Tips for a Safe and Fun Long-Distance Motorcycle Ride

Motorcycle riders love getting out on the open road to enjoy a nice long ride. For many motorcyclists, nothing beats the anticipation and feeling of a nice long road trip. While extremely avoidable, some long-distance rides can be quite exhausting. Planning ahead will help you get the most out of your trip and give you the advantage toward any obstacles that you may face on the road.

Here are a few tips to help keep your long-distance motorcycle ride safe and fun.

Try to plan your stops ahead of time. It’s always good to have a route planned and to know your destination. Planning a route will help ensure that there are enough places for you to stop, rest and fuel up on your trip. Make sure each night’s end destination will give you a safe place to sleep. If you predetermine your route, you can also avoid congestion and high-traffic areas in busy cities or construction zones.

Check your motorcycle to make sure it is ready for the road. Before you leave on your ride, go over all the components on your bike to make sure there are no issues. Using the T-CLOCK checklist will help you examine each component on your bike – tires, controls, lights/electrical, oil/fluids, chassis/chain and kickstand. You can find more information on T-CLOCK here.

Carry emergency supplies with you. Having important supplies for both you and your bike will be key in case of an emergency. Make sure you have a tool kit and tire repair pack for your bike. These can be trip-savers if you encounter small problems on the road. If you are able and riding through areas with limited gas stations, bring a gas container. Pack a first aid kit in case of any minor injuries. Being prepared to handle medical emergencies is always a good skill to have, so we recommend attending Accident Scene Management class training, which you can learn more about here.

Take your time on your trip and don’t rush. Long-distance rides are a marathon, not a sprint. Keep yourself in top riding condition by taking time to rest, stop and stretch or to eat. Giving yourself a break every once and a while will keep you from exhaustion and make your ride more enjoyable. Taking time to appreciate the sights of each place you ride through is part of what makes long-distance rides so fun for motorcyclists.

Following these important tips will help make sure your long-distance motorcycle trip is safe and fun.

Hupy and Abraham has been an advocate for motorcycle riders for decades, promoting the “Watch for Motorcycles” campaign, which helps save riders lives by promoting awareness to drivers on the road. If you’d like to check out some more motorcycle articles and videos or learn more safety tips for riding, head to HUPY.COM.

If anything happens to you on the road, Hupy and Abraham is here for you. We’ve helped over 70,000 clients receive over $1 billion for their accident injuries. Call us today at 800-800-5678 or visit HUPY.COM to chat.