Long Distance Motorcycle Riding Tips

Motorcycle riding is good, but long-distance motorcycle riding is better! Taking motorcycles out for extended rides means soaking up more sights, enjoying more adrenaline rushes, and reaching new destinations. It’s no surprise touring is so popular! But long distance motorcycle riding is different than riding around your neighborhood. We gathered up the following tips to make the most of your motorcycle riding experience. If you need any maintenance or parts replaced before your next trip, visit Advantage Powersports. We proudly serve those in Kansas City, Missouri.

Build Your Route

With short trips on motorcycles, spontaneity is a fine strategy. You can hop aboard your motorcycle and go where the road takes you, cruising around town for a few hours then head home.

With longer trips on motorcycles, this approach doesn't work as well. Extended motorcycle riding requires coordinating food, housing, gas, tourist destinations, and more. It's nearly impossible for all those details to fall into place at the last minute. Planning in advance helps you make the most of your trip.

Brainstorm all the experiences and destinations you hope to hit on your journey. Are there iconic local restaurants you simply must eat at? Are there hiking trails just waiting to be traversed? Once you figure out all your stops, you can plan a route that hits them all. You can take the quickest route, the most scenic route, or a mix of both approaches.

After you plan the motorcycle riding route, you can book your lodging. It's important to reserve your spot in advance, as it can help keep costs lower.

Pack Effectively

Motorcycles only offer so much storage space. If you bring anything and everything you might need, it'll weigh your machine down significantly. Focus on only taking the essentials. Odds are there will be at least one grocery store within easy motorcycle riding distance of wherever you end up staying. If you really do end up needing that item, just pick it up at the store. But more likely, you won't even think twice about not having it once you are on the road.

Start with your typical motorcycle riding essentials: water, food, a mini toolkit, a first aid kit, waterproof outerwear, and so on. Then pack everything you need for your trip: medications, toiletries, clothing, and so on. After you pack all your gear, check that it's secure. You don't want to lose your valuables because they came loose on the highway!

Use Ear Protection

Many motorcycle riders know to wear a helmet, but not all know another key piece of safety equipment: ear protection. If you take your motorcycle above 40 miles per hour, you expose yourself to irreversible hearing damage. The noise is a combination of the wind, engine roar, and road noise. Your helmet, unfortunately, does little to prevent this damage.

Fortunately, it's an easy preventative measure. All you need is to use ear plugs. These take out around 30 decibels of noise, which brings down the noise to healthy levels. Don't worry, you will still be able to hear important noises such as sirens. But you keep your hearing safe and protected while you ride.

For all your motorcycle riding needs in KC, visit Advantage Powersports. We offer a range of new and used motorcycles for sale. Our friendly staff can help you find the perfect model for your unique riding ability, riding lifestyle, and budget. If you already own a motorcycle, keep in mind our service department. We can conduct maintenance or parts replacement to get your motorcycle running smoothly again. We are located in Kansas City, Missouri. Come visit us today!