SMARTPHONE APPS FOR MOTORCYCLISTS

The old adage “get off your phone and ride” doesn’t hold as true as it once did. With my Ram mount on my handlebars and Sena 10R bumping in my helmet, I don’t have to be “on” my phone to be enjoying its many benefits from the road. Several apps have been introduced over the years to help make the ride more enjoyable. Whether it’s by keeping me out of the rain or finding the best restaurants or the most scenic route, these smartphone applications have all helped make my time on two wheels a little bit better.

Not only does this app give you real-time weather updates based on your location, it also tells you which way the weather is moving and how long until it gets there. I have been on a group ride and noticed inbound rain heading in the same direction we were. The group was able to outrun the rain thanks to the heads-up from this app.

This app hasn’t always been the best mapping software for motorcyclists, previously suggesting longer routes to avoid traffic. But newly updated technology lets riders select a motorcycle as their mode of transportation and opt for more scenic routes or the highoccupancy-vehicle lane.

Just about everyone knows what Yelp is. The community-reviewing website and app are a great way to find just about anything when you’re out on the road. Need to find lunch? Easy. Need a mechanic while you’re out on the road? Here you can see what other people thought about local businesses and quickly find someone who’s worthy of your hard-earned cash.

Best Biking Roads

This app works simply and easily when you’re looking for nice curvy roads to ride. Open it up and browse routes near you or near your destination, or plan your own. Routes are rated based on road surface, visibility, scenery, corners, straights, hazards, and police presence.

The concept here is a classic—use the app to find the cheapest gas near you. Sure, your gas tank is small and when the light comes on you just need to find the closest fill, but when you have some time, this app will save you a few bucks really easily.

This app is something I wanted and sought out for a long time before I eventually found it: one place in which I could plan a trip and search for various things along my route. Sure, I think Google Maps does this now too, but Roadtrippers has customer ratings and roadside attractions that you might not notice on other map applications.

SOURCES: BIG AGNES bigagnes.com

WOLFMAN wolfmanluggage.com

Moto Glamping

WHY LUXURY CAMPING IS STILL ATTAINABLE ON TWO WHEELS

I’m kind of a diva when it comes to overnight lodging. I know what you’re thinking, but I am what I am. Because I travel so much, I am always on the lookout for posh accommodations wherever I lay my head at night, even when camping. Which got me thinking: Is motorcycle “glamping” possible? It sure is. We looked at some great new products from Big Agnes, a Colorado-based outdoor-gear manufacturer, for some help in accommodating our special needs. The whole goal was to acquire a great setup for riding to a remote location and parking it for a few days with my wife. So I had to stuff everything into one large duffel that we could strap to the back of the bike with ease. Thanks to Wolfman’s extremely capable and waterproof duffel bag, we were able to do just that.

[ 1 ] I have tons of tents I’ve collected over the years, and even when solo camping, I tend to reach for at least a two-person shelter. I have issues with confined spaces, so a little wiggle room is always better for me come bedtime.The Titan 4 mtnGLO tent ($399.95) is an incredibly durable four-person car camping tent, but it packs down small enough to fit in the Wolfman duffel for moto camping too. It features an external-pole design, which means it can be set up with just the fly as a group shade/shelter, or you can clip in the tent body for a more traditional zip-up camp tent. The pole system is strong, offers generous living space, and is big enough for four but great for long-term trips for two.

[ 2] I strung up the mtnGLO To-Go tent light ($29.95) on the inside at night for ample lighting without being too bright.

I also added the accessory vestibule for use as a motorcycle garage because you always want to keep an eye on your prized possessions.

[ 3 ] I always like to bring a chair if I’m doing longer camp sessions. The large Chair One ($119.95) is big enough to sit comfortably but packs down to nothing, which is perfect for a motorcycle camping trip.

[ 4 ] For sleeping arrangements, you definitely want to make the investment in a good sleeping pad. The AXL Air ($139.95–$189.95) is an ultralight warm-weather pad that combines a high-tenacity patentpending nylon rip-stop shell with internal minimalist construction for stability and comfort. With larger outer tubes, this pad keeps you cradled on top, while the built-in advanced heat-reflective technology helps maintain an optimal temperature while you sleep.

[ 5 ] A proper sleeping bag is also a must. The Bolten SL 20 ($289.95–$299.95) is a mummy-style bag that features PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Active technology with stretch fabric side panels so you can move more freely, bend your knees, and sleep on your side while the insulating properties still do their job.

[ 6 ] For storage, I stuffed all the aforementioned components into the Wolfman Expedition Dry Duffel ($169.99) with ease. The Expedition Dry Duffel is waterproof thanks to its heavy-duty vinyl construction with fully sealed radio-frequency-welded seams to help protect your gear, and stay stable on the bike. The roll-top design makes loading and unloading easier than traditional duffel bags. And with three sizes available, there’s a size best for any purpose. For our efforts, we went with the large bag. Four compression straps and two mounting straps keep things tight on the bike. Easily strap it to your luggage rack for two-up moto camping, or on the rear passenger seat for a nice backrest when camping solo. The dual carrying handle and removable shoulder strap make off-bike transport easy. HB