Touring Hints and Tips

  1. To get in and out of restaurants quickly, eat at off-peak hours - most people eat around 8a.m., 12 noon and 6 p.m. If you’re travelling East or West, schedule your meals near sunrise or sunset so you don’t have to stare into the sun when it’s low on the horizon.
  2. Pack a short metal cable with loops on both ends (like a bicycle cable); it is perfect for securing a jacket and helmet to your bike’s helmet lock.
  3. Carry a spare key. Zip-tie or duct tape it somewhere hidden on your bike, or give it to a travelling companion.
  4. Consider carrying a portable weather radio, they can save you from riding into a massive storm.
  5. On high mileage days, you’ll feel better if you carry and use eye drops every time you stop for fuel.
  6. If you’re ending your riding day and want to set yourself up for a quick getaway in the morning, ride to and find a place to stay on the far side of town. This will eliminate cross-town traffic the next day.
  7. Carry a backpack hydration system so you can drink while you ride - a must for arid weather.
  8. On long and complex trips, keep yourself organized with the envelope system. Before you leave, prepare one envelope for each day on the road. Mark the dates and locations on the outside, and then put items like hotel info. etc. inside it, this provides for quick and easy access.
  9. A simple map case attached to your bike’s tank can keep you on course without the bulk of a tank bag.
  10. Keep your stuff dry in luggage by using rubble sacks as waterproof barriers. They are thicker and more durable than standard rubbish bags.
  11. Use earplugs to help reduce wind noise and the consequent tiredness it creates.
  12. Pack a small rag or synthetic chamois for wiping dew off seats, screens and mirrors, or even for doing a quick whole bike cleanup.
  13. Pack extra bungee and zip-ties.
  14. Consider buying a GPS. They’re perfect for finding yourself, but also for allowing you the freedom to get lost in the first place.
  15. Look over your bike carefully every morning, check the simple stuff – tyre pressure, oil level, loose or missing fasteners, etc.
  16. Stash a little emergency cash somewhere hidden on the bike or on you.
  17. Before departing in the mornings, double check every strap on tank bags, soft saddlebags and every latch on hard luggage.
  18. Take a look back at where you were parked every time you leave somewhere. You’d be amazed at what you might find.
  19. Wear a dog tag with your name, blood type and emergency phone number on it, especially if you’re riding alone. You can get them from many places… including a pet store.
  20. A cell phone can be a lifesaver in an emergency. Keep track of you whereabouts, e.g., route number, motorway exit, town, the last mile marker you past, etc. - anything that can save time in reaching you.
  21. Good motorcycle gear is a must have. Waterproof, breathable linings in boots, jackets and pants will change the way you think about bad weather. Test your gear on a rainy day at home before facing a storm on the road.
  22. Do routine maintenance at home with your bike’s toolkit, so you’re sure you have what you need along the side of the road.
  23. Naps can do wonders on a long day. On a long tour, plan for at least one day off (relaxing) every week or few days. R&R time can make the difference between a holiday and an endurance run.
  24. Be realistic about your daily mileage. 150 miles in really scenic areas may make for a very full day. Don’t assume you can achieve motorway mileage on good back roads.
  25. Guidebooks can be invaluable. An Internet search can also add spice to a trip by revealing interesting locations some books fail to mention.
  26. It is possible to make emergency tire repairs (on the road) using a kit. But practice using the kit, at home, on an old tire so that you know how it works.
  27. A pack-able motorcycle cover will help keep your bike clean and dry overnight, it also discourages thieves. Also pack a solid lock of some kind for the bike itself.
  28. If you are short of time and can afford it, you can ship your bike somewhere cool and ride it back.
  29. Calling a hotel/motel, even if you’re one block away, can often yield a better rate than if you just walk in. If you have Internet access, there may be some great online deals available.

  • Reminder Calendar

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