WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
In this final installment of the three part series about motorcycle road trip planning we’re going to be discussing what I refer to as “The Three B’s”…Your bike, your body and your brain. You’ve got to get all three of these things ready before you hit the starter button and head out on that long distance adventure of yours.
If you’re just joining us now we highly recommend that you read the two previously posted articles:
Preparing Your Bike
These are just the basics. Every bike is different. It’s age, accrued mileage, condition, service interval recommendations, etc. all contribute to the level of attention you’ll be giving it before you head out on the road. This isn’t an exhaustive list by any means, and we welcome any additional suggestions you may want to share in the comments section at the end of this post.
These motorcycle road trip planning recommendations revolve around one very simple concept. You want to take care of ALL the things now that you don’t want to have to concern yourself with during your trip. It’s far easier, and less stressful, to take care of routine maintenance and minor repairs in the comfort of your own garage. This is basic stuff that you don’t want to be doing on the side of a road somewhere.
Fluid And Filter Change
I start every road trip with fresh oil; even if I’m not “due” for an oil and filter change for another 2,000 miles. I don’t want to have to deal with trying to get a service appointment, in an unknown shop, in some unfamiliar place just to save a few dollars disposing of oil that still has a little life left in it. Do it now.
My European sport touring motorcycle requires a single lubricant for the engine, clutch and transmission so fluid changes are quick and easy. Most “big twin” Harley-Davidson bikes require separate fluids for the engine, clutch and primary case so fluid changes are a bit more involved. Do it anyway. Fresh fluids, filters and gaskets are good for the bike and great for the rider’s peace of mind.
Give It A GOOD Cleaning
This might seem counterproductive when it comes to motorcycle road trip planning. When you’re heading out on the road for a few thousand miles you know your bike is going to get dirty. Very dirty if you run into some inclement weather during the trip. Why clean it now when you know it’s about to get real grimy?
There’s a real good reason to give it a good bath before you leave. Take your time to really clean the machine properly. Don’t just stand back and spray it down with the garden hose. Get in there and get your hands dirty. When you’re taking the time to go over every inch of the motorcycle you’re also taking the time to inspect it. During this deep cleaning is when you’ll most likely discover small leaks, worn belts and brake pads, mis-adjusted cables and loose wire connections. Take care of any problems you discover now. Don’t take them with you out on the road.
Tire Time
Just like a premature fluid change you’ll never go wrong by changing your tires sooner than later. Even if you know you’ve still got another 1,000 miles left on your sneakers, change them now. It just makes sense when performing motorcycle road trip planning tasks.
We all have our favorite tire, and I certainly don’t want to start that conversation here. My personal choice for my middleweight sport touring machine is the Metzeler Roadtec 01. I have found it to offer the optimal balance for spirited riding on twisty, curvy roads as well as extraordinary performance in the rain. I’m on my fourth set of these and don’t even want to consider trying any other brand.
Metzeler Roadtec 01 front and rear tires
Finding your favorite tire can sometimes be a real challenge out on the road; especially in these days of supply chain complications. You don’t want to be faced with locating your favorite tires, no less a shop that can conveniently accommodate you, when you’re far from home in the middle of a long distance adventure. If you have even the slightest concern about how many miles are left on your skins, change ‘em up now. Besides…there’s something just so wonderful about the way the bike handles with those fresh new tires installed.
Time and effort spent doing the appropriate maintenance now is the best thing you can do to insure a trouble-free journey later. Bypass this at your own risk but know that it’s a vital part of motorcycle road trip planning.
Get Your Body Ready
One of the most important topics to consider when riding is hydration. Remember…we’re not riding around in an air-conditioned, climate controlled environment. We’re subjecting our bodies to temperature extremes that, at times, are not simply uncomfortable. They can be downright dangerous.
The human body thrives at an ideal internal temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, with a typical skin temperature of 93 degrees. When air temperature exceeds human skin temperature the danger of heat exhaustion or heat stroke escalates dramatically.
Hydration
Your first line of defense is hydration…consuming plenty of water. Keep this in mind during your motorcycle road trip planning. Medical experts agree that the bare minimum water consumption required, when the air temperature reaches 93 degrees Fahrenheit, is about 10 ounces per hour. That is just enough to replace the water your body loses naturally to perspiration, convection, and radiation. We’re all pretty familiar with the physical concept of perspiring. Convection and radiation have to do with heat transfer that occurs when the skin is exposed to temperatures that are radically different from its own.
When riding in these extreme conditions for more than a couple of hours one needs to consider that your body is losing more than just water. On these types of trips one should consider sodium chloride supplements, salty snack foods or sports drinks (such as Gatorade) in addition to plain water.
How, and when, you consume these liquids is your choice. I prefer to stop at least once every hour when the temperature climbs above 90 degrees. Not only does this give me the opportunity to replenish the lost body fluids by consuming fresh water, but it also affords a respite from the hot sun and the heat that is radiating up from the blacktop. An air-conditioned convenience store, or the shade of a big old tree, is always a welcome oasis.
Marathon Man
Some riders don’t like to stop as often as I do. One of the Roadcraft USA rider/writers recently returned from an 7,500 mile transcontinental journey where he encountered desert temperatures of 115 degrees! He swears by his Camelbak hydration system; an integral component in his motorcycle road trip planning. This 50 ounce reservoir, worn like a back pack, provides a continuous source of water without even having to stop.
The 50 Ounce Camelbak hydration system
A common misconception is that riding in minimalistic, loose fitting clothing will keep you cool. That line of thinking might serve you up to about the 90 degree mark on the mercury. After that, shielding your body from the heat with wicking undergarments, a helmet liner, a closed full face helmet and windproof outer garments will actually keep you cooler, safer and more comfortable.
Get In Shape
There can be no argument that long distance motorcycle touring can be a physically demanding activity. It goes without saying that the better condition your body is in, the better the experience will be.
I’m not suggesting that you need to look like the individual in the photo above in order to enjoy long distance motorcycle travel. But I will state, without reservation, that the better physical condition you are in, the better your riding experience will be. This becomes especially true as you get on into your “older” years.
Got Pain?
Nothing wreaks havoc on the well being of your lower back than carrying around surplus weight in your midsection. My intention is not to be construed as “fat shaming” anyone here. I, personally, was the poster boy for poor physical conditioning for the better part of my adult life. It was relatively easy to contend with when I was 20 years younger and in the saddle of a big “road sofa” touring bike.
As the years went by, and I switched to riding a smaller sport touring motorcycle, the effects of my poor physical conditioning took more and more of a toll on my body by the end of a long day’s riding. I finally addressed the problem, losing 80 pounds and keeping it off for some seven or eight years now. Nothing…absolutely nothing…has done more for my riding comfort and endurance than this one single factor.
If you’re the type of person that is in less-than-ideal physical shape, maybe your motivation to trim a few pounds can be selfishly found in your personal desire to enjoy our two-wheeled passion to an even greater degree. It’s as good a reason as any. If just one person accepts and surmounts this challenge it will be worth all the flack I’ll get from discussing this out loud.
The Morning After
As long as I’m being a bit of a party pooper I may as well discuss this topic, too. Your motorcycle road trip planning is sure to include some leisure activities between the rolling miles. Let’s face it…part of what makes for a great travel adventure is the camaraderie. Enjoying the company of those you are traveling with, or those that you meet along the way, is one of the best parts of the two-wheeled travel experience.
Don’t overdo it! Again…I’m not preaching here. This is the voice of experience emanating from someone who partied a little too hard in years gone by. Nothing…and I mean nothing…will ruin a long day in the saddle like a raging hangover. You will be “off your game” and not riding as safely as you should be. You will be tolerating and agonizing through the miles…not enjoying them.
By all means have fun and socialize. It’s a big part of what the motorcyclist’s lifestyle is all about. Just try not to overdo it to the point where it affects your enjoyment or compromises your safety.
The Third “B” • Your Brain
The last of “The Three B’s” to consider during your motorcycle road trip planning is your brain. Your head has got to be in the game if you want your adventure to be safe, exciting and rewarding. I am well aware of the fact that a large part of the Roadcraft USA audience is made up of seasoned, veteran riders that have already undertaken many long distance expeditions. I’m also acutely aware that most of you have not.
Some interesting statistics:
There are approximately 12 million motorcycles currently registered and/or titled in the United States. They are registered to more than 9 million licensed motorcycle operators. Based upon state motor vehicle inspection records the average motorcycle only gets ridden 3,000 miles per year. This begs the question: “WHY?” A lot of you aren’t riding very much or very far. “Why not?”
This is why we served up this three part series on taking your first long distance motorcycle road trip. Because a lot of you have asked for advice on how to get started in this exciting pursuit. The motorcycle road trip planning portion is the easy part. Getting out and actually doing it seems to be where most people fall short.
You CAN Do It!
Most people are paralyzed by their fears; and undertaking a long distance motorcycle journey can appear fearsome. It’s not. It’s just something new that you haven’t experienced yet. As I said in a previous installment: if I can do it with the limited equipment and technology I had available on my first trip, you can most certainly do it today. Trust me. You’ve got this!
What you have to fear is that you will become hopelessly addicted to the activity. I certainly have. I can’t imagine life without my two-wheeled odysseys. It has proven to be one of the most rewarding activities in my entire lifetime. It builds physical & mental strength and endurance, instills confidence in your abilities, and rewards you with a feeling of accomplishment and invincibility that I’ve never gotten from any other pursuit in my life.
So the question hovers there like the proverbial 900 pound gorilla in the room. What are you waiting for? Don’t wait for “the timing to be right”. It may never seem “right”. There is no time like today. Don’t wait until you think you have all the experience you need. You will NEVER have all of the experience you need. You’ll learn something new on every adventure. And for God’s sake, don’t wait until a time when you and your best friend(s) can all coordinate a convenient time together. Done properly, long distance motorcycling is not a team sport. It is one of the most rewarding, introspective, satisfying and exciting pursuits you will ever engage in. Personally, I think it’s better when done alone.
My sincere wish is that these writings give some of you the incentive, confidence and inspiration to hit the road. As always we welcome your comments below. If you have any specific personal questions you would like answered, please feel free to contact me directly via email.
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