The Beauty of Traveling by Motorcycle

A motorcycle is a symbol of freedom. It's all about the compact power of the machine underneath you, the open road stretching out to the horizon, the speed and the wind in your hair. Taking a motorcycle on joyrides is a common thing, but how many people actually travel by motorcycle? At first glance, it seems inefficient, with little protection from the elements and not much space to pack. On the other hand, traveling cross-country on a motorcycle offers a unique and beautiful experience as you see the world as few others ever do.

Why Travel by Motorcycle?

Motorcycle travel has a number of advantages. They are much cheaper to keep fueled up and ready to go. The same amount of travel in a car, truck or SUV would cost far more for gas. Likewise, insurance tends to be cheaper than comparable car insurance.

Exposure to the elements is both good and bad. You get to feel the breeze as you ride, but you also have to deal with the rain. It gets worse if you're traveling in an area prone to sleet or hail, and winter travel is much less comfortable. Motorcycles also have the safety issue of car drivers acting recklessly around them. Experienced bikers wear plenty of safety gear and are constantly alert, however, so the chances of an accident are low.

Riding a motorcycle in a foreign country is also a great idea. Motorcycles can travel in places that cars can't -- back roads, half-paved trails and broken roads are found all around the world, and a bike can handle paths too small for cars. In some developing countries, it may be even easier to rent a small motorbike than to find a car, let alone navigate the complex networks of traffic put together more through social contract than through law.

What Gear and Equipment do you need?

Clothing is important for trips lasting more than a few hours. You'll need the proper dress for riding, of course. If the temperature is above 55 degrees, you'll need extra layers, which may be hard to pack away if you're heading somewhere warm. Electric vests help a great deal in maintaining temperature. You should always pack a sweatshirt and a pair of swim trunks, just in case.

When it comes to packing everything, backpacking or hiking stores are a godsend. You can easily find a small kit that contains everything you need: toothbrush and paste, shampoo, razors, scissors, cotton swabs and any other bathroom tools you may want.
If you're traveling at high altitudes, like in the Rocky Mountains, or far north into Canada or northern Europe, you'll want heavy winter clothing. Snow pants, an electric vest and heavy gauntlet gloves are necessities. You don't want to freeze to death while you're riding. Don't be afraid to spend extra for a high quality jacket. Unless something shreds it in an accident, you'll likely get years of use out of it, making it worth the price. Just make sure it has a high collar that zips over the neck -- you don't want the breeze cutting through your collar and sucking out all your body heat.

You should also carry plenty of useful items, just in case. Pack a saddlebag or two with these and you'll be prepared for pretty much any situation that could come up on the road. Here's a reasonable checklist of things to include:

• Papers and Cards: AAA card, passport, insurance card, cash, credit cards, maps
• Clothing: Bandana, belt, goggles, hat, rain gear, shoes, spare gloves, socks, sunglasses, sweatshirt, shop towels
• Electronics: GPS, MP3 player, camera, cell phone, laptop computer
• Gadgets and Tools: bungee cords, cable and locks, first aid kit, flashlight, siphon hose, pen or pencil, plastic bags, chain lube, multitool, zip ties, earplugs, tire pressure gauge, spray bottle

You may or may not want extra camping supplies if you plan to camp out rather than staying in a bed and breakfast or motel along the way.

The following are great dealers to get the much needed to gear for your trip:
Smokey Mountain Harley-Davidson outside Knoxville, TN
Wildcat Harley-Davidson outside Lexington, KY

Packing it All

Depending on the volume of stuff you're packing, you'll want a number of bags to carry it all. Saddlebags can hold most everything, but you'll also want a tank bag to hold your most-used items. No matter what bags you pack, make sure anything you will use on a semi-regular basis is easy to get to without unpacking everything.

Never strap something to the front of your motorcycle. Your bike's engine requires the airflow from the forward motion of travel. Without this airflow, you risk the engine overheating and causing damage. You can find somewhere else to strap it or find something to not take with you.

Pay attention to your center of gravity. You don't want too much weight stacked to one side or the other; it will pull you sideways as you ride. One slip and you could tip over and cause problems for yourself or other drivers. Try to keep heavy items packed low, so your center of gravity is low and you don't risk blowing over.

If you're carrying a lot, be sure to check how much your bike can actually handle. All motorcycles have load limits, and you don't want to exceed them. Your bike will still work, but you'll have more mass and have a harder time stopping or maneuvering.

Avoid packing anything too close to the exhaust pipes or drive chain. The last thing you want is for a bounce on the road to drop your saddlebag into your hot exhaust pipe and catch the whole thing on fire. Likewise, being caught in a chain can be catastrophic in motion.

Once you're past the hassle of packing, you're ready to enjoy the open road. The world has plenty to offer a traveler, from beautiful landscapes to unique people to amazing food. Avoid chains and stop in at local stores and you're sure to have a wonderful experience. Taking a long motorcycle trip is an experience not to be missed.