Tips for Motorcycle Touring

The freedom to go touring is one of the best parts of owning a motorcycle! Hit the open road for hours. Soak up new sites, cities, and states. Enjoy every bit of your journey along with your destination. A touring bike is your ticket to travel. While you may be itching to head out, you will want to take a few steps first to ensure the best trip possible. Check out our guide to touring below. If you need any maintenance or supplies before you leave, stop by Cool Springs Powersports in Franklin, Tennessee. We offer a wide selection of products and services to get you travel ready.

Create a Route

Sure, you can be spontaneous with your route on a short ride. But a touring trip involves more than one day of travel. You’ll have to coordinate meals, a place to stay, sights to see, rest periods, and so on. These details won’t just fall into place, so you’ll need to take some time to plan. The farther in advance you plan, the more likely you are to get good deals on hotel rooms or campsites.

Check the Weather

It’s important to factor the weather into your planning. You won’t want to wear multiple layers if it’s supposed to be sunny and balmy - you’ll end up sweating your whole ride. If you get caught off-guard by the rain, you’ll be stuck in soaking wet clothes until you reach somewhere you can change. A thunderstorm can derail a trip for several hours. Check the weather before you head out so you can pack accordingly.

Pack Efficiently

When you take a car or a plane, you get the luxury of plenty of luggage room. With a motorcycle, you are much more limited. Efficient packing allows you to bring what you need without being bogged down by what you don’t. You should always bring the essentials. A small toolkit helps you tackle simple mechanical problems that may crop up. A first aid kit guards you against some medical emergencies. Waterproof layers protect you from the rain.

Then you’ll need your supplies for your journey. You’ll need clothes, toiletries, any medications, snacks, and water. Try to only bring the essentials. Instead of bringing multiple shirts, try packing just one or two. You can quickly hand wash them in your hotel sink and let them air dry overnight. When you pack clothes, use the army roll method (it’s the most space-efficient option). Opt for lightweight versions of everything. These tricks help you fit what you need on your bike.

Do a Pre-Ride Inspection

Always conduct a pre-ride inspection before a long trip. You might catch something now that would lead to a big issue a few hours into a trip. Start with your tires. Check that the air pressure is inflated to the manufacturer’s recommendation. If your tires are at two very different pressure levels, you may have a leak. Make sure all your brake lights, signal lights, and headlights are working and bright. Double check your oil and brake fluid levels. If anything seems compromised on your bike, take it in for maintenance.

Stay Healthy

Your health impacts your ride too! Each ride exposes you to irreversible hearing damage, so protect your hearing with a pair of earplugs. Driving drowsy can be as dangerous as driving impaired, so get enough sleep each night. Stay hydrated with a backpack hydration system for easy hands-free hydration. Eat enough food to avoid your hands becoming shaky or your focus becoming foggy. Staying healthy keeps you alert and aware of your surroundings - essential for safe and responsible riding.

Ready to get out on your touring trip? Get any supplies or maintenance you need at Cool Springs Powersports. We proudly serve those in Franklin, Nashville, Clarksville, Dickson, Hendersonville, and Murfreesboro, Tennessee as well Huntsville, Alabama.