Taking a Motorbike on a Motorhome Tour
The Complete Guide
Why carry two wheels instead of towing a car? Everything you need to know about choosing, transporting, securing and riding a motorbike or scooter while touring in your motorhome.
One of the great pleasures of motorhome touring is the freedom to arrive somewhere, set up your pitch and then explore at your own pace. The problem comes when you want to leave the campsite but don't want to pack everything away and move the motorhome.
Walking to the local shop might be fine for a few essentials, but what if the supermarket is several miles away? Or there's a coastal village you'd like to visit, a country pub you've spotted on the map, or a scenic route that isn't particularly motorhome-friendly?
For many motorhome owners, the obvious solution is to tow a small car.
But towing a car isn't the only option.
A lightweight motorbike, scooter or moped can provide surprisingly effective transport once your motorhome is parked. It can be considerably easier to park than a car, cheaper to run and, depending on the bike and your licence, perfectly capable of handling much more than a trip to the campsite shop.
There are, however, some important considerations. You need to think about your driving licence, the weight of the bike, your motorhome's payload and axle limits, how you'll transport and secure it, your towbar or rack capacity, insurance and, of course, where you'll store all that riding gear.
Here's what you need to know before putting two wheels on the back of your motorhome.
Why take a motorbike touring in a motorhome?
The biggest advantage is simple: mobility after you've pitched up.
Once your motorhome is level, the awning is out and the campsite has become home for the next few days, you don't necessarily want to dismantle everything simply to make a trip into town.
A small motorbike or scooter gives you an independent means of transport without the size and complexity of a second car.
The main advantages
Easy parking: A scooter can often be parked where finding space for a motorhome or car would be difficult.
Low running costs: Small-capacity petrol scooters and motorbikes generally use little fuel, while electric models can be economical to charge.
Compact dimensions: A small bike takes considerably less space than a car.
Fun: A motorbike isn't simply practical transport. Riding can become part of the holiday itself.
Access to narrow roads: Small bikes can make it easier to explore villages, coastal lanes and other places where a large motorhome isn't particularly welcome.
Less weight than a car: Even with a suitable carrier or trailer, a small scooter is usually far lighter than a car and trailer combination.
Potentially lower ownership costs: Insurance, servicing, taxation and fuel costs for a small motorcycle can be substantially lower than running a second car.
There are drawbacks, though. You have less protection from bad weather, limited carrying capacity and the additional responsibility of transporting another vehicle safely.
First things first: check your licence
Before buying anything, establish exactly what you're legally entitled to ride.
Motorcycle and moped licensing in the UK is more complicated than simply having a full car licence. The bike's engine size, power, your age, the date your licence was issued and the categories shown on your licence can all affect what you're allowed to ride.
A full motorcycle licence provides the greatest flexibility, but there are routes that allow appropriately qualified riders to use smaller motorcycles and mopeds.
If you only hold a category B car licence, don't assume that you can automatically ride any small scooter. Your entitlement may depend on when your licence was issued and the specific categories and codes recorded on it.
Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) is relevant to many riders who want to ride smaller motorcycles or mopeds, but it isn't the same thing as obtaining a full motorcycle licence.
The safest approach is to check your current licence entitlement with the DVLA before buying a bike.
Don't buy a 125cc scooter on the assumption that your car licence covers it, only to discover that you need additional training or testing.
Your licence should be the starting point for choosing the bike, not something you investigate afterwards.
Choose the right bike for motorhome touring
You don't necessarily need a large motorcycle.
In fact, for many motorhome owners, a big touring motorcycle is exactly the wrong choice.
The ideal bike for motorhome touring is often:
- lightweight
- compact
- economical
- easy to load
- easy to secure
- reliable
- relatively simple to maintain
- suitable for the roads you intend to ride
- small enough to work with your motorhome's payload and carrying system
Scooter or motorcycle?
A small scooter can make an excellent motorhome companion.
Its automatic transmission makes it straightforward to ride, while under-seat storage can provide somewhere to keep small items. Step-through designs can also be convenient for short journeys around towns and campsites.
A small motorcycle gives you more traditional motorcycle characteristics and can be better suited to longer distances, faster roads and less urban riding.
The important thing is not to choose purely on engine size.
Think about how you'll actually use it.
If the bike is primarily going to be used for trips to the supermarket, visiting nearby villages and getting around a campsite, a compact scooter or moped may be ideal.
If you intend to ride 50 or 100 miles during the day, tackle hilly areas or spend entire days touring independently of the motorhome, a larger and more capable motorcycle may make more sense.
But remember: every additional kilogram matters when you're carrying the bike on your motorhome.
Don't overlook small-wheel bikes
Compact bikes and scooters can be particularly attractive because they're lightweight and easy to transport.
Monkey-style bikes, small scooters and other compact motorcycles can be surprisingly capable around towns and villages.
However, small wheels have disadvantages.
They can be more affected by potholes, gravel, rough surfaces and poor road conditions than a conventional full-sized motorcycle.
That makes them excellent for short trips on reasonably good roads but potentially less comfortable for long-distance touring.
A folding or ultra-compact motorcycle can also be tempting if storage space is limited. These bikes can be extremely clever from a packaging perspective, but check their weight, road performance, availability of parts and servicing support before buying.
Electric scooters and motorcycles
Electric two-wheelers are another possibility for motorhome touring.
They have several obvious advantages:
- no petrol fumes
- quiet operation
- potentially low running costs
- simple controls
- little routine mechanical maintenance
- no need to carry petrol
But range is critical.
A manufacturer's quoted range isn't necessarily the range you'll achieve on holiday. Speed, rider weight, hills, temperature, wind, tyre pressures and riding style can all affect battery performance.
Think about your typical day.
If you're planning a 20-mile round trip to the shops and back, a modest-range electric scooter might be perfectly adequate.
If you're planning a full day's exploration through hilly countryside, you'll need considerably more range, and ideally a comfortable safety margin.
Charging needs careful thought
Before buying an electric scooter, consider where you'll charge it.
Check:
- the charging requirements
- battery capacity
- charging time
- whether the battery is removable
- whether the manufacturer permits the battery to be charged inside your motorhome
- campsite electrical restrictions
- how you'll protect the charger and cables from weather
Never assume that because a battery is removable it is automatically safe or appropriate to charge it inside the habitation area. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Buying a used motorbike for motorhome touring
A second-hand scooter can be an inexpensive way into motorhome biking, but buying carefully is essential.
Don't be tempted by a suspiciously cheap motorcycle simply because it looks like a bargain.
Check the paperwork
The registration document should correspond with the motorcycle and seller.
Check:
- registration number
- VIN/chassis number
- engine number where applicable
- seller's details
- mileage
- MOT history where applicable
- service history
- number of previous keepers
- outstanding finance or theft history
A vehicle history check can provide another layer of protection.
Most importantly, physically inspect the bike before handing over money.
If you're buying privately and something about the paperwork or seller doesn't feel right, walk away.
Check the VIN
The VIN is a particularly important identification point.
Make sure the number on the motorcycle corresponds with the documentation. If anything appears altered, damaged or inconsistent, don't proceed until you've established exactly why.
Be especially cautious if the seller has no convincing ownership history or paperwork.
If you're uncomfortable assessing a motorcycle yourself, consider buying through an established motorcycle dealer or paying for an independent inspection.
A cheap motorcycle isn't a bargain if it subsequently needs thousands of pounds spent on it.
How will you carry the motorbike?
This is arguably the most important practical question.
There are four broad possibilities:
- Inside a dedicated motorhome garage
- On a chassis-mounted or towbar-mounted motorcycle carrier
- On a motorcycle trailer
- Using a specialist carrier system that incorporates additional wheels or trailer-style support
The right choice depends on your motorhome, the motorcycle and your available payload.
Carrying the bike inside the motorhome
If your motorhome has a purpose-built garage
designed to carry a motorcycle, this can be an excellent arrangement.
The motorcycle is protected from the weather and doesn't require an external carrier.
But there is a major distinction between a properly designed motorcycle garage and simply putting a motorcycle into an ordinary storage compartment.
Petrol fumes are a serious consideration
Petrol-powered motorcycles can release fuel vapour.
You should never assume that an ordinary motorhome garage is suitable for carrying a petrol motorcycle unless it has been specifically designed and approved for that purpose.
Petrol vapour inside the habitation area presents both a health hazard and a fire risk.
Gas appliances, electrical equipment and other potential ignition sources make this something that should be taken extremely seriously.
An electric motorcycle avoids petrol vapour, but that doesn't remove the need to secure it properly.
The motorcycle needs to be restrained so that it cannot move during braking, acceleration or cornering.
You also need to protect:
- furniture
- doors
- walls
- flooring
- cables
- other stored equipment
And then there's the practical issue.
A motorcycle inside the garage can make access to everything else considerably more difficult.
If you need to move a 100kg motorcycle every time you want your outdoor chairs, toilet chemicals or camping equipment, the novelty may soon wear off.
The payload problem
This is where many motorhome owners get caught out.
Your motorhome has a maximum permitted weight, and that weight includes everything you're carrying.
That means:
- passengers
- fuel
- water
- food
- clothing
- camping equipment
- gas
- accessories
- bicycles
- tools
- luggage
- motorcycle
- carrier
- towbar
- trailer
- anything else you've added
A motorcycle weighing 100kg doesn't necessarily mean you've only used 100kg of your payload.
If the carrier weighs 40kg, you've already added 140kg.
A trailer has its own weight too.
And because loads mounted at the rear of a motorhome can have a significant effect on axle loading, simply staying below the motorhome's overall maximum weight isn't necessarily enough.
Visit a weighbridge
If you're serious about carrying a motorcycle, weighing the motorhome is one of the best things you can do.
Ideally, establish:
- total vehicle weight
- front axle weight
- rear axle weight
Do this with the motorhome loaded as you would normally travel.
Then calculate what happens when the motorcycle and carrier are added.
Never rely solely on the brochure's quoted payload.
Your real touring payload can be significantly different from the theoretical figure because motorhomes accumulate equipment over time.
Carrying a motorbike on a towbar
A towbar can be an extremely useful addition to a motorhome.
It can potentially provide a mounting point for:
- bike racks
- motorcycle carriers
- trailers
- luggage systems
- other accessories
But not every motorhome is suitable for a towbar-mounted motorcycle.
Rear overhang is particularly important.
A motorcycle mounted a long way behind the rear axle can create significant leverage, increasing the load imposed on the rear of the chassis and potentially affecting axle loading.
Some motorhomes require chassis extensions or other structural modifications before a suitable towbar can be installed.
This is why professional advice is important.
Use a reputable motorhome towbar specialist rather than assuming that a generic towbar designed for a passenger car will be suitable.
Understand towbar noseweight
One of the most important numbers you'll encounter is noseweight.
Noseweight is the downward force imposed on the towball by the load.
Your towbar will have a maximum permitted noseweight, but your motorhome manufacturer may specify a different limit.
The lower applicable limit is the one you must respect.
For example, if the towbar is rated for a higher noseweight than the vehicle is designed to carry, the vehicle limit wins.
This becomes especially important with a motorcycle carrier because the motorcycle isn't sitting directly over the towball.
The further the weight is positioned behind the vehicle, the greater the leverage can become.
A carrier rated to carry 150kg doesn't automatically mean your motorhome can safely carry a 150kg motorcycle on it.
You need to consider the complete installation and the vehicle's individual limits.
Motorcycle carriers and scooter racks
A dedicated motorcycle carrier can be one of the simplest ways to transport a small bike.
Many systems include a loading ramp, allowing you to push or ride the motorcycle onto the platform before securing it.
The major advantages are:
- relatively compact
- no separate trailer to store
- quick to load
- easy access once you're at the campsite
- potentially simpler manoeuvring than a trailer
But the disadvantages include:
- considerable rear overhang
- increased rear axle loading
- additional vehicle length
- increased overall weight
- potential visibility issues
- the need for extremely secure tie-downs
Never select a carrier solely because its advertised capacity exceeds the motorcycle's weight.
You need to establish whether the motorhome itself is capable of carrying that load safely.
When a trailer makes more sense
For heavier motorcycles, a trailer can be the better option.
Large touring motorcycles can easily weigh 200kg or more, and some are considerably heavier.
Trying to put a large motorcycle onto a lightweight carrier designed for scooters isn't appropriate.
A dedicated motorcycle trailer distributes the load differently and can provide a much more practical solution for heavier bikes.
Lightweight single-bike trailers can also be relatively inexpensive and easy to store.
Some models fold, which is particularly useful for motorhome touring.
However, a trailer introduces another consideration: you now have another vehicle to manoeuvre.
Reversing, parking, ferry bookings, campsite access and storage all become more complicated.
You also need to establish:
- maximum permitted towing weight
- maximum trailer weight
- noseweight
- trailer dimensions
- braking requirements
- your driving licence entitlement
- the motorhome's towing capacity
Don't assume that because the motorcycle itself is lightweight, the entire trailer combination will automatically be legal.
Securing the motorcycle properly
Once you've worked out how to carry the bike, you need to make sure it cannot move.
This isn't an area for improvisation.
Use a proper motorcycle tie-down system and follow the carrier or trailer manufacturer's instructions.
The motorcycle should be restrained against movement in multiple directions.
Before travelling, check:
- front and rear restraints
- wheel position
- handlebar stability
- suspension compression
- straps for damage
- carrier fixings
- trailer couplings
- safety chains
- lighting
- number plate visibility
Avoid relying on a single strap or a single attachment point.
The bike needs to remain secure not only on a smooth motorway but during emergency braking, potholes, sharp corners and sudden changes in direction.
Check it again after driving
After travelling a short distance, stop somewhere safe and inspect everything.
Straps can settle.
Suspension can compress.
Components can move.
A quick check early in the journey can prevent a much more serious problem later.
Loading and unloading safely
A motorcycle carrier may look simple until you have a 100kg-plus motorcycle at the top of a narrow ramp.
Don't underestimate the difficulty.
If possible:
- load on level ground
- avoid slippery surfaces
- keep the ramp clean and dry
- use a suitable loading ramp
- have another person assist
- ensure the ramp is properly secured
- keep the motorcycle upright and controlled
- don't attempt to improvise a loading method
If you aren't confident handling the motorcycle, practise at home before your first trip.
You don't want the first time you discover that your chosen loading system is awkward to use to be on a campsite in the rain.
Riding gear: don't compromise on safety
Carrying a motorcycle also means carrying the equipment required to ride it safely.
At a minimum, think carefully about:
- helmet
- gloves
- protective jacket
- protective trousers
- motorcycle boots
- waterproof outerwear
- high-visibility equipment where appropriate
A motorcycle helmet isn't the place to save money.
Choose a properly approved helmet that fits correctly and meets the current applicable safety standard.
A full-face helmet provides greater protection and weather resistance than an open-face design, although modular helmets can offer a useful compromise between protection and convenience.
Fit matters more than appearance
Don't buy a helmet simply because it looks good or because it has a particular brand name.
Different manufacturers use different internal shapes.
A helmet should fit snugly without creating painful pressure points.
It shouldn't move excessively when you shake your head, and you shouldn't be able to pull it easily away from your head when properly fastened.
Try several models before buying.
Prepare for the British weather
Motorhome touring doesn't magically make British weather predictable.
You can leave the campsite in warm sunshine and find yourself riding through heavy rain half an hour later.
A waterproof riding layer is therefore essential.
Motorcycle-specific clothing is generally a much better choice than ordinary outdoor clothing because it is designed to provide abrasion resistance and protection in a fall.
For longer trips, consider layered clothing so that you can adapt to changing temperatures.
Remember that wind chill becomes particularly noticeable on a motorcycle.
Think about storage
This is one of the less glamorous but very real problems with motorhome motorcycling.
Where will you put two helmets, two jackets, boots, gloves and waterproofs?
Wet motorcycle clothing can quickly turn the motorhome into a damp locker room.
Before buying the bike, think about where the equipment will live.
Possible solutions include:
- dedicated external storage
- garage-mounted hooks
- ventilated storage boxes
- waterproof bags
- a separate external locker
- drying rails designed for outdoor gear
Keep wet clothing away from areas where it can cause condensation problems.
Insurance considerations
Your motorcycle needs appropriate insurance, but don't forget about the motorhome itself.
If you're fitting:
- a towbar
- chassis extensions
- a motorcycle carrier
- additional rear equipment
tell your motorhome insurer where required.
You should also check whether the modification has any implications for your vehicle warranty.
The motorcycle carrier itself should be suitable for the vehicle and installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
If you're travelling abroad, check that both the motorcycle and motorhome insurance provide the cover you need in every country on your itinerary.
Don't forget security
A motorcycle can be an attractive target when you're touring.
Even a small scooter should be secured when you're away from it.
Consider carrying:
- a quality disc lock
- chain and ground anchor where practical
- alarm or immobiliser
- tracking device
- cover
- additional security for the carrier itself
When the motorcycle is mounted on the back of the motorhome, think about whether the carrier could itself be targeted.
Security is particularly important if you're leaving the motorhome and motorcycle unattended overnight.
Plan your campsite arrival
One advantage of a motorcycle is that it can remain on the carrier while you set up.
But before choosing a campsite, consider access.
Some campsites have:
- narrow entrances
- tight pitches
- low branches
- steep approaches
- soft ground
- restricted parking
- weight restrictions
If you're towing a motorcycle trailer, the situation becomes even more important.
A quick look at campsite access information before departure can save you a lot of hassle.
Motorbike versus towing a car
So, which is better?
There isn't a universal answer.
A car is better if:
- you need to transport several people
- you regularly carry large amounts of shopping
- you want weather protection
- you need substantial luggage capacity
- you frequently explore long distances
- you need to transport mobility equipment
- you don't want to ride in poor weather
A motorbike or scooter is better if:
- you normally travel as one or two people
- you want something compact
- parking is important
- your trips from the campsite are relatively short
- you enjoy riding
- you want lower running costs
- your motorhome doesn't have the capacity for a car and trailer
For many couples, a small scooter can occupy a useful middle ground between walking and towing a car.
The hidden advantage: exploring without moving the motorhome
Perhaps the biggest benefit isn't actually getting to the supermarket.
It's freedom.
A motorhome can be wonderful for travelling between destinations, but once you're pitched, moving it for a short excursion can be inconvenient.
A motorcycle changes that equation.
You can leave your pitch intact and spend the afternoon exploring.
You might ride to a nearby beach, visit a market town, follow a scenic route, find a country pub or simply stock up on supplies.
Then you return to your motorhome, which is exactly where you left it.
That can make a significant difference to the way you use a campsite as a base.
Is taking a motorbike on a motorhome worth it?
For the right motorhome owner, absolutely.
A small scooter or motorcycle can transform the way you tour.
It provides independence without the cost and complexity of towing a car, takes up comparatively little space and can make everything from a trip to the supermarket to a day exploring the countryside much more enjoyable.
But choosing the bike should come after checking your motorhome's carrying capacity.
The biggest mistake would be to buy the motorcycle first and then discover that your motorhome cannot legally or safely carry it.
Instead, work backwards.
Check your licence. Check your motorhome's weights. Weigh the vehicle. Choose the bike. Select the appropriate carrier or trailer. Then make sure everything is properly secured and insured.
For many motorhome owners, a lightweight scooter or motorcycle is the sweet spot: more useful than a bicycle, considerably simpler than towing a car and small enough to become a practical part of the touring setup.
And once you've parked the motorhome, you're free to explore.
Two wheels can give you the best of both worlds: the comfort of a motorhome as your base and the freedom of a motorcycle when you want to go exploring.
