The Ultimate Guide to a Long Distance Motorcycle Ride

Completing a long-distance ride can be such an empowering and accomplishing feeling. As well as a tired and ready to go to bed feeling, but overall it is mentally and physically fulfilling. Along the way, you’ll learn new things about your bike and yourself. You have an opportunity to push yourself beyond your limits. Doing proper preparation can really enhance your experience, so it is very important to know as much as you can about long-distance riding. Without this careful and thoughtful prep, you’ll end up having to learn the hard way about what you could’ve, should’ve, and would’ve. No need to fret, we are here to help and give you a rundown on how to have the ultimate long-distance motorcycle riding experience!

Right Bike:

The bike you take your long-distance trip on could really make or break your experience. The most ideal motorcycle for a long-distance trip would be a touring motorcycle. There are many styles available and are better suited for long-distance rides that involve hours of sitting. The seat is in a more upright position which is nice because it does not put a lot of strain on your back. There is a trunk area, and cargo space is maximized with saddlebags. There are even extra pockets for smaller items. The windscreen and front fairing are large to move air around you as you cruise, so you won’t need to be constantly fighting the wind.

Training/Experience:

If you are not used to riding long distances, we really don’t recommend you hop on a bike one day and just take off. Riding for long periods of time requires certain muscle movements and seating positions and you should build up your endurance and stamina before heading out. You can start with short trips, take several short trips without your gear and packed items, then start to incorporate what you will be bringing along with you. This will give you the opportunity to feel the difference in balance and weight of your motorcycle. If you practice packing and riding for a few times you will be able to determine what positions may be better and more comfortable for you. Also, make sure to be properly nourished, you’ll want foods that give you energy like fiber or energy bars, food that doesn’t make you lethargic.

Planning:

A long-distance motorcycle ride will require careful planning. You do not have the comfort of being enclosed in a car so it is important you keep some things into consideration before heading out. The first factor you can plan your route based next factor to consider is fuel stops, know how far you can get on a full tank of gas. Map out how far each gas station is from you so that you are not stranded. Check for any detours or obstacles, some online navigation systems are constantly being updated and can show you what a route has ahead, before taking off a check to see what may lie ahead. The final thing you should plan ahead for is if you are planning to stay anywhere overnight (before reaching the final destination) try to book ahead of time. You don’t want to get in town only to find out there are no available rooms!

Proper Maintenance:

Before even thinking about taking your long-distance trip, you’ll want to make sure you have conducted proper maintenance on your bike. Proper maintenance includes checking for repairs or getting ahead of maintenances that may need to be done at a certain mileage. Check for worn cables, old brake pads, worn tires, or loose handlebars. If something is not on right, worn down, or broken it can be a big risk to you or other riders around you. Take care of your bike!

Using Your GPS:

With some of the most advanced technology that is now out we highly recommend using a GPS to know how to get to your end destination with no issues. As we mentioned before, there are online navigation systems that are now in use that are constantly being updated to let the user know there may be a detour or a different route that could be faster. GPS is very handy and will give you the best idea of when you will reach your destination. If you choose to use a map, it is very important you are paying much attention to highway signs to ensure you are going in the right direction.

Self-Care:

You never want to jump into something like a long ride without taking care of yourself! We really recommend being well-rested (just as you should if you are taking a long drive). Getting the proper amount of sleep will help you stay focused on your ride and minimize the amounts of times you’ll have to stop. However, if you are tired or uncomfortable we do recommend you take as many breaks as you can. Bring snacks for yourself, like fruits, nuts, and fiber-filled foods to give you energy and make you feel good. Also, consider the way you sit, try to have good posture and a good riding position so you don’t feel broken once you hop off of the bike.

Gear:

You’ll want to have the proper gear to ensure you with the best riding experience. For example, bringing a hoody and sweats may not be the best option for keeping you comfortable on a long ride. Because you have already planned ahead, you should know what the weather is like and that should give you an idea on what to pack and bring. Here are 5 items we think are good to pack.

Sunglasses: Staring at the road for many hours at a time during the day can definitely take a toll on your eyes. We really recommend having sunglasses on or accessible to you so you don’t hurt or strain your eyes.
Mesh and ventilated jacket: During the hotter months of the year ventilated jacket will keep your skin protected as well as aired out. We recommend having jacket like this so you can be comfortable.
Mesh riding pants: Like the jacket, having ventilated pants may be more comfortable than jeans or unbreathable clothing.
Waterproof gear: If it is the rainy time of the year you’ll want to invest in waterproof gear so that you’re comfortable and dry. Also, some plastic covering for your luggage.
Boots: Riding shoes provide superior airflow. Many have a built-in ankle and heel protection, a toe box and a reinforced midsole. If you are looking for a motorcycle boot you can always get a pair that offer ventilation.

Helpful Items:

You can always find some room for a couple of helpful items you can store in your bike. Here are some helpful items we recommend you carry:

Tool kits: Carry a tool kit with some basic tools like screwdrivers, pliers, wire cutters, wrenches, electrical tape (etc.) Having something you can use to quickly fix something that went wrong could save you time and give you just enough to get help.
Extra Parts: If you know you are losing screws or are feeling a little unsure about a certain part on your bike, it doesn’t hurt to bring extras. Missing an important piece may cause you to be stranded.
Toiletries: Items like pain medications for headaches you might get could be helpful in making sure you stay focused on your ride. Bug spray, sunscreen, and first aid kits could all be very helpful and beneficial to carry.

Alternative Assistance:

You may already have this through your insurance, but we highly recommend having some type of roadside assistance. Even if you strongly believe you do not need it, think again, it is always good to have it there, just in case. If you are a little closer to your destination maybe you could have a designated tow truck company you could call. Either way, have a plan!

Safety Tips:

To ensure you with the best long-distance riding experience possible consider these extra safety tips. Carry an extra key if possible so you’re not screwed if you lose one. Check oil and fuel levels at rest stops. Check tires and wheels, controls, lights and electrics, chassis. As obvious as it may sound, don’t speed! It can be easy to reach high speeds in lone highways but it’s probably not a good idea. And lastly, get an early start to avoid traffic, crowds, and heat!

Ready to GO?

It may sound a little overwhelming to even think about planning for your ride, but remember that everything falls into place once you’ve carefully gone through each of these paragraphs and figured out what you need. Also, keep in mind this will be a challenge for your mind and body with a huge feeling of accomplishment ahead. If it were easy everyone would complete a long-distance motorcycle ride. Don’t overload yourself with many miles and not enough breaks. We hope you took all of these tips and learned from them. Happy riding to all!

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