From the carefree nomads of Easy Rider to the early days of Che Guevara in The Motorcycle Diaries, motorcycles have long been associated with long-distance trips across the globe. You can use your bike to explore the U.S. and beyond instead of a car to save on fuel and feel the rhythm of the road, but riding for days at a time exposes you to the elements. Hitting the pavement every day can also be hard on your body. Learn how to go farther on your bike with the right motorcycle safety gear and these helpful tips for a multi-day excursion.
Planning for a Multi-Day Motorcycle Trip
There’s no right way to plan a motorcycle trip. Some prefer to detail every aspect of the experience, while others like to play it by ear. But riding a motorcycle is more intense than driving a car. You can’t sleep on your bike if all the hotels are closed.
Plan your itinerary to ensure you can find everything you need to enjoy the trip. Consider how far you plan on traveling each day based on your experience and comfort level. Average riders travel between 200 and 400 miles a day.
A typical riding day might be nine hours, including seven hours on the road and two hours of rest. Experts recommend taking a 15-minute break every 100 miles when riding long distances. Only stop at rest areas or places away from the road. Taking a break on the shoulder can lead to accidents. Aim to stop for a break when fewer people are on the roads.
After your first day, you might realize that you can’t travel as far as you thought due to discomfort or fatigue. Give yourself extra time to reach your destination at the end of each day, and add possible in-between stops if you feel like calling it an early night. Plan to get eight hours of sleep.
Look for stops with multiple dining options, gas stations, hotels and at least one motorcycle repair shop if your bike needs work. Check their hours of operation to see if they’ll be open by the time you arrive.
If you want to book a room in advance, check the hotel’s cancellation policy if you need to reschedule; otherwise, you might push yourself beyond your limits just to avoid losing the reservation. It’s usually best to leave your lodging options open, so you’re not tied to a specific location — unless it’s a busy area with lots of people in town.
Packing for a Multi-Day Motorcycle Trip
You’ll need a well-maintained motorcycle capable of making long trips. Use a touring or adventure motorcycle to stay comfortable on long trips. You can sit like usual with your back straight instead of leaning over the bike. Inspect the brakes, tires, suspension, steering top portal, battery and electrical components to ensure a safe ride. Consider adding a visor so the wind isn’t blowing against you.
Safety is crucial whenever you ride — especially on long trips. Fatigue can increase your risk of accidents. Find motorcycle safety gear to give yourself more peace of mind.
Pack these essentials when taking a motorcycle trip:
- Full-face or half-face helmet
- Sunglasses or goggles (if using a half-face helmet)
- Riding gloves
- Boots
- Thick pants
- Long sleeves
- Water
- Protein-based snacks
- Smartphone or GPS
- Rain gear and interchangeable layers for staying warm
- First aid kit
- Sunscreen
- Air pump
- Tire patch kit
- Lubricant
- Multi-tool
- Knife or scissors
- Duct tape
- Motorcycle cover
- License, registration and proof of insurance
Your packing list varies based on how long you’re on the road and where you’re going. Camping will help you save money, but you’ll need to fit all your camping gear onto your motorcycle. Staying at hotels will lighten your load and give you more energy to ride.
Making space for everything can take a feat of engineering, especially if you’re not used to traveling light. Wearing a backpack all day puts extra pressure on your spine, increasing fatigue. Use a saddle, pannier or tail bag. You can also add a compartment on the tank or side for more storage space.
Taking a long trip is more fun in a group. Getting everyone to the destination requires near-constant communication, but looking away from the road and using hand signals can be distracting. Use a motorcycle helmet with Bluetooth to connect wirelessly to your companions while riding. The receiver mounts onto your helmet so you can talk to and hear everything everyone is saying. Just speak into the device to strike up a conversation.
Source: Creative Travel Projects/Shutterstock.com
Riding Tips for a Multi-Day Motorcycle Trip
Start slow and steady early in the day to avoid losing steam by the afternoon. Keep your back straight and relax your shoulders and wrists to make things easier on your body.
Drink water, eat a snack and stretch your legs and back on every break. Monitor the weather forecast and add your waterproof layers before it rains.
Check on each other often throughout the trip using wireless helmet communication to see if anyone needs a break. If someone is having trouble riding, find a safe spot to pull over as soon as possible.
Adventure Awaits
Taking a multi-day trip is a rite of passage when you own a motorcycle. You can feel the wind on your skin, see the countryside up close and spend less money on gas than you would with a car. Plan stops for your trip and pack for the worst to make the most of your time on the road.
