Traveling on a Motorcycle

Tips for a good trip!

There is nothing more frustrating than arriving at your destination and forgetting an essential item.  Use this checklist before you leave on your trip:

·         Pre-check the bike before you leave :

o    Good tire condition with proper air pressure

o    Check that battery terminals are tight

o    Make sure all lights and turn signals work

o    Test horn

o    Check fluids (oil, brake fluid, coolant, rear gear oil if shaft driven)

o    Adjust & lube chain

o    These simple checks can ensure you don’t start your trip out with problems! 

·         Have emergency contact phone numbers in purse or billfold (in case you lose your credit card or wallet)

·         Honda Roadside Assistance is a great idea! “AAA of motorcycles”

o    Toll-free phone number 24 hours a day 365 days a year

o    Zero deductible

o    Towing to nearest Honda dealership regardless of mileage

o    45,000 nation-wide service providers

o    Locksmith assistance

o    Valid in US, Canada, Mexico

o    1 year as low as $50, 5 years as low $120

·         Tools to pack:

o    Tire repair kit (check your tire type and see if it is tube/tubeless) ($39-59)

o    Tire pressure gauge (digital or standard- $6.99-$17.99)

o    Multi-tool- pliers, screw driver, knife

o    Wrench selection- 8, 10, 12, 14mm

o    Small roll of electrical tape or duct tape

o    Shop towel & cleaner

·         Other items that can be beneficial:

o    Eklipse Cell phone or GPS charger that is powered by your battery

o    Aftermarket seat or a gel seat pad (Pro Pad Gel Covers $59.99 & up)

o    Half or traveler cover to use at night ($34.99 & up)

o    Disc lock or alarm

o    Spare gas container (if taking on a trailer)

o    Spare light bulbs

o    Cash (Some smaller towns do not accept credit cards; Cell phones do not get reception everywhere and you may have to use a payphone)

o    Basic First Aid Kit

·         Allow time to enjoy your trip or vacation!  Don’t plan too many miles to travel each day.  Also, research ahead of time what sites and places you want to see.

·         Maps!  Maps are essential if you are traveling in a new area.  Purchasing maps ahead of time and studying them can help you plan your routes. Using the internet, you can find scenic routes or recommendations from others who have ridden in the area.

Proper Riding Apparel

There is nothing more unpredictable than the weather when taking a trip on your motorcycle, so being prepared is essential in order to enjoy your trip. 

Jacket

First of all, being comfortable is a big factor in your ability to enjoy a long ride.  Make sure to get the proper jacket, pants, boots and gloves depending on the conditions you are riding in.  If the forecast is above 75 degrees, a summer-weight mesh jacket with a removable liner is a good idea.  You will actually be more comfortable with a mesh jacket on than no jacket at all for a couple reasons.  First, you avoid sun and/or wind burn.  Second, any moisture your skin produces underneath your jacket when the bike is stationary will turn into a “cooling factor” once you start moving.  

If riding between 55-75 degrees, check out a 3-in-1 jacket such as the Scorpion Hat Trick.  This jacket has a mesh shell, a wind-proof liner and a third insulated liner.  During the day you may want only the wind-proof liner in or no liner at all.  At night, when temperatures normally drop, the insulated liner may need to be zipped in. 

If riding in temperatures below 55 degrees, look for a jacket with a wind-proof/water-proof shell that is breathable and includes an insulated liner.  Making sure it is waterproof and not just “water-resistant” is important because a “waterproof” jacket will have all of the zippers and vents sealed with either extra material or a seamless waterproof taping.  A “water-resistant” jacket will simply have fabric that will repel water during a light rain; water (or cold air) will seep into the zippers and vents.  You may also want to consider a heated jacket liner, vest, pants or gloves if riding in colder conditions.

Raingear

When taking a longer trip, whether rain is in the forecast or not, packing some raingear is a good idea.  Even though it may take up a little more space, you will be thankful if you run into any rain!  Try a rain suit such as the First Gear Rainman that folds up into its own pouch and can be stored in a very small space.  Frog Togg rain suits are also great in the hot summer months because they are very lightweight and breathable.

Gloves

Another item that should not be looked over is gloves.  When riding long distances, look for a glove with a “gel palm”.  This will help hand fatigue and help eliminate any vibrations.  It’s not a bad idea to pack more than one pair of gloves on your trip; in fact I would recommend at least 2 or 3 pairs!  Since most people do not like to ride with cold or wet hands, make sure you have at least one pair of waterproof riding gloves.  And just a word of caution- in a heavy downpour even your waterproof gloves may leak, so that is why it is important to have a second pair of dry gloves to put on.  On a weekend trip it is likely your gloves will not dry out so pack an extra pair just in case!

Replacing factory hand grips is also recommended.  About 75% of cruisers/touring bikes will use the Kuryakyn ISO Grips ($74.99) and most sport bikes will go with the Pro Grip Superbike Gel Grips ($14.99) for some added comfort.  A cruise control on your motorcycle is another option.  If you don’t want to set up a system such as the Vista Cruise, you can opt for a Kuryakyn Crampbuster ($10.99).  This item fits over your grip and allows you to “rest” your throttle hand periodically. 

Helmet

Be sure to check the local helmet laws in the state you are planning on traveling in.  Indiana does not require helmets by law, but several states do.  If you are wearing an open-face or full-face helmet, it is a good idea to invest in an anti-fog shield if your helmet did not come with one.  Most run $25-35 and are great to have if it rains, if it is humid or if it is cool out.  Another option is buying anti-fog spray or wipes.  If you are wearing a half-helmet or no helmet, be sure to have proper eyewear.  Motorcycle safety glasses with or without foam are available that will keep wind, dust, dirt and bugs out of your eyes.  They come in a variety of colors but I would recommend smoke or the photo-chromatic lenses during the day and yellow, blue or clear lenses for night riding.

Intercom System

When taking long rides, it is more than likely your passenger or the other riders in your group will want to say something to you.  Whether it be stopping at a bathroom, gas station or if for some reason you get separated, having a helmet communication system can be very beneficial.  Although intercom systems can seem confusing, the Scala Rider Teamset or Q2 intercoms are very user-friendly and easy to install.  If you just want to talk to your passenger, opt for the Scala Rider Teamset.  This setup is $229.99 and includes everything you will need to set up two helmets (open or full face) and talk to each other.  One of the helmets can also answer their cell phone if it is Bluetooth-compatible.  Both helmets have audio ports to hook up MP3 players if you wish to listen to music.  If you would like to communicate with another bike, go for the Scala Rider Q2 system.  See our parts department for more details on how to operate them or install them.

Boots

While you may think your good old Nike tennis shoes or Doc Martens will do for your trip, think otherwise.  A good riding shoe or boot is essential for your comfort and protection.  There are a wide variety of boots to choose from… short/tall, waterproof/ventilated, laces/velcro… but there are a few key things to keep in mind.  First of all, make sure they are comfortable and fit you properly.  Second, make sure the laces are secured or covered.  Laces can come undone and get tangled up with your shifter making it difficult to handle your bike.

Luggage

With limited storage on most stock bikes (Goldwing can be the exception!) most people add luggage to carry items with them.  There are a few options:

-Saddlebags

There are a variety of sizes and styles of saddlebags ranging from hard-mount bags, lockable bags, throw-over (place under passenger seat) bags, leather, synthetic leather, etc.  The main things to keep in mind are 1) Make sure to use support brackets to keep the bags from getting into your rear tire, 2) Check the clearance between the bottom of the saddlebags and your exhaust pipes (especially when there is luggage inside!), and 3) Make sure the saddlebags can either be locked or easily removed if you are staying in a hotel or have valuable items inside.

-Sissy Bar/Tail Bags

Sissy bar bags are designed to use with a luggage rack.  It is important to check your luggage rack load capacity and to pack the heaviest items towards the bottom of the bag.  If your bag gets too top-heavy, it may cause the bike to handle differently.  On sport bikes, opt for an expandable tail bag. These normally have hooks that attach to the rear cowling or passenger footpeg brackets.

-Tank Bags

On most cruisers, you can add a tank bag that attaches with magnets or a leather tank strap that has a small pocket to store cell phones, cameras, etc.  On sport bikes, check to see if the tank is plastic or metal.  If it is metal, use a tank bag with magnets; if it is plastic, select a tank bag with straps.  Tank bags come in all different sizes and shapes and some are expandable.  If you are riding in an unfamiliar area, I recommend a tank bag with a clear map holder on top of it.  This allows to you easily check the map if you get lost or turned-around.

-Backpacks

A backpack is another option for shorter rides or if your bike just cannot carry the amount you need to.  A motorcycle backpack will normally have a helmet-carrier so you can carry your helmet around when you are off your bike.

 

Click here for printable checklist.