Long-Distance Riding Tips

Your Harley-Davidson® motorcycle is made to tear up the concrete for hours on end. You can embark on adventures to new cities (or even new states) atop your Harley bike. Long-distance riding is a great way to combine adrenaline rushes with travel. But before you hit the road for an extended period of time, check out the following tips for making the most of your trip. If your motorcycle needs a tune-up before you go, visit the service department at Bartels' Harley-Davidson. We proudly serve those in Marina Del Rey, Malibu, and Santa Monica, California.

Planning Your Trip

A great trip starts long before departure day. A little planning in advance helps ensure your Harley ride goes smoothly. Start by thinking about what kind of trip you want. Do you value the journey just as much as the destination? Find plenty of great stops along the way to experience. Are you hoping to maximize your time at the destination? Find the shortest route to get there. 

After you build your route, you will want to find somewhere to stay each night. Make sure to check that the campground is motorcycle friendly (surprisingly, not all are!) The best campsites often fill up quickly, so book in advance as much as you can. Booking ahead of time can sometimes get you discounts, so it's a good move to save some money.

Don't forget to account for the weather when you plan your trip. You don't want to book your vacation when there's going to be extreme weather, such as hail, heavy rain, or unbearable heat. Check the weather forecast before planning your dates.

Pack Strategically

When you travel by car, you have plenty of room to bring along anything and everything. While Harley-Davidson motorcycles often offer lots of storage space, they still are limited in what they can provide. You'll need to be selective when loading up your Harley bike.

Try to stick to the basics. There are items you need to ride safely, such as a toolkit, first aid kit, and riding gloves. Then there are items you need to travel safely, such as toiletries, food, and any medications you need. Stick to the bare basics as much as possible (it'll help avoid adding excess to your Harley bike as well).

There are a few tricks to making the most of your storage space. Use travel size versions of your products whenever possible. After all, you don't need that whole big bottle of shampoo. You just need a few squirts in a small bottle. Another strategy is using backpacking equipment. These items are designed to be lightweight and take up little space. 

Use Hearing Protection

Each time you ride your Harley motorcycle above 40 miles per hour, you face irreversible hearing damage. The longer you ride your Harley-Davidson bike, the more of this damage you face (such as long-distance riding). You should always ride with some form of hearing protection, which can be as simple as a pair of disposable ear plugs you pick up at a local gas station.

Take Breaks

It's important to stop at times throughout your ride. You need to stretch your legs, give your eyes a rest, drink water, and so on. It's also good for your Harley motorcycle to get a chance to cool down as well!

For all your Harley-Davidson motorcycle needs, visit Bartels' Harley-Davidson. We offer repairs, parts replacement, rentals, tours, and a riding academy. We also offer a range of new and used Harley bikes for sale. Whatever you need, you'll find it with us! We proudly serve those in Marina Del Rey, Malibu, Santa Monica and SoCal, California.