Ace Camping

My motorcycle camping holidays always started the moment I sat down to decide when and where to go. This determined the equipment and clothing I would need to take with me.

Traveling by motorcycle gives you a number of points you need to consider, both good and bad:

• You can cover greater distances easily. This means that you can plan a whole tour, covering a variety of locations.
• Once you set up camp you have the freedom (and the means) to explore the surrounding country.
• The weather is an important factor in what you pack or wear. Riding 300 miles in driving rain isn’t much fun!
• Your motorcycle toolkit can be used on your camping trip, saving weight and space.

There is an art to packing a motorcycle so that the weight or bulk doesn’t affect the handling or comfort while riding.

You need to keep the center of gravity as low as possible and ideally near to the midpoint of the wheelbase.

To achieve this you need to put all the heavy objects in the saddle bags and the tank bag. The rack on the back should only be used for light bulky items such as your tent and sleeping bags.

Check your manual as you may need to add air to your tires. I always gave the motorcycle a full service before I went on any major tours and was rewarded with nothing worse than a puncture during the last ten years touring!

When you go motorcycle camping, careful planning is vital. With so much to see it pays to make a list of places you don’t want to miss. And remember, it is a holiday. Don’t plan so many days traveling that you miss out on all the good stuff in the area.