CreativeBikers Article

Motorcycle Road Trip – 10 Things to Keep in Mind

Motorcycle Road Trip – 10 Things to Keep in Mind

It’s exciting to see more & more people starting to ride motorcycles and going on Motorcycle Road Trip either on their own or with buddies. Mostly when people start riding, they may know very little about how to start riding comfortably on slightly longer road trips apart from just the city riding. As they continue riding, they make more & more likeminded riders & learn a lot from them & their riding style. This little compilation is aimed to help those who are just starting out & is from a personal learnings & perspective of a relatively new long-distance motorcyclist so should be helpful.

1. Choose a comfortable bike

Motorcycle Road Trip

Whatever kind of bike you choose, you must always be comfortable with it. In case you zero in on a bike that needs certain modifications to ensure it’s comfortable for you to handle, get it done immediately. Some common changes that riders make is getting a different handlebar, a more comfortable seat, guards, better headlights if they are going to do lots of evening riding, a new exhaust, etc. Remember, it’s not just about looking cool on the bike, but also riding it well.

2. Dress to ride

Motorcycle Road Trip

For long distance riding, always try & wear riding pants, ankle boots (safety shoes can be a substitute), riding jacket & of course a full face helmet. Or there is the option of knee & elbow guards or body armor. Motorcycling gear can easily be bought online or in moto stores. Try to get as close size as possible, lose & baggy gear or clothing will only be a disturbance & cause discomfort. When completely geared up, you might feel heavy & awkward at first, but once you get on the bike, knowing that you are riding safer will make your riding more fun & give you greater confidence. Plus you get more of the biker feel on a lighter note. Motorcycle Road Trip

Wearing a riding jacket, canvas trousers & knee guards instead of riding pants temperatures

3. Don’t over pack, pack light
Article About Motorcycle Safety

There’s a brilliant range of motorcycle luggage available in the market to choose from- starting from metal to soft textile luggage. There are saddlebags that you can harness on the back seat of your bike, tank bags which magnetically hug your tank & can carry lighter stuff, tail bags that can be bungeed to the back seat, etc. When packing, make sure to carry as much disposable stuff you can which can be used & discarded. This will help you cut down on a lot of weight as you travel. Eg – instead of shampoo bottles, carry sachets; carry small soap bars, disposable toothbrushes which you can do away with on your ride back. Don’t unnecessarily carry a lot of changes of clothes, instead try & wash & reuse your clothes. Give the DSLR a miss & carry a digicam if you have one, which can be put in your pocket instead of packing it up in the luggage & taking it out every time you want to take some photos. Don’t fold your clothes – roll them, they take up less space that way. Essential medicines are a must.

4. Stay hydrated

A lot of people do not pay attention to the water factor on a motorcycle road-trip. Invest in a hydration pack which is basically a water bottle in a bag with a tube which you can sling over your shoulder & drink water from without needing to take off the helmet or even stopping. Keeping yourself well hydrated throughout your ride will save on all the exertion due to dehydration. You can even add some gluconate-d or Gatorade to your water if you want. A 2-liter pack is enough for a day’s ride & can be refilled if need be. Make it a point to drink some every time you stop (even if you don’t feel thirsty).

5. Know Your route
Article On Motorcycle

Not all of us are genius with directions & remembering roads, but having a fair sense of which direction you are headed in & what route you are taking helps to avoid wasting time getting lost. Try & carry a screenshot of the map on your mobile or a printout of the same in case you want to. Don’t feel shy of asking locals on the way for directions & in case you see other riders on the way, you can also consult them, for all you know, you might just get to know of a more interesting route. Enjoy the ride and try & view other motorcyclists’ itineraries before you start.

6. Take breaks

It’s not a marathon unless you’re applying for the saddle sore or bum burner! Know when your bike & body need a break & stop & rest for a few minutes every few km or every few hours depending on the terrain. Try not to take too many breaks but only essential, otherwise, it just breaks the riding flow. When on a break, check if you have enough water for drinking & enough fuel in the tank so that you can plan your next break accordingly.

7. Start on a light stomach

Eat light breakfast, try an early lunch & don’t overeat. Big meals take a lot of energy to digest and will make you drowsy. Besides, toilets on roads are not very reliable & hard to come by. Carry some snacks & energy bars if you are the hunger pangs kinds.

8. Be prepared for any kind of weather

You should be prepared for rain at any point in time. Carrying raincoats & pants that will fit over your riding gear & raincoats for luggage is a must. Try & test your gear on a rainy day at home

9.  Stay motivated

The beauty about riding a motorcycle is that once you start enjoying it, there’s no stopping. Always stay motivated & excited, even if you fall, skid or have a flat. Getting panicky & scared isn’t really useful. Everyone makes mistakes on a motorcycle & learns from these mistakes.

10. Carry essential tools & Spares

Go to a mechanic & ask him what all essential spares would you need to take on your trip for the bike. Every bike has different requirements. A general list might include a spare tube, spark plugs, break & accelerator cables, engine oil, etc.

You can contact us.

Related Posts

Leave a Reply