Tips For Motorcycle Touring

Touring on your motorcycle is the best way to spend quality time on your bike, coasting towards adventure and new destinations on the horizon. The United States is filled with amazing places to go, with the well-kept system of highways to get you there. Get out there and tour the 48 contiguous states in a new or used Harley from the Crystal Harley-Davidson® dealership in Homosassa. We’ve provided this brief guide to motorcycle touring for those of you considering a long journey on your bike.

Chart Out Your Route

While it’s fun to leave some things up to chance and see where the road takes you, when you’re undertaking a lengthy touring trip, it’s best to plan ahead a little bit so you know what to expect. You’ll want to take note of the route you plan to take and know a few back routes in case of construction or traffic. It might even be good to look up scenic routes for a prettier ride. Know where towns are and if there are long stretches of road without any travel services or gas so you can plan around that. Plot roughly where you plan to stop each night so you’re not riding too much in one day looking for a place to stay last-minute. You’ll want to note interesting tourist locations worth a stop, too. Don’t be afraid to give yourself a rest day in a fun-packed city so you’re not constantly on the road.

Check The Weather

The weather can turn on a dime, especially when you’re traveling hundreds of miles at a time through several states. Depending on the season, you should know whether to expect excessive heat, heavy rains, tornado warnings, hail or even snow. Check weather forecasts and try to arrange your trip during a period of reasonably good weather. Even the best-laid plans can go to waste, though, so pack your rain gear and be prepared to stop for the night if temperatures run to extremes.

Pack Light, Pack Well

Your bike doesn’t have a ton of room on it like a car or RV would, so you’ll have to pack lightly on your touring adventure. Pack clothes that layer easily and choose a few outfits you can rotate and wash at laundromats along the way. Investing in a good riding suit will help protect your clothes from dust, rain and wear, too. You’ll need some snacks and water in case you find yourself hungry but far from town. Bring a small toolkit to perform minor repairs on your bike as you go. A first-aid kit with bandages, painkillers and ointments will help if you find yourself injured or under the weather. Navigation equipment and the ability to keep it charged is important -- you can usually put a charge port in your bike for your GPS or phone. Remember that you can stock up on many things like food and hygiene items when you stop for the night, so you don’t need to pack a bunch of extra stuff.

Maintain Your Bike

Motorcycles require more vigilant maintenance than your average passenger vehicle does. When you’re riding hundreds of miles at a time, you’ll want to make sure your bike is up to the task. Do a pre-ride inspection on your bike well before your trip and take it in to get serviced at your local dealership or mechanic. Crystal Harley-Davidson® can take care of all your parts & service concerns if you schedule an appointment with us before you head out on your trip.

Keep Yourself In Top Condition

You won’t get anywhere if you ride too hard in your first days on the road, grow fatigued and can’t muster up the energy to keep on going. It’s vital that you maintain yourself in addition to maintaining your bike on the road. Dress yourself appropriately for the weather so you’re not sweating buckets or freezing to death and wear the appropriate gear to protect your body from the rigors of touring. This includes a helmet, ear protection to prevent damage from high-decibel winds, and a good road suit

Keep yourself hydrated on the road, too. Don’t be afraid to stop for breaks to stretch your muscles and joints and give your mind and eyes a break from the road. Try to plan your meals out so you aren’t always chowing down on fast food or heavy diner fare. You still need to practice good nutrition on the road to keep yourself in good shape. When you stop for the night, allow yourself to get a good night’s rest and don’t ride too late or get up too early if you’re fatigued. Don’t drink to excess, because a hangover will definitely slow you down the next day, if not incapacitate you entirely. Listen to your body and give it what it needs so you’ll be able to continue your trip feeling healthy and refreshed each day.

Whether you’re seeking services on your current bike or scoping out a shiny new Harley to take out on the highway, Crystal Harley-Davidson® is your one-stop shop for touring assistance. Come see us today and we’ll answer all your questions about the touring lifestyle. If you want to check out some great new or used Harleys, we’ve got those, too. Crystal Harley-Davidson® is in Homosassa, serving the Florida cities of New Port Richey, Spring Hill, Tampa and St. Petersburg.