Ever dreamt of riding a motorcycle to your dream destination? If you are reading this, then I would bet you have. Seeing riders on the highway wearing those riding gears with bags strapped on, certainly stimulates some senses and you would start dreaming about doing it yourself. You muster the courage, come up with a plan and start riding on the highway. A few hundred kilometres and reality strikes. Though you still want to do it what is the point of doing something if it is not enjoyable? We have done enough long single and multi-day rides to help you out with this one.
1. It all starts with the body
A motorcycle is just a machine, and you are the one riding it. If you are not fit enough, then blaming the machine later will do no good. Focus on cardiovascular and full-body muscular endurance. This will increase your stamina to enable you to sit on the saddle for long hours. You will still be sore at the end of the day, but the body will cope in a much better way.
2. Do a few preparatory rides
Don’t just go for a 500 – 800 km ride just like that without any experience. Start slow and do some shorter rides locally say a 100 km ride and gradually keep increasing the distance. See how the body is reacting to being in the saddle and make necessary adjustments. Give yourself ample time before embarking on that big ride.
3. Prepare your motorcycle for that long ride
It goes without saying that along with you, your motorcycle should also be in top form. Anything can go bad on the road but you should at least make sure that the bike is in top condition at the time of start. Service your bike a couple of weeks before the ride and make sure you ride the bike post service to check if everything is good.
4. Sort out the luggage system
A motorcycle has limited real estate in terms of the things that you can carry. Long-distance touring could entail multiple days and along with it the requirement to carry a lot. There are a lot of options available like the tank bag, tail bag, saddle bag, and hard luggage options. Choose from these, try riding with them and see what is comfortable as all the options come with their own set of pros and cons. If you like some tips on packing, then do read our post on best packing tips for travel.
5. Early start and earlier finish
In our experience of riding, we have observed that we are at our best early in the morning. Once you clock a few hundred kilometres, fatigue starts setting in later in the day and efficiency goes down. So, start early preferably before dawn and cover as much as possible early in the day. This way you will be able to cover a lot of distance before you get tired. An early start will also mean an earlier end to the day. This is good both in terms of comfort as well as safety. We generally do not prefer to ride too much in the dark as the risk factor goes up a few notches.
6. Plan your breaks efficiently
You might want to stop very often to catch up on food, fuel up and stretch those tired muscles. Do not do that! Club those breaks together, like you can grab a bite and stretch yourself while you stop for fuel. Frequent breaks disrupt the rhythm that you will be in while riding and will make the whole experience less desirable. This is not to say that you should not take a break and ride continuously but rather you should be smart enough and plan your breaks.
We suggest you not ride more than 200 km without breaks as it will prove to be counterproductive later on. A smart tip would be to fill fuel which would last for 200 km so that you are forced to have that break.
7. Stay hydrated
Never underestimate the water requirement of your body while riding. While you may seem perfectly normal but you will not know how much you are sweating under those riding gears and this could lead to complications. Drink water compulsorily whenever you take a break. You can also invest in a hydration pack which will have a tube right under your helmet and will help you on the go. Also, carry electrolytes, as along with water, your body will need the necessary salts.
8. Wear earplugs
Whatever amount of money you spend on getting a helmet will not get rid of wind noise creeping inside. Believe us, in long-distance riding, wind noise does play a big factor in increasing fatigue. This is not to say that you should shut out the outside world completely which could prove dangerous. Do not listen to music or wear active noise cancellation earphones. Just invest in inexpensive earplugs which will reduce your exposure to wind noise but will not block your other sounds.
9. Invest in good riding gears
They may look and feel uncomfortable and heavy but they should be indispensable for any rider. A good riding jacket, pants, gloves and a decent helmet are a must for any rider. The initial investment will be there but will certainly prove its worth in case of any mishappening while on tour.
10. Group vs. Solo rides
Each has its pros and cons. You need to be careful, especially when riding in groups. Each of the members will have their riding style. Do not get influenced or intimidated by other people and change your style of riding. This may even prove to be harmful to you, so follow your style and maintain a consistent pace to safely reach the destination.
11. Consider after-market products
There are several products which make long-distance riding more comfortable and safer. This includes accessories like air cushion seats, add-on lights, GPS mounts etc. These accessories will add more value and make your ride that much more memorable.
