Motorcycle Travel Tips

Teo Romera | teo@igalia.com | www.igalia.com

Teo Romera

Motorcycle Travel TipsChoosing your motorcycle

So apparently I am now an expert…??

● Started riding in 2004● Toured north of France in 2007● Toured Ireland in 2007● Toured The Alps in 2008● Ushuaia to Cusco in 2010● Joined IMTBike.com in 2010...

● I do not consider myself an expert!

Motorcycle Travel TipsContents index

Topics covered (more or less ;)

– Choosing your motorcycle

– Choosing your gear

– Luggage and packing

– Food and shelter

– Mechanical problems

– Dealing with the weather

– Planning and choosing roads

– Staying safe

Motorcycle Travel TipsChoosing your Motorcycle

First of all: you will need a motorcycle, right?

Roughly there are a few major categories for Motorcycles

● Sports bike● Tourer● Cruiser / Custom / Classic● Standard / Naked / Street Bikes● Trail / Off-Road● Scooter / Maxi Scooter (*should not be included, Carlos)

● The Swiss army knife: The BMW R 1200 GS

Sports Bike

… your back will nottake it too long ;)

Tourer

Tourers are built for touring, but they are heavy and a bit boring

Custom

Cruiser

Classic

Custom bikes are built to look cool but they are not that practical

Standard

Street

Regular naked bikes are usually small and lack of wind protection

Off-Road

Trail bikes are good for off-road riding and pretty decent as tourers

R 1200 GS

● 1200 cc● 110 hp● ABS● ESA● ASC● Telelever● Paralever● Drive Shaft● + it does it all well :)

Actually any motorcycle will do if you really want to :)

Pilot: GustavoYear: 2001Engine: 124ccPower: 12,5 hpTank: 13 ltsConsumption: 30 km/l (loaded and on the road)Weight: 107kg (original) / 210kg (with baggage)Fabrication: Manaus, Brazil

http://www.re-moto.com/

(Plus he found a woman in Spain that followed him, married him in Germany and went to live with him in Argentina)

Motorcycle Travel Tips Equipment for you

Clothing and rider equipment

Try to look like a rider!

● 3 liner by Rev' It● Thermal● Waterproof● Lots of ventilation● Cordura offers protection and comfort● Leather, not so good for travel● High boots for protection● Buy long pants!!

Motorcycle Travel TipsEquipment for you

What you should buy in order of importance

● Helmet● Gloves● Jacket● Boots● Pants● Lumbar / back protection● Ear plugs

When compared to other tourists, you look like a total freak

Motorcycle Travel Tips Luggage and packing

Luggage and packing

When on a motorcycle, space is a real constrain

● Carry less and less things● You will be on your riding gear● Gear besides your clothes● Tools, repair kits, spare parts● Books are a luxury● Liquids are heavy● You can buy things on the road● Comfortable clothes● Assume the bum look

Waterproof cover for the backpack, based on a Decathlon plastic bag

The net is the cheapest (3 €) and most useful accessory ever

This is a proper waterproof pillion bag made of rubber

Tank bags are quite handy too but they may damage the paint in the tank

A top case allows you to carry a passenger and serves as back support

Motorcycle Travel Tips Food, drinks and shelter

Food, drinks and sleeping

Motorcycle Travel Tips Food, drinks and shelter

Riding requires lots of energy

● Eat and drink in advance● Drink a lot● Eat more sugar● Listen to your body● I do not usually carry food● You will want hot meals● Keep in mind local times

● I do not usually camp● After a day or riding you need a proper bed● Riding solo is easier to find places● You may also need shelter for your motorcycle

Motorcycle Travel TipsFood and Drinks

Food should be balanced!

Developed the rule of the cake and coffee

Have cake and coffee everyday you are close to death

Have cake and coffee every day that riding is unpleasant

Fuck it! Have cake and coffee every day :)

No alcohol!! Unless...

This is how unnatural camping is for a biker

In some hotels you will feel just like in the wild

Motorcycle Travel Tips Mechanical problems

Be prepared (or at least informed) for the most common mechanical

problems

Learn how to fix a flat tire

Which is totally useless when you have to change the ball bearings of a direction system...

… or when you have to remove the mudguard so the wheel can spin again

In long you will have to service your motorcycle

Motorcycle Travel Tips Dealing with the weather

Dealing with the weather

● Weather can be unpredictable● Weather can change your mood● It always feels colder on a bike (-10ºC)

● On cold weather ● Avoid riding below 2-3 ºC● Avoid exposing skin● Wear layers● Drink hot liquids● Have an eye on your hands and feet● Keep you neck hot● Snow, ice or mist? Do not ride!

● On hot weather● Hydrate your body frequently● Avoid exposing skin● Keep your neck cool● Wear mesh clothes● Over 35 ºC? Do not ride!

Cover your neck, your head, your mouth and nose

Wait for the ice to melt

Wind and sun can burn your skin

Keep a good attitude about rain

Keep the throttle alive with wind

Motorcycle Travel Tips Choosing Roads

Planning and choosing roads

What are the best roads?

● Plan ahead, but not too much● Mountain roads● Narrow roads● Roads from nowhere to nowhere● Highways are boring● Highways are faster● Cities are not recommended● Allow for the unpredictable

The perfect ride :)

It is easier to get lost than with a car

Crowded roads are dangerous

So are lonely roads

Mountain passes become playgrounds

Do not plan too much

Motorcycle Travel Tips Staying safe

Try not to hurt yourself!

Motorcycle Travel Tips Staying Safe

How to stay safe

● Follow signs and instructions● Apply all the regular rules● Also apply an extra care● Forget about sport riding● 90% is about looking and anticipation● Develop a 6th sense● Assume everyone else wants to kill you● Practice● Do not ride too long

● Never ride at night! (*Invisibility superpower)

Invest on a safety course

Watch out for animals on the road

Remember that abroad things change

There are two kinds of bikers...

Thanks!Questions?

Btw, I also have a video... wanna watch it?

Motorcycle Travel Tips

Travel

Transcript of Motorcycle Travel Tips

6 Motorcycle Safety Tips

Motorcycle Safety Tips

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