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1) Eat at weird times. Everyone and their dog eats around 8 a.
m., noon and 6 p.m. To get in and out of restaurants in a hurry,
don’t be hungry then.
2) A short metal cable with loops on both ends (like those
made to keep people from stealing bicycle seats) is perfect for
securing a jacket and helmet to your bike’s helmet lock.
3) Carry a spare key. Zip-tie or duct tape it somewhere hidden
on your bike, or better yet, give it to a traveling companion.
4) Portable weather radios are now in the $20 range, and the
first time one saves you from running right into a massive
storm, you’ll wonder why you ever traveled without one.
Check accessory companies like Aerostich, or Radio Shack.
5) On high-mileage days, you’ll feel a lot better if you carry
eyedrops and use them every time you stop for gas.
6) If you’re nearing the end of your riding day, and want to set
yourself up for a quick getaway in the morning, consider riding
to the far side of the next city you reach before you stop for the
night, eliminating urban traffic the next day.
7) Take a tip from off-road riders and carry a backpack
hydration system so you can drink while you ride. A must for
arid weather.
8) Going on a long, complex trip? Keep yourself organized
with the envelope system. Before you leave, prepare one
envelope for each day on the road. Mark the dates and
locations on the outside, then stuff things like hotel
reservation info and lists of things to see inside. Instead of
juggling your entire stack of literature to find the piece you
need, you can just open up that day’s envelope.
9) A simple map case attached to your bike’s tank (we’ve used
a Rev-Pak version that has been available through www.
whitehorsepress.com for years) can keep you on course
without the bulk of a tankbag.
10) Keep your stuff dry in saddlebags by using trash
compactor bags as waterproof barriers. They’re thicker and
more durable than standard garbage bags.
11) Use earplugs to help reduce wind noise. You can get them
from most mail-order shops or dealers, or in bulk from safety-
equipment supply houses.
12) Don’t forget that pack-and-ship places are just about
everywhere these days. They’re perfect when you spot that
antique umbrella stand you’re dying to buy hundreds of miles
from home.
13) Don’t forget a small towel or rag for wiping dew off seats,
windshields and mirrors, and even for doing a quick whole-
bike cleanup. Those synthetic chamois cloths work
particularly well.
14) Pack extra bungees and zip-ties.
15) Go ahead, buy that GPS you’ve always wanted. They’re
perfect not only for finding yourself, but also for allowing you
the freedom to get lost in the first place.
16) You’ve heard it a million times, but we’ll say it again: look
over your bike carefully every morning on the road. Checking
the simple stuff—air pressure, oil level, loose or missing
fasteners—can save you from big trouble.
17) Sign up for AMA Roadside Assistance. For $25 a year, you
get peace of mind, knowing that if you do break down, a
motorcycle-savvy towing crew is only a phone call away. To
sign up, call the AMA at: (614) 856-1900.
18) Stash a little cash somewhere hidden on the bike or on
you, so you can make something happen when all else fails.
19) Before you take off from the hotel or campground in the
morning, double check every strap on tankbags or soft
saddlebags, and every latch on hard luggage.
20) Especially if you’re riding alone, wear a dog-tag with your
name and contact info. You can get them lots of places,
including your local army surplus store.
21) Take a look back at where you were parked every time you
leave someplace. You’d be amazed at what you find.
22) A cellphone can be a lifesaver in an emergency. You can
dial 911 for help anywhere you find cell service, but you’ll need
to tell a dispatcher where you are. Keep track of route
numbers, interstate exits, towns you’ve passed, mileposts—
anything that can save emergency officials time in getting to
you.
23) Good motorcycle gear really is worth it. Waterproof,
breathable linings in boots and jackets will transform the way
you think about bad weather. A number of companies offer
materials that work well, but always test your gear on a rainy
day at home before facing a storm on the road.
24) Do routine maintenance at home with your bike’s toolkit, so
you’re sure you have what you need along the side of the road.
25) On a long tour, plan for at least one day every week of
doing nothing. Time is the ultimate luxury, and can mean the
difference between a vacation and an endurance run.
26) Be realistic with your daily mileage. In really scenic areas,
150 miles may make a very full day. Don’t assume you can
achieve freeway mileage on good back roads.
27) Guidebooks can be invaluable, but these days, a search of
the Internet can add spice to your trip by revealing special-
interest locations most books fail to include. One of the sites
we have used is
www.roadsideamerica.com. World’s largest concrete bison,
anyone?
28) It is possible to use a kit to make emergency repairs on
tubeless or tube-type tires alongside the road. But before you
count on this as your safety net, practice using the kit on an
old tire in your garage.
29) A packable motorcycle cover not only keeps your bike
clean and dry overnight, it also discourages thieves. And don’t
forget a stout lock of some kind for the bike itself.
30) If you can afford it and are short of time, you could always
ship your bike somewhere cool and ride it back. Call the
Federal Companies at (800) 747-4100, ext. 217 or 218, for
details.
31) If you call a hotel--even if you're two blocks away--you can
often get a better rate than if you just walk in. And if you have
access to a computer, there are some spectacular Internet-
only deals available these days. Either way, do yourself a favor
and have a reservation by 4 p.m. You never know when a
convention will take over your destination city. Remember that
Moose members get a discount at several hotels chains
including:Choice Hotels (call 800-258-2847) and use discount
code (00801789); or go to www.choicehotels.com, click on
“Enter Special Rate ID” and use discount code (00801789);
See the Benefits page for more hotel options
32) A nap can do wonders on a long day.
33) If you’re traveling east or west, schedule your breakfast or
dinner times near sunrise or sunset so you don’t have to stare
into the sun when it’s low on the horizon.
m., noon and 6 p.m. To get in and out of restaurants in a hurry,
don’t be hungry then.
2) A short metal cable with loops on both ends (like those
made to keep people from stealing bicycle seats) is perfect for
securing a jacket and helmet to your bike’s helmet lock.
3) Carry a spare key. Zip-tie or duct tape it somewhere hidden
on your bike, or better yet, give it to a traveling companion.
4) Portable weather radios are now in the $20 range, and the
first time one saves you from running right into a massive
storm, you’ll wonder why you ever traveled without one.
Check accessory companies like Aerostich, or Radio Shack.
5) On high-mileage days, you’ll feel a lot better if you carry
eyedrops and use them every time you stop for gas.
6) If you’re nearing the end of your riding day, and want to set
yourself up for a quick getaway in the morning, consider riding
to the far side of the next city you reach before you stop for the
night, eliminating urban traffic the next day.
7) Take a tip from off-road riders and carry a backpack
hydration system so you can drink while you ride. A must for
arid weather.
8) Going on a long, complex trip? Keep yourself organized
with the envelope system. Before you leave, prepare one
envelope for each day on the road. Mark the dates and
locations on the outside, then stuff things like hotel
reservation info and lists of things to see inside. Instead of
juggling your entire stack of literature to find the piece you
need, you can just open up that day’s envelope.
9) A simple map case attached to your bike’s tank (we’ve used
a Rev-Pak version that has been available through www.
whitehorsepress.com for years) can keep you on course
without the bulk of a tankbag.
10) Keep your stuff dry in saddlebags by using trash
compactor bags as waterproof barriers. They’re thicker and
more durable than standard garbage bags.
11) Use earplugs to help reduce wind noise. You can get them
from most mail-order shops or dealers, or in bulk from safety-
equipment supply houses.
12) Don’t forget that pack-and-ship places are just about
everywhere these days. They’re perfect when you spot that
antique umbrella stand you’re dying to buy hundreds of miles
from home.
13) Don’t forget a small towel or rag for wiping dew off seats,
windshields and mirrors, and even for doing a quick whole-
bike cleanup. Those synthetic chamois cloths work
particularly well.
14) Pack extra bungees and zip-ties.
15) Go ahead, buy that GPS you’ve always wanted. They’re
perfect not only for finding yourself, but also for allowing you
the freedom to get lost in the first place.
16) You’ve heard it a million times, but we’ll say it again: look
over your bike carefully every morning on the road. Checking
the simple stuff—air pressure, oil level, loose or missing
fasteners—can save you from big trouble.
17) Sign up for AMA Roadside Assistance. For $25 a year, you
get peace of mind, knowing that if you do break down, a
motorcycle-savvy towing crew is only a phone call away. To
sign up, call the AMA at: (614) 856-1900.
18) Stash a little cash somewhere hidden on the bike or on
you, so you can make something happen when all else fails.
19) Before you take off from the hotel or campground in the
morning, double check every strap on tankbags or soft
saddlebags, and every latch on hard luggage.
20) Especially if you’re riding alone, wear a dog-tag with your
name and contact info. You can get them lots of places,
including your local army surplus store.
21) Take a look back at where you were parked every time you
leave someplace. You’d be amazed at what you find.
22) A cellphone can be a lifesaver in an emergency. You can
dial 911 for help anywhere you find cell service, but you’ll need
to tell a dispatcher where you are. Keep track of route
numbers, interstate exits, towns you’ve passed, mileposts—
anything that can save emergency officials time in getting to
you.
23) Good motorcycle gear really is worth it. Waterproof,
breathable linings in boots and jackets will transform the way
you think about bad weather. A number of companies offer
materials that work well, but always test your gear on a rainy
day at home before facing a storm on the road.
24) Do routine maintenance at home with your bike’s toolkit, so
you’re sure you have what you need along the side of the road.
25) On a long tour, plan for at least one day every week of
doing nothing. Time is the ultimate luxury, and can mean the
difference between a vacation and an endurance run.
26) Be realistic with your daily mileage. In really scenic areas,
150 miles may make a very full day. Don’t assume you can
achieve freeway mileage on good back roads.
27) Guidebooks can be invaluable, but these days, a search of
the Internet can add spice to your trip by revealing special-
interest locations most books fail to include. One of the sites
we have used is
www.roadsideamerica.com. World’s largest concrete bison,
anyone?
28) It is possible to use a kit to make emergency repairs on
tubeless or tube-type tires alongside the road. But before you
count on this as your safety net, practice using the kit on an
old tire in your garage.
29) A packable motorcycle cover not only keeps your bike
clean and dry overnight, it also discourages thieves. And don’t
forget a stout lock of some kind for the bike itself.
30) If you can afford it and are short of time, you could always
ship your bike somewhere cool and ride it back. Call the
Federal Companies at (800) 747-4100, ext. 217 or 218, for
details.
31) If you call a hotel--even if you're two blocks away--you can
often get a better rate than if you just walk in. And if you have
access to a computer, there are some spectacular Internet-
only deals available these days. Either way, do yourself a favor
and have a reservation by 4 p.m. You never know when a
convention will take over your destination city. Remember that
Moose members get a discount at several hotels chains
including:Choice Hotels (call 800-258-2847) and use discount
code (00801789); or go to www.choicehotels.com, click on
“Enter Special Rate ID” and use discount code (00801789);
See the Benefits page for more hotel options
32) A nap can do wonders on a long day.
33) If you’re traveling east or west, schedule your breakfast or
dinner times near sunrise or sunset so you don’t have to stare
into the sun when it’s low on the horizon.
| 33 Secrets for Smart Touring Courtesy of the |
| It's not the destination It's the "RIDE" |
