Now that the summer holidays are so close, we are sure that you have an immense desire to get on your motorcycle and take a long trip. How would you like to travel the roads of northern Spain and enjoy its immaculate landscapes of vegetation? Or what would you think of going to the south, to Cádiz, for example, and enjoying the beach taking long motorcycle rides? Unfortunately, if you do not live in any of these areas, you have no choice but to take a trip to get to any of them. Luckily, traveling by motorcycle is as pleasant as enjoying the arrival at the paradisiacal place where you are going to spend your time.
Do you know how to prepare the motorcycle for traveling?
It is possible that you do not know how to prepare the motorcycle to travel properly and you do not know what considerations you have to take into account so that the trip is pleasant, enjoyable, safe and fast. If you want to know how to do it, you just need to keep reading. Let’s get started!
What do you need to prepare the motorcycle for trips?
To prepare the motorcycle to travel we will need:
- Read the next post
- Have a motorcycle
- Consider the following tips
Instructions to prepare the motorcycle for trips
Step by step to prepare the motorcycle for travel:
Parparar a motorcycle to travel has steps very similar to those that we follow with our vehicle when we decide to make a long trip. If you think about it carefully, these are very common sense steps to make sure that you comply with everything established to be safe during the trip. Let’s see below the most important steps that you should take into account.
- Do a full review. The same thing happens with motorcycles as with cars when we go on a long trip. If you normally bring your vehicle to a workshop to have it tuned up and make sure everything is correct, why not do the same with your motorcycle? Before taking a trip, bring it to a workshop so that a professional mechanic can make sure that everything is in order.
- Check the oil. Regardless of the number of kilometers you are going to do, it is always recommended that you check the oil and make sure that the levels are correct. In this way you will avoid problems on the road during the journey. Check the engine oil and replace it if it is used up. Keep in mind that whenever you make a long journey, the oil will wear out. As with cars, it is convenient that you change the oil after a while. The usual thing in motorcycles is to do it every year, although everything will depend on the model you have. In these cases it is better to consult a professional mechanic who can guide you in this regard in an appropriate way.
- Don’t forget to take a look at the battery and check that the tires are good. It is necessary that you check the pressure of the tires and their wear. You don’t want to go on a long road trip without making sure the wheels are OK.
- Check both coolant and brake fluid. If the coolant remains green or blue in color, it is in good condition. If the brake fluid is clear, it means that it is not necessary to change it. However, when the brake fluid turns brownish it is time to replace it with a new one. Check the rest of the elements, such as the lights, the chain, the battery or the air filter.
- Do not forget to equip yourself correctly for your trips. Wear a full face helmet that covers your face as much as possible for greater safety on the road. And don’t just stay with the idea of the helmet, the rest of the body must also be protected. Think that, unlike what happens with a car, a van or a truck, in the event of a traffic accident it will be your body that directly receives the blow. For this reason you must have a good biker suit, or a suit with protections, special motorcycle gloves for driving and the right footwear. They are pieces prepared to protect you and to be comfortable even on the longest journeys. You can find many models and very different prices capable of satisfying the needs of all types of customers. It does not hurt that you bring spare clothes, although it is not necessary that you overdo it. We recommend using old t-shirts that you don’t mind getting rid of. In this way you can throw them away as your trip progresses and reduce the size of your suitcase. And do not forget, above all, to wear comfortable underwear. If you are going to drive for long hours, it is not surprising that as time goes by even the smallest seam ends up bothering you and irritating your body.
- Don’t forget your luggage. One of the main drawbacks of a motorcycle is the initial difficulty that the luggage transfer can have. Luckily there are all kinds of luggage racks that you can install on the back of your motorcycle to be able to travel with all your personal belongings and not have to give up a long and fun motorcycle trip. You have models of all kinds: those that go in the rear, those that are located on the sides as saddlebags and even special covers that attach to the tank of the motorcycle. Review all the modalities and get the one that is most comfortable and most suitable for your motorcycle.
- Remember to distribute the weight well between the chests and suitcases that you transport. A poorly distributed weight can unbalance the motorcycle and end up causing an accident. There are models of waterproofed suitcases and chests for cold and rainy seasons. However, if a lot of water falls, it is very likely that water will end up leaking inside. One way to avoid this problem is to wrap all your belongings in plastic bags inside suitcases or chests. In this way you will ensure that nothing arrives wet.
Tips to prepare the motorcycle for trips
One last piece of advice to prepare the motorcycle for traveling:
Do not forget your insurance, driver’s license and ID, they are essential documents that should always accompany you for any type of journey. In addition, also think about taking some food and drink to hydrate yourself from time to time without having to stop at a gas station or roadside restaurant. Energy bars and isotonic drinks, such as Gatoade or Aquarius, can be very interesting solutions to avoid the physical exhaustion suffered when traveling for many hours on a motorcycle. Also think about doing a series of stretches before facing a long motorcycle trip. The body will be forced to maintain an inappropriate posture for many hours.
