Touring Tips & Tricks
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 44
Likes: 1
From: NH
If you're camping and like to unwind w/ a few drinks at the end of the night around the campfire - make sure you are aware of where any dry counties are.
I often keep a flask in my bag for some mixed drinks if the situation arises. I didn't have it on my Blue Ridge Parkway ride 2 summers ago and wasn't aware that the county Iron Horse MC campground was in was dry until arriving late and exhausted and hearing that the closest beer was an hour round trip ride away.
I often keep a flask in my bag for some mixed drinks if the situation arises. I didn't have it on my Blue Ridge Parkway ride 2 summers ago and wasn't aware that the county Iron Horse MC campground was in was dry until arriving late and exhausted and hearing that the closest beer was an hour round trip ride away.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 224
From: Coeur d'Alene
I'd say there are 2 things that have the highest probability of stopping you in your tracks.....dead battery and flat tire. So, I make room for one of those small Slime 12v pumps, tire plug kit and add whatever tool I might need to remove and replace battery.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham, Al
trip
All good suggestions. In addition I would add a medial and an emergency contact card. The medical card lists all prescription meds you are taking. You mighty want to leave a copy of your proposed itinary with a family member or friend.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 647
Likes: 7
From: Corning, Ohio
Lay everything out on the bed that you think that you might need. Divide by 2 and put one half back in the drawers. Socks, underwear and tee shirts for each day. Over shirt and jeans get 2 or 3 days wear. When clothes get dirty make a stop at the local post office, pick up an express shipping box and send the dirties home, gives you more room for trinkets you buy along the way. Sun screen, sunglasses, water and chap stick within easy reach. I wnet to Cabelas and purchased what hikers call a compression sack. I have 2 and I can pack a weeks worth of socks, underwear and tees in one bag. The wife uses the other. Pack a jacket and depending on the time of year, maybe your leathers. Put your rain gear on top when you pack the trunk, saddle bags or T-bag, the last thing that you want is your clothes laying all over the highway while you dig for your rain gear. Get on the road early and get off early. Give yourself and passenger time to rest. Stop every couple of hours to stretch, fuel stops are great for this. Talk to the locals because they know the best roads, ways around detours and the roads that just aren't worth it. The stories that you sometimes hear are a big part of the experience. They just might turn you on to one of the best places that you ever had a burger. See the sights, make sure you budget plenty of time for side trips that you didn't plan as they are mostly the best part of the trip. It is about the destination because that is what spurred you to make the trip in the first place but the ride is definately there too. Don't be affraid to make a decision about direction. Remember that you are only one wrong turn away from your next greatest adventure.
Last edited by jay72; Mar 27, 2014 at 12:34 PM.
Novice
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Chattanooga
Pack all your underwear/socks and toiletries/medicines in the same bag. That way you are less likely to leave other things behind in a motel room in a rush to leave the next morning. I "work" out of that bag while traveling and never open up my main luggage till I arrive where I'm going.
I wear StoneLake leather overalls while riding so a change of underwear is all I really need until I arrive at my destination. That also keeps my other clothes clean and fresh until I need them. It also saves on having to pack so many clothes.
I hate to wear dirty clothes so I usually pick a bad, cold or rainy day and stop to do laundry. It just takes an hour or so and you feel much better being able to start over again. This also prevents over packing which is a huge mistake most beginners make. There are laundry mats everywhere.
First aid kits are cheap, compact and can be extremely useful if you ever need them.
No night riding in deer populated areas.
Already mentioned but timing large cities and rush hours is the way to go. Also try to gas up before getting into large towns to avoid unnecesary risks with unfamilar unsafe areas.
Having the right equipment is a must.....after years of learning what I like and feel comfortable with is a valuable thing.
For me..Seer Helmet, StoneLake overalls, gerbing electric jacket liner with thermostat, snowmobile mittens, HD full grain leather jacket and some heavy boots and cold weather is not an issue.
Hot weather, ride early in the day or late in the evening, water, lip balm and sunscreen.
The most important thing is to ride to your abilities as they will change when you get older.
Be Safe Blake
I wear StoneLake leather overalls while riding so a change of underwear is all I really need until I arrive at my destination. That also keeps my other clothes clean and fresh until I need them. It also saves on having to pack so many clothes.
I hate to wear dirty clothes so I usually pick a bad, cold or rainy day and stop to do laundry. It just takes an hour or so and you feel much better being able to start over again. This also prevents over packing which is a huge mistake most beginners make. There are laundry mats everywhere.
First aid kits are cheap, compact and can be extremely useful if you ever need them.
No night riding in deer populated areas.
Already mentioned but timing large cities and rush hours is the way to go. Also try to gas up before getting into large towns to avoid unnecesary risks with unfamilar unsafe areas.
Having the right equipment is a must.....after years of learning what I like and feel comfortable with is a valuable thing.
For me..Seer Helmet, StoneLake overalls, gerbing electric jacket liner with thermostat, snowmobile mittens, HD full grain leather jacket and some heavy boots and cold weather is not an issue.
Hot weather, ride early in the day or late in the evening, water, lip balm and sunscreen.
The most important thing is to ride to your abilities as they will change when you get older.
Be Safe Blake
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Detroit, MI
I save all my old underwear and socks that have holes and waistband half torn off and use these on road trips. At the end of each day, they go right in the trash!
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 562
Likes: 21
From: Arlington, TX
My wife and I left on the bike last August for about a 250 mile ride to the Hill Country of Texas. It was pretty hot that day and we left in the morning when it was still relatively cool. We stopped after about 75 miles and both drank a bottle of water. Back on for about another 75 miles, stopped again for another bottle of water. Then we stopped at the Saltlick BBQ place in Dripping Springs for lunch after about another 75 miles. I parked the bike and we both got off and I started feeling dizzy.
I walked about 30 feet to a shade tree and told my wife I had to sit down for a bit. Then I just passed out cold. She screamed for some help and someone brought me a bottle of water and a rag soaked in ice water. I was only out for a few seconds, maybe 20-30. After the rag applied to my head and drinking the water I started to feel better. The restaurant manager called an ambulance and the paramedics wanted to take me to the hospital which I fought. I told them I wasn't going to leave my motorcycle there overnight.
Anyway they put me in the ambulance because it was air conditioned and started an IV to re-hydrate me. They kept talking about taking me to the hospital which I continued to tell them wasn't going to happen. Then I heard on of the paramedics say that he thought my wife was going to pass out too. They put her in the ambulance too and she looked very queezy and out of it.
When I saw that, I said OK let's go to the hospital. We got there about 3:00 in the afternoon. They decided to keep us overnight.
Bottom line: MY bill was $9,000 and my wife's bill was $11,000. A pretty expensive three day motorcycle ride.
P.S. My bike was still there the next day unharmed. We rented a car which my wife drove home because she didn't want to ride again so soon and I rode the bike home the next day. DON'T MESS WITH DEHYDRATION!!!
Supporter
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,133
Likes: 147
From: Grays Creek, NC
Amex and cash.
Visa and MasterCard will shut your card down after you get gas 3 or 4 times down an interstate. It trips their fraud warning. You can alternate the cards, but on a long continuous run, they will still trip and shut down. Even when I call them and give them the route and date and they provide me a code, their computer still trips and turns the card off.
Visa and MasterCard will shut your card down after you get gas 3 or 4 times down an interstate. It trips their fraud warning. You can alternate the cards, but on a long continuous run, they will still trip and shut down. Even when I call them and give them the route and date and they provide me a code, their computer still trips and turns the card off.