Touring Tips

I've been motorcycling for nearly a year now and have managed to undertake several long distance day-trips on my 300cc motorcycle.  I also routinely take shorter jaunts around the Texas Hill Country as well as commute two or three days out of the week.  All in all I've put over 7,000 miles under me as I have traveled from one side of Texas to the other and beyond.

1. Pick a Destination and Plan a Route - The first step of any motorcycle journey is to find out where you are going and then figure out how you will get there.  In this planning stage you will want to take into consideration the fuel range of your bike as well as your own tollerance for time in the saddle.  I start to get uncomfortable at around a hundred miles and my bike can go just over two hundred miles on a tank so when planning my route I try to find a place to stop every hundred miles and make sure that every other stop has fuel.

2. Wear Ear Plugs - Motorycles are loud as is the air rushing by your head at 75mph as you zip down the freeway.  I'm not sure of the exact decibel number, but it is loud enough to give you a headache after a while and could quite possibly cause permanent hearing damage.  A cheap set of ear-plugs will shut out all that noise and make it easier for you to focus on the road ahead of you and not the ringing in your ears.

3. Pack Light - Think about your trip and the length of time you will be gone and pack accordingly.  For my daily commute I take the bike and a backpack with my lunch in it.  Its only a few miles and I don't need anything else.  For a quick ride in the Hill Country I'll throw on my tank bag that holds a pair of ROK straps, a kickstand plate, and a flashlight.  For a longer ride I'll put on my tank bag, and either my tail bag or saddle bags with my air compressor, tire repair kit, my brake lock, a small notebook, and thats about it.  Eventually I'll have some rain gear and if I'm taking an overnight trip I'd add extra clothes and my bike cover.  Less is more.

4. Keep Hydrated - You are exposed to the elements while riding and if its hot you will quickly dehydrate.  Before setting out I make sure to drink at least a half liter of water and always carry at least a liter with me.  I drink at every stop and make sure to buy more or refill my empty bottle so that I always hit the road with at least a liter on me.