You’ve decided to plan a road trip, but this isn’t any old road trip; it’s a motorbike road trip. You’re ditching the massive RV or old banger car in favour of two wheels. It’s a bold choice, but there are certainly some pros and cons to choosing this mode of transport. For one, it offers more convenience, and you can drive around traffic with ease, so the whole trip should be pretty stress-free from that point of view.
Of course, there are motorbike safety considerations to take into account, but that’s only part of the equation. You must be ready for a trip like this, so take a look at the ultimate motorbike road trip checklist to ensure you don’t forget anything:
Get the right insurance
You can get motorbike insurance for all types of bikes, but the big thing to check here is the coverage you’re receiving. Does your current insurance cover long-distance trips? If you’re road tripping in a foreign country, will it cover trips abroad?
Obviously, if you don’t already own a bike and are renting one for this trip, then the rental company should usually offer insurance. If, for whatever reason, they don’t, then you need to take out a plan to cover you during the trip.
It’s also well worth making a note of your insurance company’s details and phone number just in case the worst happens and you have to report an accident or breakdown. Speaking of which…
Buy breakdown cover
Now, you might be fortunate enough to have breakdown cover as part of your insurance. If not, then it is absolutely something you need to purchase. Breakdown cover means you can call a company to deal with your breakdown without any additional fees. There are different levels of cover available, and they usually range from:
- Basic roadside assistance – someone will try to repair your motorbike at the breakdown side
- Roadside recovery – they will tow you to a safe place
You need to a) take out a breakdown cover policy, and b) ensure that it covers you for long journeys. Some policies only cover you up to x amount of miles from your home, so that’s a big thing to check.
Bring proper riding gear
Please do not go on a motorbike road trip without the correct gear. You will need:
- A proper helmet that passes the latest crash safety tests for motorcyclists
- A genuine motorcycle jacket to protect against wind and debris
- Proper motorcycle gloves to do the same thing
- A waterproof suit in case it rains
- Base layers for additional warmth if it’s really cold
- Spares for everything
The right gear will help you remain comfortable during your trip, but it also has safety benefits. You can’t ride around with loose clothing flapping about in the wind, as this can so easily be a safety hazard that gets caught on something and causes a horrible accident. Moreover, some motorcycle suits are designed with airbags, giving you an extra layer of protection. The suit itself will inflate to protect you if you’re thrown from your vehicle, which can genuinely be life-saving.
Make sure you have motorbike luggage
Where will you keep all of your stuff when you’re riding a motorbike? One of the joys of a car or RV road trip is that you’ve got plenty of places to store suitcases and other luggage. It’s harder to do this on a motorbike, so you need to consider two things:
- Pack lightly to avoid bringing too much stuff
- Install motorbike luggage systems on your vehicle
A motorbike luggage system is something that lets you mount boxes or bags to your bike. You can get ones that let you mount two boxes to the side of the rear wheel – and maybe even one above it, just behind your seat. When combined with a lightweight motorbike-safe rucksack, you’ve suddenly got a decent amount of space for stuff.
In theory, you could go on a road trip with just a rucksack, but then you’re asking for a struggle. It makes sense to bring a case or two, and a motorbike luggage system lets you do that.
Carry out a pre-trip bike service
Before you head off, always conduct a full bike service so you can get your motorbike in the best possible condition for the journey. This will also identify any common problems with your motorbike – and it is far better to learn of them well before you go on a journey. You can stop yourself from breaking down and having a terrible time with a pre-trip service.
It’s advisable to get this done at a proper garage, but you can do it yourself if you want.
Plot a bike-friendly route
You need to plan your road trip before you go, but it’s even more important when you’re riding a motorbike. Make sure your proposed route is motorbike-friendly, and what this means is that it shouldn’t include any off-roading, ridiculously steep inclines, etc. You want the route to be pretty flat and just pure roads the whole way.
At the same time, consider where you’ll be sleeping every night. If you’ve packed a tent with you, then look for suitable campgrounds or safe areas where you can camp freely. If you aren’t much of a camper, then you’ll need to plan your route around hotels, hostels or AirBnbs every night.
Pack motorbike security tools
While a lot of your time will be spent riding your motorbike, there will be hours on end when it’s not in use. As a result, you absolutely cannot forget to bring the necessary motorbike security tools with you. This includes a proper lock to stop someone from stealing it, plus a mobile alarm system that will alert you if anyone does indeed attempt to take your bike.
Bring all the essential documents
Finally, do not forget any of the essential documents that could render your trip pointless if you forget them. We’re talking about insurance documents, passports, licences, motorbike servicing details, and so on.
Make your way through this checklist to identify all of the things you need to take with you on your motorbike road trip. It can very easily become a disaster if you’re not prepared, or if you forget something crucially important.
