Motorcycle Travel Fundamentals, According to the Pros

If you're new to motorcycle travel, getting a trip together can feel intimidating. You've got tons of variables to plan for, and that's before you actually nail down a route or decide where you're gonna sleep. 

What gear should you pack? How should you carry it? Is your bike ready for the trip? What about food, shelter, gas, and navigation?

Here at Ride, motorcycle travel is our full-time job. We've been guiding two-wheeled journeys all around the globe for well over a decade now, and if there's one piece of advice we'd share with anyone, it's this: 

Don't overthink it. 

When done correctly, motorcycle travel is the simplest form of travel in the world, save maybe for backpacking: it's just you, your bike, and the bare essentials you need to get from A to B in relative comfort and safety.

Regardless of where you're going, we've found a few universal rules apply to all motorcycle travel. Below, we'll break them into small bites to help take the anxiety out of your planning. 

1: Pack For Your Destination

"Weather is one of the primary hurdles in Patagonia. Bringing the right gear makes a huge difference."

If you know where you're going and when you're going there, you've already got all the info you need to prepare for your trip. When we pack for motorcycle travel, we pack for the weather, plain and simple. 

Start with a quick online search to figure out what the weather looks like on the dates you'll be traveling. We're talking about a basic idea of what to expect in terms of how hot, how cold, and how wet.

That's all you need to know to get your gear together, and your gear should be broken down into two piles: Riding gear, and everything else. Here's a quick breakdown on each of those. 

Match Your Riding Gear to the Weather

"Lightweight mesh options like this Klim Marrakesh kit are ideal for hot-weather motorcycle travel."

When we say riding gear, we're referring to the head-to-toe protective layer that you'll be wearing every single day. Helmet, jacket, pants, gloves, and boots. 

The ideal gear for motorcycle travel is some version of a touring/adventure touring suit. Ideally, that suit is matched to whatever temperatures you'll be riding in, aka mesh for the spring/summer and solid fabrics for the fall/winter. 

"Alpinestars' waterproof Tech 7 Drystar might be the most versatile motorcycle boot on the planet right now."

The same rules apply to your gloves: don't bring those insulated, GoreTex gauntlets to ride through deserts of Baja or the jungles of Vietnam: they're just going to take up space in your bag. 

As for boots, we've found a good pair of tall, waterproof riding boots works just about everywhere. Our feet are rarely bothered by the heat, and you can always adjust for seasonality with the right pair of socks. 

Supplement With Layers

Much like every other outdoor pursuit, layers are your best friend for motorcycle travel. The right layers will transform the protective shell of your riding gear into a versatile, adaptable barrier that's comfortable in damn near any condition. 

"Moisture-wicking base layers keep you comfortable on and off the bike."

Every day of two-wheeled touring starts the same: you wake up, you check the weather, you grab whichever layers you're going to be the most comfortable in, and you stuff everything else back into your luggage. 

Some days that's a waterproof liner and warm merino wool from head to toe, other days that's a thin moisture-wicking shirt and nothing else. Your protective gear is fixed, but everything else adjusts with the weather if you pack correctly.  

2. Don't Go Without Rain Gear

"Wet gear sucks, come prepared."

While we're on the topic of layers, reliable rain gear is paramount to motorcycle travel, and deserves its own section. There are multiple ways to shield yourself from the elements, but planning on getting soaked and "just dealing with it" isn't one of them. 

Premium touring gear with a built-in waterproof membrane is the most convenient way to handle the wet. Budget-friendly gear with a removable waterproof liner is a close second that requires a bit more planning, but gets the job done just as well.

"Goretex-type laminated shells like this Klim Badlands jacket are the most convenient solution to wet weather." 

If you don't have either one at your disposal, standalone PVC-backed rain gear from brands like Nelson Rigg, Tourmaster, and Joe Rocket are an equally viable alternative that can be had for well under $100 a set.

These budget-friendly rain suits pack down small enough to stash in your satellite luggage (think tank bag, tail bag, etc.), and can be thrown on quickly from the side of the road without removing your boots.  

They ain't pretty, but looking like a trashbag on wheels beats the hell out of riding with a wet crotch for hours on end. 

3. Weatherproof Luggage is Mandatory

"This budget-friendly luggage setup sports Tusk soft bags and a generic waterproof roll top. There's enough gear here for four nights of camping, believe it or not"

Travel for long enough and you're gonna get rained on. Soggy days aren't anyone's favorite part of motorcycle travel, but arriving at your destination without a dry change of clothes is far worse. 

To that end, our advice here is don't hit the road without some kind of waterproof storage on your bike. That could be hard panniers, soft bags with liners, or a roll-top dry bag. We've even seen backpacks lined with garbage bags work in a pinch. 

"Rain-proof luggage is also creek-proof. Ask us how we know."

Not everything needs to be kept dry, but stuff like your casual clothes, spare gloves, spare socks, and electronics should be in luggage that can weather a storm or survive a swim when water crossings go wrong. 

4: Be Prepared For Contingencies

"Roadside repairs are part of the game. Come prepared."

Adventure travel wouldn't feel adventurous without an element of unpredictability.

Changing weather, rough terrain, road closures, roadside breakdowns: you never know what you're gonna get, and that's just the way we like it.

With that being said, you need to save some space in your luggage for the unexpected. Emergencies comes in many shapes and sizes, but most of them can be delt with using two simple items. 

"Accidents happen: Bring a first aid kit and know how to use it."

The first is a first aid kit. Even if you're riding in a large group, every rider is responsible for their own safety, and as such, every rider should carry their own kit. Don't make the mistake of assuming someone else has you covered. 

The second is a repair kit. This will include all of the wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers, and hardware you need for any roadside repair, as well as tools to repair flat tires. The pros have also been known to carry an abundance of JB Weld and zip ties at all times. 

If you're planning on riding in particularly remote locations, emergency SOS devices like the popular Garmin inReach are also a smart (albeit expensive) investment. That goes double if you're traveling solo. 

5. Bring Reliable Navigation 

"Standalone GPS units like this old Garmin can guide you home from just about anywhere on the planet."

We've been on our fair share of trips where getting lost is half the fun. There's something about following that road you've never ridden before just to see where it ends, but you also need to get where you're going at some point. 

For paved road touring, a smartphone and a good navigation app are typically all the direction we need. Google Maps, Gaia GPS, or onX all work well, so long as you've got a means to keep your phone charged while you ride. 

"A smartphone is usually all you'll need for most motorcycle travel nowadays."

For more remote destinations, however, standalone GPS units like the Garmin Zumo are worth their weight in gold. This is especially true for off-roading, international travel, or anywhere else cell service isn't guaranteed. 

6. Set Your Bike Up For Success

"Oil, coolant, filters, etc.: Get it all done before you hit the road."

Last but not least, you should do everything in your power to ensure your bike is just as ready to travel as you are. Change any fluids that are due, knock out those service items you've been putting off, and get that chain cleaned and tightened.

The more you do now, the less likely you'll end up on the side of the road later. 

Now is also a good time to make sure you've got enough tire tread to handle whatever sort of mileage/terrain you're looking to cover. Getting new tires installed on the road can be time-consuming and expensive. Avoid it at all costs. 

What About International Motorcycle Travel?

If you're planning on keeping it domestic, sticking to the six points above will quite literally prepare you to go anywhere.

Things get a little more complex once you start crossing borders though, so here are some bonus tips for would-be world travelers. 

Passports, Visas, and Permits

While your passport alone will get you into dozens of foreign countries, many destinations require additional paperwork to clear customs. The most common is a travel visa, which is typically applied for in advance online. 

"Know before you go: Visa and permit requirements vary between countries."

If you want to attend our tour through Vietnam, for instance, the government requires you to apply for a visa online before you arrive. Show up without one, and customs can quite literally turn you back around and send you home.  

Other countries requiring an advance visa include Australia, Brazil, India, and Egypt. We recommend checking the US Department of State website before making travel plans to ensure you've got what you need to enter the country ahead of time.

Know the Rules of the Road

Laws can differ wildly from country to country, and traffic laws are no exception.

For example, in Germany you're legally allowed to drive a car completely naked, but if you try that same trick on a motorcycle, you're liable to earn a $45 fine (sounds like a fair deal to us).

"This sign, for instance, says that speed limits are enforced by birds of prey."

The same goes for more common considerations like right of way, speed limits, lane sharing, and helmet use.

This is one place where a guide who knows the lay of the land is particularly useful, but again, you should make an effort to read up on traffic laws and etiquette to get the most out of your motorcycle travel experience. 

Lastly, we'll also point out that road signs differ quite a bit from country to country, as do the languages they're written in.

Stop signs are more or less universal anywhere you go (they're all red octagons), but if you're counting on English subtitles to get around, you're gonna have a tough time.  

Pay Attention to Travel Advisories

Conditions in foreign countries can change rapidly for a number of reasons ranging from disease to civil unrest.

For this reason, we've always found it wise to sign up for travel advisories online for anywhere you plan to go. 

"As peaceful as the Himalayas are, there's often some conflict between Pakistan and India that can complicate travel."

Once again, the US State Department is your best resource. There you can subscribe to get the latest updates on any number of countries via the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (aka STEP), which sends news directly to your email address. 

Get Your Finances In Order

Another common consideration many motorcycle travelers overlook is letting their banks know they're leaving the country. That goes for both your cash/ATM source of choice as well as any credit cards you plan to use abroad.

What you want to avoid here is not having access to your money when you need it. Many banks will automatically flag unexpected overseas transactions, and often put a "freeze" on any associated accounts as a safety/anti-theft measure. 

"Sometimes you'll need cash on hand, as most Bushmen don't accept Mastercard."

This issue is further compounded as cellular phone service in foreign countries can be complicated, so getting a hold of your bank to solve the problem can be an issue of its own.

Save yourself potential hassle and tell your financial institutions where you're going ahead of time. When in doubt, carry cash. 

Traveling With Drugs

One important consideration many of our riders overlook is traveling with drugs, and no, we're not talking about smuggling your personal stash of Gonzo proclivities across the border.

Both legally prescribed and over-the-counter drugs from your home country can be illegal in the next country over. If you plan to carry drugs of any kind on your trip, check with the country's online embassy in advance to get the lowdown.  

"Tour guide Eric boldly carries a dry bag full of assorted pills across international waters. Just kidding"

We recommend putting together a list of all the drugs you'd typically travel with, from aspirin to Xanax, and then cross-referencing each online for each of the countries you'll be traveling through.

If you're the type of person who typically travels with one big bottle of multicolored pills (even if they're all over-the-counter medications), you'll ideally want to get them all organized and in the original labeled containers before you leave home. 

Vaccine Requirements and Recommendations

"Countries like India have specific vaccine requirements for travelers coming from disease-prone areas."

Another major consideration when leaving the country is checking up on your vaccines. Being up to date on a certain number of basic vaccines is always a good practice, but many countries also have unique vaccine requirements for international travelers.

Yellow fever is a prime example, especially if you're traveling from an area where the disease is common.

Some countries will even require you to carry proof of vaccinations as part of your entry paperwork, so again, make sure to check the rules and requirements for each individual country you plan to visit. 

International Licenses and Permits

"Vietnam is an epic ride, but you'll need a few extra documents to visit."

Another common question we get asked about for our international tours is whether or not any special license or permit is required to ride a motorcycle. The short answer is that it depends where you're going. 

An "international driver's license" is required by certain countries like Vietnam, but isn't expected in others. Again, the internet is your friend here, but if you get caught without one, the fine can be hefty. 

When in doubt, go ahead and get one. If you are from the US, the entire process can be done at any AAA location in about 30 minutes, costs all of $20, and is good for a full year of travel anywhere in the world.

Do note that there are 3 different international permits agreed upon by different countries. Make sure to match the permit with the requirements accepted in the country you are traveling to. 

Ok... So Where Should I Travel on My Motorcycle?

"Tanzania is one of our latest additions, and it's as adventurous as they come."

At last, we arrive at the million dollar question. Where should you ride? As an international touring outfit that's guided tours on nearly every contient, we've got a few favorite destinations we'd recommend. 

First and foremost, if you're an American looking to keep it domestic, we're particularly bullish on the Southwest. Our favorite tour in the States currently is our route through Utah, Nevada, and Arizona, with a bonus day to play in Moab.  

"Views of Torres Del Paine, just one of the stops on our Full Patagonia RIDE"

As for international travel, our passion for Patagonia is what started RIDE Adventures in the first place, and the region still gets our top vote. We do a number of guided and self-guided tours there, and you can see them all here. 

Outside of South America, we can't recommend tours in Asia enough. You'll be shocked how far your dollar goes on our tours through Vietnam and Thailand, and don't get us started on the food!

Closing Thoughts on Successful Motorcycle Travel

We know that's a lot to take in, especially considering we started this rant praising the simplicity of motorcycle travel.

To recap: Traveling in your home country is a fairly straightforward affair, but the more borders you cross, the more knowledge and preparation are required. 

For that reason, we highly recommend hiring a motorcycle travel guide when riding in a foreign country for the first time.

Of course we're a touring company ourselves, so you can take that with a grain of salt, but having someone in your midst who speaks the language, knows the area, and is familiar with customs and legal requirements will make any trip much smoother and more enjoyable. 

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