A Must Read Before Your First Motorcycle Road Trip
Motorcycling touring is not as easy and as simple as car trips. There are many things that one has to keep in mind. Then there are local trips, highway riding, and thousand miles cross-state trips. The first motorcycle road trip is important because it can be a turning point. The best way to learn is the hit and trial method but here we are trying our best to give you some beginner tips before your first motorcycle trip. So, you can complete the tour with maximum ease. Following is a comprehensive list of things, from professionals, to consider before your trip.
Pack Riding Gear In Motorcycle Luggage
This luggage you don’t have to pack but keep space for it on top of the bag. Motorcycle riding jacket, helmet, gloves, chaps, and boots. The rain suit or waterproof riding gear to protect from rain and water. Dress according to the weather, textile ventilated jackets in summer and heated gear in winter. Keep neck and chest heated especially in winters.
Keep an extra pair of gloves just in case. Pack for half the days of the trip, wash clothes when you can. Pack twice the money you think and don’t forget accessories like sunblock, lotion, sunglasses, shampoo, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, baby wipes, comb, and deodorant.
Don’t forget the ID, insurance, roadside assistance and other important documents, important tools, and first aid kit that can cover minor injuries. Tools like flashlights, hazard lights, cable ties, duct tape, multipurpose knife, etc. will also be needed. On top of everything pack the water, and snacks according to the travel distance.
Keeping the luggage safe
If your luggage is not waterproof then do external waterproofing to protect your stuff from getting wet. Maybe put a plastic bag or Ziplock bags on it and secure that with bungee cords. This combination will prevent things from getting lost out of the bag. If you would be going around on foot try bringing a backpack or a tank bag that becomes one, so you can have all the needed items at hand while you travel comfortably. Get a waterproof rain cover for the bike, this will help keep the bike clean.
Watch out for fatigue
Safety is one of the biggest concerns for motorcycle riders and most motorcycle riders get in an accident because of riding with fatigue. When planning long motorcycle trips keep in mind it will not be like a car trip and riding on a bike will make you tired and exhausted much sooner. Plan and prepare accordingly, if you are feeling fatigued stop and rest. Motorcycle touring hacks every rider should know, have a look.
Bike checkup
Before the trip is time to have a checkup of your bike. Making sure everything is just as it should be. The repairs should be done two days prior to the trip so that you can make sure of it and get comfortable with new settings. Wiring, breaks, throttle, fuel, fuel gauge, fluids, chain basically everything.
Practice well
Never been on long motorcycle trips? Then before going on the trip practice for it. For instance, if your record is two hours straight drive then on the trip a four-hour ride can feel dreadfully killing. Thus, it is important for you to practice riding for such a time period before going on a trip so that you can get accustomed to it.
Now if you feel anything off, get it repaired or changed quickly. Like that seat your bike came with might not be suitable for long rides. Make sure you are comfortable with everything and ready to go on the trip. Take short breaks and stop to eat and have proper rest.
Accessories
Windshield, consider installing a good one if you already don’t have one. It will protect from constant wind crashing on you, bugs, dirt and road grime. Always wear a full-face helmet on motorcycle trips, you’ll thank us later. Try wearing riding glasses too and keep eye drops with you. Earplugs to minimize wind noise, a GPS navigation system and stick to the route, a Bluetooth communicator so you can inform your friends when in trouble, plus, you can talk while driving to avoid boredom, and a tire repair kit are very important.