Have you been dreaming of hitting the open road with just you and your motorcycle? Although taking a long-distance motorcycle trip may be very exciting, you need to make sure that you are prepared so your trip can be comfortable, safe, with no bumps in the road.
Here are a few tips on best preparing for a long-distance ride on your motorcycle.
Beyond keeping you safe, making sure your bike is in its best form will also help save your wallet! Indeed, despite the relatively small fuel tank of your motorcycle, over time it will create some pain in the hip pocket. From well maintenance to sufficient lubrication and properly inflated tyres, there are many things you can to make sure that every petrol dollar you spend goes further.
Wear Proper Riding Gear
One fundamental way you can prepare for your journey is to make sure you have the proper gear and motorcycle clothing to wear. Proper apparel is essential any time you ride, but even more so when you spend hours on the open road next to big rigs and tired drivers. Safety gear includes wearing a protective helmet, long thick pants, boots, gloves, and eye protection.
For extra precaution, wear brightly colored layers to help other folks on the road see you as you ride. Be sure to prepare for weather conditions as well by packing rain gear and warming layers. You can even invest in an electric vest to keep you extra warm.
If you are riding with a passenger, they’ll need to wear safety gear and optimal clothes too. Be sure your passenger wears closed-toe shoes, a proper helmet, and long layers for protection.
Prepare Your Bike
Before hitting the road, you want to be confident that your bike is prepared to take on the miles by getting it serviced.
You’ll need to test out a lot on the motorcycle to make sure it’s in a tip-top shape, such as:
- Checking the wheel and rim shapes
- Inspecting the engines’ performance and fuel efficiency
- Check the engine oil condition and level with oil dipstick and change it if required.
- Testing both the front and back brakes to ensure they’re not loose
If you’re riding a new bike, ride it for at least one week before your trip to check for any riding problems. If you catch any, you can troubleshoot them before heading out. Practicing riding your bike will also ensure that you are comfortable driving and in your seat. Travelling over long distances on motorcycle with your standard exhaust can also get tiring, says Adam from MotoNation. If you have removed your baffles from the muffler consider putting them in for the journey to reduce the amount of exhaust noise.
When you’re getting your bike serviced, be sure to let your mechanic know about your long trip so they can fine-tune it for the ride.
Pack Light
Motorcycles have the disadvantage of not having a large storage capacity, so you’ll want to make sure that you’re packing smartly.
The type of motorcycle will determine how much you will be able to pack. Overloading your motorcycle could slow it down or cause other unnecessary problems.
Make sure you prioritize items that you know you will need, like your tool kit, essential documents, bungee cords, safety gear, rain cover, tire plug kit, and first aid kit.
Prepare Your Body
Driving a motorcycle is a lot more exhausting than driving a car, so preparing your body for the activity is essential.
Prepping for a motorcycle trip means getting regular exercise, regularly stretching your back and shoulders, and staying hydrated. All this will keep you from getting fatigued faster.
During your ride, it’s important to keep your health in mind by drinking water regularly and taking breaks to stretch or rest when you need it. If you find yourself getting fatigued, you must stop driving. Driving a motorcycle when your senses aren’t as sharp is extremely hazardous to yourself and others.
Hit the Open Road
Once you feel adequately prepared, it’s time for your adventure to begin. Whether you’re traveling from state to state or country to country, doing a long-distance motorcycle ride is a great way to experience the world.
Making sure you are proactive and preparing adequately for your trip with the steps above will allow you to sit back, relax and enjoy your ride.