Motorcycle lovers who are also outdoor enthusiasts have an amazing and unique combination of adventure. This guide to motorcycle camping is a great first step to preparing for your next ultimate adventure.
Taking your motorcycle camping can be thrilling because, unlike with an RV, you are not restricted. You can explore tracks and places beyond the reach of RV and other motor vehicles.
If you are going motorcycle camping for the first time, you need to be well prepared. Read on to get some tips on how you can have a great experience when you go motorcycle camping.
The Easy Guide to Motorcycle Camping
Choose your destination wisely
You should choose the location of your planned camping site well. For instance, you might decide to go to a campground or wing it in the wild.
Campgrounds offer amenities that you might find useful. Remember that you may not be able to carry a lot of essentials on your motorcycle. Although your motorcycle can easily maneuver many places, you may need to know what kind of terrain to expect, so that you can plan well.
Prepare your gear
Depending on how long you will be gone and where you will be going, you need to prepare the right gear for your motorcycle camping.
Since you won’t have much space on your cycle, pack compact. Try to distribute your saddlebags uniformly on the bike to prevent toppling or raising the center of gravity too high when cruising.Â
Essentials for Camping with a Motorcycle
A tent
When shopping for a tent, look for something light-weight, waterproof and with a rainfly. Get one that is large enough to accommodate you, your gear, and possibly your motorcycle to protect it from the rain.Â
Motorcycle tarp
If you cannot get a bigger tent to shield the motorcycle from the weather elements, buy a lightweight, waterproof tarp or motorcycle cover. At night, or when it rains, all you need to do is pull the tarp over the motorcycle.
Sleeping bag and sleeping pad
When selecting a sleeping bag and pad, make sure that you do your due diligence to find something that is suited for the conditions of the campsite you will be visiting.
If you get the wrong sleeping bag/pad, you might have a very uncomfortable time if, and when, the temperature changes. Inflatable memory foam sleeping pads offer the best comfort, insulate you from harsh weather conditions while still packing light.
Food, water and cooking gear
Food tastes heavenly in the wild especially if you cook it yourself. You can choose to cook your food over an open fire or you can carry cooking gear if you get space in your motorcycle. A simple canister stove can make your camping life much enjoyable. Carry enough food to last you throughout your camping duration.Â
Water is another critical factor you should consider when going motorcycle camping. How and where will you get clean water for drinking and for using around camp?
If you will not be camping in a place you can find amenities, carry a water purifier or tablets to ensure you get clean, bacteria-free water all the time.
Other gear
There are other kinds of gear you might need when going motorcycle camping.
Just like normal camping in the woods, you will need a bug spray to keep the bugs away. Headlamps, power stations, and flashlights could also come in handy.
If you want a continuous power supply, you can carry a solar charger. And bringing along a motorcycle camping chair means you’ll be comfortable off your bike as well.
Safety concerns
Before you even pack your gear, you should make sure that you are safe when you go out. Always prioritize safety over everything else because if you are not safe, your camping experience will be nasty. There are several ways you can do that.
Service your motorcycle
Get your motorcycle serviced before you head out. The last thing you need is having your ride breaking down in the middle of nowhere. Carry a toolbox as well to take care of simple tinkering when something happens and you don’t have a mechanic in the wild. YouTube videos could assist you in doing simple fixes if you cannot find a mechanic.
Have emergency contacts ready and the phone number of the nearest garage to fix your motorcycle if you get into trouble.
Let a trusted friend or family member know where you are headed so that they can be able to help you fast if you get into an emergency.
Pack clothing for the weather
Carry clothing that is suitable for the weather. You should do your research to understand the weather conditions of the place you are about to visit, especially if you are camping in winter.
If you do not want to carry heavy clothing or do not have extra space, pack light clothing that you can layer on with ease. Have an extra pair of shoes besides your riding boots if you plan on going hiking.
You can also download a weather tracking application to track how the weather might change.
Riding gear
For safety purposes, especially if you will be cruising on highways at night, you should invest in full protective riding gear. Get a good helmet to cushion you against nasty falls should that occur.
Have a first aid kit fastened to the motorcycle for emergencies. Also, take all the necessary precautions when riding your motorcycle.Â
Know the rules of the state you will be visiting, have all your documents intact, and be keen to follow all the traffic rules. Make sure you wear a reflector jacket at night to be more visible to other motorists.
GPS
Some motorcycles come with GPS trackers and this simple device can help you navigate dangerous places or find your way back when you get lost. If yours does not have one, you can purchase one for fairly cheap.Â
Another way to keep yourself in the know at all times is through downloading tracking applications on your mobile phone. The problem with this is that sometimes you might be in a place that has limited network connectivity and some of these apps do not work offline.
