One of the best ways to see the beauty across America is to head out on a cross country motorcycle tour. The large network of highways and interstates that span the country make  long-distance travel easy. If this sounds appealing to you, it’s time to start planning your trip! But you may not know where to start. That’s okay because we are here to help. Keep reading to see our tips for a successful cross country motorcycle tour. If you have any more questions or you want to check out some motorcycles for sale for your upcoming trip, stop by CalMoto in Mountainview, or Livermore, California. We are proud to serve San Francisco and San Jose too. We’ll get you set to go on your next great adventure!

Practice Makes Perfect

Like any big endeavor, practice will get you prepared to embark on your cross country motorcycle tour. Similar to a long-distance athlete, you’ll need to build up your endurance. Long distance rides take a physical toll on the body. For example, your eyes may dry out as you stare on the road ahead for hours, and your arms will get tired from staying in the same position. Not to mention your legs will get restless. You don’t want your big trip to get sidetracked because you overestimated how long you could ride.

You should start by taking shorter trips to see what your current comfort zone is. Track how often you need to take breaks and how long you can ride for before it’s no longer fun. A great place to start is by taking a day trip or an easy weekend ride. Also keep in mind that touring bikes run differently than say, a cruiser. If you recently got a new bike, your endurance level will be different than on your old motorcycle.

Plan Your Route

If you’re taking a shorter trip, being spontaneous can work just fine. You can hop on your bike and go wherever the road takes you. However, with a cross country motorcycle tour, some planning is necessary. You’ll need to coordinate food, housing, gas, tourist destinations, and more. It’s nearly impossible for all of those details to fall into place at the last minute, and planning ahead will help you make the most of your trip.

You should brainstorm all of the destinations and experiences you hope to hit on your trip. Are there any special restaurants you want to eat at? Are there some hiking trails you want to try out? Once you figure out all of the spots you want to go to, you can find a route that’s the quickest, most scenic, or a mix of them both!

After planning your riding route, you can figure out lodging options. It’s important to reserve your spot in advance so you don’t have to worry about where you’re sleeping for the night.

Pre-Trip Inspection

Before you head out on your cross country motorcycle tour, you should conduct a pre-ride inspection of your bike. This means checking the different aspects of your motorcycle to make sure everything is good to go and your trip is going to be a safe one. Check tire pressure and tread, fluids, lights, brakes, throttle, and more. If you notice anything unusual, you may need to bring your motorcycle in to get fixed before your trip.

Pack the Essentials

Motorcycles offer limited storage so it’s important that you only pack the essentials. There will probably be at least one grocery store within riding distance so you’ll be able to pick items up at the store if necessary. You should start by packing water, food, a mini toolkit, a first aid kit, and waterproof outerwear. Then pack medications, toiletries, clothing, and so on. Once your gear is packed, make sure it’s safe and secure.

Take Breaks

Your motorcycle may be capable of riding non-stop for hours, but you aren’t! Riding your motorcycle will take a toll on your body. Your muscles may cramp up and get sore or stiff. You may zone out when you’re riding as you experience highway hypnosis. All of these problems decrease comfort and compromise your ability to ride safely. You can prevent these issues by taking breaks. The frequency of your breaks will depend on your riding experience. Beginners usually need to rest more often. It’s a good idea to coordinate your breaks with meal stops or tourist attractions.

This isn’t everything you need to know about a cross country motorcycle tour, but we hope this helps! Remember to enjoy the ride and have fun. If you do the proper planning and preparation, your trip is bound to be a good one. If you have any questions or you want to see some motorcycles for sale, visit us at CalMoto in Mountainview, or Livermore, California. We proudly serve San Francisco and San Jose. We’ll get you ready for an excellent trip!