Adventure riders know that the simplicity of motorbike travel is one of the world’s greatest joys. Whether you travel with friends, individually, or with a commercial operator, adventure biking has become a favorite with people of all ages and backgrounds.
Riding across a country over different terrains presents exciting challenges. You explore new landscapes, improve physical fitness, experience rich cultures, and provide intimate connections with the different people you meet each day.
Quick Jump
How much to ride in one day?
Apart from overall fitness and the style of tour and terrain, there are certain factors to consider when deciding how far you wish to travel each day.
On average, with an early start, a motorbike rider can cover 400-450 km easily in about nine hours with plenty of pit stops on the way. The ideal cruising speed should be 80-90 km/h with a break every 80km for man and machine both.
Again depending on whether the terrain is mountainous, flat, paved, or unpaved the average distance covered will decrease or increase accordingly. For example, on mountain routes, bike travel will take twice as long as on flat roads.
Adventure Biking Tips
- Avoid exceeding average distance as this will increase physical challenges and decrease enjoyment.
- Plan for at least one day of rest after every three days
- Restrict your gear weight to as little as possible.
- For unexpected challenges and extraordinary stops en route, add time for travel and stoppages accordingly.
- Never ride unless you are totally focused.
- Never leave your bike unattended.
- Always book motorbike insurance. Click here to compare motorcycle insurance quotes online before buying.
Choose the right bike
There are many types of motorcycles, big and small, in the market for adventure travel. The important characteristics to look for are comfort in the riding position, durability, and engine displacement. There is no thumb rule for a one-size-fit-all solution, so your final decision will rest on your personal preference and the style of terrain you are likely to encounter.
While smaller bikes are easy to lift in case of a topple, bigger bikes have the advantage of comfort and come packed with features to handle any kind of terrain. Engine size can also have an effect, so consider 750cc for a long distance and something smaller like 250cc for day trips are short distances.
Adventure biking gear
Good gear is extremely essential on an adventure riding trip because you stand exposed to the elements all the time. Additionally, the gear you carry will be your main line of defense in case of any adverse eventuality. Before you head out just don’t skimp on the following:
- Helmet: Don’t head out without a full-face helmet. It should fit well and be free from cracks or damages.
- Pants and jackets: Your riding suit should be padded and waterproof, which can either be built-in or worn separately. Moreover, it should be comfortable, durable, and protective.
- Boots: Adventure bikes weigh a lot, even the smaller ones can reach hundreds of pounds. Hence feet protection is important. Your motorbike boots should be sturdy and comfortable for day-long riding.
- Camping gear: Carry compact camping equipment that can fit on your panniers or duffle bag. A sleeping bag and water too are a must. For longer trips add a cooking kit and a tent.
- Skills and tools: An important part of your adventure kit will be skilled to learn in tricky situations and having the tools for it. Your tools should definitely include a tyre repair kit, hexes, wrenches, baling wire, zip ties, and duct tape.
Get Insured
Adventure biking is risky business. It is best to get a good insurance before embarking on this exciting adventure. Click here to compare motorcycle insurance quotes online so you can pick the right insurance.
Practice makes perfect
No matter how skilled a motorcycle rider you are, adventure motorbiking is a different cup of tea. Each aspect of this exhilarating sport takes time to master. Build your confidence over a period of time rather than rushing into a trip suddenly.
Take time off and go on short rides with all the gear you intend to carry to gain experience and practice your wrenching skills like tyre change and zip ties to save you the stress in a real-time situation.
Plan your route
Once you know your end destination, map it via GPS and determine how many days you will take to get there. If there are more than one route, check which one you prefer. It could be for scenery or any attraction which you wanted to see.
Check if there are any obstructions or diversions on the route which may cause delays. Check for updates on the road websites of the states you are passing through. If you plan to stay overnight, book your accommodation before you leave. Plan out your fuel stops ahead of time. It is better to top up at half tank for a break to stretch your legs.
Outline the route you intend to take with the names of locations where you wish to stop. You should be comfortable if your whereabouts are known to someone back home. You can also ask someone to track you through GPS, provided your phone is turned on. If you are riding in a group, this will help to keep track of the whole team.
Best places to go adventure biking
If you love the open roads, you will soon find out that some of the greatest sights of the world can be best experienced from the seat of a saddle. Here are some of the best-motorbiking routes worldwide:
- Ceuta to Marrakesh Loop, Morocco.
- Pyrenees Loop, Spain and France
- The Great Ocean Road, Australia.
- Cape Town Circuit, South Africa
- Pacific Coast Highway, California
- Manali to Leh road trip, India
- Douro Valley, Portugal
- Dong Van Karst Plateau,Vietnam
- The North Yorkshire Trans European Trail, UK
- The Transfaragasan Highway, Romania.
Adventure biking is without any doubt the perfect way to have a blast. If you go about it wisely, it doesn’t have to be a difficult or expensive pursuit, providing you set yourself up with a motorbike, quality gear, and training appropriate to your riding skill. Over time you will discover that the best moments in life are a mere full throttle away
