Long Distance Travel With a Motorcycle: How To Prepare Yourself

Most riders dream of traveling across states, countries, and even continents with a motorcycle at least once in their lifetime. What if you could bike and go on a long-distance trip exploring your continent? It would be a fantastic life experience you cherish as you grow older. If Alex Chacon rode from Alaska to Argentina and made a solid career out of it, you can do it too with just a little zeal. Of course, there are other long distance motorcyclists like Nick Sanders who holds Guinness World Records for traversing seven continents with a motorcycle. But regular folks want to tell their children or grandchildren a story of those glory days when they get older. Whether you are doing it for adventure or to break records, there are things you ought to consider before or during the long distance journey.

Get yourself the proper gear

Going on a long-distance tour across a dozen states or countries is nothing compared to your short trip to the mall. You need every piece of gear that should be worn when riding a motorcycle. You should get proper pants, leather boots, gloves, knee/elbow caps, helmet, and jacket. If your motorcycle gear is incomplete, postpone the trip for another day. Don’t forget to pack yourself a standard first aid kit just in case of a mishap on the road.

Work out before the trip

Most riders underestimate the importance of working out at least a month before. Remember, long-distance travel entails riding at least 6 to 7 hours a day, and you will tire quickly if you’re not in good form. Even during the trip, stretching out frequently will ease your state. Of course mental preparation is crucial too and you should know how many miles you’re comfortable covering in a day. Eventually, you will slowly learn that the more you get used to it, the easier it will be to get on the road and ride non-stop for hours.

Carry what you need

Just because you’re going for a week-long trip across the country doesn’t mean you carry your whole wardrobe. You don’t want a luggage that will be too much for you. A backpack is enough to pack a few clothes you might need to change during the trip. Adequate water and snacks are also essential to avoid getting dehydrated and less energized on the road. Don’t forget a power bank if your smartphone runs out of charge in the middle of nowhere. A Google Map/Earth app installed on your phone will come in handy to guide your trip. A paper map is just as crucial since you will likely pass through very remote areas with little or no internet connectivity.

Service and Inspect

If your riding chain has hit the 10,000 miles mark, it is time to replace it with a new one before you hit the road. Changing your tires before going on a long distance tour is also recommended. The main reason is that old tires will probably wear out on the road, and instead you should opt for something more firm, which will save you the trouble. The only exception to this rule is if your motorcycle is brand new off the dealership, smelling fresh like lily flowers on a sunny day. Even if your bike is barely a week old, you must take it for a test ride and confirm everything is okay. Inspect the brakes, coolant, radiator, air filter, spark plug, and carburetor. If any of those is out of shape or indicates signs of wearing out, replace them. Even the rusting nuts, bolts and cables should be replaced immediately. Remember, if you ignore even the most minor problem on your motorcycle, you will regret it a few days later, away from home.

Carry Spare parts

Just like inspecting and servicing are crucial, riding with essential spares can be a lifesaver. The basic spare necessities like engine oil, chain lubricant, air filter, accelerator cable, chain link, spark plug, brake wire, and clutch cable will do.

Ride in the morning and rest at night

The best time to hit the road is early, preferably at 8 a.m. Riding late at night through unfamiliar streets is unsafe, especially in a foreign country. Moreover, you should avoid riding too early in the morning due to hazards such as roaming wildlife. Thanks to the internet, there are many motorcycle-friendly motels and hostels where you can shower, eat some food and stay for the night. Before you get on the road every morning, check out the weather forecast, you will likely encounter on your journey. You can always wait it out if the weather is too hostile to ride.

It is often said that you can honestly know your motorcycle once you ride with it on a long distance trip, thousands of miles away. For instance, most people don’t realize the importance of a windshield until they ride at least 80 miles per hour for 3 or 4 hours non-stop. The wind blowing against your body gets exhausting at some point and that is when you will start appreciating that windshield you thought wasn’t necessary. Getting yourself a few earplugs will probably save your hearing in the long run. If you choose a helmet, go with the Helmet equipped with Bluetooth. It gets boring on the road, but with a Bluetooth Helmet you can listen to music, talk with your buddies with similar devices, receive calls, and map instructions. A long distance ride will also expose the comfort of your seat. But don’t worry, even with the most comfortable seat, your butt and legs will need a break after 100 miles. It happens to everybody.