Adding a cooler to a motorcycle can be a wonderful idea. After all, if you tend to ride your motorcycle in the middle of nowhere, you could do with the occasional cold drink and some fresh foods. But is it possible to add a cooler to your motorcycle?
The answer to this question is a resounding yes, because there are many ways to modify your motorcycle to fit your requirements these days. If you are curious about this particular modification, be sure to read on.
How To Use A Cooler On A Motorcycle
There are several ways to use a cooler on a motorcycle. Some modify their bike and install an actual cooler on their motorcycle permanently. Of course, others do not want to touch the original structure of their bike, so they choose a convenient cooler bag instead. So, there is something for each preference.
Unless you have an electric cooler installed on your motorcycle, something that requires a bit more skill, knowhow, and time, you will need some cooler packs in your cooler. Later in the article, we will discuss the best ways to keep your drinks and food cool.
3 Best Motorcycle Coolers To Try
A good cooler does not have to cost loads of money, at least if you know where to look. Today, we offer you a selection of both affordable and advanced coolers, so you can choose one that fits your requirements best. So, let’s take a look at the coolers you need to consider.
1. Coleman 9-Can Soft Cooler With Removable Liner
This cooler is the ideal choice for a single day on your motorcycle in the middle of nowhere. While it may not have the capacity for some of the larger trips, this is a great choice for bikers who only tend to be out for a single day.
Despite its smaller size, the Coleman has plenty of capacity for both drinks and food. The material is also quite flexible, which means you can pack more if you need to. In addition to that, the lining of the bag is made from an antimicrobial material, keeping your food and drink free from mold, mildew and unpleasant odors.
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2. Bison Coolers 12-Can Cooler Bag
Do you need something more substantial that can last you a little more than a day? If so, the Bison Coolers 12-Can Cooler Bag may be what you need.
The Bison Coolers 12-Can Cooler Bag is a little more expensive than some of the other cooler bags suggested in this overview. However, its higher cost is accompanied by a bunch of features that make this one of the best cooler bags out there. One of its most remarkable features is the premium cooling, which allows you to keep food and drinks cool in a heat up to 120-degrees.
Bison Coolers cooler bags are available in bigger capacities as well; this includes a 24-can option. While we do not recommend this option for your motorcycle due to its massive design, the bigger option can be something to consider for car trips.
When you choose the Bison Coolers 12-Can Cooler Bag, you also choose durability. The cooler bag is made from a special vinyl shell, which makes it considerably more durable than other cools made from different materials. It also means you can count on a tear resistance up to 375 pounds and additional UV protection for the material itself!
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3. TOURIT Cooler Backpack
If you rather not put a cooler bag on your motorcycle, you could consider a cooler backpack too. Many brands provide this convenient cooler bag today, this includes the people at TOURIT.
The TOURIT Cooler Backpack comes with a bunch of features you cannot afford to miss. Firstly, it is made from tear-resistant fabrics, while keeping the weight of the backpack as low as possible. Secondly, it has an insulated cooler inside the backpack, which means you do not have to worry about additional layering once you’ve packed your drinks and food.
When you choose the TOURIT Cooler Backpack, you can also count on better organization. Each backpack has a spacious main compartment, complemented by several front zip pockets, a mesh pocket, and additional compartments on the inside to keep things as organized and easily accessible as possible.
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How to Best Pack A Cooler?
Packing your stuff into a cooler bag is quite straightforward. In fact, it is remarkably similar to packing a regular cooler box. But, how do you pack it best? And is it possible to have your food and drink in a cooler bag for several days. Read our top tips below to get the most from your new cooler bag.
Cool your cooler bag
When you want to keep things as cool as possible, it can be helpful to cool your cooler bag before you start packing drink and food. Simply place the cooler bag somewhere cold overnight. As most cooler bags can be folded, you can even place it in the fridge.
Freeze
When you go out for a day or two, you may want to consider freezing some of your food and drink. Bottled water is a great option to freeze, as it will give you something chill to drink but also keep the rest of your food cool. If you are planning to have a meal in the middle of nowhere, you can freeze your foods in advance too; this usually keeps meats fresh for another day or so.
Go bigger
Real ice is only as efficient as its size. When you use small ice cubes, chances are they will melt quite quickly, despite the best efforts of your classy cooler bag. Therefore, it is better to use the biggest blocks of ice you can find, providing you can handle the additional weight and if you have the capacity.
An additional option to real ice is so-called dry ice. While this may be more expensive than normal ice, it does not make your food soggy and can last a lot longer. If you are heading out for several days, then dry ice is almost a must.
Learn how to layer
One of the essentials of using a cooler bag on your motorcycle is learning how to layer. Layering is a vital skill that will keep your food and drink cool, but also make everything easily accessible.
When you use real ice, layering can prevent your food from becoming soggy and unpleasant. In most cases, people use a piece of cardboard between the ice and their pre-packed foods. Of course, some cooler bags provide you with useful compartments to prevent this kind of problem.
A Cooler Bag To Suit Your Needs
Now that you know a little more about motorcycle cooler bags, you might find it easier to choose an option to suit your needs. Remember, always choose a bag that fits the amount of days you will be on your motorcycle.
You should also think about capacity, especially when you are traveling with more than one person. Of course, do not forget our helpful tips to pack your cooler bag either, as this could save you an incredible amount of time and hassle while you are enjoying your ride in the middle of nowhere.