Summer is here and it’s a great time to load up your motorcycle and head out camping. ‘Camping? With a motorcycle?’ Yes! Whether you’re going solo or in a big group, have a motorcycle trailer or luggage compartment, it’s definitely possible to go camping with a motorcycle and have a wonderful time. Here are some tips to help you enjoy motorcycle camping for your next trip.
Luggage
How much luggage you take with you will be determined by several factors, such as how many are in your group and whether you’re towing a trailer, have luggage compartments on your motorcycle, or will be staying light with some backpacks or other things strapped to your bike. While trailers may be expensive, they will usually allow you to take quite a lot of stuff with you. If you want to travel lighter and cheaper, luggage compartments that are affixed to the back of your bike are a great and relatively cheap option. Cheaper still is carrying things on your back, although this can become tiring on long rides and may limit how much stuff you can bring with you.
Pack light, but for the unexpected
When you’re travelling in a car, it’s easier to fill it with as much as it can possibly carry. But when you’re on a motorcycle, you probably want to limit the amount of excess things you take. So pack light and only take the essentials such as clothing, sanitary supplies, food and some things for entertainment. However, if you’re travelling at a time or to a place where the temperature can be quite variable, with warm days but cold nights, make sure you pack some clothing that will keep you cool/warm at the right times.
Tent
Unless you absolutely relish being “one with nature” and sleeping outdoors without a tent, you’ll probably want to take some kind of tent with you for increased comfort and to get away from the bugs and mosquitoes. Tents are available in many different sizes and at different price points to satisfy most campers, and you can purchase tents which fold up to a compact size, making them easy to transport.
Food and water
Unless you plan on fishing, foraging or hunting for all your food, you’ll need to take some with you on your trip. Depending on how long you’re away for and where you’re staying, you can always stock up as you go, so you don’t need to carry absolutely everything with you. But if that’s how you roll, there are many options, such as taking your own portable camp kitchen with you, as well as pre-prepared meals that are easy to heap up.
Where to camp
There are far too many good camping spots across Australia to list, so have a look online for reviews from other campers so you can assess what appeals. If you’re going in summer then be prepared to share popular spots with many other travellers. Areas such as Byron Bay, Margaret River, Great Ocean Road, Noosa, Flinders Ranges and Kakadu and Freycinet National Parks are incredibly beautiful and wonderful spots in which to camp.
Before you go…
If you’re heading into the countryside or deep into the wilderness, there are a few more things to consider before you go. If you have an itinerary, make sure other responsible adults know about it just in case you get lost and don’t turn up somewhere when you’re supposed to. Also, it makes great sense to invest in a satnav so you always know where you are. It’s also a great idea to get your bike serviced before you leave so you don’t have any nasty mechanical surprises on your trip.
If you’re heading out into the countryside to camp during summer, it’s a great idea to make sure you have the right motorcycle insurance to cover you and your bike in case of an accident. Swann Insurance can help you, get a quick online motorcycle insurance quote now.