Most of us don't use a motorbike for commuting or running errands. They are for fun and that means you can make it more enjoyable by planning your routes and making a check-list of things to remember so you can make full-use of your bike. Here are the top tips for touring on your motorcycle:
The Bike
Whether it's a Ducati Monster or a Harley, you need to make sure it's in good health and has fresh oil, new but broken in tyres, plenty of meat left on the brake pads, hasn't been sat for months and that it going to last the duration of the trip. Don't forget to pack spare bulbs and depending on your motorbike insurance , you should try and have breakdown repair.
The Clothes
No matter what time of year it is, it's normally cold on a bike and even if there is a heat wave, you can be battered by the wind and that's why you need to wear the appropriate clothing. If it's full leathers or split leathers, it's important to not only be safe but be comfortable as well.
Plan Your Day(s)
Remember, it's not a race. You want to enjoy the stunning scenery and sights along the way. If you have to stop for half an hour and take some photos, do so. Don't ride for too long in one day or the next day, you won't want to swing your leg over. If you take sensible chunks out of the journey across a few days, you won't want to be waiting to get back home and throw the bike in the garage.
Getting Carried Away
Just because you're in a different post code or country, even, you need to ride within the law and the speed limits. In most cases, driving too fast will make you miss the best parts and you'll unnecessarily wear out parts of your bike. If you need a new set of pads, clutch and tyres after one weekend away, it's going to be an expensive one. Also, coming away with a bunch of speeding points and fines is going to make you want to sell your bike, which you'll regret!Drinking
If you're going to be out on the road, stopping at pubs and guest houses on the way, don't drink. One beer on the night might suffice as there is nothing worse than getting back in the saddle with a hangover. If you've got a throbbing V-twin with straight-through pipes and you have a splitting headache, it's not going to be enjoyable. Not to mention, it's dangerous riding a bike the morning after the night before. You could easily bin it on the first corner.
Lastly, share the trip with your friends, join a tour with like-minded Internet riders and if you can afford it, get a bullet camera to record the best bits. More importantly, stop thinking about it and just go and do it. It'll be the best trip you go on and you'll realise why you invested in your bike in the first place.
