|
Secrets for Smart Touring |
(This
article appeared in the April 2002 issue of American Motorcyclist, the monthly
magazine of the American Motorcyclist Association. Are you an AMA member? If
not, call 1-800-AMA-JOIN or link to AMA
Direct Link. It's $39/year well spent.)
There's nothing like the feeling of
loading up and heading out on a big motorcycle trip. And there's nothing like
the security of knowing you're prepared for life on the road. It can take years
to develop that knowledge through trial and error. But we’ve got a shortcut. We’ve
asked AMA staff members to share with you the experience they’ve accumulated over
the decades on the road. What you’ll find here isn’t a comprehensive collection
of touring knowledge. Instead here are 33 insider tips – useful suggestions
that have made our tours more organized and more fun. We guarantee you’ll learn
something.
Eat at weird times. Everyone and their dog eats around
8 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m. To get in and out of restaurants in a hurry, don’t be
hungry then.
A short metal cable with
loops on both ends (or Kryptonite cable) (like those made to keep people
from stealing bicycle seats) is perfect for securing a jacket and helmet
to your bike’s helmet lock.
Carry a spare key.
Zip-tie or duct tape it somewhere hidden on your bike, or better yet, give it
to a traveling companion.
Portable weather radios
are now in the $20 range, and the first time one saves you from running right
into a massive storm, you’ll wonder why you ever traveled without one. Check
accessory companies like Aerostich, or Radio Shack.
On high-mileage days, you’ll
fell a lot better if you carry eyedrops and use them every time you stop
for gas.
If you’re nearing the end
of your riding day, and want to set yourself up for a quick getaway in the
morning, consider riding to the far side of the next city you reach before you stop the
night, eliminating urban traffic the next day.
Take a tip from off-road
riders and carry a backpack hydration system so you can drink while you ride.
A must for arid weather. (A 40-oz Camelback can be carried on your tankbag.)
Going on a long, complex
trip? Keep yourself organized with the envelope system. Before you
leave, prepare one envelope for each day on the road. Mark the dates and
location on the outside, then stuff things like hotel reservation info and
lists of things to see inside. Instead of juggling your entire stack of
literature to find the piece you need, you can just open up that day’s
envelope.
A simple map case
attached to your bike’s tank (we’ve used a Rev-Pak version that has been
available through www.whitehorsepress.com for years) can keep you on course
without the bulk of a tankbag.
Keep your stuff dry in
saddlebags by using trash compactor bags as waterproof barriers. They’re
thicker and more durable than standard garbage bags. (To save space in your
saddlebags, sit on the trash bags full of clothing to squeeze out the extra
air, then tie them shut with bag ties.)
Use earplugs to help
reduce wind noise. You can get them from Walgreens, most mail-order
shops or dealers, or in bulk from safety-equipment supply houses.
Don’t forget that pack-and-ship
places are just about everywhere these days. They’re perfect when you spot that
antique umbrella stand you’re dying to buy hundreds of miles from home.
Don’t forget a small
towel or rag for wiping dew off seats, windshields and mirrors, and even
for doing a quick whole-bike cleanup. Those synthetic chamois cloths work
particularly well.
Pack extra bungees and
zip-ties. ‘Nuff said.
Go ahead, buy that GPS
you’ve always wanted. They’re perfect not only for finding yourself, but also
for allowing you the freedom to get lost in the first place.
You’ve heard it a million
times, but we’ll say it again: look over your bike carefully every
morning on the road. Checking the simple stuff – air pressure, oil level, loose
and missing fasteners – can save your from big trouble.
Sign up for AMA MoTow.
For $25 a year, you get peace of mind, knowing that if you do break down, a
motorcycle-savvy towing crew is only a phone call away. To sign up, call the
AMA at (614)856-1900.
Stash a little cash
somewhere hidden on the bike or on you, so you can make something happen when
all else fails.
Before you take off from
the hotel or campground in the morning, double check every strap on
tankbags or soft saddlebags, and every latch on hard luggage.
Especially if you’re riding
alone, wear a dog tag with your name and contact info. You can get them
lots of places, including from the AMA.
Take a look back at
where you were parked every time you leave someplace. You’d be amazed at what
you find.
A cellphone can be a
lifesaver in an emergency. You can dial 911 for help anywhere you find cell
service, but you’ll need to tell a dispatcher where you are. Keep track of
route numbers, interstate exits, towns you’ve passed, mileposts – anything that
can save emergency officials time in getting to you.
Good motorcycling gear
really is worth it. Waterproof, breathable linings in boots and jackets will transform
the way you think about bad weather. A number of companies (like
Aerostich) offer materials that work well, but always test your gear on a
rainy day at home before facing a storm on the road.
Do routine maintenance at
home with your bike’s toolkit, so you’re sure you have what you need
along the side of the road. (Or carry extra tools from your toolbox at home.)
On a long tour, plan for at
least one day every week of doing nothing. Time is the ultimate luxury,
and can mean the difference between a vacation and an endurance run.
Be realistic with your daily
mileage. In really scenic areas, 150 miles may make a very full day. Don’t
assume you can achieve freeway mileage on good back roads.
Guidebooks can be
invaluable, but these days, a search of the Internet can add spice to your trip
by revealing special-interest locations most books fail to include. One of the
sites we’ve used is www.roadsideamerica.com. World’s largest concrete
bison, anyone?
It is possible to use a kit
to make emergency repairs on tubeless or tube-type tires alongside the
road. But before you count on this as your safety net, practice using the kit
on an old tire in your garage. (The Stop & Go tubeless repair kit
is probably the best. The October 2002 issue of Motorcycle Consumer News
has a how-to article about making a mini air compressor into a micro-mini.)
A packable motorcycle
cover not only keeps your bike clean and dry overnight, it also discourages
thieves. And don’t forget a stout lock of some kind for the bike itself.
If you can afford it and
are short of time, you could always ship your bike somewhere cool and
ride it back. Coast to coast, uncrated motorcycle shipping was in the $600 to
$700 range for AMA member at presstime – much less than your coast to coast
ride that far.
If you call a hotel – even if
you’re two blocks away – you can often get a better rate than if you
just walk in. And if you have access to a computer, there are some spectacular
Internet-only deals available these days. Either way, do yourself a favor and
have a reservation by 4 p.m. You never know when a convention will take over
your destination city. Remember that AMA members get a discount at Red Roof
Inns and Super 8.
If you’re traveling east or
west, schedule you breakfast or dinner times near sunrise or sunset so you don’t
have to stare into the sun when it’s low on the horizon.
A nap can do wonders
on a long day.
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