Touring Motorcycle Long-Distance Riding Tips

One of the best things about owning a touring motorcycle is that it allows you to go on long road trips. You can log more hours on your bike, soak up more sights, and travel further distances than you could on a short ride. You can travel to a new area, city, or even state! Touring is a different beast than doing a short trip and there are a few tricks to improve your experience. We’ve put together a brief guide to riding a touring bike. Read on to learn more!

Plan Your Route

While it’s fun to embody an adventurous spirit and go where the road takes you, it’s far better to plan ahead when touring. You save money on hotels because you book in advance. You avoid missing a key stopping point/tourist destination along the way. You build in time to take breaks.

Planning helps you make the most of your trip. Plus it’s a great way to get excited about your upcoming trip!

Pack Strategically

You can only fit so much in your touring motorcycle’s storage options. You’ll need to pack strategically to be able to bring everything you need. It starts with questioning whether you really need that item. It’s tempting to over-pack when you know you’ll be away from your home. But unless you are traveling somewhere really remote on all backroads, you will always be within reach of a grocery store. You can get almost anything you need at a nearby store if it turns out you really did need that item.

You will need to bring the essentials: a small toolkit, a first-aid kit, waterproof layers, gloves, and eye protection. Then you’ll need to pack for the trip. Bring clothes, toiletries, any medications, snacks, water, and a charger for your cell phone.

When you pack, opt for the light version of things. Don’t bring a whole bottle of shampoo. Use a travel-size option. Don’t bring the bulky coat if the insulated thin one keeps you just as warm. Keep things minimal and light.

Do a Pre-Ride Inspection

Every long-distance trip needs to start with a pre-ride inspection. It only takes a few minutes to examine your touring motorcycle. You might catch a potential problem early on, allowing you to get it fixed with minimal damage and without a safety issue on the road. Test your tire pressure to ensure it’s within the recommendations from the owner’s manual. Make sure that your brake lights, signal lights, and headlights are bright and easy to see. You’ll also want to ensure that there’s enough oil and brake fluid.

Stay Healthy

Long-distance riding does take a toll on your body. Always wear ear protection to fight against irreversible hearing damage. Get enough sleep so you can be alert on the road. Eat enough food and drink lots of water to keep your focus up. Healthy riders are safe riders!

If you’re still looking to buy a touring motorcycle, visit Mancuso Harley-Davidson® Central in Houston, TX. We are happy to serve all those in Galveston, Pasadena, and Beaumont.