10 TIPS FOR GOING ON SOLO MOTORCYCLE RIDES

You’re a rugged individualist looking to set out on your first solo motorcycle adventure, aren’t you? It’s exciting; the long daydreams are finally coming to fruition and all you can think about is the long tarmac stretched out in front of you, the sun on your back, and Riders Of The Storm playing on your intercom device. But let’s keep the excitement aside for a minute and think of the more pragmatic aspects of solo motorcycle rides. It’s exciting, yes, but you need to be prepared unlike ever before.

Riding your bike alone is unlike a group ride, where the responsibilities, tools, and money are split among the riders. On a solo ride, you are your captain, and you are responsible for each aspect of the ride. This requires a lot of anticipation, meticulous planning, a smart packing list, and the right state of mind. Being prepared properly will ensure your journey is smooth and safe, and these tips for solo motorcycle rides will equip you with the confidence you need for the ride.

Related: 10 Adventure Bikes Built For The Highway

Plan Your Ride

If Only We Could Let The Road Lead Us

We’d all love to set off on our bikes thinking, “Let’s see where the road takes me,” but work, deadlines, and other commitments wouldn’t allow us to do so, and you’re probably the same. So, instead of letting the road take you wherever it leads, plan your ride and have a set destination in mind. Apart from that, it’s also ideal to plan tentative stops for fuel, natural beauty, and nature calls. Yes, it does take the fun away from the adventure, but having a plan in mind is a must, especially when riding alone.

Check Your Bike’s Condition

Your Bike Should Be Running Like It’s New

This is a tip that shouldn’t be ignored as your ride depends on it, so make sure your bike is in its optimal running condition. Take half an hour out of your day, one day before your ride, and check your bike from the front tire to the rear fender. A simple walk-around will help you spot most things, but it’s also better to be a little nit-picky here. Remember Murphy’s Law: if anything can go wrong, it will go wrong, so it’s better to spot a problem and fix it before you head out for your ride.

Pre-Ride Checklist:

• Tire tread depth, wear, and air pressure
• Brake pad condition and lever actuation
• Clutch cable’s condition
• Lights, including the turn indicators and brake lights
• Fluids like engine oil, coolant, and brake oil
• Air filter’s condition
• If you have time, spark plug’s health, too

Related: 10 Things To Check Before Buying A Used Motorcycle

Get Your Navigation In Order

Sometimes, Those Who Wander Are Lost

Chances are, you are not riding on a road you’re familiar with and don’t have the luxury of going where the road takes you, and in such a case, you will rely on a navigation tool. So, get it in order. The obvious choice here is your phone, but it’s not recommended to mount your phone on the bike, and stopping every two miles to check the direction can get annoying very fast. So, either get yourself a dedicated GPS navigation device or purchase some old-school maps that are made specifically for bikers. These will allow you to navigate the trickiest of routes without taking your gloves off or risking your smartphone.

Recommended Navigation Tools

• Butler Motorcycle Maps
• Mad Maps
• Garmin Zumo XT2
• Garmin Montana 700i
• Trail Tech Voyager Pro

Pack Light But Smart

Your Saddlebag Will Hold Everything You Need, Not Everything You Want

Overpacking is something many bikers suffer from — including us — but you must pack light on your solo motorcycling trip, not because it’s easy to manage less weight but because you can carry some essential tools. Epic motorcycle journeys are unpredictable, and no matter how well you plan your ride, things CAN go wrong. This is where some handy tools can save the day (and a lot of money). So, pack smart and carry some essential tools.

Essentials For Your Bike

• A small tool kit
• A tire plug kit and an air compressor
• A small can of WD-40 and chain lube
• A bunch of zip ties and duct tape
• A small flashlight
• An emergency knife

Safety First

Safety Is Sexy, Especially On Motorcycle Rides

The essentials listed above will save your bike, but what about you? Things can go wrong for you, too, and while we don’t want to leak coolant on your parade, it’s better to be safe than sorry. So, be cautious on your ride, avoid riding in the night or through desolate locations you are not familiar with, and avoid sharing too many details about yourself with strangers. Additionally, carry a first aid kit on your bike and an emergency medical card in your wallet. Also, avoid road rage or tense situations at all costs; take a breath and let it go — you don’t have your riding group to back you up.

Essential List For Your Person

• A first-aid kit
• An emergency medical card containing any preexisting conditions, allergies, blood group, etc.
• Any kind of legal personal protection (gun, pepper spray, knife, etc.) — LEGAL
• A few packets of ORS powder
• Emergency SOS system (expensive but worth it)

Ride During The Day

Night Time Is The Devil’s Time, As Your Grandma Would Put It

The only time you should be riding through the night is if you are familiar with the road and want to cover a long distance in the dead of the night, but for exploring unfamiliar territory, reserve your ride for the day. Start your ride at 4 a.m., so you get a headstart on traffic and end the ride by 8 p.m. — this is more than enough time to cover a lot of distance. Riding through the night is dodgy, especially through some rural areas, and if your bike breaks down, it can get quite scary to sit on the side of the road with dark woods on either side.

Read Some Books On Touring

There’s Always Something New To Learn

The only thing helping you on your solo ride is your skills and knowledge about riding and maintaining your bike. Remember, you don’t have the wise-crack friend of yours who can help you fix your bike on the side of the road, nor do you have someone to guide you on the best tricks for the particular road you are on. So, get yourself some bike-related books and dive in. This is a never-ending process, but the more you learn about bikes, the more you’ll feel confident on your solo adventures. This will help you in the long run.

Recommended Books For Solo Bikers

• The Essential Guide To Motorcycle Travel by Dale Coyner
• Proficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide To Riding Well by David L. Hough
• Motorcycle Basics Textbook by John Hayes
• The Essential Guide To Motorcycle Maintenance by Mark Zimmerman
• Motorcycle Roadcraft (Police Foundation) by Penny Mares and Phillip Coyne

Related: Top 10 Bikes For A Cross-Country Road Trip

Stay Connected With Your Loved Ones

Your Basecamp Should Be A Call Away

One of the most underrated tips for solo bikers is to keep your loved ones updated about your ride. Even before you head off, share your plan and route with a couple of friends (or your partner), and drop them a text every time you take a break. This will not only give them peace of mind that you’re safe — they love you, after all — but also help you if you run into trouble. Let’s say your bike and phone run out of their juices, your friends will know your last location and can reach you or at least the local emergency services.

Don’t Hesitate To Ask For Help

Contrary To Popular Belief, Most Humans Are Kind

If you’re reading this, you are probably a new rider, and you’d be surprised to know that one of the best things about riding solo is that you get to meet some awesome people. Yes, everyone has heard stories of unkind people on the road, but they are rare; for the most part, you’ll run into people who’d be more than willing to help you out. If they see you’re on a bike, exploring their part of the world, they’ll not only help you but share their stories, local secret locations, and be curious about your motorcycle. You’ll meet the best of people on the road.

Enjoy Your Ride

There Are More Reasons To Ride Solo Than We Can Count

This article does seem a bit scary at first — so many tips about safety and whatnot — but it’s all precaution. Don’t let that hamper you or your confidence. Riding alone for the first time (or even the fifth time) is a bit scary, but use that fear to be a better rider, not a scared one. Going on an epic motorcycle adventure alone will be one of the most exhilarating things you’ll do, and we wouldn’t be lying if we said it’s addictive. Riding solo is an experience that can change your life, especially if you take the right route, or at least make you a better rider!

Best Reasons For Riding Solo

• It’s a zen experience, away from the mindless chatter and friend’s banter — it’s peaceful and meditative
• You can go at your own pace and stop whenever you want
• You can change the route as you please without having to convince your riding buddy
• You don’t have to worry about rigid routes and timings of group rides
• It’s your ride and you are the captain

Sources: Motorcycle.com, JD Power, and The Essential Guide To Motorcycle Travel by Dale Coyner

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