The Top Touring Tips for Your Next Motorcycle Adventure
There's something special about a touring trip. It's not just a short jaunt down the block that lets you be home in time for dinner. It's a journey where you'll log hours and miles on the road. You depart your home and end up in a new city (or even state). You take in incredible sites along the way and at your destination. It’s no wonder touring trips are so popular!
Given the extended nature of these types of trips, they are a larger financial investment. You must pay for more gas, food, supplies, and often lodging. Get the most bang for your buck with the following touring tips. If you need any maintenance or parts replacement before you go, visit North County House of Motorcycles. You’ll find us in Vista, California.
Build Your Route
Planning your path in advance offers many benefits. Hit every tourist excursion and destination point you want. Book your lodging in advance to secure a spot and possibly bring down the cost. You can do the same with any tourist attractions or tours.
Find the trip route that's quickest or provides the best view (whichever strikes your fancy).
Pack Smart
It's tempting to overpack. After all, you are away from your house and unable to access most of your belongings! But you often don't need everything you think you'll need. Your motorcycle can only fit so much stuff. Try to keep things as light as possible.
Start with the essentials for any motorcycle ride: a miniature toolkit, a first aid kit, and waterproof outer layers. Then throw in the essentials for travel: clothing, toiletries, and any medications you take. Be selective about bringing any options beyond that. After all, you shouldn't be far from a grocery store where you can pick up something if you ended up needing that item.
There are a few tips for maximize your space. Use the "army roll" method for packing clothes. Swap out normal items for backpacker supplies (which are designed to be as light and small as possible). Take toiletries along in travel sized containers. If you've exhausted every option and still need more space, buy additional saddlebags or an extra cargo rack.
Inspect Your Motorcycle
Before embarking on a long ride, you need to conduct a pre-ride inspection. This lets you check different aspects of your motorcycle to ensure everything is good to go. It's much better to catch an issue in the safety of your driveway rather than in the middle of a journey!
You can ask yourself the following questions to conduct a basic inspection:
- Do the tires have enough air pressure and tread?
- Do any of the fluids need to be topped off?
- Are all your lights visible and bring?
- Are your brakes and throttle working like normal?
If you notice anything out of the ordinary, you may need to bring your motorcycle in to get fixed. Remember that we offer parts replacement and a service department!
Take Care of Your Health
Long distance rides are fun! But they are also physically draining. Your body can only take so long in certain positions before muscles and joints ache. Your eyes can only take so long staring at the road before they gloss over. Your brain can only take so long before it zones out.
You'll need to take proactive steps to combat this. Get a full night’s sleep each night so you are refreshed for your ride. Bring along water and snacks. Take regular breaks.
For all your touring motorcycle needs, visit North County House of Motorcycles. We offer a range of new and used motorcycles for sale. We also can fix your current motorcycle with our parts replacement and service department. We proudly serve those in Vista and San Diego, California.