Tips for Long Distance Motorcycle Riding

You may be a regular motorcycle rider, but long distance motorcycle riding requires specialized skills. Riding a motorcycle over longer distances requires special preparation. It is among the most exciting motorcycle riding experiences a biker can ever have.

You may not enjoy motorcycle riding if you use motorbikes only to go to work or college. However, when you head on a long distance motorcycle riding journey, you enjoy the ride in a different way.

Whether you are setting off on a long distance motorcycle tour, a multi-day cross-country ride, or a weekend motorcycle trip, it is important to be prepared. The below long distance motorcycle riding tips can help you enjoy the riding experience more and stay safe on the journey.

Continue reading this article if you love to long miles on your motorbike. This article provides practical tips for long distance motorcycle trips. It is important for a rider to stay calm, comfortable, safe, and ready for the road ahead when heading on a long distance motorcycle trip.

Not all motorcycles are long-distance capable. You have to ensure you choose the right bike that is capable of taking you on long-mile journeys.

For a motorcycle to be touring capable, it has to be adequately heavyweight to handle highway speeds. Remember! A lightweight motorcycle becomes highly unstable when riding on highways and open roads.

Not all motorbikes can go long distances. A motorcycle must have a decently powerful and torquey engine to ensure it can keep the bike pushing in multiple riding conditions. You can face different challenging riding situations on a long-distance motorcycle trip that require your bike to have adequate torque and thrust to deal with such situations.

Choose a bike that is comfortable for long distance motorcycle riding. Comfort is another very important factor when it comes to long-haul motorcycle journeys and tours.

• For a motorcycle to be comfortable on long-distance travels, it must ensure an upright riding posture/stance.

• The legroom has to be decently roomy for riders to adjust their legs comfortably.

• Having a backrest installed on motorcycles can also help riders recline against it for relaxed motorcycle touring.

• A reasonable rider triangle is also a good measure of how comfortable a motorcycle is for long distance motorcycle rides.

• If your elbows and knees are kinked up during the ride, the long-distance motorcycle rides will become highly uncomfortable for riders.

• Riding such a motorcycle will result in riders’ fatigue even after riding it for 15-20 minutes.

If you are one of those motorcycle riders who love to go long distances, make sure to consider the below motorbikes for long-distance motorcycle touring:

• Harley Davidson Ultra Limited

• Honda Gold Wing

• Indian Roadmaster 

• Harley Davidson Street Glide

• Harley Davidson Road Glide

• Indian Challenger

• Indian Chieftain

• Harley Davidson Road King

• Harley Davidson Heritage Classic

• Harley Davidson Fat Boy

• BMW R18 Classic

• Harley Davidson Pan America

• BMW R 1250 GS Adventure

• Triumph Tiger 1200

• Ducati Multistrada 

• Yamaha Tracer 900 GT

• Kawasaki Versys 1000

• BMW K1600GT

• Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+

These are motorcycles, usually cruiser bikes, that have been transformed into ideal touring motorbikes. By adding a few aftermarket parts, including saddlebags, fairings, windscreen, sissy bars, crash bars, backrests, comfortable seats, and touring-oriented handlebars, you can make your bike touring capable of relaxed long-distance motorcycle travel.

However, before you choose one of these motorbikes for touring purposes, evaluate your riding skills and experience. Test the bike before making the purchase. You must know how much weight a motorcycle can handle comfortably, especially on a long-distance motorcycle ride.

One of the most important long-distance motorcycle riding tips is to ensure you have a proper plan ahead of time. Don’t rely on making decisions on the spot. Instead, plan your route and stops beforehand.

Riders can use motorcycle trip planners or navigation apps to plan a dedicated route and stop for the motorcycle trip. It will help you make informed decisions, and you can get to know about the route in advance. If you leave everything on the day, you will not be able to enjoy the ride. Also, it is not safe to leave things for the last time.

You may face several issues and roadblocks on a particular route. You can only make a timely decision regarding changing a particular route if you are informed beforehand.

You can easily find the best stops for refueling and rest areas on the route if you plan your long-distance motorcycle ride in advance. Also, booking accommodation to stay during the night is also much more feasible if you do it in advance.

Planning the route and stops for your long distance motorcycle journey will help you manage the trip effectively.

Also, avoid riding continuously for hours. This will result in riders’ fatigue. Rather than enjoying the motorcycle tour, it will become hectic for you.

One of the best tips for long distance motorcycle trips is to pack smart. Most inexperienced long-distance motorcycle riders pack their bikes unwisely. They carry almost everything on their bike without any planning.

Packing your bike for a long distance motorcycle trip is the most essential step. It can also impact ride safety as it can affect the balance of your bike.

To evenly distribute the weight while packing your bike for long distance motorcycle trips, make sure your bike is touring ready. Motorcycle saddlebags, tank bags, backpacks, and trunk bags offer a good storage space. Above all, using all these motorcycle luggage bags can help you evenly distribute your stuff and weight.

Avoid carrying heavy items on your motorcycle trip. Carry lightweight clothing, like performance wear. They also take up less space in the storage.

Other essentials include a multi-purpose toolkit, emergency gear, and first-aid supplies. Also, carry an adequate supply of drinking water.

Riding with a group is always beneficial and a safe option. You always have support in case of any emergency during the ride. Also, it is best to have the company of your biker friends and family members. You have to worry less about so many things during your long distance motorcycle journey.

On a long distance motorcycle trip, there are more chances of your motorbike tire getting flat or your bike breaking down due to some issue. It is always good to have support.

Motorcycle travel becomes less hectic if you are riding with a group as you share responsibilities. Also, sharing the ride stories, memories, and laughter throughout the journey ensures a better travel experience.

Even if you are a less experienced rider or this is your first time going on a long distance motorcycle trip, you don’t have to worry much if you are riding with a group.

While on a motorcycle trip with a group, it is best to use communication devices to stay connected with each other. This helps in avoiding getting distracted while trying to communicate physically during the ride. It also helps in navigation and coordination between the members of the group. You can also listen to music during the ride.

If you love to go on long distance motorcycle rides, you must have experienced riding in different weather conditions. To be safe during the ride, it is better to be prepared for weather changes. An abrupt change in weather during the ride can prove to be very challenging for bike riders.

The best way to be prepared for the weather changes while on a long distance motorcycle trip is to stay updated on the weather forecast. Plan your day and the ride according to the forecast.

The other essential tip for long distance motorcycle riding is to carry safety gear for different weather conditions. Always carry a rain suit, an extra pair of gloves, socks, and helmet visors.

Adjust the number of layers according to the rise and drop in temperature. If you can afford it, make sure you have waterproof gear for riding in the rain.

Also, if you have to make any adjustments to your planned route and stops, do it considering the weather forecast. Also, considering the weather forecast, make sure your motorbike is ready to deal with the weather changes.

If you are not comfortable on your bike, you will not be able to enjoy the motorcycle trip. Sometimes, even the most comfortable motorcycle may not be comfortable for you. When choosing a bike for long distance motorcycle riding, make sure it suits your size and height.

Sometimes, a bike that appears to be comfortable may not be comfortable on long-distance rides.

Before you go on a long distance motorcycle ride, make changes to the bike that can improve the level of comfort.

You can always make adjustments to the seat height or replace it with a softer one to make it suitable for long-distance comfort.

The motorcycle riding gloves you use must not be too padded or too thin to avoid grip issues. Remember, if the gloves are too thick, it will cause hand fatigue.

Do not ride continuously for hours on long distance motorcycle rides. Take regular stops to avoid getting fatigued. Make sure to stretch and relax during the breaks. On average, you must take a break after every 100-150 miles on long distance motorcycle rides.

Keep your back upright while riding. On long distance motorcycle rides, you will have the urge to sit in a slouch riding position. Try to resist this urge as much as possible, as it will cause you back pain.

Do not hold on to the handlebars too tightly. Keep a relaxed grip on handlebars to avoid arm fatigue.

Most riders are seen not wearing proper safety riding gear throughout the ride. They choose to stay light and easy on long-distance motorcycle rides. As a motorcycle rider, you will have the urge to ride without heavy riding gear, especially on long distance journeys. However, it is very unsafe.

If you are an experienced biker, you better know what proper motorcycle safety riding gear includes. Never forget to wear a DOT-approved helmet, a leather jacket, pants, motorcycle boots, and gloves.

There is a common rule in the motorcycling community known as ATGATT (All the Gear, All The Time).

On long-distance motorcycle trips, you must also carry and wear moisture-wicking base layers. Considering the weather, your motorcycle riding gear must be breathable so you stay comfortable while being safe. The helmet must also have vents for riders so they can breathe fresh air on long distance motorcycle rides.

Make sure you have extra dry layers and raingear in case of any emergency. It is also wise to carry extra clear helmet visors.

If you are unfamiliar with the route or this is your first time on a long distance motorcycle ride, you will have no idea about the fuel stations. Also, if you are new to motorcycle touring, you probably may not be able to predict how long the fuel will last. Therefore, do not wait for the emergency to come.

If your bike stops working in the middle of nowhere due to running out of gas and there is no gas station nearby, your safety is at risk. Therefore, plan this out before even leaving for the ride.

You must also have a rough idea or an estimate regarding your motorcycle’s fuel average. You must also add fuel station stops in your planned route so you never have to deal with running out of fuel.

As motorcycle riders, we have certain limitations, considering our riding skills and expertise. We may be experienced bikers, but we may be in a certain niche.

Even if you have used a motorcycle as a primary mode of transport in your life, you may still have no idea of motorcycle touring. Also, if you have been a sport bike racer all your life, riding a touring bike or a cruiser motorcycle for long distance rides is completely different.

Therefore, you must always know your limits and stay within them to ensure safety. You can’t just sit on your bike and cross continents. If the longest you have ever been on motorcycle travel is 200 miles, don’t plan a 1000-mile long distance motorcycle tour.

It is always wise to start slow. Remember, the farther you go, the farther you will have to come back to the point where you started your motorcycle journey.

The most common and frustrating issue you may face on long distance motorcycle rides is flat tires. Most riders associate flat tires with luck. Your tire is most likely to puncture if you are having a bad day. However, on long distance motorcycle rides, there are better chances of having flat tires many times during the ride.

Apart from luck, you can still avoid having flat tires during long-distance bike rides. The first thing you must do is to check your motorcycle tires’ health before leaving for the trip. If the tire doesn’t look in good shape or they are near its expiry date, you must replace the tires with new ones.

With new motorcycle tires for long motorbike rides, there are fewer chances of having flat tires. However, for safety concerns and to be prepared, you must always carry a flat tire repair kit when you plan to go on long distance motorcycle trips.

Carrying the flat tire kit is not enough. You must also know how to fix the flat tire.

If you are unaware of this equipment, earplugs can make a huge difference on long distance motorcycle rides. This is something that you must not forget if you want to have a pleasant experience on a long-distance bike ride.

It saves your ear from getting damaged by the heavy air drag, especially when you are winding down the open roads at high speeds. Earplugs are small, lightweight, and tiny pieces of equipment that can be easily carried in your pocket.

Riding continuously on long distance motorcycle rides can be harmful for your ears. If you want to continue listening properly without an issue, make sure to wear earplugs on long distance motorcycle rides.

Insert them in your ear as you use hands-free while listening to the music. It cancels all the noise and restricts heavy air vibrations and sound from getting into your ears, making riding extremely pleasant.

To be on the safer side, it is wise to book your accommodation in advance. This must be part of your plan. You may not be able to get the desired accommodation at the desired prices on the spot.

When you book your accommodation in advance, you have plenty of options and time to decide. You can compare the better options, depending on your budget and facilities.

You’d love to have a palace for accommodation so you can rest after a full day of riding. If it is a peak season, you will be facing difficulties in finding a suitable accommodation.

Before you leave for the long distance motorcycle ride, take some time to perform a complete test of your bike. Make sure to check all the motorcycle parts and accessories before leaving. Check if there is anything that requires changing or repair.

First of all, check the engine oil, tire air pressure, brake oil, and fork oil. Check if the brakes are working fine. Also, take a test ride to see if the throttle is working fine and if there is no delay or poor acceleration.

Check the clutch for any errors. The clutch must be soft to avoid hand fatigue while riding. If there is anything that is near the expiration date, replace it before going on a long-distance motorcycle trip.

Sharing your live location with someone you trust is the most essential safety tip for long distance motorcycle riding. These can be your close friends or family members who want you to be safe on the journey. Letting someone know about your whereabouts and where you are heading is a safety precaution for emergency situations. This way, they will be able to know if something wrong happens.

Another very important safety tip for long distance motorcycle riding is to keep emergency contact lists in your jacket. Remember, the emergency contact numbers have to be somewhere easily accessible. This is to let your family and loved ones know in case of an emergency.

There are also many mobile apps that can send emergency notifications to let your emergency contacts know that you are in trouble and require immediate medical assistance.