A long-distance trip or tour is probably one of the biggest highlights of being a bike owner. Whether you’re a seasoned long-distance rider or this is your first big adventure, there is plenty to think about before you hit the road. Beyond the route, travel documents and packing your bag, you must ensure your bike is tip-top for long-distance riding. This guide will cover all bases to ensure you feel confident and prepared before beginning your journey.
Contents
How to do a full motorbike service?
Motorcycle touring service checklist
How to do a full motorbike service?
Even if your bike seems in fairly good shape, you should always do a full service before heading out on a tour. Fixing or servicing your bike on the road is not ideal if you want to focus on enjoying the ride. A full service is a comprehensive inspection of your bike to identify any components that are not in good working condition. Here is our motorcycle touring checklist to ensure you cover all bases.
Motorcycle touring service checklist
Engine
- Check and replace engine oil
- Check coolants and replace or top up as required
- Test and replace spark plugs
- Inspect the oil and air filters, replacing if necessary
Chassis and brakes
- Remove and clean brake callipers
- Inspect brake pads and replace them if necessary
- Degrease brake pistons
- Top up or replace hydraulic brake fluid
- Clean and lubricate the throttle, clutch and brakes, making any adjustments where necessary
- Check the battery and replace it if needed
- Examine and tighten steering head bearings
- Inspect suspension forks
- Check and tighten engine mounting and chassis bolts
- Check wheel bearings
- Test and lubricate the main and side stands
- Test all lights, ensuring aim and focus are correct. Replace any bulbs where necessary
- Check fuel hose
- Adjust and lubricate the chain
Tyres
- Check tread depth
- Check for any wear on the rubber
- Check tyre pressures
Additional checks
- Check all lights and indicators are working properly
- Perform a general visual inspection, checking for any signs of corrosion or damage
- Check the seat is in good condition and will be comfortable for long stints
- Conduct a road test to ensure everything is running smoothly and you feel confident to take your bike on tour
Key preparations for riding
Now that your bike is ready for action, it’s time to consider other preparations you must make for any long journey.
Luggage
Depending on your trip length, you might want to add some luggage to your bike. There are a few options you can go for, including hard luggage like top boxes and panniers or soft options like tail bags. While panniers are generally easier to pack and watertight, they add weight to your bike. Tail bags are lighter but usually have a smaller capacity and don’t always keep moisture out, so the best choice depends on the climate you’ll be riding in and how much you plan to take with you.
A tank bag is also good for keeping essentials close to hand, like travel documents, chargers, phones, maps, etc. Some tank bags come with a transparent top or a specific slot for a GPS or phone so you can easily see your route.
Essentials to pack
What you need to pack will depend on where you’re going, how long you’re going for and what you plan on getting up to on the road. Packing for a motorcycle tour when space is so limited can feel overwhelming, so we recommend breaking it down into categories:
- Motorcycle clothing
- Personal clothing
- Electronics
- Hygiene
- Paperwork
- Tools
- Security
- Motorcycle
- Food & water
- Miscellaneous
- First aid kit
Electronics
You can find many electronics designed for motorcycles, including everything from intercoms to cameras. You certainly don’t need a full bike of gadgets for your tour, but there are a few electricals we’d consider essentials.
Sat nav
A sat-nav is a popular choice for motorcycle tours, especially if you’re going somewhere unfamiliar. At Bikers World, we have a selection of sat-navs that show you various routes both on and off the beaten track.
Charger
It's worth taking a charger to charge your phone and sat-nav. Fitting charging cables to your bike can be fiddly depending on the make and model, so it’s worth consulting a professional if you’re unsure.
Taking some essential tools on the road for basic repairs and emergencies is wise. Not every eventuality can be prepared for, so wisely choosing your tools is best to cover as many bases as possible.
We recommend taking:
- Flat tyre repair kit
- Multi-tool with different-sized Allen wrenches and screwdrivers
- Tyre pressure gauge
- Zip ties
- Needle-nose pliers
- Spare set of fuses
- Jump cables
The above is quite a generic list, but you know your bike best, so think about how your bike performs and put together your kit based on what you think you will need the most. You might also want to take any model-specific tools required for your bike.
Documents
We all know that thinking about documents and paperwork isn’t exactly the most exciting part of going on a motorcycle tour. Still, ensuring you have everything you need is important so your trip goes off without a hitch.
Documents you might need:
- Passport
- Driver’s licence
- International Driver’s Permit
- Vehicle registration document
- Bank cards
- Carnet de Passage (if needed)
- European Health Insurance Card
Travel insurance
Whether staying in the UK or heading further afield, we always recommend having travel insurance for a longer trip or tour. Always ensure your policy covers riding motorcycles and the correct engine size for your bike.
At a minimum, your policy should consider:
- Medical expenses
- Loss or theft of personal possessions
- Lost or delayed luggage
- Loss of passport and documents
- Travel delays and disruptions
Get adventure-ready with Bikers World
Whether this is your first motorcycle tour or you’re a seasoned long-distance rider, Bikers World has everything you need to prepare for your latest trip. Shop our full collection and find everything from heated clothing for cold weather riding to our extensive range of accessories to help you along the way.
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