by Dan Evon

Created on: August 26, 2009

There is no better way to travel then on the saddle of an iron horse. If you've never toured on a motorcycle before you do not know what you are missing, and I mean that quite literally. Because there is no point a to point b motorcycle trip. It is all about the things that are lost in between.

Long distance motorcycling though can be a vary challenging and daunting task. You can't just get up and go the way you can with a plane ticket, or in a car. You need to prepare yourself for your trip. Not just by buying the appropriate items, but you have to prepare your body as well.

The first thing you have to concern yourself with is gear. The right gear can make or break your trip. I got caught in the rain for three days without any rain gear and thousands of miles from home and it nearly ruined my trip. So make sure you are prepared. You should always have rain gear in your saddle bags. A waterproof jacket, pants, and even remember to get covers for your boots. Boots will easily be your biggest problem if they get wet. You'll probably be packing a few changes of clothes, but replacing wet boots can be tough. Water proof gloves and a full face helmet will also make riding in the rain more enjoyable.

Make sure to bring tools. Not all of us are mechanics but it is important to have tools on your bike. There is constant vibrations when riding a motorcycle and it is very possible that screws may loosen. You should get in the habit of checking your bike prior to each ride. The more familiar you get with your bike, the more confident you will be on the open road.

If you plan on camping you might have to get creative with your luggage set up. The best thing you can do to save space is to skip the tent. They do make lightweight tents that can be strapped to a luggage rack, but you may be better off getting a bivy sack, or just buying a tarp and some rope. When packing your bike space is key, so any time you can eliminate something, or replace it with a more efficient option the better.

Before you take off on your journey. It is very important that you take a practice run. Take a long drive and spend the night somewhere. Back your back as if you were taking off for a few weeks. This will help you determine if you forgot to bring anything. It will also help you determine if the items that you use most are in accessible places. If the practice trip goes well, then you are ready for the road.

You need to be aware of the toll that the open road will take on your body. There is always wind beating on your body when on a motorcycle, and most motorcycle seats are far from Lazy-boys. Your body will ache for the first few days, maybe even the entire trip. But there are ways to cut down on your discomfort.

Make sure to take a lot of breaks. Motorcycles usually get better mileage then cars but their tanks are often smaller. Use gas station stops to take a break from riding. Stretch your legs, walk around, give your sore bum a rest. Your body will appreciate it and you'll be able to do more miles in a day. You might also want to look into ear plugs. The constant noise of the wind can do damage to your ears, especially if you are riding at highway speeds for multiple hours a day.

The last thing you need to know about motorcycle touring is that the more miles you put on in a day, the less that you see. Take your time. Don't over do it. Try to find enjoyable rides instead of interstates, because it isn't where you go, but how you get there.

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