Rhino USA's Motorcycle Road Trip Planner

The safe, smart and best approach to bring your motorcycle along for the ride.

Are you thinking about taking a trip with your motorcycle, but don’t know where to start? This article is for you! Keep reading to learn more about the essentials of taking your motorcycle along for the ride, with some amazing tips, suggestions and know how.

Proper clothing.

If you are an avid motorcycle adventurer, you might already be aware of the fact that riding a motorcycle means to freeze yourself off!

Don’t skimp on clothing if you are planning on going on a road trip with your bike. Exposing your body to consistent strong wind and cold temperature can pave the way to a host of health issues, ranging from common cold and sore throats, down to bronchitis, fever, and other more debilitating illnesses. In addition to that, lack of proper thermal insulation for your body might also lead to arthritis, chronic pain, and other problems. So, what should you wear? Start by picking the right gloves. Something with a great grip, without compromising in terms of comfort and insulation.

Cooling neck wraps or even dampening a bandana are also absolutely great for riding, especially if you are expecting extreme heat.

Proper footwear.

The right shoes are just as important as the right clothes to wear. Riding boots are a must, but you can also consider rain gaiters if you expect to encounter bad weather on your way.

Eyewear

This is perhaps one of the single most important items you should carry with you on your motorcycle road trip. When you’re riding against the wind, keeping your eyes open without protection can be difficult. The wind can irritate and cause fatigue, and there are other potential issues as well. For instance, your eyes can have an unfortunate close encounter with a bug or other debris! Eyewear can protect your eyes, enhance your sight (particularly if you use sunglasses or dedicated motorcycle goggles) and help you fight fatigue and strain while focusing on the road.

Nets and bungee cords.

There is nothing worse than gear and items falling off while you’re riding. In order to prevent that, make sure that you secure your gear, backpack or luggage with dedicated nets or bungee cords. These simple, yet trustworthy tools can keep your things safe and stuck to your bike, so you don’t have to worry about them flying off!

Papers and documents.

When traveling on your motorbike, don’t forget all the documents you might need. A form of ID, as well as insurance documents and other info,  should always be stored in a secure place, where they can’t be damaged due to weathering or other factors.

Reflective gear and flashlights.

Reflective gear can be a godsend. For instance, using a reflective vest can be an amazing way to enhance your safety while riding at night or in situations where the visibility is less than optimal. In addition to that, you can also consider hazard light, in case you need to make an unexpected stop. Flashlights can also come in handy, and in some cases, they can save your life. Many motorcyclists can say that a simple flashlight helped them get out of a potentially tough situation. If you end off the road in a dark, isolated environment, a flashlight can be a great way to signal your position and call for help. 

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Plenty of water.

When riding for several hours on end, it is quite easy to forget to stay hydrated. However, drinking plenty of water is very important. Thankfully, there are many smart bottles and other easy solutions and rigs that allow riders to bring plenty of water along for the ride without making compromises in terms of space. People might often shrug off the importance of bringing a bottle of water because they don’t want to carry another cumbersome item. However, this is something you shouldn’t overlook. It is quite natural to feel thirsty when riding under the scorching sun, but you can get just as dehydrated during winter.

Ratchet Straps

What if you break down? Ratchet straps are really good to have handy, in case something happens. This way, you’ll avoid being stranded in the middle of nowhere, and if you’ve been there, you know that it is not a good place to be!

Ratchet straps are absolutely essential to transport your motorcycle securely, when it is attached to another vehicle, such as a truck.

Earplugs

The roar of the engine, as well as the constant push of the wind against your face,  can actually put quite a strain on your hearing. Many avid motorcyclists actually experienced mild to severe hearing loss through the years, partly due to the fact that they neglected to wear proper ear protection, such as earplugs.

Itinerary / GPS

Most of us use our mobile devices for navigation, but when all else fails, you can seamlessly print out your road itinerary or use another dedicated GPS device instead. It might sound like an old-school thing to do, but you wouldn’t believe how many times a “plan B” might come in handy!

Helmet

Last, but decidedly not least, don’t forget your helmet. Besides the fact that riding without one is probably illegal in your area, helmets provide excellent protection against impact and concussions. In particular, full-face helmets are particularly perfect for extensive riding, as they also offer another great layer of weather protection.

Check out Revzilla's collection of cool helmets.

In conclusion, these are only some of the many useful things that you should never forget while planning a motorcycle road trip. It’s important to understand that safety and comfort should always come first.

Tire pressure gauge

It’s very important to check your tires before you take off. In addition to that, it’s always a good idea to keep a tire pressure gauge handy and check your tires periodically throughout the trip. You never know how your ride can react to many miles on the road, weathering, and more.

We hope this article was helpful and informative, if you have any questions or things you'd like us to add, always feel free to reach out! Thank you for stopping by our website and have a great day!