Basic Motorcycle Touring Guide !

FaiyazSultan

Well for most its impossible, for some ... they cannot digest the fact that any one can tour on two wheels... basically Indians are not use to western cult nor have they seen a real flow of people flocking into touring... people think about two wheels as stunt machines ... not more than that ... Its not just the thrill of being on two wheels but also does have its down sides... You need to be aware of more things than any other motorist....



Touring on motorcycle when described

Freedom unleashed.... for some it could be bitter, for some tragic... but most who know what its like to be on two wheels... would never say no to touring ... What's the purpose of this thread, this is basically to share more information with two wheel enthusiasts about touring ... the awareness part is always in the darker side..



Mental & Physical Challenge:

Long before you would even touch your motorcycle, I would advise all to be prepared for the harsh realities of Touring... [ Pain in the butt] ... after sitting straight watching the roads pass by faster than lightning and soaring through cities and small towns, you would feel the wrath of the power that is unleashed by your machine but can you handle it is the big question

You need to be mentally prepared, most of the times you might be riding on the roads all alone, you might even end up being physically scorched. You need to know that it aren't an easy task to sit on two wheels balancing a machine into perfection for 14 - 18 hours in a row without a long break. The body gives up but if you are prepared for it ... nothing can stop you...

Tips: Try taking short trips first and get your self use to long rides.... before you do a long tour.

You would also find your motorcycles limitations on off roads or may be while climbing a steep hill ...Get use to it...



Preparing your Motorcycle:

Now comes your motorcycles life line....
This is something most of you might ignore while taking it out for a long ride...
- Get your bike a proper service from Authorized Showroom / work shop
- Get extra Engine Oil and get every part checked twice, you don't want your bike to be stranded in the middle of a highway ...
- Replace any parts which shows any sign of wear & tear...
- Get extra Tire Tubes and Head Lamps for your bike.
- Get extra set of Clutch cable/ accelerator cable


Tools to carry:

1. Standard Tool kit: This is always helpful any where and everywhere.
2. Spanner Kit: size 6 to 20 [ Which includes Screw drivers and multi user tools]
3. Get extra Spark Plugs, CDi kit
4. Torch light: You would always require one, chargeable ones are preferred
5. Foot / Electric air pump: You can install a Cigarette lighter to your motorcycle to get the best use out of electric air pump.



Medical Equipment:

- Your motorcycle's first aid kit.
- Pain Killer, Fever, Head Ache, Stomach Ache,etc
- Any allergies, get your medicines along
- Antiseptic always needed
- Sunscreen Lotion and eye drops ....




Documents to carry:

- Driving license
- Motorcycle's original registration & photocopy
- Insurance papers and pollution under control certificate.
- Personal Identity cards, passport



Clothing:

- Depending on the area you are visiting, you need to get warm/normal cloths..
- But make sure that you need to be fully covered, never ride wearing just a T-Shirt
- Gloves always important, padded jackets always better
- Protection gear is always better than normal clothing
- Water proof cloths, always needed as you never know when and where rain might pay you a visit.
- Face mask, below helmet is always better



What you need to carry??

Money:
- Carry Only Cash, never depend on Credit cards, Debit Cards [ ATMs are not easy to find and forget it in remote areas]
- Always split your cash into three parts, one part keep it in Wallet, one part on your bags & last part hide it in any secret place you can keep it in
- Always carry cash in 50s - 100s notes not 500-1000 notes
- Carry extra change as it would be very use full

Mobile:
- Cary your mobile that is GSM not WLL
- Cash card : get extra top ups on the card before
- Roaming is cheap, get the best use of it by getting the best plans available in the market
- If your mobile is more or multi purpose one, even better as you would require some entertainment during your ride.
- Music player is very good but do not use it with high volume
- Get your Mobile phone charger and if you can ... get spare batteries
- Mobile coverage might or might not work, but you will receive SMS on any covered area
- Get extra memory card for best use of your mobile
- Roaming activation is important if you are on post paid connection

Direction:
- You need to have a good sense of direction or use GPS tracker which are now available in India
- Get your self study the entire map and areas you are covering so that you don't get confused latter
- Carry the best map available for that area [ Includes petrol pumps/ mechanic/hotels]
- If you can, get a GPS system for your motorcycle as it would be very help full for you
- Remember to ask Locals every time you have a doubt
- Carry a language translation book or Lap Top with Language translation software
- Carry old fashioned compass as at times it might be use full for you ...

Music Player:
- If you have iPod, nothing better than that or you can always use a handy mobile for music
- translation charger and use full would be use full
- Disc man / Walkman would require heavy battery, get rechargeable batteries with charger
- Radio would be a very good choice as you would blend into culture of that place


Camera:
- For a professional photographer, he would carry SLR camera along with lens, you need to have proper waterproof shoulder/carry bag
- Normal biker would love to carry a Digital Camera [ Slim pocket camera would work]
- Always prefer taking a digital camera
- Get extra Disc man batteries + charger along
- Video Cameras would be perfect but too bulky so get small handy cams

BAGS:
- Get your self a carry bag, large enough to carry needful items and easy to load on motorcycle
- Tank Bag, this is very useful for eating while riding, shooting while riding
- Saddle bags, loads of products available in the market
- Spare bags, always carry a small spare bag for items that you don't want to mix up
- Carry only waterproof bags
- Do get a reflector for your rear bag as its very useful at night

Traveling to Himalayas please refer to detailed information on Motorcycle touring: Manual to Ride in Himalayas

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