Motorcycle Camping Trip: Best Resources For Your Motorcycle Camping Tour

A motorcycle camping trip is a perfect excuse to go on a long excursion, traveling across dozens of miles while on your favorite ride. For the most part, the preparations for your retreat into the wilderness lie with you alone. You have to pick out which luggage is best suited to carry your belongings, which tools and provisions can fit into the space available, and pick out the tent that will shelter you.

However, before you can start gathering what you need for your motorcycle camping trip, you need to know where to look. There are many businesses that specialize in motorcycle camping and can provide you what you need. On the camping side, there are brands that help you narrow down likely campgrounds, have a selection of camping tools to aid you around the campsite, and items to make living in the great outdoors more comfortable. On the motorcycle spectrum, there are stores that help provide fuel, replace used parts, make repairs, and have equipment suited for motorcyclists.

The purpose of this article is to help direct you towards the list of companies that may provide the resources you will need to check off your camping checklist and ensure your motorcycle’s readiness.

There are certain campgrounds that allow you to bring your motorcycle near your campsite. Such examples include state and national parks, national forests, and private campgrounds. Depending on the season, it may be difficult to secure a spot for yourself. Before you start gathering supplies, research locations and find ones that are available. Further parameters to consider are if they are within a preferred price range and are within conceivable distance from your current place of residence.

The location will be the determining factor that affects how you choose your route and equipment. These two topics will be discussed later in this article. While there are no establishments to help you figure out your ideal camping ground, there are online resources to help you search:

• Google Maps
• Reserve America
• U.S. Forest Service
• Recreation.Gov
• The Dyrt

Though finding motorcycle campgrounds are not the primary function of these search engines, they are still free tools that can help you plan out your trip. They give a brief summary of the region, reviews, and ratings. After finding a possible place that matches your criteria, perform further research online to find additional details such as utilities.

For a motorcycle camping trip, you have to make sure to pack only the bare necessities that you know will be able to fit on your motorcycle without upsetting its balance. You will need your bedding, shelter, tools, storage, and sustenance. There has to be enough of each category to satisfy your needs throughout the duration of your trip. Any additional comforts you may want to bring can usually be supplied from home.

While food and water can easily be acquired from your local market, it is best to find camp-certified equipment from stores that make sure their products are long-lasting. Whether because of low temperatures, strong winds, or intense heat, the items you choose will make all the difference between making your camping trip a memorable experience or a miserable vacation. While there are popular brands that sell camping equipment, the ones below are focused solely on outdoor activities:

• Recreational Equipment, Inc.
• DICK’s Sporting Goods
• Backcountry
• Big 5 Sporting Goods

While these businesses sell hardier products, they are not all necessarily tailored to suit the needs of a motorcyclist. Fishing, hiking, and climbing equipment are mixed in along with the hand-held tools and tents. Make sure to pick the gear that is appropriate for the season you plan to set out in. While it may be tempting to take as much as possible to ensure you are prepared for every situation, only take equipment you believe you will find daily use for.

It is a good habit to check that your motorcycle’s gas tank is full prior to making a long trip. If your gas meter is reading at about or less than half, then it may be a smart idea to refill. Depending on how far you are traveling, it is possible that a full tank of gas will carry you all the way to your intended destination. However, if you know that the campsite is a lengthy distance away from your place of residence, you may need to make a few pit stops along the way.

Luckily, the highway has plenty of gas stations for you to stop and refuel at. Any gas station will do as the pumps are designed for all modes of transportation including cars, trucks, and, of course, motorcycles. A list of possible gas stations to pick from while on the road include:

• 76
• Mobil
• EZ Gas
• Shell
• Speedway Express

Keep in mind that each gas station differs in how much fuel costs per gallon. If you want to be cost-efficient, a suggestion would be to research which gas stations will be along your intended route. You will be able to compare gas prices and figure out which ones will be nearby during each leg of your trip.

If you have been riding your motorcycle for a decent amount of time, then important components may have become weathered down due to exposure. Dust gathering in tight spaces and debris hitting the outer chassis of your motorcycle may reduce its performance. If there are parts of your motorcycle that are not working at below acceptable capacity, it may be time to purchase and fit your vehicle with replacement parts.

Taking the time to have your motorcycle refitted may save you trouble down the road. Replacing your front and back lights may save you from being pulled over by the highway patrol. Ensuring that you have working brakes will lessen your chances of a collision. Listed below are places where you can get the parts you need:

• O’Reilly Auto Parts
• Sporty Parts
• MotoSport
• Motorcycle Tire Center

Regardless of how old your motorcycle is, if there is indication of damage, you should make sure to get parts that are in better condition. Just because your motorcycle appears largely undamaged does not make it immune to wear and tear. But keep in mind that finding replacement parts could be expensive and may put a dent in your funds reserved for camping.

Hopefully, your ride to the campsite will be a smooth ride. However, there is a miniscule chance that your motorcycle will run into technical problems while on the road. You may be beset by engine trouble, your tires may start to leak air, or you may need an oil change. If it has been several months since your motorcycle has seen maintenance, now would be a good time to bring it in. It is never a good idea to ignore a potential problem that your motorcycle is having. Especially when it may result in you crashing at high-speed on a busy freeway.

Rather than invite disaster, bring your vehicle into a motorcycle repair shop to give it a checkup and fix any issues that are present. A few garages with reliable mechanics to tune up your ride are:

• Fisk Automotive
• Justin’s Cycles
• Motowest Motorcycle Service Center
• DUSTY’S Motorcycle Service & Repair
• Lifestyle Cycles

Given enough time, the specialists should remove and replace any damaged sections while maintaining the integrity of your motorcycle overall. Depending on how serious the state of your motorcycle is, the mechanics may charge you with hefty bills. Besides the money you have put aside for the essential camping and motorcycle equipment, make sure you have an emergency fund reserved for the upkeep of your motorcycle just in case.

Having the proper means of storage appropriate to your motorcycle model will help make it safer and easier to transport supplies. Wearing a full motorcyclist outfit will cover almost every inch of your person, taking extra precautions to ensure your protection. Besides the fact that this gear is highly functional, it completes a fashionable look.

Despite saddlebags coming in different colors, materials, and sizes, they each share the essential aspects of their purpose. They are strong enough to withstand punishment from the elements, have enough pockets to arrange your items, and are easy to maintain and secure to your ride.

Additionally, your choice in outfit aids in how comfortable you are as they aid in wind and water resistance. There is also the added bonus of their materials mitigating the chances of getting scrapes in the unlikely event you fall off your motorcycle. Here are companies that develop the tools every motorcyclist need:

• Viking Bags

Unlike other shops that focus on the state of the motorcycle itself, motorcycle gear stores prioritize its cargo instead. If motorcycles were not designed to be reliable when carrying heavy burdens, all it would be good for is showing off. With the saddlebags and attire provided, you are able to show off your pride as a motorcyclist while maximizing the utility of your trusty vehicle.