Things you should consider before going on a Motorcycle Road Trip

Planning for a road trip on Motorcycle? Fear not, you are at the right place. I have compiled few tips based on my experience and you can thank me later. 

Check your Motorcycle
This might sound obvious but it is the most important tip. Make sure you don't make any major changes to your bike before the ride. If it is required, have it done at least a week before so that you get time to ride and confirm that bike is in perfect condition. I would recommend to check the entire bike before you hop on it on the D-Day. In case you are running short of time, check at least below stuffs.

• No Engine Oil leakage 
• Brakes must work as expected 
• Tyre should have optimum air pressure 
• No oil leakage from front suspension 
• Headlights should work as expected 

Know your Motorcycle
Nobody knows your motorcycle better than yourself. For the entire ride, it will be just you and your bike. Therefore, it is very important to understand your motorcycle. Ask yourself a question if your bike can manage the trip without any hassle. It might include the road condition or long rides without any breaks. You should know few basic things so that you can fix them if anything goes wrong during your ride. For example : Tyre punctures, chain lubrication, changing break shoe and so on.

Research well on the route and the destination
There might be various routes to your destination, check which is the best for both you and your bike. Research on the timings of the routes because few routes are not accessible during nights. Also, check out the places upfront where you would visit after reaching your destination. Download offline google maps of the area you are visiting. This will help you a lot in remote areas where internet connectivity is poor.

Be prepared for climate change
We are not God to control the climate and it might change anytime, so make sure you are well prepared for any climatic conditions.

Have a schedule
Make a schedule and try sticking to it. This will help in completing your ride on time and also you wont miss any activity which you had planned before your ride.

Eat light
Always eat light and stay hydrated when you are riding. Because over eating will make you drowsy and this is the last thing you want, when you are on a road trip. Also carry a energy drink which will keep you vigilant.

Take breaks
After all we are humans and we do get tired. It is important to take breaks but it should be only when you need. Taking frequent breaks will break the rhythm.

Carry limited stuffs
Don't over pack!! Carry only the necessary stuffs like tool kit, first aid kit and so on. Avoid things which are not required and things which you can get at your destination like tooth brush etc. If you are riding in a group, don't carry duplicate things. Check with your group members and see if it can be shared. Also, you can save lot of space by rolling your clothes while arranging it in your bag.

Avoid night riding
This is again the preference of a rider. I personally feel that night is meant to sleep. I would recommend to start early, say 4:00 AM. This will not hamper your sleep and you can also avoid city traffic.

Do not over speed
Over speeding will make you tired. Maintain a constant speed on your bike. I try maintaining an avg speed of 80km/hr and it works out well for me.

Cheers !!

Click here to get tips on preparing yourself for a Road Trip