Table of Contents
Riding a motorcycle is an exhilarating experience. The feeling of the wind in your face and the sound of your bike drowning out everything else as you speed down the highway is something that any other form of transportation cannot match.
Riding your motorcycle for long distances is a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the freedom of being on the open road, but it’s not always easy to find time for long-distance riding.
Although, you can go for it if you know how to plan ahead! Long-distance riding requires planning, so make sure you have everything set up before embarking on an extended journey.
This blog post will teach you all about what it takes to have a successful long-distance ride on a motorcycle, so read on!
To make your long distance motorcycle riding successful, you should take the below-listed measures accurately:
- Prepare Your Bike
- Know the Route
- Ensure the presence of Tool kit
- Get Gas Before You Need It
- Prepare for Weather Conditions
- Stay Alert During Riding
- Stop if You Feel Tired
- Don’t Ride Too Fast
- Keep a Log
- Be Respectful
- Eat Well & Stay Hydrated
- Be Seen
- Pack Plenty of Clothing & Gear
- Consider Towing and Roadside Assistance Coverage
- Be Prepared For an Emergency
- Bring Relevant Maps and GPS Equipment
- Bring Documentation
- Bring Some Essential Gadgets
Prepare Your Motorcycle
Ensure your motorcycle is running properly before embarking on any long rides – if not, then take care of necessary maintenance beforehand, so there are no surprises along the way!
Also, make sure your bike is in top shape before setting off on a long-distance ride. It’s not worth the risk of being stranded somewhere because you didn’t take care of it ahead of time!
Clean out all fluids and check tire pressure, brakes and inspect chains to make sure they are tight enough. Doing this every time you stop is crucial.
Get a tune-up before taking on any big trips, and make sure to top off your gas tank!
Know the Route
It’s always a great idea to know exactly where you’re going, but it can be even more significant when riding long distances because of how much space there is between cities.
Planning out routes in advance is essential when doing long-distance riding. Bring a map of the area where you’ll be riding, as well as some other maps to have on hand just in case you need them.
Tool kit
A tool kit should always be brought when doing any type of motorcycling, but this especially goes for those who plan on traveling over large distances. You never know what can go wrong while out there, and being prepared can make all the difference.
If you’re going to ride at night, bring extra lights with you so that other motorists are aware of your presence and don’t run into you!
Get Gas Before You Need It
The main thing you don’t want to happen is running out of gas. Even if you think there’s plenty in the tank, it’s always a good idea to top off before heading into a long stretch with no places for fuel. So, it is better to stop and refuel every so often, or else your bike will start running low on fuel, leading to an unfortunate situation!
Prepare for Weather Conditions
Weather conditions can change quickly on the open road without any notice, so it is essential to check weather reports before embarking on an extended bike voyage (i.e., more than 300 miles). If you’re riding in cold or cool weather, dress accordingly and make sure that your motorcycle is outfitted with proper tires for such temperatures. Be aware of any hazards like black ice or rain, which can make visibility difficult as well! You can keep your rain off from the helmet visor with some easy steps. Click here for more info.
If you expect bad weather along the way, find another route or postpone your ride until better days arrive!
Stay Alert
There are many potential hazards on the open road, from large animals to sudden bad weather. Stay alert and watch for any signs of trouble so that you can take action promptly!
Stop if You Feel Tired
It’s important to know when enough is enough. Fatigue can lead to accidents, so if you start feeling the need for a break, take one! Stop at your next planned stop or someplace safe and pull over. When riding long distances, it is essential not to push yourself too hard because there are plenty of roads in front of you that will still be waiting after this one has been crossed off the list.
Don’t Ride Too Fast
It’s not necessary to ride at breakneck speeds for the journey to go smoothly. Slow down or speed up as needed, but try not to exceed 60 miles per hour unless absolutely necessary.
Keep a Log
It’s easy to get lost on the open road, so it helps if you keep a log of your trip. Write down how far you traveled and any landmarks or places that may have caught your attention along the way. This can come in handy if you need help getting back home!
Be Respectful
It’s vital to be respectful while traveling long distances on your motorcycle. Stick to designated bike lanes and only cross them when it’s indispensable.
Eat Well & Stay Hydrated
It’s imperative to stay well-nourished and hydrated while riding long distances. Pack a variety of snacks, as well as plenty of water or other fluids!
Be Seen
Some states require that bikes or motorcycles have lights on them if they’re being ridden at night. Be sure to check your state laws and purchase the necessary equipment if needed before you go for an extended ride so others can see you on the road.
Also, you can wear a helmet that is made up of reflective material or has reflective strips on it which can enhance visibility when other vehicles’ light strikes upon it.
Pack Plenty of Clothing & Gear
Besides bringing food, drink, extra socks/underwear (for longer rides), spare tire (if possible), it is also wise to bring rain gear during summertime trips when bad weather may come up unexpectedly in different areas along the route.
Consider Towing and Roadside Assistance Coverage
In the event of a breakdown, or if you are too injured to ride your bike for any other reason, roadside assistance can be a lifesaver.
Be Prepared For An Emergency
It’s always best to have extra clothing, food, and water on hand in emergency events such as weather disasters or accidents that may require overnight stays at a hospital.
You should always have some type of setback plan if something happened while on a long-distance ride – who knows what might come up? Make sure there’s someone trustworthy that can help you if an emergency happens!
Bring Relevant Maps and GPS Equipment
For longer trips where maps will come in handy, be sure to bring them along with digital copies stored on your phone/tablet for added convenience! Bring paper maps with vinyl sleeves when possible so they don’t get wet from the rain. And make sure you download relevant apps onto your cell phone.
Also there are many helmets that have built-in Bluetooth and GPS option. You can check out here.
Bring Documentation
In the event of an accident, having your personal identification and some form of documentation from a hospital could help with insurance. It doesn’t matter how minor or major the injury is – any extra documentation can help. Always carry copies or originals on hand to avoid being without them if something terrible does happen!
Bring Some Essential Gadgets
- Bring a Helmet – There is no question as to whether or not a helmet should be worn when riding motorcycles. This isn’t just an accessory – it’s a safety measure. The helmet should be on at all times while riding the bike, even if you’re just sitting still and not moving an inch. To buy cheap helmets visit here.
- Heated grips – If you don’t have these already, I highly recommend getting them. They can be a lifesaver on those cold mornings and cool nights out in the wind.
- Tent – A tent is a great idea to take with you because it can be used for shelter, cooking, and more. Your tent’s size must match up well with how many people are going on the trip in case it rains – or if two people are sharing so they each have their own space as well!
- Backrest – This is a great gadget to have because it can help relieve back pain when you’re riding long distances.
- Rear rack – This is an excellent accessory for long-distance riders because it can carry items such as luggage, camping supplies, or even just your groceries from the store. Some of them are also designed with preinstalled storage which makes this an all-in-one solution! Click here for more info.
- Saddlebags – There are many different types of saddlebags you can choose from, but it all depends on what your needs and wants are.
- Rear seat – Some people don’t mind having the passenger on the back, but others may not want them there and would rather prefer that they just step through like a motorcycle. A rear-seat will take away any worries of someone stepping through the motorcycle
