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How to Enjoy Your Motorcycle Travel Adventure
Anybody who goes on a moto-adventure should be able to make the most out of it. Motorcycle travel is rewarding in itself; motorcyclists share a bond that is beyond borders. Before embarking on a motorcycle trip, read these suggestions by seasoned motorcycle travelers which will help make your journey more enjoyable:
Gary Welschner, 31, says "Study the fine print on your insurance policy! Nearly every insurance policy I have looked at excludes motorcycle riding, and the rest of the policies I have seen exclude it if you are not a licensed motorcyclist. Your life or financial security can be severely threatened if you end up in the hospital in a foreign country and you lack insurance. "
Henrik Mattson, 27 says " Many people go motorcycle traveling through Africa. It seems like the best thing you can do in your life, but one guy told me that the roads are often so ill-maintained that instead of looking at the beautiful scenery, you're too busy avoiding pot holes large enough to swallow a truck!"
As a legendary motorcyclist who has traveled over 250,000 miles in 77 countries within ten years, Helge Pedersen has developed a personal philosophy:
" By avoiding main stream tourism, I found my motorcycle travel experiences to be much richer. People were friendlier and I found a sense of acceptance that I would not have gotten at a typical tourist trap. "
Helge was the first man ever to ride on his motorcycle over the Darien Gap --80 roadless miles of nothing but jungle, swamp and Indian trails from South America to North America. Looking back, he claims motorcycling across the Darien Gap was his most challenging endeavor yet.
It's all about the adventure, that few other motorcyclist's ever experience. There are moto-adventure clubs that specialize in taking the motorcycle enthusiast to destinations all over the world. Of course motorcycle travel is not always easy, especially if you are traveling with a partner. There are numerous questions to answer first like: what are my itineraries? do we need an extra trailer? what will be the ground covered per day?
First things first, take it easy and go slow. Don't plan a month long excursion through uncharted south Africa if you have never driven out of town on your motorcycle before. Many motorcycle tour groups pre-screen their participants to make sure they have the right experience, the right bike, and the right frame of mind. Traveling with a group usually means employing some kind of GPS navigational equipment or audio communication device. Ask your group to teach you how to use it if it is unfamiliar.
Socialize
Introduce yourself to the members of your motorcycle tour group before departure. A well organized motorcycle tour will have an online forum or orientation meeting where riders can meet, ask questions, share stories, and get to know one another before hitting the road.
Choose the Bike
Given the choice, would you partake on the adventure of a life time with a rental motorcycle, or with own trusted, personalized motorcycle? Ask yourself this, because the answer will determine the quality of your ride. Rental motorcycles are notoriously uncomfortable, and unreliable.
Motorcycle Shipping?
Will your motorcycle need to be shipped, before starting your moto-adventure? It might be necessary to consider a motorcycle tour organization that offers shipping. How else might you get to places few other motorcyclists have ever seen?
More Time for Play
Book some scenic attractions on your moto-adventure! In order not to miss out on the foreign culture and far-off landscapes elect to partake in some multi-day safaris or boat excursions off the coast. Advance preparation is key to an enjoyable moto-adventure. For your first motorcycle tour, book the best available over-night accommodations in advance-- you're not looking to rough-it if its your first time in a foreign land, remember? Ensure yourself a good nights rest, so you can wake up fully prepared for the road ahead.
To Travel Solo or with Company:
10 Motorcycle Tips for Riding in a Group!
1. All the participants in the motorcycle travel group must understand the hand signals.
2. All the motorcycles must have been tuned-up or professionally checked-out before departure.
3. The motorcycle group rides in staggered formation on the straightaways and single file on the twisty two-lane roads.
4. Allow room for the motorcycles to move freely in the lane, but not for cars to come in between.
5. If you are leading the motorcycle tour group make sure there is enough room for the members to get in behind you when you are passing or pulling off the side of the road.
6. Only ride according to the comfort level of the least experienced motorcyclist.
7. Have a plan in case members of the motorcycle group become separated. What sort of communication/ GPS devices will be used?
8. Alternate the motorcycle group leadership, it's exhausting to be the captain.
9. To help alert motorcyclists behind you and help them prepare to slow or stop, use the brake light earlier than normal.
10. Keep an eye on the fuel.
Traveling with a partner always brings up the question, "do we need extra luggage storage?" Before you get any tow along motorcycle trailers, think about what is really essential to carry. Consider items you can purchase along the way, or schedule some to be delivered to one of the hotel's you will be staying at. If you are camping during your moto-adventure, have luggage shipped to a rental box by doing an online search of Mail stores in the area. For the motorcycle, attach a bag support behind the bar in back, or mount a rack on top of the trunk. Some motorcycle tour participants choose to bring limited clothing and seek out hotels with coin laundry.
Wearing ultra-versatile zip on suits is another space saving trick. Some of the better motorcycle suits, like Aerostitch, double as rain suits too. You only have to wear some light clothing underneath a good motorcycle suit.
Riding long distances with a motorcycle partner will require several things, among them are wind protection, cruise control and a comfortable seat. The luggage and supplies you need, will depend on how long and how often you ride (500 miles per day easy). The place you are traveling to will also make a difference in what kind of motorcycle supplies you'll need. (i.e Bug Spray? Camping Equipment?)
No matter where you are traveling to, there are certain items you are probably going to need during a moto-adventure:
< Bandannas
< Bike lock
< Cable ties
< Camera and film
< Cell
< Change for pay phones
< Clean rags
< Earplugs
< Extra bungee cords
< First-aid kit
< Pen and paper
< Pocketknife or multi-tool
< Rainsuit
< Spare batteries
< Spare bike key
< Spare fuses and spark plugs
< Spare gloves
< Sunscreen
< Sunglasses
< Tire gauge
< Tire repair kit-- Learn how to use the motorcycle tire kit even if you do whatever you can to avoid having to use it.
< Water bottle
< Waterproof flashlight and,
< Whistle
There is no better teacher than experience, and even though you could prepare till you are blue in the face - the unexpected will occur during motorcycle travel. However an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure so the more you know and plan ahead of time the better off you'll be. Don't forget to wave at smiling children and pedestrians on your moto-adventure. Motorcycles are great for travel because they allow you to interact with the environment and people in a more exciting way. If you are ready to ride now, what are you waiting for-- start your motorcycle travel!
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