There are few things that conjure up images of adventure and freedom more than motorcycles and camping, so why not put them together for the ultimate getaway?
With stunning scenic roads across America that were just made for motorcycles and with KOAs along the way, you can admire nature from afar and up close in the same trip, while still being guaranteed a hot shower, and maybe even a pancake breakfast or a steak cookout for dinner.
There’s nothing quite like hitting the open road for some touring with all you need packed on your bike, but for the first-timer that might seem like a daunting proposal, so here are some tips to make sure you have a great experience.
The First 2 Questions
When it comes to prepping for your trip and packing your bike, the first two decisions you’ll need to make are:
• How do I want to sleep?
Do you want to camp out in a tent? Or are you going to take advantage of one of the KOA cottages, cabins or lodges? Although both options require that you bring certain items with you, some KOA lodges come complete with towels and linens—reducing the items you’ll need to carry with you.
• Just how light am I prepared to travel?
If you are an experienced backpacker, bike packing won’t be too much of a transition for you, as you’re used to space being at a premium – you just won’t have to worry about weight as much.
However, if camping for you usually means setting up a home-away-from-home, complete with camp stove, folding chairs, giant coolers and maybe even the kitchen sink, then you’ll need to go through your standard packing list and decide on the bare essentials (be ruthless!).
- Check out Backpacking Light and Backpacking Lightweight for tips on how to pack light for camping, as well as the Forum for Gear reviews.
If you just can’t do without that cast-iron Dutch oven, then you’ll need to look at pulling a trailer. Bear in mind it might cut down on the fun of the twisties when you’re riding, but more importantly, trailers can affect stopping times and have other safety considerations. Also be aware that buying the wrong kind of trailer for your motorcycle can void the warranty.
- Check out this Motorcycle Trailer Guide to help you decide what trailer to get and how to install it or other FAQs.
It’s In The Bag
If you are ready to shed all the non-necessities, the next big decision is: hard bags or soft bags for the bike?
This is mainly a matter of personal preference, but here are some points to bear in mind when making your decision:
• Hard Bags:
Positives – keeps your stuff dry, more durable, can be painted to match your bike
Negatives – larger investment, requires frames and mounting gear to be put on your bike, which means: a) you have to make sure the bag manufacturer has the right frames for your bike and b) when you arrive at camp and take your bags off, if you want to go out riding you’ll have the frames sticking out, which doesn’t look as good and can catch on clothing.
• Soft Bags:
Positives – cheaper, no mounting brackets sticking out when you remove the bags, can themselves be packed away in other bags, tank bag can be handy to carry maps, rain gear, money for toll booths, etc
Negatives – not as waterproof (but generally still keep things pretty dry) or durable, can’t change their color
- Check out Motorcycle Luggage Superstore for your different motorcycle bag options, and the AMA’s “Guide to Carrying Stuff on Your Motorcycle”.
And Remember…
• Waterproof nylon stuff sacks are always a great idea to help keep things individually packed and dry
• Consider putting things that really shouldn’t get wet in heavy-duty plastic freezer baggies.
• You can never have too many clamp straps. Make sure every item is securely fastened, and to the bike itself – never strap bags onto other bags!
- Check out ‘How to Pack for a Motorcycle Trip’ for a detailed packing list and instructions.
I have found that the roll up storage bags (like the vacuum bags) work great. You can seperate as you wish, i.e. mine and her’s, swimsuits, etc.
Canada Eh!
I would suggest that another packing option is to consider canoe packs. If your packing your sleeping bag or tent into a garbage bag, to be strapped onto your back seat or your back rest or top box carried, consider stuffing them in a canoe pack. They are inexpensive compared to motorcycle equipment; they are totally waterproof, they don’t flutter around in the wind and can be rolled up and stuffed into a side bag when not in use.
This is a treasure of good advice! Obviously from the voice of experience. As you write, most soft bags are not so waterproof, but there are waterproof soft bags, too! I own a set of Ortlieb dry bag saddlebags that kept my stuff dry through deluges and hailstorms and misdirected sprinklers. These and anything else you’d need to travel and camp on a motorcycle can be found in the Aerostich Catalog or on their website ().
Ortlieb, Kriega, and Watershed all make terrific waterproof bags. I personally use the Kriega (US-10,20,30) and Watershed duffle (Colorado, Yukon) and find them to be excellent for any adventure.
I wish KOA would list the specific campgrounds that are biker friendly – that would provide bedding, towels, etc. I wouldn’t mind paying extra… We just cannot add that much more stuff onto the bike… Best Western has a motorcycle friendly program with discounts on lodging so we usually go that direction when touring in bike.
It is good to have a pretty good idea of what to expect at the various KOA’s as opposed to getting unpleasant surprises!