Touring Tips

Tips

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Not sure which helmet to buy? Not sure what to wear when its 30 Degrees outside?

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In this section we will share all of our tips and tricks for the road, trip planning, or where to get the best price on that new piece of equipment that you have been wanting,

We are here to help you plan, be prepared and make your trip that much more enjoyable.

TA Moto Touring Tips

Location:

First, map out your route. We always try to pad a day or two on our trips just in case the weather doesn't cooperate. Our last trip had near perfect weather, but If you get caught in the rain there are a few things you can do to make your ride as enjoyable as possible. The key is making sure you stay as safe as possible when you ride whether it's in good weather or bad weather.

Look at the time of year that you are going. For example, if you are traveling down south, and it is the middle of summer, you are going to need to pack accordingly i.e. warm/hot weather riding gear, water etc. If you are riding somewhere cold, again you will need to dress for the weather.

Maintenance:

Perform general maintenance on your motorcycle. This will also help you spot problems before they happen. (some problemswill happen regardless : ) Here are a couple of things that you should always check before leaving for any trip, big or small no matter if your bike is new or a vintage classic.

Check your Tires. The way we look at it those two peices of rubber are the only thing between you and the road. Keep your tires correctly inflated. A tire that is very under-inflated generates a lot of heat which can lead to a blow out. Tires that run too hot also wear out more quickly. Try to keep a low pressure tire gauge (0psi - 80psi) in your bike tool bag at all times. Check it periodically throughout your trip. Replace your tires sooner rather than later. If yout tires look worn, they probably are.

Check the oil. Check your oil level when it is cold before you go on a ride. If it is not at its high or max level top it up before going out. Regular oil and filter changes will keep your motorbike young and healthy. Make sure you regularly check and keep your oil level at its HIGH or MAX level. It is best to check your oil level on the bikes centre stand or when it is in a level position. An under filled oil level can be disastrous while too much oil over the limit may flood your air cleaner with oil, and trust me. It will make your bike smoke and your performance will suffer.

Check your battery. Your battery only requires a little monthly maintenance to perform perfectly. Keep the battery charged to 100%, recharging when the lights dim, the starter sounds weak, or the battery hasn't been used in more than two weeks. You don't want to be out on the road with a dead battery.

Keep your machine clean. Whether you own a custom cruiser or a souped up sport bike, you'll want to keep your motorcycle away from commercial washing facilities and perform the cleaning ritual yourself. Dead bugs and grime are the bane of every motorcyclist, but using the right tools will get them off your paint easier than you think.

Packing:

The tank bag (my personal favorite) is great for packing wallets, keys, cell phones, and other things that you might need in a hurry. I pack everything that I can fit in to my bag plus some. Every bike has a different type of tank shape so be sure you get the right type of tank bag.

Don't leave anything out that you think you might not need. For example, everytime I leave my raingear out of my bags, I get rained on. Even if the forecast is sunny and warm, don't expect it to be that way all the way there and back on your trip. So pack for every weather forecast, that way if you need it, it's there.

Don't forget things like a bottle of water, some clean dish towels, some certs mints (with retsin of course) and a road map or atlas. The bottle of water is great to have if you need a quick drink, or if you need to wet one of the dish towels to wipe the bugs off of your helmet or windscreen.

Gear:

Boots are very important. Not only do they protect your feet from the elements, but when stopping, standing etc. they provide a non-slip surface because face it, with all of your stuff packed up on your bike, it's heavy. There are many different kinds of boots out there from short boots that are almost like tennis shoes to knee high boots that protect your shins as well.

Gloves are one of those items that you will actually need more than one of. You will need a pair that is especially for Hot or Warm weather. I find that a nice mesh glove does the trick nicely. They keep your hands protected while still allowing your hands to breathe. This is the glove that you will be wearing for the most part of the year, so do yourself a favor and don't skimp on these. Save up your money and get a nice pair. It will be well worth it. A cheap pair of gloves will not last very long, especially if you ride like we do.

Cold Weather gloves. These will usually be a gauntlet type with a few layers on the inside to keep your hands nice and warm.

Be sure to get a set of glove liners as well, because sometimes even the thick winter gloves aren't enough.

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