Traveling the world by motorcycle is the perfect way to see places that those reliant on public transportation can’t reach. A motorcycle gives you the freedom to go wherever you want, whenever you want. Traveling by motorcycle has many benefits, but there are also lots of things to keep in mind, such as whether you are going to bring your own motorcycle or not, and what kind of gear you need to take. Keep reading to find out more about how to travel the world by motorcycle.
Buy the right gear for your motorcycle trip
The first thing you need to do is make sure that you have all the necessary gear with you. If you are planning to go on a group trip, the travel agency might be able to lend you gear, such as motorcycle helmets, jackets, gloves, boots, and other essential pieces. However, bringing your own is more sanitary and is usually a lot safer, because your own clothes will probably fit better. It’s important to bring clothes that fit the weather at the destination. A leather jacket will keep you cool, but will not keep you dry in the rain. Textile jackets are great for all climates, but especially those with thermal layers can come in handy during cold weather.
How to travel the world by motorcycle – plan your trip
Now comes the best part: planning your trip. If you already have a destination in mind, you can simply plan out the route by yourself. Travel blogs are a good source, and Google Maps can be used to find good roads and landmarks along the way. Before picking a random destination, determine whether you are going to bring your own motorcycle or not. Transporting a motorbike by plane is expensive. By boat, it can take weeks, if you’re planning on going to a faraway destination. Therefore, make sure that there is a reliable motorcycle rental company at your destination.
Traveling by motorcycle – required paperwork
If you do decide to take your own motorcycle, make sure that you have the right paperwork. You’ll have to fill in import documents and carnets, buy insurance and make sure you have the right visa. Make sure that you research the required documentation when you research your destination, so that you can eliminate possible problems in an early stage. For example, if the required documentation is difficult to acquire or takes too much time to be approved, you might want to pick another destination.
Join a motorcycle tour
Instead of planning the entire trip yourself, it might be easier to join a motorcycle tour group. Especially when this will be your first motorcycle holiday, you can learn a lot from your fellow travelers. A guide knows all the best places to go and has knowledge about the quality of the roads. Another important thing is that the guide is probably familiar with the local weather. Especially in mountainous areas, the weather can be quite treacherous. An experienced guide will be able to spot changes in the weather timely and get the group to shelter quickly.
Estimate your time right
The most difficult part of planning a trip is often estimating how much time each segment will take. Some trails might look flat and easy on the map, but might be more challenging than you think, because of height differences or bad road quality. Not all roads will be asphalt and you might have to drive more slowly on gravel or mud. This means that you need a good estimation of how long you’ll be on the road and where you will end, to plan your overnight stays right.