10 Key Tips for Taking Your First Travel Journey By Motorcycle
Road tripping on a motorcycle is a dream come true for many, and yet if you’ve never covered long distances in this way before, there are lots of common mistakes to avoid.
To make sure everything goes to plan, here are some top tips for a major motorcycle journey that will really make a difference to your experience.
Consider the suitability of your motorcycle
Some motorcycle models are better suited to cruising in comfort than others, and your choice should be swayed according to what you intend to use it for most frequently.
For instance, does it have adequate onboard storage for your belongings, or will you need to add things like saddlebags, or even invest in a trailer, to expand the capacity and accommodate every last piece of luggage? Also insider a ram mount ram for securing your cellphone while riding.
There’s also the question of whether your motorcycle will only be a means of transport, getting you from A to B each day, or whether it’ll be part of the adventure in a more active way. Perhaps you’re planning to go off the beaten path, in which case only having road-going tires might exclude this possibility from your itinerary, or else risk an accident.
If you’re not sure that your everyday ride is up to the task, you might consider renting an alternative for the duration of your trip.
Plot out the route you’ll follow
This phase of planning is all-important because it’s the point at which you’ve got the opportunity to think about where you want to go, and more significantly check that it’s doable on a motorcycle.
Use online mapping software to consider things like the terrain, the elevation, the weather conditions you’ll encounter in each place at the time of year your trip is scheduled, and so forth.
You might realize that some of your initial ideas are unsuitable, and you could discover entirely new options to consider that will make the journey better.
Pack sparingly & smartly
The truth is that even the biggest motorcycle with the most storage space won’t match even a compact car for luggage capacity.
That means you need to pack the essentials rather than bring everything you own with you on a cross-country jaunt.
Again, your itinerary must dictate what you take with you and what you leave behind. If you’re going somewhat off the grid, having a backup battery bank for your portable devices and perhaps even a solar charger is wise, for instance.
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Find the right motorcycle insurance
You need high-quality, cheap motorcycle insurance which will cover you wherever you roam. Comparing quotes online is the best way to go about this, and if you’ve already got a policy then it’s still worth checking to see if a better deal is offered elsewhere.
Most importantly, check that any policy you pick will cover you when you’re riding elsewhere in the country or the world. Some packages will stop short at borders and boundaries between states and neighboring nations, so you don’t want to be caught out by this if you do need to make a claim.
Also, consider the reputation of each insurer from a customer service perspective. You want to know that they’ll help you effectively if something goes wrong, rather than being difficult with you.
Keep your motorcycle in tip-top condition
Sticking to a regular schedule of maintenance is a must since a ride that’s treated with love and respect will repay you with mile after mile of reliability, eating up the asphalt rather than coming to a stuttering stop unexpectedly.
If you can’t afford to maintain a motorcycle, then it’s not a good idea to buy one in the first place, as this will only come back to bite you when a breakdown occurs. This will be doubly frustrating if it happens during a road trip, rather than just on the morning commute when you’re closer to home.
As part of your planning process, getting cover which includes recovery in the event of a breakdown is wise if you want total peace of mind, because no amount of maintenance can account for bad luck, and you don’t want to get stuck anywhere unfamiliar, especially if you’re traveling solo.
Get the right gear to wear
What you wear when riding a motorcycle is partly to do with safety, but also encompasses a decent slice of fashion. From your helmet and gloves to your jacket, trousers, and boots, you can express your personality while also adding an extra layer of protection to deflect damage if you do come off the vehicle.
Most importantly, pick gear that’s specifically designed with motorcyclists in mind. It might come with a steeper price tag than you were expecting, but that extra investment will pay dividends.
Schedule regular rest stops
It’s more fatiguing to ride a motorcycle for long distances than it is to stay behind the wheel of a car over the same journey because it’s a more physically and mentally engaging experience.
Because of this, you need to ensure that you factor in frequent rest stops, and also anticipate that you’ll need to take unplanned breaks from time to time as well.
It’s not just about ensuring that you aren’t too tired to enjoy the ride; you also need to be aware of what this can do to your safety. Plus your body will accumulate all sorts of soreness and stiffness if you push it too hard for too long.
Build up to a road trip
If the longest journey you’ve ever completed on your motorcycle is just a few miles, then suddenly trying to drive hundreds in a day will be overwhelming.
The answer is to make sure that you leave enough time to build up your stamina and experience before the trip, gradually going further and further so that it’s not quite like being thrown in at the deep end when the real thing kicks off.
Don’t let the weather take you by surprise
Come rain or shine, you’ll want to complete your planned route. So of course you must prepare for inclement conditions, and also be ready to face warmer spells as well.
Make sure that your luggage is water-tight, bring spare clothing to replace soaked and dirty garments, and don’t expect that everything is going to go without a hitch, because the reality is that missteps can still occur on even the best-planned journey by motorcycle.
Give yourself time to get cleaned up when you arrive at your destination each day
We’ve hinted at the wear and tear that riding a motorcycle can do to your clothing and to your body, and that’s reflected in the fact that when you do get to where you’re going following hours in the saddle, you’ll need a little R&R before you’re presentable.
Of course, if you’re heading to a biker-friendly bar then this is less of a concern, but trying to saunter straight into a fancy eatery without having a shower and slipping into fresh duds first won’t work out well.
Final thoughts
Your first road trip on a motorcycle should be one that stays with you forever, and you want the memories you form to be good ones. The more prepared you are, and the more philosophical your approach to the whole thing, the closer you’ll get to realizing your dream.
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