Few things are as exciting as hitting the open road. We love nothing more than road tripping and have taken trips all over the world. If however, you can drive a motorcycle (have the correct licence (and confidence) etc) and haven’t done so already, you really must add a road trip to your bucket list. Cruising has a charm that is lacking with a standard car drive. However, while spontaneity can be fun for a shorter drive, a long road trip can benefit from planning. Therefore here are 3 key tips that can help you prepare for an amazing motorcycle road trip.
Plan Your Route
You likely will be more limited in the amount of food and drink you can take, and it will be difficult to access them. Make sure to plan your route to either include stops where there will be plenty of available parking or roads with little traffic for a fast stretch and snack. If your route plan includes eating at restaurants, try to plan for meals at low-volume times. Lastly, while it may be tempting, be cautious to not overestimate your endurance and the time and distance you can travel. For a trip that lasts more than a day, you may want to book accommodation as we are all aware that ‘Tiredness Can Kill – Take A Break’.
Be Prepared for the Weather
Weather can significantly impact your ride. Pay attention to the road conditions as going out in bad weather is a common cause of motorcycle accidents. Rain can significantly slow you down or even force unscheduled and unplanned stops. Cold weather may turn wet conditions into even more dangerous ice. However, you should also be ready for hot, humid and sunny weather too. Pack water to stay hydrated or take frequent stops to drink up and rest out of the sun. Sunscreen on any exposed skin is a must. If fully covered with gear, beware of heatstroke and make sure you have a way to cool yourself down if you get too hot while wearing it.
Be Smart About Packing
The amount of space available to a rider heavily depends on the bike being ridden. A big touring motorcycle with lots of built-in bags and storage can fit more than a smaller motorcycle, but even then, you can do things like strapping on a cooler or hard or soft bags. A tank bag can keep essentials like a water bottle, sunscreen and more close at hand. Make sure the bike remains balanced as you load it up. Packing too much heavy gear on one side can be dangerous and cause an accident. Be alert for loads shifting, and check on the security of your items whenever you stop to ensure all straps are in place.
A well-planned motorcycle trip can eliminate many of the headaches and hassles that are known to pop up. A motorcycle road trip is all about the feeling of adventure and fun, so don’t be afraid to change things up. Having that base plan and a solid foundation will keep you safe and cruising. With the ability to soak up all the sights and feel the open wind, it may just be time to plan that trip you have been thinking about.
Planning on road tripping on a motorcycle in Asia? Check out these other tips!
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