Going on a long trip to meet your friend who lives in the neighboring town? Or do you want to have some fun riding your newly purchased liter bike in the long run? There are various reasons why someone would want to take a long trip. However, remember that long trips test the patience of the rider. A rider needs to be mentally prepared to go for a long ride as motorcycle riding can take an extreme toll on the body of a rider during this period.
There are certain precautions that every rider needs to follow before going on a long trip. The list doesn’t stop once you start riding, as you need to take care of yourself during the journey as well. Staying focused is the key to having a long, safe trip. Accidents have become a common occurrence nowadays. Mainly, during long rides, riders lose their focus, which leads to uncertain outcomes. To avoid these circumstances, a rider must know a few things before going on a long trip.
Tips for Planning a Long Motorcycle Ride
This guide will cover some basic, but essential tips for motorcycle riders. Not only will they make your ride enjoyable, but more importantly, much safer. You will have a safe, fun trip following these tips.
Plan Your Trip
Before running the wheels on the road, prepare a plan when you have decided to go on a long ride. You should know the temperature, as well as the weather of the place where you are going to end your ride. Cold conditions may make you feel unwell. On the other hand, hot conditions will exhaust your body. So, plan a day when the weather is moderate.
Try to avoid riding from 3 PM to 7 PM and midnight to 4 AM, as most accident cases are experienced during these periods. This makes timing your trip one of the most essential parts of a long ride. Also, avoid routes with heavy traffic.
If you don’t like to carry maps with you on your bike, you can use a motorcycle GPS navigation system. This electronic device will help you find the safest and shortest route available and it can also have some additional useful features such as weather forecasts and satellite communication.
Check Your Bike Before the Ride
You should ensure that your bike is ready to travel on the roads. Long trips can take a toll on your body as well as the body of the motorcycle. If there is an issue with motorcycle parts, fix them. Your bike should be in the best conditions before the ride. Also, ensure your bike has fuel. Fill your tank completely. Carry a spare container of fuel in case of an emergency as well.
Take your bike for servicing before long rides. This is the best way of securing a perfect trip. You don’t want to face an interrupted stop during your long ride and ask for a lift in an isolated area.
Rest Before Action
Make sure that you have provided yourself with enough comfort, so your body is completely ready to go on the road. Ensure you have had enough rest. Before every trip, your body should be well balanced. Don’t opt for a long ride if you are ill. Long trips are tiring and may take a significant toll on your body. This fact should be very apparent, which makes this tip the most basic, as well as an important tip on the list.
Every adult should sleep for at least eight to ten hours before you embark on your trip. Getting a proper amount of sleep before the ride is going to make you more active during the trip. Many accidents are caused by a lack of sleep. Resting your body can lower your chances of facing a disaster and aid you in having a safe ride. Sleep well and stay away from alcohol before a long trip.
Take Breaks During the Ride
Yeah, we are asking you to make your long ride a bit longer, but it will be worth it. It is recommended to take short 15 to 20-minute breaks during the ride. You can take these breaks every hour. This way you can keep your body healthy and stay active during the trip.
Also, if you are traveling for the entire day, then you will need food to fuel your body. Take lunch breaks during the ride. Make sure that this break is longer than the previously mentioned short breaks. Fuel up your tank, eat food, drink water, and rest for a while. You can take an hour-long break if you want. A lunch break between 1 to 3 PM would work well, or even better, have your lunch or dinner during the hours we mentioned above to avoid riding.
Stay Active
As mentioned in the previous two points, you need to stay active during the ride. It is the most vital element of having a safe trip. Your mind should be active throughout the entire ride. There are various ways to do this. It includes reading signboards that appear during the journey. However, staying active does not mean to hinder your focus.
You can also sing while riding. Keep checking the vehicles around you. Check your brakes. Take a look in the mirror. Also, try to take the harder route instead of an easy path. Why? Your mind will stay active because of the turns in the road and what you will see along the way. However, this is strictly limited to pro bikers. Make your trip a fun ride!
What We Learned
As mentioned in the beginning, these tips are basic. However, they carry a lot of importance. Many riders ignore these fundamental steps and become involved in accidents. On average, 40% of riders are involved in accidents and/or death on a regular basis due to being careless. You have been warned once, already. Don’t commit any careless mistakes that can be easily avoided by following these basic tips. We wish you a safe ride ahead!
Thanks for pointing out how people should take short 15 to 20-minute breaks to keep their body well and active. My son likes going on long drives with his friends to visit the country’s top tourist spots. I will be sure to share this bit with them so that they can be as safe as they can be on the road.
It got me when you said that the mind needs to be active all throughout the ride to make sure that the driver does not miss any sign and stay safe. I will keep this in mind since I will be buying a new motorcycle in the near future. This tip got me the most since the road I am usually passing has a lot of curves and signs that I need to pay attention to.
Thank you for the recognition of our work. It is good to see that you are following our advice and implementing in your riding. Please let us know if you have any anything in your mind. We would be happy to answer.
Nice to follow. These tips are good for riders to learn in order to stay safe and healthy. Thanks. I should bookmark in order to use later.
I am glad you mentioned checking your bike before the ride. I have a motorcycle that I am taking on vacation soon. Thanks for the tips on taking long motorcycle rides.
I really like your tip to take a longer path so your brain stays alert! My wife and I have been thinking of getting a new motorcycle so we can take a cross-country trip, and I would never want to drive tired! I will be sure to suggest to my wife that we take some longer paths so we stay alert!
Never drive if you are not a licensed motorcycle driver. This is first, and foremost in my list of safe motorcycle riding practices. You see, when you are a licensed driver, one way or the other, you must have gone through the necessary trainings and tests to ensure that you are qualified to drive a motorcycle.
I think it’s really important to not ride when you’re sick, like you were saying. This would be especially difficult, as your balance could be a little shaky. That can make for a dangerous situation when on the road. Thanks for the great tips to help us stay safe!
I learned the hard way that you need to pretty physically fit while taking on a long ride. I covered a journey of about 350 miles in a single day, almost non stop but I couldn’t enjoy myself when I got there because I was in so much pain. I wish I had read this blog post before I got started on that journey, would have saved me a lot of pain. Really great article. Thanks for sharing.
My partner’s looking into purchasing a motorcycle to use on a road trip, and I want to make sure that he sets his mind on the safety precautions before he looks at motorcycles for sale. Thanks for your tip on staying active throughout the ride as it is the most vital element of having a safe trip. I’ll definitely tell him to read signboards which appear during the journey, without hindering his focus. Thanks!