Motorcycle Touring 101
A journey across the country on a motorcycle can be one of the most memorable experiences of a person’s life. There are sights to see, people to meet, and adventures to be had. But if you’re new to long distance riding, there are a few things you’ll want to get to know. Everything from learning how to pack your bike to how to plan a route involves some thought and preparation. This guide is designed to give you the information you need to have a good experience touring your motorcycle. If you’re in the market for a new bike, stop by Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson®. We’re a convenient stop for residents of Eugene and Salem!
Plan Your Route
Before you leave for your trip, you’ll want to plan a route and itinerary for where you want to be and when you want to be there. If you take the advice of your phone’s navigation system, you’ll probably be left with suggestions for the fastest route between point A and point B. This type of technology is well-suited for a frustrated commuter who just wants to get home for dinner as soon as possible, but if the ride is the point of the trip itself, letting a computer pick your route often leaves something to be desired. Instead, try looking for scenic routes and highways instead of interstates. Roads that pass near major features of the landscape such as rivers, lakes, and mountain ranges often offer a more scenic path than ones that runs straight and fast through the lowlands. Don’t be afraid to ask other riders for suggestions along the way, too!
Prepare for the Weather
Nothing derails a motorcycle trip quite like an unforeseen storm. It’s not impossible to ride in the rain, but add strong winds, lightning, or ice and you’ll probably end up needing to wait out the storm. Part of preparing for the weather will come down to route planning. For example, you don’t want to ride through Death Valley in mid-August or through the Rocky Mountains in December. Another important strategy is to continually check the weather report along the way. If you can see that you’re facing inclement weather, reroute around the storm, or simply wait out the storm. However you end up dealing with it, it’s important to at least put some packable rainwear and insulated gloves in your saddlebags so that you’ll have something to throw on if you need to ride through a rain shower.
Efficient Packing
The more efficiently you pack, the more gear you can bring along. The key to efficient packing is learning to recognize where space and weight can be minimized. The packaging on new items is a good thing to look for, as it’s always unnecessary and bulky. Another thing to look for oddly shaped items or unnecessarily bulky items that take up more space than necessary. An extra sweatshirt and pair of shoes can come close to filling up a smaller saddlebag, which instead could have been filled with much more gear. Finally, try not to bring along things you can reasonably expect to buy along the way. Food and jugs of water waste major amounts of space, and you’ll always be able to buy more at your next rest stop. So leave the groceries behind and get used to eating on the go.
Maintenance & Pre-Ride Inspection
Keeping your bike properly maintained is crucial to the success of your trip. Every day you should perform a pre-ride inspection. Check out your level of tire inflation, your engine fluid levels, your brake pads, and anything else that could give you problems. If you notice anything, take care of it at an early stage and don’t wait for the problem to become a catastrophe.
Health
Your body needs maintenance, too, so make sure to keep yourself healthy. Getting enough sleep is crucial, and a groggy day riding can easily lead to a major lapse in judgment while riding or even an accident. Eating enough is important too, as low blood sugar can drain your focus and become a major problem. And of course, it’s crucial that you stay hydrated. Hydration affects your brain, muscle, and organ function.
If motorcycle touring sounds like the right hobby for you, stop by Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson®. We carry the latest models from Harley-Davidson, one of the most iconic manufacturers of touring bikes in the country. Located in Eugene, we proudly serve Eugene, Salem, Albany, Corvallis, Roseburg, Bend, Coos Bay, and Medford, Oregon.