ALT-2 Guide to Motorcycle Touring
Have you ever seen a beautiful landscape and taken a photo? Chances are the photo didn't begin to capture the essence of what you felt while you were there. Touring in a car, as opposed to a motorcycle is the same way. If you're numb to the surroundings, the trip is essentially just a sequence of photos, bordered by the vehicles windshield. On a motorcycle, you are immersed in the moment. The trip is about more than the destination when motorcycle touring. As I'm sure you've heard before, it's all about the ride.
Like all things rewarding, motorcycle touring is a little more challenging than car travel. It requires a certain amount of forethought and this typically begins with the machine. If you're willing to put up with a little discomfort, one can tour on nearly any motorcycle. I've personally crossed the country on a 250cc dual sport. Of course, a comfy touring seat atop a 1000cc cruiser with spacious saddle bags would make the trip exponentially more comfortable. These choices typically come down to personal preference and budget.
Regardless your choice of machine, before embarking on a trip of any length, it is important to make sure the motorcycle is up for the journey. Check the tires for any cracks or bulges. Inspect the hoses for signs of wear, as well as the fluids. Finally, check the lights and signals. If anything fails to meet your quality control standards, have it replaced. Preventative maintenance is key, breaking down is inconvenient and just plain irritating, not to mention potentially dangerous.
Unfortunately, as much as one prepares his or her bike, things do go wrong. When touring, a service station could be hundreds of miles away. For this reason, many folks sacrifice some precious cargo space for a flat repair kit, basic tools, and a quart or so of oil. Long distances tend to vibrate loose the most secure of bolts and fasteners, so having the means to tighten everything back up is more than convenient. Even though it's almost implied these days, a cell phone is a pretty darn secure failsafe. It wasn't always that you could keep that kind of insurance in your pocket, so enjoy it (and keep it charged!).
With the bike prepared, it's time to turn the focus on the rider. Riding hundreds of miles can be exhausting, to say the least. The saddle will take a toll on your rear end. Experienced riders tend to become numb to this effect, but if this trip is your first tour, it may be wise to take a trial run of a few hundred miles to asses your tolerance. Better to find this out now than to find yourself far from home, unable to continue. Heat can also be a factor, especially since the safety minded rider wears boots and leather, or at least boots with heavy denim. Of course, where there's heat there is sun, so sunblock is normally a good idea as well. Finally, as is the law, one requires a DOT approved helmet. For safety reasons, I always opt for full face varieties.
The most important thing to have straight before one begins a motorcycle tour is one's attitude. There will probably be times when you are uncomfortable. If your goal is simply to get from A to B, you'll probably find yourself wishing you'd driven a car. However, if you're looking to squeeze out of life, the things that riders consider to be most important, strap down those saddle bags and enjoy the ride.
