MotoYard.com Blog

Now that the weather in getting warmer, riding season is here again! Some of you most likely have been thinking about and planning your destination for your motorcycle tour sometime this summer. Of course, anytime we are going to be away from home for a few days, we naturally pack some things to take with us. Things that we feel like we have to have. Things that we feel like we just can’t do without.

It’s always interesting to see the items that some people think are necessary, and the amount of …stuff… that comes out of some of those saddle bags or off of the small trailer they are pulling behind their motorcycle. Those guilty of bringing everything but the kitchen sink are not always women, either. Men can be just as guilty of over packing! The thing is, every square inch of space is precious when you are on a motorcycle tour, and it’s really best to try and travel light if at all possible. If you try to haul too much weight across the country, usually it is going to affect the way your bike handles, and that can affect your safety.

If you are planning to stop each night at a motel, this can lighten your load considerably. Most of the articles that you would need for personal hygiene will be supplied by the motel. But, if you are going to camp out each night, then you will need to take everything you need along with you. To save space, you could plan to buy food on a daily basis instead of bringing it along with you. Any cooking at the campsite would require a stove or campfire and something to cook the food in. Investigate the supplies sold for backpackers for some lightweight solutions to cooking. The cooking utensils sold are of necessity small as well, for they are meant to go into a backpack.

Have you thought about shelter for your campsite? Some prefer to rough it and sleep in a sleeping bag under the stars. Others choose a tiny camper that a motorcycle can easily pull which folds into a portable bedroom.

You can use saddlebags, a tank bag, or top case to carry the essentials in. If you are bringing a sleeping bag or perhaps a tent, it can be fastened onto the luggage rack. Packing for a motorcycle tour is all compromise. With some practice, you’ll find that those items you thought you could never travel without will be left behind on your next road trip as you learn to enjoy traveling light.

Popularity: 27% [?]