Going on a major adventure on your bicycle is a compelling idea for so many reasons. First of all, it gives you a unique and authentic reason to explore and discover the region that you’re heading into. Second, it’s an incredibly frugal way to go on an adventure, seeing as how you can only carry what you have in your backpack and your motorcycle luggage.
Other than this, you will spend less on gas than you would with a four-wheeler. As for the length of this adventure, you can go on a long road trip or plan yourself a weekend adventure. All in all, here are several things you need to keep in mind before you go.
Stay safe
First, you need to have adequate personal gear. This means wearing a helmet, a decent jacket and proper bike trousers, as well as off-road boots and more. Keep in mind that investment towards personal protection provides for more than just personal safety. The wind and temperatures that you’ll encounter this way can be quite a serious issue. With the proper equipment, you will be able to enjoy the trip to the fullest. Also, it’s important to mention that a full set of gear tends to look awesome.
Keep the bike safe
Even if you are completely protected, you also need to think about the methods of keeping the bike safe. Quality equipment is there to ensure that all parts of the vehicle are well-protected regardless of the road conditions. For instance,
adequate bash plates are there to prevent rubbing of the frame and vibration, which can lead to more serious damage to the vehicle (on a longer trip). A quality motorcycle is a valuable asset, which is why keeping it safe needs to be one of your top priorities.
Prepare for various road conditions
Depending on the road conditions that you plan to encounter, you may have to engage in some extra preparation. For instance, if you’re going on a road trip during the colder part of the year, getting some heavier personal equipment might be a great idea. Also, it’s important to mention that the weather for the following several days tends to be. Still, it’s always recommended that you have new and functional
motorcycle mudguards installed. This way, you get to stay not just safer but also cleaner than without them.
Take the bike to a mechanic
The most important thing you need to do is ensure that the vehicle is road trip-friendly. The simplest and most reliable way to do so is to take the car to a mechanic and ask them to take a look at the vehicle for you. No matter how advanced your mechanical skills are, there’s no alternative to having a vehicle examined by a specialist.
Take it for a test ride
If this is the first time that you’re going on a longer trip with your vehicle, you may want to consider doing a test run or two, just to stay safe. This way, you will get to see first-hand, all the potential issues that your bike is facing on the open road and on the rough terrain. Then, when taking the vehicle to a mechanic, you can share your experience with them, so that they have a greater insight into what actually took place here. Still, keep in mind that this is not 100 percent foolproof since there are some issues that reveal themselves only after hours of the uninterrupted ride.
Drive-in pairs or groups
Finally, you need to keep in mind that travelling on your own is not nearly as safe as it may seem at the moment. While going solo may sound like the ultimate thrill-seeking adventure, keep in mind that if you get stranded, stuck or injured, there might be no one for miles around to help you. This is particularly true if you decide not to stick to the highway or any major roads. Also, keep in mind that travelling in pairs or groups tends to be infinitely more fun than travelling alone.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, how much fun you have on this journey depends on factors that are not necessarily related to the adventure itself. However, a major injury, malfunction on the vehicle or similar inconvenience can significantly diminish your enjoyment during the trip. The worry about such a possibility can, on its own, diminish your ability to relax and focus on the road ahead. So, by making sure that your bike is adventure-ready, you will create all the necessary requirements for this to work.
