Tips for Long-Distance Trips — Part I

With spring in full bloom and summer just around the corner, you might be planning to take your bike out on the open road for a long-distance ride. Just as you wouldn’t run a marathon without training and preparing your body, you shouldn’t attempt to take on a long-distance trip without planning ahead and preparing yourself and your bike for the journey. In part one of this multi-part series, we’ll explain a few preliminary points you should keep in mind as you plan your long-distance ride.

When you’ve finished reading today’s entry, be sure to look through the RC Components catalog to find the custom motorcycle parts you need to create the bike you’ve always wanted. We have custom motorcycle exhaust pipes, custom motorcycle wheels, and so much more in our extensive catalog!

Tips for Your Long-Distance Ride

Evaluate Your Gear

You should take some time to evaluate your gear before you hit the road. Long-distance riding is much more intense than a commute to work or a ride around your city, and you may need to invest in lighter clothing that will keep you cool, comfortable, and protected as you ride.

After you’ve determined if you need to invest in new clothing, you should take some time to examine your helmet. When was the last time you replaced it? Will you be comfortable wearing your current helmet for extended periods of time? Technological advances have allowed manufacturers to create better helmets each year, so now may be the perfect time to purchase a new one. 

Perform Routine Maintenance

It’s time to turn your attention to your bike now that you’ve chosen the gear you’ll wear for the trip. Given that you’ll be using your bike for much longer than normal, you shouldn’t spare any expense when it comes to tune-ups. Perform all of the following tasks in the weeks leading up to your trip: 

• Filter and oil change 
• Air and fuel filter check
• Throttle cable inspection
• Brake cable inspection
• Tire pressure check
• Lights, horn, and signal check

Refer to your owner’s manual to see if your bike has any other components that need to be checked, and invest in the services of a local mechanic if you aren’t comfortable servicing your motorcycle on your own.

Pack Maintenance Supplies 

Even though you’ve recently serviced your bike, you should still prepare for the unexpected. Purchase all of the following supplies if you don’t already have them:

• Tire inflation kit
• Jumper cables
• Spark plugs
• Clutch cable
• Bike cover
• Basic tool kit

While this list may seem lengthy, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and be prepared for anything that could happen on the road.

Browse Our Custom Motorcycle Parts!

We hope that today’s entry will help you prepare for your upcoming trip. Keep an eye on our blog page, as we’ll be continuing this series in the coming weeks!

Before you hit the road, invest in custom motorcycle parts that make your bike as unique as you are. We have custom motorcycle wheels, exhaust pipes, and so much more in our extensive catalog!