How to Plan an Epic Motorcycle Tour?

Hitting the open road on your bikes is a great way to see the country and to bond as a couple, but traveling isn’t without its share of challenges and dangers. Preparing for the trip and having at least some idea of what to expect can save you a great deal of drama and grief on the road. Follow these rules, and you’re sure to have a much more enjoyable journey. Here is how to plan an epic motorcycle tour

Planning is the Key – 

Sure, it is fun to be spontaneous, but not concerning hitting the road. A truly epic motorcycle tour begins with anticipating challenges and packing the necessary items to cope with those events. To make sure you’re as prepared as you can be, sit down with your riding partner and jot down a list of everything you’ll need. Once you have the list, get everything together and pack it all onto your motorcycles. If you do this ahead of time, you can decide what to leave behind, when you find that the load is too burdensome. Consider leaving your laptop and take your smartphone, or buy food on the road instead of bringing it.

Get the Bikes Ready for the Long Trip – 

When it’s time to pack up the bikes for real, bear in mind that weight distribution will change how the bike handles. With that in mind, load heavier items lower, putting them in saddlebags, if possible. Also, make sure the weight of the load is evenly distributed on each side of the bike. Making one side heavier can inhibit how well the bike will turn corners or handle on a hill. Also, make sure the tires and brakes are in excellent condition, before the trip. Consider taking it in for a tune-up to ensure it’s in peak condition for your bike tour.

Handling the Road – 

You never know what road conditions you’ll encounter and, depending on how far you plan to travel, you may face many different road hazards along the way. For this reason, make sure you bring riding gear for every occasion, including ponchos and other rain gear, face shields, and winter gloves. Even if you’re a seasoned rider, road conditions may create hazardous situations, so don’t forget to bring along tools, flashlights and flares, and a first aid emergency kit. According to Craig Swapp, government agencies are in charge of road maintenance. If an agency failed to properly maintain the road, and that failure caused a motorcycle accident, the agency could be held responsible. So if you are hurt, it is good to know you can be taken care of, but with careful preparation, you should hopefully not have to worry about injuries from the road. On this note, also consider storing your phone someplace where it won’t be damaged in an accident. You may need it to call for help.

Don’t Push Yourself – 

In planning the trip, be sure to plan out the route you’ll take and plot an alternative course in case of unforeseen circumstances. You should bring maps with you as a back-up, even if you have GPS capabilities on your phone. Also, plan how much you’ll ride each day, keeping in mind that you don’t want to push yourself too far. Be extra careful not to get sick while travelling, as that is something no one wants. Riding when you feel weary or fatigued increases the likelihood of having an accident.

Making your motorcycle tour one that will be fondly remembered for years depends on the planning you put into it. If you take the time to prepare for the possible challenges you’ll face on the road, the trip itself will be much more enjoyable. You won’t have the added stress of worrying what you’ll do in an emergency, because you’re already prepared for it.