankle. What I saw in your video, you where taking quite a chance with what you where wearing.

I loved this video Tristan! Based on my many years of dirt-biking and dual-sporting, I can tell you that you have opened a new chapter of life that you will love and not regret! I quit when I reached age 74 and now only ride street bikes (I ride a Harley PanAmerica-same as the guy you rescued). It really got my juices flowing to watch this video and I will be right there with you on all your future videos like this. I have two suggestions: consider a Honda CRF 450X. This was the best of all the many dirt bikes I owned. And, secondly, develop a riding partner to go with you on rides to remote areas. Don’t do it alone. I know that’s not your style, but believe me, at some point in the future some event or circumstance will occur where you will absolutely need help (like the guy you rescued). Keep going man! I think you are hooked already. I will be vicariously experiencing each adventure with you and wishing I were young again. Oh, one last comment: try off road geocaching. I found plenty of off-road caches and it was great fun. Best wishes !

YOU'RE DOING IT RIGHT!!!!

That trail is like the road of life with its potholes and unexpected beauty.

Well done! As someone who has ridden motorcycles all her life, I thought maybe you were biting off more than you could chew with a loaded down bike on gravel and soft dirt, but you did great. I'm glad it was a positive experience.

I love your excitement with these adventures!!

Fantastic trip! I absolutely love the history details you provide, it helps to feel like we were there. Nice bike, by the way. Looks like you enjoyed the ride. 😊

I really enjoyed this video. I look forward to seeing more videos like this with your motorcycle. The more you ride, the more experienced you’ll be. Take care and stay safe. 🏍️👍

In case you worry about changing the channel! Don’t . Your choice of locations and your presentations are unique through and through. I look forward to seeing your next trip.

Great adventure, I don't think you're in over your head my friend. We have to be willing to try new things . But just remember safety first , respect the motorcycle and respect the land you ride it on. Most people these days are distracted by cell phones so be careful out there & never assume they see you . Happy trails 🏍️ P.S. As a seasoned rider let me give you some advice, keep both hands on the bars when the bike is in motion ! That gravel your on is incredibly unstable. If you go down , that gravel will chew you up & spit you out . I know this from experience.

Tristan I think your hooked. I am one of those guys that rode in my youth and stopped and started again in my 60s. I am 73 now and own a Honda CRF300L Rally. I love the bike I can go out camping and still ride on the highway at 70 mph. I think you would like the CRF 300L better because it is easer to work on. My Rally is very complicated to work on because of all the added plastics on the bike. Although it is more comfortable at Highway speeds because of the plastic fairings. I do like the larger tank but both bikes easily get 70 mpg or better depending on how you ride. I also ended up lowering the bike because it is so tall. If you haven't already check out Moto Camp Nerd, they have lots of motorcycle camping gear. Great video!

i absolutely love this new found way of adventuring you have! it is so so interesting to watch! I would love to see you do and complete a BDR!

Proud of you Tristan ! I started out on a mini bike with a Tecumseh 5hp engine, then rode other friends Suzuki dirt bikes, then a 1982 Yamaha Maxim 650cc, then to my brand new 1999 Harley 1200 Sportster. Had a blast all those years ! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

What a fun adventure, Tristan. I loved seeing the wild horses and the little badger!

Great adventure Tristen 😍. I could see the fun in your face & hear your excitement. Beautiful area!! Thank you👍😁

So enjoy your adventures!! 😎

Such beautiful drone footage. Thankful you were not injured as you learn to ride 👍🙏❣️

Tristan you did really, really well for your first time out recording. I'm sure the scooter experience was a big help preparing you for the motorcycle upgrade.

"WILD HORSES, CAN'T DRAG ME AWAY." YEA, COOL VIDEO. Good to see you jazzed up! ❤🙏🎉

Weird people would say not to share too much but America or lots of it is PUBLIC LAND. Meaning everyone can enjoy these areas but pack im what you bring. Let's leave these places the way we came in. Don't litter people. Let's be good stewards of what we still have.

Enjoyed the ride, thanks Tristan 🤩😎⭐️

Great ride. fun. I always enjoy the scenery. Thanks Tristen for sharing.

Congratulations. Great trip. Good luck on your future adventure. I really enjoy your video-logues.

I love this new mode of transportation for you. It's like a whole new adventure. What fun that was! I enjoy those vast open areas, too. Thanks for taking us along and being vulnerable. 😊

Fill the water bag about half way with warm water. Add a tablespoon of Baking Soda and a tablespoon of White Vinegar. Shake it well, empty it and rinse well. That bad taste should disappear.

An excellent adventure. Glad you enjoyed it. Congrats.

That was an awesome ride! Thanks for taking us along! Looking forward to more trips.

I recently bought a 250 scooter, my first of any kind at age 71. I was not even sure why I bought it until I rewatched your first scooter video and realized that internet influencers REALLY influence. I am suddenly a motorcycle rider (my son reminds me "it's a scooter Dad") I can see how it could be a "gateway drug" as stated below but at my age I think I'm just going to have a lot of fun and Tristan... it's you're fault... Thank You! On a side note about your scooter video... I stayed at a motel with my older sister in Kemerer Wyoming when I was 15... A LONG TIME AGO

Dude well done for a new rider! Momentum is your friend and you did the right thing by keeping your momentum over those obstacles. I haven't ridden a dirt bike in years but man I've been jonesing for one and your video really makes me want one again! Looking forward to more motorcycle adventures on your channel!

Very cool, Tristan! I like that you're game to trying new ways to get deeper into wild lands. Keep 'em comin'! 👍🏍

Enjoyed your liking a small cycle adventure. I started I believe in 1973 on a Yamaha DT! 250 camping, hunting etc in KY, IN and OH. Thoroughly enjoyed the trips. Stay safe.

I loved seeing the badger, out there in the wild.

Relax, you'll enjoy it a lot more Where your eyes go, your bike goes. Need to be on your feet/pegs more. Soft sand, ass at the back of the seat to take weigh of the front. Lastly when in doubt, throttle out! You did great, congrats on the bike..remember just to relax. Excited for you!👏🏼👏🏼👍👍

You chose a very reliable, economical and fun model. I've been riding since 1985 and I don't think there's a chance that you're in over your head. You're as physically fit as can be and smart. You will learn as you go and have a lot fun while doing so!

Thank you for the video and all the history that goes with it lonely place

Great video! Glad you enjoy the bike. You mentioned that it was just so different and more fun to ride than drive the trail. The best way I've seen it described is that driving is like watching a movie, and riding is like staring in the movie. Can't wait to see more adventures.

Right on, dude! Welcome to a whole new adventure!

You're doing pretty darn good for just your first bike! Couldn't have picked a better bike, xt250 I think.

Another great video Tristan. I had a Kawasaki 175 back in my younger days, many, many years ago. I would load it with fishing gear and get to places others would have to walk to. They are so much fun!! I rode mine in the city of Dallas when I was young and stupid. You brought back some nice memories from a long time ago. Looking forward to your next adventure on the bike. Be safe and enjoy.

Welcome to the dualsport community. Lots of nice people doing fun stuff on the bikes.

Great video, love the desolate landscape and the horses! Thanks Keep riding!

like watching a baby dear run. loved it man

Excellent video! That looked like a great time. It's not always clear to people who usually travel in cars to describe the huge open field of view you get on a bike and how awesome it is. Even the wide camera view here can't entirely capture the feeling, but it's fairly close. Good luck on choosing a bigger bike.

Congratulations, you chose well. The XT 250 is a capable and dependable bike and with the mods, needs little else. I'm sure a seat pad will be in the future. I wore out 3 DT enduros in the 70's and 80's riding all over northern ID and western MT. Since retiring 4 yrs. ago, I've purchased a TW200 and KLR 650, and ride the heck out of them. Keep in mind not to buy a bike that you can't stand back up by yourself.

This was my favorite video so far! It would be great to bring some of us viewers along? I know that's not your gig, but safer and I bet it would be an excellent adventure. Stay safe!

My friend (I called him Grandpa) loved riding motorcycles! He always described it as in a car you’re watching a movie. While on a motorcycle you are in the movie!

Fun. I really miss those motorcycle days in my youth. Very daring considering how far from help one can get if problems arise. You can really cover the ground compared to a vehicle. And it is really fun. Envy you. Enjoy while you can.

XT250 - outstanding choice as long as you use it to it's capabilities. It can make you brave ;-)

Awesome! Welcome to dual sporting. I did the New Mexico BDR last year in May alone on my 2017 KLR 650. It was fantastic. I think you started off on a great light bike to learn on.

Best show yet!!! I loved the bike and you tripping. Get your shoulder tattooed with mom on it! Went you do your next bike ride, hit up Idaho. The best ! 🎉

Got my first motorcycle in 2005 , a Harley Dyna . Thought I was gonna travel the country , have awesome adventures , etc . 6 months later found out I have spinal stenosis an serious disc problems . Still love riding but no cross country adventures ! This is maybe my favorite video you've posted on this channel !! Love ridin dirt bikes and would love to do something like this , don't think my body would dig it so much . Always enjoy what you post on both channels , still go fishin but don't get to do much exploring . Thanks for takin us along 😎👍👍

Glad to see you got a proper trail bike, I've gotten 55 years on them,started on small bikes went up to 650,now old and gradually went back to smaller bikes,currently on a 230s, s is for 2 inches shorter, same body size as you,use a van as camper. I believe the smaller, lighter bikes are waay more fun!! I really enjoy your channel, thanks so much! 😊

Suggestion ; slow down when going thru the ruts . You're going too fast . Ease down into them and creep out . That's what dirt bikes are good for . Slow and easy thru the rough stuff .

That bike set up look super legit I like the hand guards looks like over sized bars

Love the video, bought the same bike 2 weeks ago, can't wait to do my first BDR.

Amazing how much we have in common. I bought that exact model four years ago when I learned to ride a motorcycle at age 65. Great choice. With a motorcycle or ATV you are riding not driving. Like being on a horse but a lot easier and better with regards to maintenance. I ended up trading in for a Zero FX electric motorcycle. The range was less but the quiet ride was indescribably awesome. My next bike I will downsize to a 140 CC because at 5'6" and 120 lbs I had to imitate Hercules to pick up the 300 pounder.

Great video, thanks for posting it. I also have an XT250(2023) and absolutely love it. I started with a Honda 250 Nighthawk back in 2002, then a Triumph Boneville, then after riding the Boneville from San Diego to Laguna Seca(Monterey, CA area), I wanted somethiing a little bit more built for long distance riding, so I bought a Kawasaki 650 Versys, which I loved. Then I gave up riding for a good 8 years after my riding bbuddy moved out of state. Bought my XT250 in 2023 and couldn't be happier. It will handle anything I could possibly throw at it, with my limited off-road skills!

I have been enjoying all your videos...I have been a Yamaha owner for 59 years (73 now) I owned your very bike only earlier model....I now have a 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 for running errands...that just turned 3000 miles a few days back..Also, I have the very same hitch carrier...Note: (The 3 bolts (17mm) you use to tighten the sway stabilizer to your receiver get damaged/threads stretched and, the ends get mushroomed especially on rougher roads) great idea to keep 3 new spares in vehicle..

You’re going to have some awesome new adventures on that bad boy!

Enjoyed your new adventure, be safe and do more👍👍

That was really fun! I really enjoy the two wheel adventures.

Wow! Very cool way to explore remote areas. Thanks for sharing this adventure. 👌

Thanks for this journey into a part of Wyoming that I wished to explore as I passed through it on 80. It is as beautiful and as desolate as I imagined. In my younger days I rode tandem on a Honda 350 exploring CA. It was FUN!

When you’re riding through a “shaky” part, slow down, stand up on your pegs. Your legs act as shock absorbers. You want your center of gravity, as low as possible. Ride on!

This is fun.. like to see you having a new adventure ..👍

That 250 is a great bike. Bikes are a compromise of power to weight, single track vs highway, easy to pick up vs waiting for someone to come along if you’re injured-as you found out. And before someone chimes in about the latest KTM, consider cost , maintenance requirements, interval to rebuild and parts availability in the boonies. If you want to learn more about Pros and Cons of each, there are many resources. One good one from a guy who has owned and ridden many models, doing what you are now doing, is Big Dog Adventures. Enjoy!

Quite the ride and great camera work. That is an amazing area.

Congrats on your new motorcycle.

Really great video. you did good dropping the bike only twice.🎉😊 I just spent a motel night in Rock Springs. Area I was in....lots of traffic. Love the wildlife you encountered. take care.

I like how you transported into the future (Date Filmed),...😀 I think we'll enjoy watching your new mode of travel. There's about a million things to learn, you'll look back in a few years at this video and think How did I ever make it! Enjoy the journey.

A great adventure. Thank you so much.

Now you’ve done it. You’ll be addicted for the rest of your life. I’m 68 been riding most of my life, on and off-road. You picked the perfect bike to start on. Get some experience before getting a heavier bike. I have the CRF Rally and a T7 Yamaha for duel sport and a FJR 1300 for road touring. Funny I started watching you on your Tenkara channel. Too old to camp on the ground nowadays so I’ve got a Sunray 109e teardrop toy hauler so I can haul the bike and camp with AC and heat. Enjoying your content.

Great stuff MrT. 😎

This reminds me of the old days when my friend and I used to ride all over the desert in Southern Idaho. I'm too old for that now, but I can still enjoy it through your adventures! I used to ride a 500cc four stroke Honda. It would easily do 70 on the pavement stock, but I ended up putting a larger rear sprocket on it for dirt riding. I could tell you weren't that experienced on dirt bike riding. None of this was that challenging. It helps to stand up on the pegs sometimes in rough spots, but that might mess up your gopro footage.