Camping Gear For Motorcycles

The only camping gear for motorcycles you'll normally see on the road are the bags or panniers that motor cycle riders strap to the back of their motor bikes. But some people do take it to the limit, like this pair of middle-aged riders I snapped outside Sydney Australia a while ago, towing a small pop-up camping trailer. But few bikes get to tow trailers. Most aren't big enough, and many riders feel it's too much like using a car.

Motor bikes with full camping tent-trailers are few and far between because they are expensive... Only the most serious motorcycle and camping affectionados would put out that kind of investment and commitment.

With a truck or a car you can put your camping gear on the inside. But if you're like most motorcycle owners, who ride their motor-bikes off for a camping adventure... you will need to stow your camping gear on the machine itself. And it's got to be fitted pretty much on the outside of your metal mount.

For starters, you will need tough waterproof bags to keep your camping equipment safe from the weather and the dirt... normal stresses of long-distance motorcycle riding. And the camping gear needs to be well secured. You don't want anything coming loose and flying off while you're roaring down the highway someplace, but you will still need to be able to get at some things quickly - like foul weather clothing if it starts to rain on you.

Some larger motorcycles may have a couple of large panniers at the back, like the leather saddlebags you see on some Harleys, or the stylish 'fat briefcase' types you see on a German BMW tourer motor-bikes with full fairings.

You can usually fit a large cube-shaped bag on the rear luggage rack or pillion seat of your bike, and maybe a gas tank bag on the motorcycle's petrol tank. But that's it. All your gear has to fit inside that limited space, so motor-bike camping gear is pretty similar in weight and volume to that which a backpacker could carry comfortably on his or her back.

Depending on whether you're riding solo or two up, you'll probably want a small tent, a sleeping bag each, sleeping pads, small camp stove, cook kit (mess tins), mugs, bowls, spoons - and maybe knives & forks as well. But always choose spoons first. Many campers can live without eating forks, and most carry a folding pocket knife as a matter of habit. Matches or a cigarette lighter are a good idea as well, even for non-smokers. I always carry them.

Have tea, chocolate/cocoa or coffee making supplies with you, including powdered milk in an airtight container. Anything else leaks or spoils too easy as far as I'm concerned. Sweetened condensed milk can be really good on a cold night, too. Just dilute it with boiling water and serve.

As for myself, I love to sleep in my Hennessey Hammock. It's perfect for motorcycles in all but cold weather.

Just carry enough food to make a couple of hasty meals for when you're cold and hungry and many miles from the nearest diner or McDonald's. Canned or dehydrated will do in a pinch. Then include a change of clothing and extra socks and underwear. Toilet kit - toothbrush, toothpaste or powder, half a bar of soap (or a small cake or soap from a hotel), a small towel, comb, a few band aids, some aspirin or paracetemol headache tablets, and any feminine hygiene stuff or prescription medicines, if needed.

Out in the country or out on the interstate highways, the larger gas stations that cater to truckers will have hot showers as well. That can really refresh you if you've been camping away from the comforts of home for a few days. Buy a meal there as well, to pay for the shower.

For camp lighting carry a small flashlight or, better still, mechanic's 'trouble light' which has a long cord and runs of the motorcycle's 12 volt battery. If you're going to be in a campground with 110v or 220v A/C mains electric power, by all means carry a mains-powered 'trouble light'. These are the things the guy at the garage uses when crawling under your auto to inspect it, though many garages now use L.E.D. lights - and sometimes rechargeable ones. So check those out as well.

Your motorcycle should already have it's own small tool kit, but it could be wise to carry a spare inner-tube and a pump. In case you get a flat tire 50 miles from nowhere. Here's where membership of an auto club would be a good idea, just as carrying a cell phone (mobile phone) would also be cheap insurance.

The only other camping gear for motorcycles I recommend is a large helping of common sense, plus courtesy for other road users. Why? Because just about everything out there is bigger than you are, and most motorists think motor-bike riders are animals or idiots. So set a good example instead. Do ride carefully. Stay upright and stay safe!