Motorcycle camping is an exhilarating way to experience the great outdoors. However, the limited storage space on a motorcycle can be a challenge when it comes to packing for an extended camping trip. This guide will delve into the art of packing smart and maximizing every inch of space on your motorcycle for a memorable camping adventure.
1. Prioritize Essentials
Before you begin packing, create a comprehensive checklist of essential items. These are the things that are crucial for your safety, comfort, and sustenance during your camping trip. Your list may include:
•Camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad)
•Riding gear (helmet, gloves, jacket, riding pants)
•Basic tools and spare parts
•First-aid kit
•Food and water
•Maps and navigation equipment
2. Invest in Compact Gear
Modern camping gear is designed with efficiency and compactness in mind. Look for lightweight and collapsible equipment such as a compact tent, foldable chairs, and a nesting cookware set. These items not only save space but also reduce the overall weight of your load, making your ride more manageable.
3. Use Motorcycle-Specific Luggage
One of the key ways to maximize space on your motorcycle is to invest in motorcycle-specific luggage options. These include saddlebags, tank bags, tail bags, and panniers. They are designed to fit the shape of your motorcycle and can be securely attached, allowing you to utilize every available inch of space. It’s also advisable to opt for waterproof options to protect your gear from rain and other elements.
Viking Bags reached out to us for a product trial, which we are excited to be checking out and taking on one of our upcoming motorcycle camping trips. We have visited their website and the products look great and they have a lot of options available for many different motorcycles and different gear pack options. Stay tuned for a detailed review of the Viking Tactical XL Motorcycle Backpack (coming soon).
https://www.vikingbags.com/motorcycle-backpacks-bags.htm
4. Pack Strategically
When it comes to packing your motorcycle, keep these tips in mind:
•Distribute weight evenly to maintain balance and stability while riding.
•Place heavier items low and toward the front of the bike to prevent top-heaviness.
•Utilize compression sacks for clothes and sleeping bags to reduce bulk.
•Roll clothes instead of folding them to save space and reduce wrinkles.
•Take advantage of empty spaces, such as the inside of your helmet or boots, for storing small items.
•Secure items with bungee cords or straps to prevent shifting during the ride.
5. Plan for Multi-Purpose Items
Opt for gear and clothing items that serve multiple purposes. For example:
•A high-quality rain jacket can double as a windbreaker.
•A multi-tool can handle various repair tasks.
•A bandana can serve as a head covering, dust mask, or even a makeshift sling in case of an injury.
By reducing the number of specialized items you carry, you not only save space but also simplify your camping experience.
6. Minimize Luxuries
While it’s tempting to bring along creature comforts, remember that motorcycle camping encourages a sense of simplicity and immersion in nature. Leave unnecessary items like large coolers, bulky electronics, or extravagant cookware at home. Embrace the minimalist spirit of the journey, and you’ll find that you can do more with less.
7. Regularly Evaluate and Adjust
Throughout your trip, periodically assess your packing choices. Are there items you haven’t used or needed? Consider if they are truly essential. If not, you can either discard them if no longer useful or leave them behind at your next stop. This practice helps keep your load manageable and ensures you’re carrying only what’s necessary.
Maximizing space on your motorcycle for camping is both an art and a science. It involves careful planning, strategic packing, and a mindset that values experiences over material possessions. By prioritizing essentials, investing in compact gear, and using motorcycle-specific luggage, you can create a streamlined and efficient packing system. Remember, the goal of motorcycle camping is to have a safe and enjoyable adventure, so pack smart, travel light, and savor every moment of the open road. Happy motorcycle camping!
Let’s face it we all have to eat. Whether you are on a planned camping event or a spontaneous camping trip with friends, it’s always a good idea to pack something to eat. Nicole and I have been on more than one camping trip where a planned meal has run out or it wasn’t something we wanted to eat. Many of the organized trips we’ve been on provide breakfast and dinner since many participants will be out riding or sightseeing during the day. We’ve seen more than one person miss out on breakfast after sleeping in after a late night. Imagine missing dinner and then breakfast. It’s easy to be prepared for this. Even if you don’t get around to eating the food you packed at least you have it.
Now if you are like Nicole and can’t function without coffee (we have an article about that) then you may already have a heat source in mind. If not, stay posted as we will be exploring some of the different products on the market to boil water and or cook your food in future articles.
In this write up we will explore some food options that will not need refrigeration or a cooling source and are compact enough to fit in your gear.
A quick trip to the store can provide options that could include but are not limited to:
- Top ramen
- Pop tarts
- Small bags of chips or cookies
- Granola bars
- Jerky
- Nuts
- Instant oatmeal
- Peanut butter packets
- Tuna or spam in a bag
- Dried fruit
It’s important to factor in how much space and how you are going to pack it when choosing these options above. Space is always at a premium when it has to fit on the back of a motorcycle. Some small cans might be okay, especially those with pull tabs, but if it’s a conventional can then you have to factor in a can opener and the space for it as part of your gear. Sure, it’s a small item, but small items add up quickly.
While many of the above items are good options for quick snacks, they aren’t very balanced or nutritious. If you are looking for a more hearty meal option, there are many companies that make freeze-dried meals that are well-balanced, nutritious, and easy to pack. Where can we find prepackaged meals in convenient portions? Much like motorcycle campers, backpackers have to bring everything they need with them. There are a variety of companies producing meals that are freeze-dried, dehydrated, and vacuum-sealed. These aren’t your grandparents powdered eggs and milk meals, they are actually well-seasoned, delicious, and affordable. What helps make them affordable is the long shelf life when properly stored.
Don’t worry if you didn’t have a chance to eat it this summer, you could pack it for the next 5 summers and still might have time to eat it before it expires. One of my Mountain House meals has an expiration of 2052…I will be 79 years old! Still riding a motorcycle of course! Some of the freeze-dried meal options include meals from a variety of different cuisine styles and are able to accommodate various dietary needs. Meal options include Italian, Mexican, American, Indian, Asian, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free, among others. From breakfast to dessert there are so many options! All you need is some boiling water and a little patience. You even rehydrate it in the bag it comes in! No messy dishes to clean when you’re done eating.
Rinse your spork and throw it back in your bag. Don’t forget your SPORK!
Over the years freeze-dried meals have increased in popularity and availability and are sold at most sporting goods stores and also including places like Walmart. I can’t vouch for the variety at Walmart and other big box stores, since I usually get mine at REI or Sportsman’s warehouse if I need it now. They both have a large variety of manufacturers and meals and sometimes they have a % off if you buy a certain quantity. If you have the time to wait for delivery, ordering from Amazon or directly from the manufacturer is an option. Should you choose to go the direct route you can find some great deals on bundles and variety packs, you can always go halfsies with a friend to share the cost or with the long shelf life, squirrel them away for an emergency or trips over the next few years.
Here’s a small list of some manufacturers that are easy to source. We have put an asterisk next to ones we have tried.
*Peak Refuel
*Mountain House
*Good to go
*Backpackers pantry
*AlpineAire foods
*Heathers choice
Trailtopia
Firepot
Nomad Nutrition
Patagonia
Next mile meals
Wild Zora
We hope you enjoy some of these options and as you explore let us know which meals you have tried and enjoyed. We love trying new food and look forward to hearing about your experiences with it. With so many options we haven’t tried them all and look forward to your favorite suggestions. As we find more options and ideas we will be sure to share them with
you.
Also, I didn’t forget about water. Stay posted. as we have storage, filtration, and acquiring
options in future articles.
Let’s talk about your home away from home. Your tent is usually the largest item in your gear besides your sleeping bag. Both provide you with protection from the elements and keep you comfortable outdoors.
Tents need a little TLC, just like your motorcycle does. For what we pay for a decent compact tent you might as well give it some love. Most of the time a good shake will do, but there are those times when maybe you get rained on or you set up in the only mud puddle in the whole campsite. If this happens to you, here are some things you can do.
First set up your tent and inspect for damage and missing parts. Taking a quick inventory will ensure you have all the parts and tent stakes for your next adventure. Plus, you’ll get familiar with your equipment before you have to put it together at the end of a long day of riding.
When inspecting for damage make sure your poles and zippers are in good working order. Check for stains, caked-on dirt, debris, small tears, cracks in your poles, and anything else unusual. Sometimes sand or small debris can get into zippers and make them malfunction. You can use an old toothbrush to clear the debris and get them working again. Never force your zippers, being gentle with them will ensure they last the life of the tent.
Using a soft brush gently brush away any dirt or debris stuck on your tent. If it’s really on there, you can pretreat and scrub stubborn areas by using a nonabrasive sponge and a non-detergent soap. For more stubborn spots like tree sap, you can use mineral oil to remove the sap from your tent. Using laundry or dish soap is not recommended as they can strip your tent’s protective coatings. You can buy soaps made for tents at camping supply stores or on the Amazon links we highlighted in this article.
Once you get your tent scrubbed up it’s important to rinse and dry your tent thoroughly. Putting away a damp tent will result in mold or mildew.
Most of the time the process above is sufficient, but should it end up really dirty, say after a night of too many adult beverages, spilled coffee or something else unfortunate, you can fill your bathtub with cold water and a non-detergent soap and hand agitate it. Rinse thoroughly and air dry completely before storing.
Never put your tent in the washer, especially top-load agitators or the dryer. Using machines can cause damage and wash away your tent’s protective UV and waterproofing coatings. Just a couple of quick thoughts off the top of my head about taking care of your tent. Just like motorcycles need some preventive maintenance, so does your home away from home. You paid good money for it, take a few minutes and keep it in good condition.
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