The open road is a beckoning call that’s hard to resist, but when we finally give in and start our travels, we need to make sure we’re well-prepared for whatever comes our way.
Here are five essential items that no biker should be without on their next motorcycle adventure.
Not everybody that wanders is lost but, in most cases, we need to figure out how to get from A to B somehow. As motorcycles don’t have a massive fuel tank, getting lost could become dangerous, especially when traveling in remote areas; you might not have enough gas to get back to civilization. These days, our smartphones’ GPS is usually good enough to find your way around, but when we are out in the middle of nowhere, we might not have cell service. In these cases, it is better to come prepared and download offline maps or carry a proper GPS device. If you are nostalgic about the “good ol’ days,” a paper map may come in handy to better understand where you may be and where you are heading to. But, if you have no idea at all where you are, that will not get you out of trouble.
Better safe than sorry! Even if you’re a cautious rider, accidents can happen. So it’s always good to be prepared with bandages, antiseptics, and pain relievers. If you are not sure what to bring, many companies have a pre-built first aid kit, slightly bigger than today’s smartphones. Some bikes or luggage manufacturers have special compartments to fit a kit in it (usually behind the rear fairings or under the seat). It’s a great idea to carry one always with you in a waterproof pouch. If you don’t have a waterproof pouch, you can simply wrap it in cling wrap and store it away. Hopefully, you won’t have to use it all the time, but it’s better to carry one with you even in case of assisting somebody else. Safety first!
Be ready for adventure and whatever comes your way, just like the song says. Photo: Paolo
If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it. But sometimes you do need to patch things up to make your adventure going. This doesn’t mean you have to be a professional mechanic to go on a motorcycle trip, but it would be silly if you get stopped on the side of the road for hours or had to tow your bike to a mechanic for something simple as a flat tire or a loose bike part. It’s always wise to carry at least three items: some zip ties, duct tape, and a puncture repair kit. In addition, most motorcycle manufacturers provide their bikes with a small set of tools to perform basic maintenance jobs (oil change, tire change, brake pad change, air filter change), which is more than enough to get you going. If you need more than that, remember there are tons of motorcycle/car mechanics everywhere, in case you need special tools to repair your bike and you can never bring enough motorcycle parts to fix the “unexpected” failure. Cracked a fairing? A zip tie should be enough to get you going again. Photo: Paolo Protective riding gear
Cracked a fairing? A zip tie should be enough to get you going again. Photo: Paolo
Looking cool has never been such a good idea! Motorcycle fashion can actually save you money in the long run, but it costs you in the short run. When they buy their first bike, most riders don’t realize they need to spend at least another $1,000 in gear on top of the bike’s purchase price, just to be safe on the road! This is money well-spent, though. Instead of buying a louder muffler or some fancy fog lights, it’s wiser to invest in a good helmet first. Having good motorcycle gear is crucial, especially if you are going on a trip. Not because you need to look coolon your bike, but to increase the chances of “continuity” of your journey. Every minor crash or small accident can be a trip stopper otherwise!
Even if you’ve taken all the training courses you can, and your skills are perfect—sometimes motorcycle accidents happen because of other’s people mistakes. Wearing protective gear reduces the risks of having to halt your trip because of a silly crash or collision that wasn’t even your fault.
A good helmet, a nice pair of gloves, and boots are the three most important elements of any motorcycle gear setup. If these three items are uncomfortable or not good enough, you may encounter some discomfort along the line. A riding jacket and pants are also important but, in my opinion, much less than the aforementioned ones. You can always compensate by wearing extra layers if your jacket is not warm or waterproof enough, and same goes for your pants—but if you’ve seen graphic road rash pictures, you’ll realize the dangers of skimping here as well. So make sure you spend the extra dollars to get yourself some proper gear before hitting the open road. It may change the overall outcome of your trip, or even save it! You wear a pair of moto pants long enough, they’re comfortable-ish to lounge around in. Lots more comfortable than road rash! Photo: Paolo Backup Cash/Credit Card and Documents copy
You wear a pair of moto pants long enough, they’re comfortable-ish to lounge around in. Lots more comfortable than road rash! Photo: Paolo
Time is money! Traveling on a motorcycle is not cheap, but it isn’t necessarily expensive either. Either way, you will need to have some money with you to pay for gas, food, and accommodation. Do not assume that every gas station or food stall in the world accepts cards … or cash!
Even if most of your finances are card-based, you should always carry cash for emergencies (in local currency or USD/EUR) and stash it in two different locations. Usually, the best idea is to put half in some hidden inside pockets of your riding jacket and the other half somewhere in your panniers. Also, it’s very convenient these days to carry an extra credit card, in case your main one stops working/gets stolen.
It is also very important to also carry copies of your documents in paper form and in digital form, backed up on a cloud service. Your smartphone and paper documents maybe stolen, and this will help you file a police report and get your trip resumed in no time. Multiple backups can save your day, even your trip. Plan ahead, and if you don’t end up needing the preps, you’re no further behind—but if things do go sideways, then you’ll be a lot further ahead.
So, what did I miss? What other items do you think are essential for a motorcycle adventure?