long distance travel on a motorcycle

Motorcycle Tourer

Long-Distance Motorcycling: 17 Tips For Enjoyable Riding

Motorcycle Tourer | 7 December 2022 3 March 2021 | Touring , Touring Tips

Last updated: 7 December 2022

Long-distance motorcycling isn’t for everyone. In fact, it’s probably not for most people.

But there will come a day when you’re touring, and you have no choice but to cover a monster day of 400 or 500 miles. It might be even  more  miles (if you’re  really  unlucky) – or for consecutive days.

There are two sides to this coin that you need to consider if you know you have a few massive riding days coming up:  Efficiency and Comfort.

In this post, we’ll go through both elements relating to long-distance motorcycling.

1. Build Stamina For Long-Distance Motorcycling (Pre-Tour)

If the extent of your usual riding week consists of a 40-mile blast on a Sunday morning, you’d be pushing your luck jumping straight into a long-distance tour.

Like everything else in life, you need to build up to it. Start by riding 50 miles and work your way up to a hundred. Then try 150. And 200, and so on, until you can comfortably cover a fair distance in a single day.

Practice allows you to acclimatise to long-distance motorcycling. But it also allows you to test out various luggage options, so you know what works for you in the real world.

Related: Motorcycle Fitness: Get More From Your Tour

2. Refine Your Long-Distance Motorcycling Set-Up (Pre-Tour)

Most people don’t go on Sunday morning rides with full kit. If you’re not used to riding with full luggage , it’s well worth getting used to the feel of your bike when it has panniers , a top box and a roll bag.

Consider riding with luggage whilst building up your stamina with ever-increasing distances (above). Not only will this allow you to get used to the feeling of riding with a fully-ladened bike, but it will also allow you to refine your set-up.

Use these practice rides to try different configurations. Find out if you prefer a tank bag or a tail pack. Try riding with your top box and a waist belt to see what works best for you.

Related posts:

• How To Fit A Top Box To Your Motorcycle
• Why You Need a Motorcycle Touring Roll Bag! 5 Of The Best
• The Best Tank Bags Money Can Buy In 2022
• Expand Your Horizons With A Motorcycle Tail Bag: Top 5
• Shad E-04P PIN System Tank Bag: Review

3. Improve Your Riding Fitness (Pre-Tour)

Riding fitness is one of the most overlooked factors of long-distance motorcycling. But it’s so important that I even posted a dedicated article here.

As mentioned above, long-distance motorcycling is incredibly taxing both physically and mentally. So in the months leading up to your tour, try to get in relatively good shape.

Nobody is saying you have to be able to run a marathon or enter the Iron Man competition. But good cardiovascular fitness and muscular endurance will stand you in good stead for long-distance motorcycling.

Decent fitness levels let you complete long-distance trips safely by helping you maintain focus and concentration. Plus, you’ll have enough energy to enjoy your destination once you get there!

Related: 11 Ways To Stay Fit On Tour: Feel Better, Enjoy More!

4. Implement Your Long-Distance Motorcycling Set-Up (On Tour)

Okay, so you’ve tried some different luggage configurations (above). And you know  exactly  what works best for you.

Now (for the actual trip), you need to make sure you pack your kit optimally so you have everything you might need to hand. And I’d definitely recommend a  checklist . Or if you’re camping, here is one from Bikers Rights.

Note:  There’s nothing worse than arriving at a border crossing only to realise your passport is at the bottom of your roll bag! Ensure anything you might need is stored in a place that is easily accessible.

Related: 6 Ways To Stay Organised When Motorcycle Touring

5. Look At The Bigger Picture

It’s easy to go into meltdown when the shit hits the fan. But don’t worry. All is not lost!

Firstly, get your map out (be it a physical one or on your phone), and look over your route. Find where you are and where you need to be. Calculate the miles.

From here, have a look at simple changes. When long-distance motorcycling, the little changes make the biggest differences to the overall route. So, for example:

• Can you swap out any scenic roads for motorways/highways?
•  Avoid notoriously difficult roads or mountain passes.
•  Are there any clear shortcuts you can take?
•  Toll roads are a drag, but in these scenarios, the extra expense is often worth it.

• The Best (Free) Travel Apps For Bikers On Tour
• Our Top Motorcycle Route Planning App Comparison
• 10 Essential Touring Apps For Bikers: A Few Of The Best
• My 9-Step Route Planning Process For Motorcycle Touring
• How To Use A Motorcycle Route Planner To Experience Europe

6. Long-Distance Motorcycling = Early Starts

Getting up earlier is one of the easiest ways to cover more miles in a day .

Don’t get me wrong, I am NOT a morning person. I like to get up at 8am, have some coffee, enjoy a leisurely breakfast, and maybe then (after another coffee), I  might  consider getting on my bike.

But by this point, it’s 10am. By the time I’ve packed, it’s 11am, and half of the day (literally) has gone.

If you need to transit, get up early. Get up (and set off) in the dark, if necessary. This will give you a fighting chance of covering as many miles as possible in daylight hours.

Also, I have always found that I cover more miles in the morning than in the afternoon and evening.

In the morning, I’m fresh and enthusiastic about my day. In the afternoon, fatigue starts to set in. I slow down and lack the drive to forge ahead as I did in the morning.

7. Plan Smarter Breaks For Long-Distance Motorcycling

Many people separate fuel stops , lunch breaks, coffee breaks and general ‘stretching’ breaks. But if you’re transiting, plan breaks where you can do all of the above in one place.

Motorway service stations are excellent for making time-sensitive breaks.

Make it a priority to refuel, eat/drink, go to the toilet and stretch your legs all within the shortest time possible.

Bonus tip: Don’t drag out your breaks. The longer you’re off the bike, the less you want to get back on it. Keep them short to maintain that touring mentality and momentum.

8. Eat Little And Often

It’s so tempting to chow down on that massive lunch when you’re starving and have been riding all morning.

And yes, I know that big glass of ice-cold beer looks appetising whilst you’re basking in the sunshine.

But the heavy meal and the beer will leave you feeling lethargic and tired. Save them for your evening meal.

Instead, eat small but healthy meals and wash them down with copious amounts of water.

9. Stay Hydrated

I can’t stress enough the importance of keeping hydrated . Don’t underestimate how much water you will go through on a bike.

Often, we tour in hot climates. And on top of that, we’re sat on top of a burning hot engine.

You’ll be sweating more than usual, and that water needs to be replaced.

9.1. Replacing Electrolytes

In hot climates, it’s not uncommon to go through five or six litres of water (or even more.)

If you’re drinking enough water to keep hydrated, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself lacking in salts.

Make sure you replace those salts with soluble tablets or the occasional electrolyte-rich drink.

9.2. Hydration Packs For Long-Distance Motorcycling

The easiest way to keep hydrated when long-distance motorcycling is with a hydration pack .

Get yourself a 2L hydration pack, fill it up, and sip on it every 10-15 minutes to keep those fluids topped up.

Drink water during your breaks, and don’t forget to re-fill the hydration pack for each leg of your journey.

Related: Tips For Riding Motorcycle Tours In The Heat

10. The Hare & The Tortoise

The optimal way to cover distance is by maintaining a consistent speed.

I see many riders who are aggressive on the throttle (and equally aggressive on the brakes) when they reach a bend in the road.

The quickest riders are those who maintain a steady but consistent speed all day long. Not only is consistency quicker, but it’s safer, more fuel-efficient, sustainable over longer distances, and less tiring.

The same can be said with breaks. Don’t ride hard for an hour and then have a break for an hour because you’re tired.

Bank time by riding consistently for longer. And then team that up with shorter, more time-efficient breaks.

11. Choose Your Riding Buddie(s) Wisely

You really don’t want to be transiting with riding buddies who don’t share your riding style. It’s hard to make up time if your riding buddy wants to stop every half an hour.

On top of this, if you want to make up time (but your buddy wants to stop every 30 minutes), this will lead to arguments and disagreements. Whatever you do, don’t ride mad!

For this reason, I usually choose to ride alone.

If you’re planning on long-distance motorcycling by yourself, try these posts:

• Group Motorcycle Riding: Top Tips You Should Know
• Should You Consider A Motorcycle Touring Holiday?
• 7 Self-Indulgent Solo Motorcycle Touring Tips: Be Selfish!
• Solo Motorcycle Touring: Tips For The Brave

12. Caffeine And Long-Distance Motorcycling

Caffeine can be a wonderful thing, but it’s worth drinking it wisely. If you usually abstain from caffeine, you will get a real hit from an espresso if you have one when you’re really beginning to fatigue.

However, don’t drink too much!

Caffeine (for me, at least) acts in the same way as sugar or alcohol. I get an initial surge of energy, but my mood dips significantly if I have too much. Then I get sleepy and irritable.

For this reason, space your caffeine hits out throughout the day. Allow a good few hours between drinks so you can get the energising effects from it without the diminishing effects of having too much.

13. Wear The Right Gear

Having the appropriate gear for the conditions makes all the difference. If you can keep warm, ventilated, cool and dry, you’re on to a winner!

Being able to swap out gloves also helps if you have room in your top box.

If you can buy riding gear that is waterproof and breathable, all the better! If not, ensure your waterproof gear is accessible so you can put it on quickly if the weather turns ugly.

Here’s a decent list of gear-related posts if you’d like to explore further:

• 10 Best Gore-Tex Motorcycle Boots (Men’s & Women’s)
• Furygan Adventure Suit Review: 5,000 Miles In The Arctic Circle
• How To Keep Your Gear Dry On A Motorcycle Tour
• My Favourite Motorcycle Touring Gear (From Experience)
• Why Motorcycle Base Layers Are ESSENTIAL For Touring
• Tested: This Is Why You Need A Keis Heated Jacket!
• We Tested It: Altberg Motorcycle Boots (30,000+ Mile Review)

13.1. Helmets For Long-Distance Motorcycling

A special note about helmets .

Don’t be tempted by an open-face helmet just because it looks cool. Make your life easier and get yourself a full-face helmet.

With a full-face helmet, your head, eyes, and face are completely protected (including your lips from the sun.)

Not only does it protect you from the wind, rain, and other flying debris you might come across, but it also protects you from any bugs on a kamikaze mission to destroy your retinas.

• We Tested It: Shark Spartan Carbon Motorcycle Helmet (Long-Term Review)
• We Tested It: HJC R-PHA 90s Carbon Motorcycle Helmet
• What Are The Top 10 Quietest Motorcycle Helmets?

The Best Motorcycle Bluetooth Headsets: Budget To Premium

• 10 Top Dual-Sport & Adventure Motorcycle Helmets In 2022

14. Long-Distance Motorcycling: Ride With A Screen

Screens are funny because there is no one-size-fits-all.

Different people like different screen heights for a whole range of reasons. The best thing you can do is either get an adjustable one or one you know you are comfortable with.

Riding without a screen on quiet, country roads is all well and good. But riding 700km on the motorway at 130kph is something different entirely!

Protect yourself with a screen that takes the hit for you.

Related: Windshield vs No Windshield On A Motorcycle: Your Ultimate Guide

15. Wear Earplugs

As with screens, you can get away with not wearing earplugs on a leisurely jaunt to the countryside. But when you’re spending hours and hours on the motorway, the constant engine, traffic, and wind noise can really sap your energy.

Physically, the constant noise can leave you with headaches. But mentally, it can become exhausting and even hinder your sleep.

Earplugs also help you stay alert for longer without the constant barrage of noise in your ears. They make your ride safer.

Our recent reviews (if you’re interested) include earplugs from Pinlock and Decibullz .

16. Tailor Your Bike For Comfort

During your pre-tour stamina rides (at the top of this post), write a list of things that make you uncomfortable on the bike.

Maybe you get achy wrists. Or perhaps your arse starts to hurt after a few hours in the saddle. Now make any necessary changes to alleviate these issues before you leave.

I always ensure the handlebars are at a height that works for me. I also adjust the levers to fit the natural angle of my hands.

Footpegs that vibrate are another pet peeve! Try to find some with a rubber top that will absorb vibrations whilst riding.

16.1. Consider An After-Market Seat Or Seat Pad

This isn’t always necessary, but a seat pad is a nice luxury if you can afford it.

It’s especially important if you’re unable to ride for any period without getting pins and needles or numbness.

If you find your motorcycle seat uncomfortable, swap it out before you leave for your tour. Failure to do so will result in a very miserable few weeks!

17. Power Up For Long-Distance Motorcycling

If your bike doesn’t have a power port as standard, it might be worthwhile investing in one.

Power ports can come in handy if (for example) the hard-wiring of your GPS fails. Rather than continue your trip without GPS, you can simply plug it into the power port.

I also use mine to charge my phone or camera equipment on the move.

If you have heated gear (jacket/gloves etc.), a port can also be another way to power them.

Power gives you options. So make sure you have a way to feed those devices!

Top image: Wendy Wei

A Guide To Motorcycle Earplugs: Protecting Your Lugs!

About - Contact - Editorial Guidelines - Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy

• new motorcycles
• buyers guide
• tips and tech
• parts and gear

Top Long-Distance Touring Motorcycles of 2022

From baggers to sport-touring bikes, the best motorcycles for covering great distances.

• Account Settings

Classifieds

Bike reviews, product reviews.

• Best Motorcycle Cameras
• Best Motorcycle Earplugs
• Best Motorcycle Oil
• Best Leather Jackets
• Best Winter Gloves
• Best Sportbike Tires
• GPS Buyers Guide
• Adventure Touring
• On-Off-Road
• Sport-Touring
• Touring Scooter
• Harley-Davidson
• Royal Enfield

New Rider's Hub

Top stories.

10 Best Motorcycles for Long Distance Riding

There are a lot of ways to go for a long distance tour. These days, offerings are plentiful when choosing a steed to gallop your way across the country. There are even a few liter bikes that come equipped with cruise control, if you’re into that sort of thing. From dedicated six-cylinder sport tourers, to Dakar inspired adventure bikes, there has probably never been a better time to choose a touring motorcycle.

We’ve put together a list of the 10 best motorcycles for long distance riding. If you think we’ve left anything out, which is bound to happen when choosing only 10, leave them in the comments section below.

1.) KTM 1290 Super Adventure R

KTM’s lineup of what the company categorizes as Travel consists of the 690 Enduro R, 1090 Adventure R, 1290 Super Adventure S, and 1290 Super Adventure R. The two 1290s are equally set up for touring though we opted to include the R version in this list to differentiate it as not only a touring bike for long distances, but a motorcycle that will take you further than the pavement allows.

With its off-road focused 21 x 18-inch wheel combination, there are plenty of tires from street-biased to pure knobbies that you can fit onto the big Katoom. When it comes to eating up miles, the Adventure can hang with the best of them, on or off-road, with its neutral seating position and laundry list of touring features including a 6.1-gallon gas tank, adjustable windscreen, cornering LED headlight, big ‘ol TFT display from which you can view plenty of trip info, connect to your phone, and use the KTM My Ride feature, and of course, cruise control. You’d be a fool not to consider this bike for your next transcontinental excursion, unless you’re just not comfortable with a 35-inch seat height.

2017 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R Review: First Ride

2.) BMW K1600GTL

Lux touring at its finest. The BMW K1600GTL exudes luxury sport touring while feeling like a precisely engineered German machine. The star of the show, the 1,649cc inline-Six, is smooth and ready to deliver a claimed 160 horsepower and 129 lb-ft of torque at the twist of a wrist. The GTL is equally adept on twisty canyon roads as it is gobbling up miles down the highway. The electronically adjustable suspension soaks up road irregularities with ease, providing one of the most compliant and cush rides we have experienced, all the while allowing the ride to be tailored to the pilot’s preference at the push of a button, er, wheel in the BMW’s case. Navigating through the plethora of adjustments and information is mostly done with a rolling wheel interface on the left-hand switchgear. The K1600GTL dethroned the Gold Wing in our last big touring shot, and it’s pretty easy to see why.

2014 BMW K1600GTL Exclusive Review – First Ride

3.) Honda Gold Wing

Ah, the Honda Gold Wing. A juggernaut in the touring market since its inception in 1975. The Gold Wing has long been held as the gold standard in touring motorcycles, providing its riders with the utmost comfort and wind protection while offering Honda’s exceptional engineering to keep the behemoth feeling much lighter than it should. Now in its newest iteration, the Gold Wing can be had with Honda’s automatic transmission, known as DCT which is particularly convenient for touring. Evans Brasfield and our dearly departed (from MO ) Sean Alexander spent quite a bit of time on the new Gold Wing, Alexander at the press launch two-up with his wife, and Brasfield on the Nuclear Tour bringing the Wing home from Texas. As Evans states in the dual-story write-up: “impressions of the Gold Wing Tour stand out as remarkably positive”. The only flack the new Wing seems to be getting is for the reduction in storage space, an odd choice for a touring bike until you consider Honda shrunk the entire machine.

2018 Honda Gold Wing Tour Review

4.) Yamaha Venture Transcontinental

Having spent a fair amount of time both solo and two-up on the Yamaha Eluder – basically the Venture sans trunk and a few features – I would be happy riding either model for months on end, of course the extra storage and backrest would be preferred for a passenger. The 1,854cc beating heart of the Yamaha Venture is addicting. The low rumbling bass coming from the exhaust is unmistakably V-twin, yet in a class of its own. The massive torque delivered smoothly through the belt drive is more than enough to pull you and your passenger up winding roads in to Yosemite or the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Though the front of this bad boy looks like a `60s muscle car, modern niceties can be found behind that monstrous nostalgic fairing in the way of a large central screen giving access to navigation, Bluetooth, trip info, Sirius XM and all sorts of other information. Also found on the big touring machine are two alternators delivering 750 watts, heated everything, four speakers with dual-zone audio control, storage cubbies all over the place, fog lights, and a security system. If you fancy yourself some V-twin touring, this is the most high tech way of doing it.

2018 Yamaha Star Venture First Ride

5.) Harley-Davidson Electra Glide/Touring line

Nothing will make you feel more American than rambling down a lone highway with a pulsing Harley-Davidson V-Twin rumbling beneath you. H-D’s new Milwaukee Eight can be found in 107 cu in and 114 cu in variants and provide ultra-smooth torque synonymous with the brand. The classic Harley Electra Glide has been a staple of American motorcycle touring for decades. Companies like EagleRider Motorcycle Tours & Rentals have sculpted their business around the world’s interest in riding American motorcycles in America, and it’s no surprise. I’ve never owned a Harley, yet I still get excited to ride one any time I get the chance. It’s an experience of its own.

2017 Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited First Ride Review

Harley-Davidson Fairing Comparison: Ultra Touring Glide-Off

6.) Kawasaki H2 SX SE

Not really a touring guy? More interested in sport, than sport touring? The Kawi H2 SX SE might be the perfect blend of supercharged performance with touring accouterments. It’s a touring bike with a supercharger, launch control, and a quick shifter, or maybe it’s a sport bike with a larger windscreen, LED cornering lights, comfortable seat, heated grips, and centerstand. If your idea of touring involves warp speed, the H2 SX SE will have you doing so luxuriously.

2018 Kawasaki H2 SX SE First Ride Review

7.) Ducati Multistrada 1260

The Multistrada is Ducati’s answer for those Ducatisti looking to travel in comfort with all the raucous performance that the unrelenting Italian manufacturer has built into its bikes since the beginning. As you first flick the Multi 1260 onto its side through a corner, you’ll be amazed that a motorcycle the size of this could possibly handle so closely to its sportier counterparts – and don’t get me started on the engine. It has performance for days with torque to make it all practical or at the very least to launch you out of the tightest hairpin corners with ease. The ability to adjust the engine character and suspension coupled with the laundry list of acronyms used to describe all of the tech crammed into the Multistrada make this truly the Swiss (Italian?) army knife of Ducatis.

2018 Ducati Multistrada 1260 First Ride Review + Video

8.) Turismo Veloce 800 Lusso SCS

The Turismo Veloce is another long-legged Italian stunner in the touring realm. It’s the lightest, most agile touring bike on this list and the Turismo also comes in with the least cubic centimeters, though if you’re a fan of Italian sportbikes and intoxicating exhaust notes, the MV is worth a look. We included the all new Turismo Veloce 800 Lusso SCS because it is the company’s top-of-the-line touring model – equipped with luggage, heated grips, electronic suspension, and adjustable ride modes among other touring bits.

What also makes the Lusso intriguing is that little red circle visible through the lexan clutch cover. For the first time ever we see the American company, Rekluse who is well known in the off-road segment, team up with a manufacturer to develop the Smart Clutch System (SCS) found on the Turismo Veloce 800 Lusso SCS.

2018 MV Agusta Turismo Veloce 800 Lusso SCS First Ride Review

9.) Indian Roadmaster

For a long time, if you wanted an American touring bike, you had one option. Ever since Indian burst back onto the scene in its most recent iteration, the company has been producing great bikes with even better motors. Backed with the R&D department only a large company could provide (Polaris), Indian has produced two fantastic motors and built a model range around those two to rival its competitors. The Roadmaster is an undoubtedly big touring machine, but it will eat up a thousand miles for dinner and go back for seconds, all the while having the latest and greatest available for sound, ride and bike information, and navigation all available in the fairing mounted screen. Going two-up? There’s a big cushy seat for your passenger, too.

2017 Indian Roadmaster Classic Review: First Ride

10.) Triumph Tiger 1200

I’ve spent hundreds of miles on the Tiger touring two-up to solo riding through Jeep trails and I’ve come away very happy with the Tiger 1200. The 2018 XCa model is certainly one of the more road-biased adventure bikes, and that’s just fine because you can adjust power modes and suspension for touring or sport on road, then flip to off-road setting when the pavement ends. It’s an adjustable steed with a fantastic Triple engine and relatively maintenance-free shaft drive. The model we rode came equipped with heated seats fore and aft, heated grips, fog lights, skid plate, and a beautiful TFT display from which to read all sorts of information. One of my few gripes is the small-ish (in relation to other ADV bikes in the category) gas tank. It’s so comfortable, you could definitely keep riding further than the tank will allow.

2018 Triumph Tiger 1200 XCa Review

Riding The Triumph Tiger 1200 To And Fro

Ryan’s time in the motorcycle industry has revolved around sales and marketing prior to landing a gig at Motorcycle.com. An avid motorcyclist, interested in all shapes, sizes, and colors of motorized two-wheeled vehicles, Ryan brings a young, passionate enthusiasm to the digital pages of MO.

More by Ryan Adams

Join the conversation

I'll take a 650 V strom or DR650 and stay off the highways. Not a fan of boat anchors.

No Concours 14 or FJR ???

Find your Motorcycle

Specs classifieds, popular articles.

Yamaha is Developing New RW Series Models

How to Know if Your Motorcycle's Suspension Needs Replacing?

Exploring the Other Side of Sturgis – on a Pan America

2025 KTM 450 SMR – First Look

Kawasaki to Introduce a Versys 1100 for 2025

You may also be interested in.

10 Best Commuter Motorcycles

What You Need To Know About Automatic Clutch Transmissions

The 390 Adventure Project – Upgrades and Adjustments

2025 Ducati DesertX Discovery – First Look

2025 Ducati Panigale V4 S Gallery

MO April Giveaway: Michelin Power 6 Tires

Harley-Davidson Reveals Tobacco Fade Enthusiast Collection

The Sport-Touring Divide – Question of the Day

2024 Verge TS Pro Gallery

2024 KTM 890 SMT Review

MV Agusta Chairman Hubert Trunkenpolz Interview – Part Two

MO Tested: Insta360 GO 3 Action Camera Review

2024 Harley-Davidson FLI Hydra-Glide Revival Specs Leaked

Official: 2024 Yamaha MT-09 Y-AMT Announced

Mitas Expands SPORT FORCE+ RS Tire Lineup

2024 Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide Revival Adds to Icons Collection

2024 BMW F 900 GS Review – First Ride

Alpinestars Tech-Air 7x Review

• ten best motorcycles
• new motorcycles
• photo galleries
• motorcycle dyno
• buyer's guide
• comparison tests
• gear and products

Top Touring Motorcycles in 2023

Comfort, modern tech, and convenience is king on these long haulers.

The Complete Guide to Long-Distance Motorcycle Riding

Long-distance motorcycle riding is not for the faint of heart. Taking your bike to and from the office is one thing, but straddling two wheels for long hours over multiple days is a whole different kettle of fish. Therefore, you can’t go into touring without a plan, an idea of what to expect, and an arsenal of tips for long motorcycle trips.

With that in mind, we’ve put together the essential guide to long-distance motorcycle riding. After reading this, you’ll have more confidence to make your road trip both successful and memorable (for all the right reasons). 

Remember to Be Flexible

Before we get into it, we’re going to give you the number one rule of long-distance road trips: be flexible. 

Of course, you’re going to need a plan. However, plans change. It doesn’t matter how good your plan is, there’s always the potential for complications, including:

• Weather complications
• An unexpected get-off
• General riding fatigue

As a result, always leave a little wiggle room in your plan. Whether this be for the above or for a kitsch sightseeing opportunity (‘Ostrich World’ anyone?) – remain open-minded about your riding schedule. 

Motorcycle Touring Preparation: How to Get Ready

Now that we’ve got the number one rule out of the way, here’s what you need to get this show on the road. 

Plan Your Route

To begin, it’s always important to know where you’re looking to go and the best route to take. 

Seems obvious, right? Well, yes. But this essential first step will determine everything you need to learn, prepare for, and pack for your road trip. This will also allow you to plan out your daily riding goals, as well as your breaks along the way.

PRO TIP: It’s best to stop for meals during quieter serving time. That way, you’re not wasting valuable riding time waiting for food. So, in the lead-up to your trip, practice eating breakfast between 10 am and 11 am or lunch between 2 pm and 3 pm.

Build Riding Stamina

You can’t go from commuting mode to touring mode overnight. Moreover, if the extent of your riding is a leisurely ride every weekend, you’re going to need to build up some riding stamina. 

We recommend slowly building up your stamina in the weeks leading up to your trip. So, one day, go 50 miles. Next weekend, go up to 100. The weekend after, crank it to 150. And so on and so on. Keep doing this until you feel comfortable covering a substantial amount of miles in one day. 

This will get you accustomed to longer distances and give you the chance to test out various luggage set-ups before you set off (more on that later).

Focus on Your Own Level of Fitness

In addition to building your riding stamina, you need to work on your own stamina. Long-distance motorcycling is both mentally and physically taxing. Therefore, you should get into good shape before hitting the road. 

However, you don’t need to get shredded or look like an extra in Magic Mike. A good level of cardiovascular fitness and endurance will put you on the road towards a successful tour.

The knock-on effect of improving your fitness is that it will help you maintain focus and concentration and, therefore, improving your motorcycle safety. On top of that, you’ll have more energy in between rides, too!

PRO TIP: Don’t stop there! If you want to feel fresh and alert on the road, you should also work on improving your sleeping and eating habits. We recommend installing a sleep app and eating more mindfully before your trip. 

Refine Your Motorcycling Set-Up 

While you’re building up your riding stamina, it’s worthwhile fine-tuning and refining your motorcycling luggage set-up.

Here are some of the different motorcycle bags and luggage options you may want to test out or consider for your road trip:

• Leg waist belt

This will allow you to get used to riding with luggage and will give you an idea of what your final packing list will look like.

Get a Final Packing List Together

In order to land on your final luggage set-up, you’ll need to put together a final packing list in addition to a general checklist to make sure you and your bike are tour ready. 

There are a lot of variables that go into both of the above, and they will differ depending on:

• The length of your trip
• The conditions you’re riding in
• Your accommodation along the way
• Your weight and your bike’s weight (and the weight of any passengers)

It sounds complicated, but it really isn’t. You just need to get organized and prepare early on.

Tips for Long Motorcycle Trips: What to Know When You’re on the Road

Start your engines! Now you’ve got everything ready, here are some tips to follow while on the road.

Start Early

Long-distance motorcycle trips mean early starts. This can be challenging if you – or members of your party – aren’t morning people. However, it’s in your best interest to use all the hours of daylight available to you. 

Early mornings mean you’ll be able to cover more asphalt and give you a window to be flexible.

Take Smart Breaks

There are lots of different types of breaks you may take while on a long-distance motorcycle road trip – these could include:

• Lunch breaks
• Coffee breaks
• Water breaks
• Stretching breaks
• Bathroom breaks
• Refuelling or recharging breaks

A bad habit a lot of riders fall into is thinking these need to be done separately. Far from the truth. We would recommend combining all of these.

The perfect place to do so? A motorcycle service station. A stop allows you to quickly refuel, eat/drink, go to the bathroom, and stretch your legs all within the shortest time possible.

PRO TIP: If you’re riding an electric motorcycle , you’ll need to plan out where you’re going to charge up before hitting the road. We recommend bookmarking some electric vehicle charging stations on your route through the PlugShare website – preferably ones where you can grab a quick bite.

Eat Little and Often

As mentioned above, you want to have multiple quick bites while on the road. By that, we mean eating small amounts frequently. 

We get it. When you’ve been riding all morning, it’s tempting to have a huge lunch and a cold beer. However, you will not thank yourself when it comes to your afternoon riding – you’ll end up too full and lethargic.

Save your big meal  – and that brewski – for the evening, after you’ve finished riding. 

Drink Lots of Water

We can’t stress how important it is to remain hydrated during a cross-country motorcycle trip. Think of it this way, would you run a marathon without drinking a lot of water? Of course not! The same applies here.

Long-distance riding is also a marathon, you’re just using two wheels instead of two legs. What’s more, if you’re touring during the summer, wearing full leathers, and sitting above a hot engine all day – you’re going to sweat a lot! That water needs to be replaced. 

However, much like eating, you don’t want to chug a couple of liters of water in one go! It’s better to continuously drink small amounts while on the road. The easiest way to stay hydrated en route is to pack a water bladder, keep it filled up, and position the hose close to your mouth.

Aid your Hydration With Electrolyte Supplements

As anyone who has ridden in very hot climates will tell you, it’s normal to drink up to 5-6 liters of clear stuff a day. 

However, that’s easier said than done and you don’t want to fall into a situation where you’re lacking in salts. Therefore, we recommend packing some electrolyte drinks or tablets as an extra precaution.

Drink Less Coffee

Caffeine is one hell of a drug. A cup of joe gives us that much-needed jolt in the morning and, on the road, it’s no different. 

That being said, even if you’re a caffeine-lover, we recommend keeping an eye on your caffeine intake during your road trip. If you have too much at once, you’ll go from being wired to having a monumental energy crash. This will both affect your enjoyment of the ride and dull your senses,  potentially resulting in you making mistakes while riding. 

If in doubt, always go for water over coffee, tea, or energy drinks!

Wear Earplugs

While we believe you should wear earplugs every time you ride, you especially need them for the long distances you’ll be covering. 

Consistent engine, traffic, and wind noise can not only damage your long-term hearing, but they will also sap your energy levels, give you headaches, and affect your sleep while on the road. So, do yourself a favour, and invest in some high-quality earplugs. 

Take a look at some of the motorcycle earplugs we recommend in our blog on must-have motorcycle gadgets .

Be Ready For Flat Tires

Punctures are predictable. You can never be sure when a flat tire will occur, so make sure you’re ready for it. 

Therefore, we recommend you keep a small repair kit and an inflation tool (pump or CO2 cartridges) somewhere easy to access in your road trip luggage. Furthermore, if you have tubed tires, be sure to remember spoons and have some way of raising your bike.

Change Tires Before the Trip

If you’re going on a really long journey or heading on a tour with challenging road conditions and elements, it may be worth changing your tires. 

With motorcycle tires of over 5 years, it’s recommended you do an annual inspection, while motorcycle tires of over 10 years need replacing. However, you know your tires and your rides!

You should visually inspect your tires , the depth of the threads, and any damage caused by impact or unusual wear and tear. If in doubt, get an inspection ahead of your trip. However, if your tires are around the 5-to-10 year mark, consider treating yourself to some new ones ahead of your trip.

Our Final Tips for Long Distance Motorcycle Riding

Just to be sure you’ve dotted all the i’s and crossed all the t’s, here are some final tips to ensure your motorcycle tour is a complete success. 

Choose Your Riding Crew Wisely

You don’t want to be halfway on your trip and realize your riding buddies don’t share your riding style. This will end up causing friction and arguments in the groups and can lead to a big motorcycle touring no-no: riding angry. 

Riding angry not only stops you from enjoying the road trip, but also puts you and others at risk. Your attention will end up on how often the other rider wants to stop or how late they wake up, instead of the road!

So have a serious think about who you go with and if you have the same riding style or goals. And, if you and your motorcycle riding community are on a different page, you can always ride solo!

Let Others Know Where You’re Heading

If you do decide to ride alone, it’s a good idea to let people close to you know your itinerary. 

When you’re on a long motorcycle journey, chances are you’ll be riding through unfamiliar territory. However, by letting friends and family know where you’re heading, in the unlikely event that something goes wrong, you can rest easy knowing they’ll know where to find you.

Moreover, due to the wonders of modern technology, there are multiple apps where you can plot your ride and where others can track your progress in real-time.

How in-depth you decide to go is up to you, just be sure to let others know where you’re heading!

Sort Your Accommodation Ahead of Time

Whether you’re staying in hotels, motels, hostels, or campsites, we recommend you get it all booked ahead of time. 

There are a few benefits of sorting out accommodation before you head out, including:

• It’s better than doing it after a full day of riding
• Ensures accommodation isn’t sold out (during peak season or a popular event nearby)
• It’s usually cheaper!

However, if you’re unable to book ahead of time or your bookings don’t work out for some reason, we’d like to remind you of rule #1 again. Yep, be flexible.

The Golden Rule: Enjoy it!

Being flexible and following all of the above will help you achieve the golden rule of any long-distance motorcycle trip. Above all else, enjoy yourself!

A motorcycle road trip reminds us of the reasons we began riding in the first place: being off the grid, exploring unfamiliar and beautiful places on two wheels, and meeting like-minded people along the way.

Follow the above, and you’ll be ready to hit the road and fully enjoy your road trip!

Mark Linsdell

Related posts.

The 5 Clear Benefits of Carbon Fiber Motorcycle Wheels

• The Complete Guide to Electric Motorcycle Incentives and Grants [USA Edition]

Damon HyperSport vs HyperFighter: What’s the Difference? 

Visit damon.

• Damon Motorcycles
• Electric Motorcycle
• Future Motorcycles
• Motorcycle Industry
• Motorcycle Technology
• Motorcycling Gear
• Uncategorised

Recent Posts

• How Damon’s HyperDrive is Changing Everything we know about Motorcycle Design 
• 9 Things To Avoid When Buying Your First Motorcycle
• Do You Need a License for an Electric Motorcycle? (And Other FAQS) 
• The 8 Must-Have Gadgets for Motorcycle Riders