Going on an extended road trip on your motorcycle can be exhilarating. Ask any biker and you will be told that there is nothing that feels as good as having the wind flow gently across one’s body, while going along at a steady pace in the countryside. More often than not, the view tends to be rather enchanting, particularly if you have taken a break from the overwhelming concrete façade of the modern cityscape.
The Unforeseen
That is all well and good; until the cramps begin to set in. The weather, being the weather, may also change abruptly, soaking your euphoria in a cold wash of rain. It’s important, therefore, for you to make sure that you are fully prepared for any eventuality before embarking on a motorcycle road trip. Here are seven tips that you can use to make your motorcycle road trip a memorable one;
- Plan your route carefully
Though we all love spontaneity once in the proverbial while, a whimsical approach is hardly in your best interest when it comes to motorcycle road trips. Your bike, for one thing, needs fuel, which means that whatever the route that you are going to take, you are always going to need to have enough to make it to the next gas station. Careful planning is a crucial part of any extended trip into the unknown and this is something on which you need to dwell well beforehand when it comes to motorcycle road trips.
- Pack light
Your motorcycle is only going to be able to carry so much luggage, which makes it important for you to carefully plan what you are going to take along on your trip. Be methodical about how you pack your things. This ensures that you do not have to take everything out when, as an example, you need to find your toothbrush.
- Where are you going to sleep?
Part of planning for your motorcycle road trip involves finding waypoints, along your route, where you are going to stay for the night. Believe it or not, in spite of all the enchantment that we mentioned earlier, staying on your bike will become tiresome at some point, and you need to know that there is some place along your route where you can put up your feet and relax in preparation for the next leg of your trip.
Although it may be tempting to carry along a tent and sleep under the open sky, this is not be advisable, unless of course if you are the rugged type. Remember, the long ride on your bike is intended at being a joy and not a chore, and you should desist from anything that sours your view of motorcycle road trips.
- Know your limits
You probably already know how far you can go on a single day without turning your back into a burning furnace. Identifying and planning for your limitations is one good way through which you can ensure that your motorcycle road trip is a memorable one.
If, as an example, you have never ridden more than 300 km in one go, you should plan your trip within the limits of this distance. Remember, you are not in a race with anyone, and trying to outdo yourself will only serve to turn your trip into a misadventure.
- Stay in touch
The hermit in you may tell you to go completely off the grid while riding up some lonesome mountain trail, but that is really not advisable. Okay, maybe it’s advisable if you wish to have some excitable news reader report you missing on the 8 o’clock bulletin!
However angry you may be with the world at large, it’s important for you to stay in touch. This, in today’s world, is easy enough, considering the fact that cellphone coverage now practically reaches the whole country. You also need to make sure that your bike has a phone charging port, one of which you can buy from YouTube for next to nothing.
- Be Safe
Whatever you do, never forget the fact that safety comes first. Part of this involves having a roadworthy motorcycle. The things that you need to monitor in this regard include your bike’s tires and brakes.
Take your motorcycle on any one of the shorter routes that we have previously laid out and make sure that it is properly tuned for the longer haul.
Your safety also involves having a first aid kit. This is particularly important if you are going to be riding down some desolate, rugged path in the countryside. If you are taking your trip as a group, make sure that one of you has a first aid kit.
- Enjoy the view
Speed, as they say, thrills, yet there is so much more to a motorcycle road trip than zipping along at a neck breaking pace. You will find your trip much more fulfilling if you take it slow while taking in the view.
Stop wherever it is that your heart tells you to and take a few minutes to rest your back while taking in the view. Heck, you can even take the time to get a few selfies for that running commentary that you have been giving on your blog or on social media!
If you are going to be riding down some busy highway, be prepared to deal with irate motorists! In most cases, what you simply need to do is smile and get along with your journey. The same applies when riding down the countryside. Put on your best smile and be prepared for the cows and other stray animals that may get in your way!
