Motorcycle Road Trip Essentials

There’s more to these cross-country road trips than just the bike, and it’s important to prepare for anything. We have talked about some of the essential accessories you’ll need, but there are always more that might come in handy, which we talk about below. To learn more, or to see the motorcycles and accessories we have for sale, contact our dealership today.

Physical Maps

As much as we’ve come to rely on accurate GPS navigation, it’s important to bring along some physical maps of the areas you plan to be in. From poor reception to various electrical issues to a low battery, a phone or GPS unit isn’t always reliable. If you don’t have any maps of the area, a local gas station should be able to provide a fairly up-to-date one to keep you from getting too turned around.

Phone

That said, it’s still vital to keep your phone with you at all times during your trips. As unlikely as leaving these behind as it might seem, it’s still an important means of communication that you’ll need if you end up in an emergency situation. You could get stranded or injured and need to call for help, which you can’t really do without your phone. Just make sure it has a durable, full-coverage case on it to protect it from any minor drops or bumps.

Food and Water

Touring motorcycles are relatively roomy, but they still have limited room for supplies. Some of that room needs to be taken up by about a quart of fresh bottled water and high-protein, high-calorie food items like granola bars, jerky, or trail mix. You need to stay hydrated to ride safely, and if you end up stranded miles from town you’ll be thankful you brought water and food.

First Aid Kit

From missed malfunctions to unexpected road conditions or weather, there’s always a chance you could get hurt during your trip. You’ll want to make sure you’ve packed a comprehensive (but compact) first aid kit. It should include, but not necessarily be limited to bandages, gauze, ointments, painkillers, and antacids.

Paperwork

Finally, always make sure to travel with your license, motorcycle registration, and proof of insurance when you ride, particularly long-distance. If there’s an accident or you get pulled over, things will be much smoother with the right information on hand.

We hope that these tips help keep your motorcycle rides safe and uneventful! For more information, or to see the motorcycles we have available, contact us at St. Charles Harley-Davidson®. We are located in St. Charles, MO, and proudly serve all those in St. Louis and St. Peters.