Tips For Touring On A Budget

There are many reasons why riders prefer their Harley-Davidson® touring bikes for their long trips rather than any other vehicle. You can march to the beat of your own drum, get away from the daily grind and even chase adrenaline rushes. However, if you aren’t careful, it can become very expensive very fast.

We at St. Charles Harley-Davidson have put together some ways you can go touring on a budget. This way you can take long trips without worrying about how much it’ll affect your finances. If you want to check out touring motorcycles for sale in St. Charles, MO, contact our sales department for further assistance. We’re here for all the touring motorcycle needs of our patrons from St. Louis and St. Peters.  

Reduce Housing Costs

When you’re traveling on your touring motorcycle, one of the biggest expenses is your lodging. A lot of your options will be pretty expensive for a few nights or even overnight stays. One way to cut down on costs is to swap a bed for a sleeping bag. If you choose a campsite over a hotel, motel or even Airbnb, it can really save you some cash. You’ll have to check if the campsite allows motorcycles because some don’t.

Another way to cut costs is to cut the number of amenities you’re offered where you stay. For example, a motel without a pool will cost less than one with a pool. If you’re choosing to stay at a campsite, one without electricity will be cheaper than one with power hookups. Think about what the necessities are for you and cut any frivolous amenities to save money.

Of course, the best lodging price is free. Think of people you may know who live along your motorcycle route. Ask them if you can crash at their place for a night or two. This will not only net you big savings, but you might also even be able to catch up with an old friend. Consider giving them a nice gift to say thank you, though. You can take them out for dinner or even just bring them a bottle of wine.

Reduce Food Costs

Another cost that can get out of hand if you’re not careful is food. You do need to eat three proper meals a day but when you’re traveling, you don’t have the option to buy in bulk or store leftovers in a fridge. But you also don’t want to end up eating Ramen on a daily basis as that’s unhealthy. Try to look for housing that comes with a complimentary breakfast. You can eat a big breakfast and eat a smaller lunch to save cash. 

Another way to not spend too much on food is to look for an all-you-can-eat buffet. These places tend to have decently priced lunches and you can stay and get your money's worth. Then you'll need to spend less on dinner since you'll be less hungry. If you can, try to limit how much you eat out. It's convenient, but the cost of food plus the tip adds up fast. Cook meals whenever you can. Brew your own coffee instead of going to a coffee shop.

If you’re really looking to save money while you’re touring, visit local grocery stores. These places often have foods that have some aesthetic imperfections or they’re close to their expiry date. Usually, these items are removed and then thrown away so you can get them for free if you reach the place in time. 

Reduce Gas Costs

The longer you ride your touring motorcycle, the more fuel it's going to guzzle. You can’t avoid filling up the tank but you can avoid paying hefty charges for it each time you do. You can start by finding the cheapest gas station near the places you’ll be stopping by. Apps like GasBuddy pull the prices from plenty of options so you can head to the ones with the lowest price. If you do this each time you fill up, the savings will pile on fast.

You can also save some fuel expenses by joining a fuel rewards program. There are plenty of grocery stores, for example, that offer you fuel points each time you buy groceries from them. You can start saving up these points before you set out on your trip. 

Another great way to save some cash is to improve fuel efficiency so you don’t have to fill up that often. To do that, keep the load light as the more your touring motorcycle has to haul, the harder it has to work. You should also keep the speed under control. Going the same distance at a faster rate also burns fuel faster. You can even look into motorcycle upgrades that are designed to improve fuel efficiency.

You don’t have to put a dent in your finances to take long trips on your touring motorcycle! We hope these tips will help you save cash on your long journeys. If you’re looking for touring motorcycles for sale, get in touch with the sales department at St. Charles Harley-Davidson for further assistance. We invite those looking for touring motorcycles for sale in St. Louis and St. Peters to contact us at the earliest!