Tips for Camping with Your Motorcycle

Do you really need to take your car camping? After all, your motorcycle will guzzle much less gas and be much more enjoyable on a road trip! More and more people are using their bike to go camping instead of their car. It takes a bit of creative planning, but you can enjoy a wonderful camping trip! We gathered up the top strategies to go camping with your bike below. For all your motorcycle needs, visit Loewer Powersports. You'll find us in Alexandria, Louisiana.

Plan Your Trip

Planning your motorcycle camping trip helps you make the most of your trip! After all, you only have so much time to enjoy your vacation and you’re investing a decent amount of money between the gas, lodging costs, food, and so on.

Start by creating your trip bucket list. What all do you want to experience? Maybe it’s a hiking trail or a quaint small town. Whatever it is, pinpoint on a map all the spots you hope to hit. Then build a motorcycle route that gets them all. You can also find convenient housing somewhere on your trail. Book in advance to ensure you get a spot (and it can also help you save money).

Don’t forget to look at the weather forecast! You’ll want to avoid riding your bike in extreme heat. If there is going to be heavy rains, snow, or high winds, you’ll be better off staying off the road.

Storage on Your Motorcycle

You'll need to get creative to fit all your supplies on your bike. Your motorcycle likely comes built in with some storage options, such as a top-side box, saddlebags, or a cargo rack. But many campers find this isn't enough to fit all their clothing, tent, food, and so on.

One solution is leather cargo bags. These provide more space and boost the aesthetic of your motorcycle. Keep in mind, though, that they will require maintenance. They can get damaged by road salt, rain, and other substances.

Another solution is dry bags. As their name implies, these are fully waterproof. They guard your valuables, such as a cell phone, from the elements.

Packing Your Bike

Try to keep the weight on your motorcycle low. You'll need the essentials of course, such as shelter, clothing, food, medications, toiletries, water, and supplies to make a fire. 

Opt for travel size versions whenever possible. These take up much less space and you really don't need the whole shampoo bottle when you only need a few squirts.

Another strategy is to shop for backpacking equipment. These items are designed to be as light as possible, after all!

Finding a Campsite

While you look for a campsite, remember that not all allow a motorcycle. Make sure you can bring your bike to your reservation before you book it! 

Next, you'll want to make sure the campsite has all the amenities you need. Does it provide water, electricity, etc? With a little searching, it's easy to find the perfect spot for you and your bike.

Before you can go camping on your motorcycle, you'll need a well-running bike! If you are looking to buy, visit Loewer Powersports. We offer a range of new and used motorcycles for sale. If you already own a motorcycle and it isn't running smoothly, bring it to our service department. Our expert staff can get it running like new in no time. Whatever you need, you can find it with us! We proudly serve those in Alexandria, Rapides Parish, Lafayette, Shreveport, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.