If you’ve ever wanted to go on a grand tour across the country, you should consider doing it on a motorcycle. Motorcycles are inexpensive and durable, they can handle long distances and rough terrain with ease and the experience of traveling cross-country on a bike can be a transcendent one. Plenty of things about motorcycles make them ideal touring vehicles.

Motorcycles are Perfect for Touring

Since you’re riding on top of the bike rather than inside a vehicle, you have a full 360-degree view. You’ll be able to literally see everything around you while touring on your bike. If you’re exploring the natural world, you might be off road, and you might even choose an off-road bike that can handle especially rough terrain. Detours aren’t a problem for them, and the journey is at least as much fun as the destination.

Motorcycle riders on tour

Enjoy a tour on the open road

Motorcycle breakdowns are also a lot easier to handle than car troubles. Bike parts are simpler, smaller and easier to replace. If you go on an organised tour, your guides will be experienced riders who know how to handle mechanical issues, so emergency repairs will barely slow you down. If you’re an experienced rider, then you probably know a bit about maintaining your own bike.

A Few Tips

If you’re going to be on the road for days or even weeks, you’ll want to be safe. Keep these tips in mind while you’re out there:

  • Protect yourself from the heat and the sun
    An unavoidable reality of motorcycle touring is the fact that you’ll be out in the sun for hours on end. It will also probably be hot, thanks to asphalt’s impressive ability to absorb the sun’s rays and convert them into blistering heat. Wear lots of sunscreen, replace it often, and drink plenty of water. Drink before you feel thirsty.

  • Stay alert
    Heat and the beating sun drain your energy like nothing else, and riding across long stretches of road can make it hard to focus. Make sure you’re always alert! Rest frequently, eat frequently and healthfully, and try to stay focused. All of the advice in our article on driving on rural highways applies.

  • Be prepared
    Unexpected bad weather happens. Breakdowns happen. People fall ill or suffer heat stroke all the time. If you’re on an organised motorbike tour, your guides will almost certainly bring their own emergency supplies like tools for repairs and first aid kits. Still, it’s wise to bring your own gear.

  • Know your bike
    Many motorbike touring agencies can provide you a motorbike if you don’t have a suitable bike. If you plan on renting one, you should spend some time acclimating yourself to it. Ride the bike for a couple of hours to get a feel for it before embarking. Keep the basics of motorcycle safety in mind!

A good motorbike tour might be one of the most fun and memorable experiences of your life. You can go by yourself, with friends, with a club or on a paid tour; it’s definitely worth looking into. If you’re looking for a bike that can handle a long tour, 360 Finance can help you find the best bike finance out there. All that’s left for you to do now is plan your trip.