For many people, planning a motorbike road trip is a dream come true – there are hundreds of ‘must do’ trips around the world, with stunning options on every continent. To ensure that you enjoy your trip to the fullest and are prepared for whatever the road throws at you, we have compiled these top 10 tips.

1. Climate 

No matter where you’re travelling to, you should always expect the worst – pack for the climate of the destination you’ll be road-tripping in and be sure to check what the average temperatures are like during that particular season. You should also research the likelihood of rain for the period you will be riding in, as this can vary greatly from month to month.

2. Clothing  

It’s essential that you’ve packed the right clothing and accessories when packing for a motorbike road trip. You need appropriate riding gear, extra thermal layers (you can always take off layers as you warm up), rain covers and coats (you don’t have the protection of a car to keep you dry in the case of a passing shower), toiletries (like soap and toothpaste), and an extra pair of shoes (don’t pack sandals or thongs).

3. Documents 

During the journey, it is expected that you will always be in possession of a valid driver’s license, the bike’s registration documents and insurance papers, your passport, and your visa if you’re a tourist. We recommend storing these in a waterproof sleeve.

4. Electronic Gadgets 

We recommend carrying a mobile phone at all times, particularly if you’re relying on GPS for navigation. It’s also a good idea to carry spare (fully charged) batteries for your mobile phone and camera; the last thing you want is to be unable to use these gadgets.

5. Homework 

The very first thing you should do is research. There are hundreds of different things that could go wrong on a motorbike road trip like this and you have to be prepared to handle them. So, ensure that you’ve researched the route and the places you plan to visit (amongst other things).

6. Medical Kit 

Putting together a medical kit can also be a great idea and it might get you out of a sticky situation. Some of the things to include are aspirin, anti-inflammatories, throat lozenges, cold and flu tablets, plasters, bandages, and antiseptic (in either liquid or lotion form).

7. Motorcycle 

This isn’t just a hack – it’s a must do! It’s always a good idea to have your bike serviced before embarking on the trip. You should also carry your preferred oil and keep a pipe on you for draining petrol. If you’ve booked onto a tour, these sorts of things will be arranged for you – but it never hurts to double check.

8. Number of Days 

It’s a good idea to have a few buffer days to account for landslides, snowfall, unpredictable weather or rain – and even tourist destinations that were more interesting than anticipated. There could also be mechanical failures in the bikes themselves or flat tires to contend with. If the trip is meant to take 12 days, we recommend allowing for 15.

We hope that you found the above tips useful in planning your guided motorcycle tours. If this is the first time you’ve been to the country or the first time you’ve travelled by motorcycle for an extended period of time, we definitely recommend booking onto a tour – the help of your guide will be invaluable every step of the way.