Planning a motorcycle tour is no easy task, but it’s also not as hard as you might think. With just a little bit of planning ahead of time, you can ensure that your trip goes smoothly. In this post I’ll break down the basics of planning a motorcycle tour and give you some tips on how to do so successfully—and without taking too much time away from enjoying your trip!
Decide on your route.
Once you have your motorcycle picked out, it’s time to decide where you’re going. In order to do this, you’ll need a map and some good organization skills.
First, think about the type of road you want to be on (countryside roads, highways), whether or not there will be hills, and if so how many. If there are any tolls along the way, make sure they are included in your budgeting for gas money! If there is snow or ice in certain parts of the year then plan accordingly because motorcycles don’t do well when it comes to slippery surfaces like these! Also take into account weather conditions like rainstorms at night during summer months; if that happens then pack extra gear because those nasty mosquitoes love their blood too much not too bite even during those conditions 😉
After considering all these factors together it should become clear what route would best suit them while still keeping them safe from harm’s way!
Choose a motorcycle that’s right for you and the road.
The first thing to do is decide what type of motorcycle you want to ride, and then figure out how that bike will fit into your overall touring plan. For example, if you’re planning on hitting the open road on a cross-country trip but don’t want to spend much money, a small all-terrain vehicle may be more up your alley than a sporty cruiser with minimal storage space.
If you’re an experienced rider looking for an adventure series in a foreign country but don’t want any surprises along the way (like being stranded in the middle of nowhere), an older model bike with low mileage might be right for you. Your riding style and experience level should also factor into this decision—if everyone else thinks it’s time for something new but they’ve never ridden before, this could backfire quickly!
Once you’ve got these things sorted out can start thinking about other aspects of choosing the perfect bike:
How much do you want to spend? How often will you be riding? What kind of terrain will you be traversing? What other things will you need, like luggage racks and windshields? Will your bike need any modifications before hitting the road?
Consider your personal support system.
If you’re leaving on a motorcycle trip, it’s important to consider your personal support system. Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- What will your home situation be while you’re away? Who will care for your pets, plants and houseplants? If the weather turns bad and someone needs access to turn off the water or electricity before an ice storm arrives, who will take care of that?
- Who can help if something goes wrong with your bike on the road? What if you get sick or injured? If you break down, who can come get you? Is there a mechanic nearby that can help fix small problems at no cost (or very little cost)?
Asking yourself these questions now can save time later when something does go wrong—and it’s better to have answers prepared in advance than scramble around trying to figure out what needs doing when all hell breaks loose. The most important thing here is not only thinking about how often this might happen but also whether or not someone else could assist in any way without putting themselves into danger too much (or without affecting their own lives).
Before packing a thing, weigh what you want to bring with you.
Before you decide what to pack, it’s important to figure out how much space you have available. You don’t want to bring more luggage than your bike can carry. A general rule of thumb is that you should be able to carry your luggage with you at all times so that if something breaks down or gets stolen, or even just for comfort reasons (for example, when stopping for lunch), then having an extra bag isn’t going to make things difficult.
Also keep in mind that local weather conditions vary from place to place—you may need waterproof gear if rain is common in a particular location but not where you live now—and once again it’s always better not to overpack than under-pack!
Finally: don’t forget about emergencies! Whether it’s bad weather or flat tires or getting locked out of your hotel room because someone accidentally locked themselves inside it with all their stuff and couldn’t get out without breaking something (yes this happened), there are bound to be situations where having certain items handy will prevent major headaches later on down the line.”
Pack your gear efficiently—and wisely.
- Pack a small bag of tools and spare parts.
- Pack your motorcycle’s manual in your tank bag.
- Make sure you have a first aid kit, map of the area and a rain jacket and pants.
- Pack clothing for all weather conditions—including below-freezing temperatures, extreme heat or humidity (such as during monsoon season) and rain. Remember that you’ll need more layers when it gets colder than usual at night or if there is an unexpected downpour during the day.
- Also make sure you pack an extra pair of socks, underwear and shoes (or boots). Your gear should weigh no more than 20 pounds total with everything else included! If something does go wrong on tour—like getting caught in traffic for hours because someone lost control of their car—you don’t want to be left sitting on the side of the road because half your luggage fell off from being too heavy!
Now that we’ve covered what kinds of things are ideal for bringing along when hitting up some new highways… let’s talk about how best to organize those items into something useful:
When you’re ready to hit the road, make sure your bike is, too.
Before you take off on your journey, it’s important to make sure your motorcycle is in good working order. Make sure the following things are in top shape:
- Tire pressure
- Oil level
- Coolant level
- Battery charge (if applicable)
- Brake fluid level
- Suspension and steering systems work properly (this will vary based on type of bike) * All lights are working correctly * Mirrors are in place * Controls are functional * Nuts and bolts are secure (check them periodically while riding!) * The engine starts easily and runs smoothly with no leaks. Wear protective gear like a helmet, elbow pads or knee pads as appropriate for the kind of riding you plan to do.
Nobody wants to spend half their vacation in a mechanic’s shop!
Nobody wants to spend half their vacation in a mechanic’s shop. A motorcycle tour is supposed to be fun, not nerve-wracking!
To make sure you’re not spending too much time dealing with your bike, check the following items before heading out on the road:
- Tires and air pressure – If you’ve been riding all day and then get a flat or blow out while on the road, it will be difficult (and often impossible) for you to find someone willing to assist you. Make sure all tires are properly inflated and that there aren’t any cuts or holes in them. The same goes for the chain—if it’s loose, this can cause damage quickly as well and may require changing it entirely.
- As well as checking that everything is tight, take some time before leaving so that you know how much pressure the tires need before taking off on long rides; if they go flat during your journey without warning because they were underinflated earlier in the day then chances are good that something has been damaged somewhere along those lines which means more money spent later at an auto shop!
- Oil & Fluids – Again these things should be checked prior leaving but also remember to keep an eye out during stops along longer distances where these kinds of services aren’t available–especially if traveling through areas where roads aren’t maintained regularly (or ever). It could save everyone involved quite a bit of time/money later on down line due diligence here beforehand means less likely headaches overall!
Conclusion
Motorcycle touring is a great way to see the world. It can also be an expensive hobby, so it’s important that you plan your adventure carefully. We hope this article has helped you get started on your journey and we wish you good luck as well!
