Top 10 Motorcycle Travel Tips

May 27, 2022 — If you’re reading this, chances are you’re thinking about hitting the open road, where dreams of crimson sunsets are only rivaled by sights of ice cream stands in the distance.

Sounds awfully poetic and all, but hear me out. What’s the point of making a list of tips, tricks, secrets and what have you, if they don’t go to the general betterment and enjoyment of riding? We want to have fun out there after all; we travel and tour because it fulfills us in one way or another.

I know, nothing will perfectly shelter you from a bad time. But there are always things you can do to get the best out of your trips, and look back fondly on the good, the bad, the ugly, and the unexpected.

So, without further ado, here are 10 of our own tips to make your next motorcycle trip feel like the adventure it’s meant to be.

1. Prepare Your Trusty Steed

More work and attentiveness before the trip means peace of mind during. Be sure to inspect your motorcycle and perform any maintenance jobs you’ve been putting off. This typically includes, but is not limited to:

• Fluid level checks
• Oil and filter change
• Filter check (air & fuel)
• Cable adjustment and oiling
• Chain inspection, cleaning, and lubing
• Electrical check (lights, gauges, signals, battery, stator, starter)
• Tire wear check, including pressure adjustment whether riding solo or with your best friend
• Suspension adjustment, also dependent on how many riders, and weight of luggage
• Thorough visual inspection (look for rust, damaged parts, problematic wear)

If you’re too busy packing or arguing about the length of your trip with your spouse, take the bike to a trusted mechanic. And if you’re heading out on anything other than a comfy-cozy ADV or cruiser, make sure you know how long you can go before you start to lose feeling in your legs.

Speaking of which. You might want to look into aftermarket parts and accessories. If you know your stock seat is uncomfortable, don’t wait for your tailbone to tell you as much after a few days on the road. Just do yourself a favor and save the walking-around-like-you’re-constipated look for the Harley Hardtail riders.

2. Know What You’re Packing

Save the cheap carbs for me; they won’t get you through a long trip anyway. It’s all about packing smart. Bring a tire repair kit, some tubes (if required), waterproof & thermal gear, a moto cover; have a toolkit handy, and be sure to test pack! That means making sure you have what’s necessary, and that it all fits in whatever luggage you’re bringing.

For the love of Pete, pack light! This will allow you to stay organized and avoid cramming stuff into your bags, which almost always ends with a frustrated rider on the side of the highway – laying out 16 million things on the grass – trying to find their mint-flavored toothpicks.

3. Plan Stops, minus the Hammer Time

You see the ominous title above me? Just do it, or get an app to do it, I don’t care. As long as you know where you’re going, staying, and how long you can comfortably ride in a day, pick the best method for you.

Be sure to get a catnap or two in a day, and plan rest days too. Riding a motorcycle requires all the attention possible, and this can be more draining than you think. Stretch the trip out, enjoy the sights, and if you’re passing by some cities, avoid normal traffic hours.

Of course, all this is contingent on you actually having a master plan to begin with. That doesn’t just mean picking locations, it means downloading maps, booking stays in advance, and knowing exactly where these places are. Just pretend you don’t have cell service. Will it be possible to get to where you are going?

4. Don’t Rely on Ice Cream

It’s good to treat yourself, so by all means. Just know that relying too much on refined sugars will have your body dumping insulin faster than you can say woah mama!

Avoiding lethargy on long rides is typically a good thing, so stick to anything that isn’t loaded with carbs, like dark chocolate, nuts, jerky, protein bars and the like.

5. Water, Why Isn’t It Higher on the List?

Thought I was going to forget hydration, right? WRONG. I swear, just going through some forums while researching this topic, the most common rants I came across almost always involved hydration bros going ballistic about drinking a bajillion gallons of water prior to even leaving for the trip.

Well, they’re not wrong, albeit a little engrossed. I placed this lower on the list regardless; sue me. Just invest in a hydration system, remember to drink at shorter intervals, and yeah, try to keep your body hydrated before the trip if you can… OR ELSE!

6. Fuel for Thought

Stop for gas before you need it, heck bring reserves. There’s nothing quite like the nervousness a low fuel indicator can inspire out in the wilderness… Close to sunset… When there's grizzlies around… Or even worse, other bikers.

7. An Oft-Overlooked Item: Earplugs

Don’t believe me? Well, get ready for some testimonies:

Earplugs are an absolute godsend. I used to think wearing a full-face helmet was enough, but now I’m a believer baby! - Sue "the Silencer" McGee

Riding without earplugs? Are you crazy? I absolutely refuse to get on anyone’s motorcycle, let alone my own, for more than 10 minutes without them. Even if we’re going to Red Lobster. - Frank "the Tank" Rizzo

Riding a bike is noisy. - Proud Harley Owner

8. An Oft-Forgotten Item: The Spare Key

The key to your bike is a pretty small thing. But forget it somewhere, and it has the power to ruin your entire trip, the latter part of which you will likely spend talking to a tow truck driver named Steve.

Steve’s a cool guy. You’re just a silly goose that forgot to bring a spare key. Just pack it first, then forget it. Savvy?

9. Get Roadside Assistance

The title pretty much says it all. It might be best to err on the side of caution, especially if you have an older bike, or if you’re convinced a rabid squirrel will bite a chunk off your tires at some point. If that actually happens to you, do give us a call. We’ll write a piece on it prontissimo. I can see the headlines now.

10. Take it Easy

Remember that whole poetic bit about the enjoyment of motorcycling? That’s the Big Kahuna baby; it’s all about riding that wave and having a helluva good time doing so. Remember, you’re not being chased, so take it all in. You don’t know if you’ll be back, and you don’t know what the future holds.

I once knew a gentleman who rode like the wind, and I was fortunate enough to meet up with him on what would be his final motorcycle trip. What happened afterwards is another story, but boy can I tell you that in those moments, he was unstoppable, and most importantly, happy.

Adios for now, ride happy my friends!