Guide To Motorcycle Camping
There are few better ways to spend time in nature than camping─sleeping under the stars, waking up next to babbling brooks and spending the day conquering dirt trails and hills. So when you need to reach the destination, leave your bulky, gas-guzzling truck behind and take your motorcycle instead. You’ll experience a closer connection to nature and waste less money on gas.
However, there are some steps you need to take before you ride off, in order to have a safe, fun trip. We at North County Indian Motorcycle® have listed some of our best tips for motorcycle camping here for you. If you’re looking for Indian® motorcycles for sale, head to our dealership in San Marcos, CA. We invite all our patrons from San Diego and Oceanside to check out our selection of Indian® motorcycles for sale.
Pre-ride Inspection
Before you leave for a long trip, you need to ensure that your motorcycle is up to the task. Give it a thorough inspection before you depart. Fill your gas tank, check and top up fluids and make sure your oil is clean. Test your lights and signals to make sure they’re all functional. Check your tire pressure and look for worn spots on your treads or objects embedded in them. If you haven’t ridden recently, do a short ride near your house and listen for any strange sounds. If your bike needs more detailed service than you can provide, bring it down to North Country Indian Motorcycle® and our service department will make it as good as new.
Plan Ahead
As with any other trip, the more you plan for your motorcycle camping adventure, the smoother it will go. The more things you put off planning, the more problems you end up facing. If you don’t book a campsite, you may end up bouncing from one place to the next looking for a vacancy. You could forget to pack your first aid kit and need to drive to the nearest grocery store that’s hours away from the campsite. You could end up ignoring some worthwhile attractions near you because you didn’t bother to research the area.
We suggest making a vacation bucket list. What do you want to experience? Are there hikes you want to conquer? Are there iconic local restaurants you can’t miss? Are there tourist attractions nearby you want to find? Once you decide on your desired experiences, find the best campsite that offers all the amenities you need. Then make the booking to reserve your spot. When you plan your trip, be sure to check the weather forecast. You won’t want to travel on days with extreme weather, like thunderstorms or excessive heat.
Motorcycle Storage
As more riders use their motorcycles for long rides, manufacturers are adding more storage space to bikes. When looking at new Indian® motorcycles for sale, you have options like saddlebags, top side boxes and cargo racks. If these aren’t enough for you, you can get storage upgrades. Leather cargo bags are, of course, well-paired with motorcycles but they tend to get ruined when they’re exposed to harsh weather. Dry bags are hardier and will keep all your gear safe from rain. Never worry again about damaging your precious electronics, like your phone or laptop.
When packing, remember that you don’t need full-sized bottles of toiletries, so pack the travel-sized ones. You only need a few days’ worth after all. Backpacking equipment also can also help make sure your luggage stays light. These products are made to be lightweight, small and effective. Remember that you only need to pack essentials and some emergency items. Don’t load on more stuff that you want to carry.
Motorcycle Safety
When you camp, you have to store your Indian® motorcycle out in the open. This opens it up to two threats. First, someone might try to steal it. To avoid this, lock your motorcycle up at night. Second, the weather might turn sour. To protect your motorcycle, use a sturdy cover.
When you arrive at your site, take some time to find the ideal spot. Where you set up will impact your enjoyment of your trip. Find a place that is level and flat to help facilitate a good night’s rest. Stay close enough to camp that you can avoid animal encounters. But don’t stay so close that you get woken up by people walking around.
We hope these tips help you have great camping trips in the future. Before you head out on any trips, make sure your bike is ready for them by bringing it over to North County Indian Motorcycle® in San Marcos. We’re your local Indian Motorcycle® dealer and we invite all our friends to take a tour of our collection of Indian motorcycles for sale. If you’re looking for Indian® motorcycles for sale near San Diego and Oceanside, CA, get in touch with us today!