Tips for Motorcycle Touring

The vast American countryside calls to many a motorcycle rider, beckoning those who seek adventure to ride sunbaked freeways to destinations across the sprawling plains and majestic mountains. The combination of natural splendor and touring machine make for unforgettable rides. You’ll enjoy all the sights you see, restaurants you try, and small towns you learn about, but to really enjoy yourself on the long road, there are a few tips you should keep in mind.

At Ol Red’s Motorcycles, we know our customers are itching to hop in the saddle of their touring bike and hit the road for fun and adventure as soon as possible.

Plan Ahead

The first step in any trip is planning out the logistics, which means having your destination in mind. While spontaneous exploration can be fun in its own right, it isn’t as productive as planned travel. Once you know where you’re going, you can plan an itinerary around it. This means choosing a route and planning out other locations you want to hit on your journey. You’ll need to make time enough on your schedule for all the extras too, like eating and sightseeing or whatever else you plan on doing. Don’t forget to give yourself some wiggle room for the unexpected, like those tempting roadside attractions, unintended scenic routes, and spontaneous adventure. You’ll also want to take the time to make an reservations for accomodations, excursions, or anything else where advance purchase might be necessary. Fun activities with limited room fill up fast, so it always pays to book in advance to ensure you’ll actually get to do what you want to do on your touring trip.

Pack Efficiently

Motorcycle cargo capacity is generally much more limited than it is in most cars and trucks, so taking some time to think about packing can save you time and precious space on your trip. Start with the necessities like clothing and riding gear, medicine toiletries for overnight trips, water and food for the road, and anything else that would have your panicking without. Once you have everything you absolutely need, then you can start adding creature comforts merely meant to make the ride more enjoyable rather than doable. If you’re having trouble fitting everything you need in or on your bike, consider aftermarket upgrades like expanded saddlebags or a luggage rack. If you don’t have room for such upgrades on account of a second rider, maybe it’s time to upgrade to a second touring motorcycle!

Traveling Hygiene

Staying healthy on the road can be difficult without the easy access to facilities and services we’re used to at home. Because of this, there are a few things to keep in mind while on a motorcycle tour that can keep your personal hygiene in check. First, avoid too much greasy or fast food. It can be extremely tempting to head into a drive-thru instead of sitting for a proper meal, and while that’s certainly fine every so often, it isn’t the best at keeping riders feeling great and attentive. Without balanced eating, a rider can become sluggish or tired while in the saddle, which in turn can lead to an accident or an otherwise unenjoyable ride. Second, make sure to give yourself enough time to rest and sleep. A sleepy or tired rider is going to lack the same level of attentiveness as a well-rested rider, and just like with less-than-healthy food this can mean an uncomfortable ride, or worse, an accident.

With a bit of forethought and planning, you too can have a motorcycle touring adventure that combines the thrill of the ride with fantastic destinations. With some of our tips, you’ll be cruising down the freeway in no time at all. If you’re after more touring tips, or you’re just interested in looking at the best used motorcycles around, head into Ol’ Red’s Motorcycles in Simpsonville, South Carolina, near Greenville, Columbia, and Spartanburg. Come in today and experience the best in customer service and satisfaction!