If you own a touring motorcycle, you probably look forward to going on long-distance rides. We know you’re eager to hop onto the bike and hit the open road. It’s the natural tendency for a motorcycle enthusiast to head out and explore the grand splendor of nature. In that spirit, we’ve crafted this handy guide with some tips and tricks to help you make the most out of your touring motorcycle riding experience.

Plan Ahead

Any bike trip without a proper plan is destined to go haywire. Planning will reduce anxiety so you can completely focus on the feel of the wind on the road rather than the confusion of missing the exit location. Start with the destinations you want to visit — parks, tourist attractions, or whatever else is on your traveling list. This is also a good time to plan out and reserve any campsites or tours for your trip.

Pack Wisely

Touring motorcycles offer plenty of extra storage for such occasions. However, you still won’t have the same cargo area as a car, so it helps to pack wisely. Start with the must-have items, such as clothes, medicine, and toiletries.

Don’t forget to bring along a tool kit and maintenance equipment. These tools can mean the difference between solving a quick bump in the road and needing to end a tour early to take your touring motorcycle into the shop. If there isn’t enough space for everything you want to bring along, then you might want to consider additional saddlebags or cargo racks.

We hope that this touring motorcycle riding guide has been useful. If you’re looking to buy a touring motorcycle, be sure to visit Taboo Harley-Davidson® to check out our selection of bikes. You’ll find us in Alexandria, LA, where we serve all those coming from Lafayette and Natchitoches, LA, as well as Natchez, MS.