Camping with a Motorcycle

Sometimes you just need to get away from the stress of everyday life and get out into nature. Camping is one of the most popular ways to stay outdoors, and you might love camping, too! But have you ever considered riding your motorcycle on your trip? Taking a motorcycle camping allows you to have an even more pure and natural experience so you don’t have to wait until you get to the campsite to have fun. If you want to give a try, though, there are a few tips that might help you have the best time possible. Read on to learn our tips for camping with a motorcycle. If you need maintenance on your motorcycle, stop by Peak Honda World. Located near Denver, Colorado, we proudly serve the areas of Littleton, Lakewood, Highlands Ranch, and Centennial.

Cargo Options

Having the right gear is essential to having a good camping trip, but you have to have a way to get that gear to the campsite. Riding a motorcycle tends to limit your cargo carrying capacity (by comparison to a car, at least). But if you’re smart about how you equip your bike, you’ll have plenty of room to bring everything you need.

Saddlebags are the classic storage solution for most motorcycles. The two main types are leather and hard side, which can be made of metal or plastic. Leather saddlebags are great because they lend a vintage look to your bike. For classic cruisers and old baggers, leather can’t be beaten for bringing the look together. Leather bags do require some maintenance, however, to protect them from the rain and salt from the road. Hard side saddlebags are another solution. They are often paint matched with the rest of the bike. This type of saddlebag looks good and is also extremely durable. They don’t require any special maintenance and they can usually be locked, which will help to keep the contents secure.

Saddlebags aren’t the only cargo solution, though. A top-side box can be a good alternative. This box rides directly behind the rider. Most models are big enough to fit a standard size helmet. If you have a storage rack to mount luggage on, a set of quality dry bags can be helpful.

Invest in Good Gear

Having good camping gear will help to keep the weight and size of your cargo down. Gear designed for backpacking is especially helpful. A good backpacking sleeping bag will fit in a smaller area than a normal motorcycle helmet. An ultralight tent will fit in an even smaller space and will keep you protected from the elements. If you want to get really serious about it, a pump water filter will make it possible to have drinkable water basically everywhere you go. This is especially helpful for motorcycle camping because water is bulky and very heavy.

Packing Tips

Sockets work for some of the same jobs as wrenches, but they have a few advantages over wrenches. First, their ratcheting action will make the job quicker and easier. Second, they provide more contact surface when removing fasteners. This helps to reduce the likelihood that they’ll strip nuts or bolts, and are less likely to damage fastener finishes.

Torque Wrench

The way you actually pack your bike is important. You want to distribute the weight evenly around the bike to make sure you don’t make it more difficult to steer by having lopsided weight distribution. Try to load heavier items lower on your bike. This will keep the center of gravity as low as possible, which will help the handling. It’s best to avoid riding with all the water and food you’ll need for the trip because these things can be heavy and if you can buy them right before you get to the destination, or even at the destination, you’ll make the riding experience much easier. If you have to lash any luggage to the back of your bike, make sure it’s totally secure and won’t slide out.

Motorcycle camping can be lots of fun if you plan and pack correctly. Hopefully, this short guide gave you a few good tips. If you need maintenance for your motorcycle before you leave, or if you’re in the market for a new motorcycle, stop by Peak Honda World. Our team of knowledgeable motorcycle experts will help you find everything you need. We’re located in Littleton, Colorado, near Denver, and we proudly serve the areas of Lakewood, Highlands Ranch, and Centennial.