Long Distance Motorcycle Touring Tips

One of the great pleasures of the motorcycling lifestyle is long-distance touring. Taking an extended trip on your bike is a great way to see the country without being hemmed in by a car. You’ll be able to feel the wind against you as you ride and take any detours you like to discover something new.

Here at Indian Motorcycle® of Orange County in Westminster, CA, we know a thing or two about how to really go the distance when touring. These tips should help you to successfully navigate your next journey, wherever the road may take you.

Plot Your Route

While the interstate system is laid out to be intuitive and easily navigable, it still pays to plan your route before you leave. Knowing how many miles are between you and each of your stops will help you to determine where to stop for gas or to rest. You’ll also be able to pick out the tourist attractions and unique locations that you’ll want to make time to visit on your way.

Traffic and construction information for any given highway or interstate is generally available online, so you can determine in advance whether your route will be problematic or full of delays, allowing you to find another road. You can go with main roads for speed and ease, or you could take back roads for more scenic views.

Know The Forecast

Inclement weather will throw a wrench into the best-laid plans. On a motorcycle, treacherous road conditions can be deadly. That’s why you should always check the weather well before you head out and check it again the day of your departure.

If you’re riding to a new state where you’re not familiar with the climate, checking the weather for that destination will help you know how to dress and what kind of riding conditions you can anticipate when you get there. You want to make sure you have rainproof gear or thermal layers if the temperatures or precipitation demand these items.

Another reason to check the forecast is if you’re going to ride through higher elevations. Mountains get cold and windy and the steep inclines can be extremely dangerous if icy or wet conditions develop. You’ll also want to know if there are any rock slides, avalanches or other obstacles to look out for.

Pack Lightly

Your touring motorcycle is built to hold plenty of cargo in its compartments, and you can always attach another cargo box to the back. However, you won’t want to go crazy with extra storage options, nor do you want to overpack your bike. Any additional weight will reduce your gas mileage and change how your bike handles, and if you overload your bike with too much weight, you may find yourself unable to keep control of it.

Since you don’t have a lot of room, you will need to carefully plan what to bring. Travel toiletries are a good bet since they don’t take up a lot of space. A few outfits that can be rotated are good, and wearing a riding suit over your clothes will keep them cleaner.

Pack one refillable water bottle and enough snacks to get you through the trip, but don’t weigh your bike down with lots of groceries. Make sure you have phone chargers, emergency supplies, a first aid kit, repair tools and any medications you need!

Inspect Your Bike

Before heading out, perform a pre-ride inspection of your motorcycle. Check tire pressure, oil, lights, signals, battery and brakes. Make sure everything works as it should. Do a test ride around the block and listen for strange sounds, feel if there are any unusual vibrations and watch to see if any smoke forms or puddles pool when you’re stopped. If you do find that you need some professional maintenance before your trip, contact our service department so we can help you out!

Check out our inventory of new and used motorcycles, including touring models, at our Westminster location today! Indian Motorcycle® of Orange County proudly serves all of the Inland Empire, including greater Los Angeles and Riverside County, California.