THE DREAM OF LONG-DISTANCE MOTORCYCLE TRAVEL

The dream of motorcycle touring across America was one of the original inspirations that moved me into the sport of motorbikes as a youngster. I could not have imagined that notion would have developed into the passion that it has, with quite a number of coast-to-coast motorbike trips under my belt and many more to come.

FOUR (4) KINDS OF TOURING-SPECIFIC MOTORCYCLES

The thing is, a rider can go for long-distance rides on most any bike.

Whether that be on cruiser, sport bike, standard bike, dual-sport or any other kind of motorcycle.

However, an actual Touring Motorcycle is designed to increase the comfort of rider and passenger, and offer greater luggage capacity. And here are the four types:

1) Adventure Tourer
2) Cruiser Tourer
3) Sport Tourer
4) Luxury Tourer

1) ADVENTURE TOURING MOTORCYCLES

In recent years, this has become the fastest-growing motorbike category – over ALL motorcycles. Adventure-touring bikes could be described as large dual-sport motorbikes. Dual-purpose machines are for on- and off-road riding, usually with an engine size of 650cc or less (250cc is very popular). Adventure touring bikes are bigger than 650cc, and in fact, some are bigger than 1000cc. The main thing about adventure-touring bikes is that they are bikes that “can” go off-road. But they should “not” be described as big dirt bikes. They work well on pavement and on dirt/gravel roads, but they are not really intended to ride through technically difficult trails. The biggest adventure-touring bikes come with saddlebags and fairing, and other such bikes need them added.

2) CRUISER TOURING MOTORCYCLE

Big Harley Davidson motorcycles with full fairing and saddlebags are the iconic cruiser tourer, although other manufacturers make them, too. Cruisers are famous for their classic look and for their easy ergonomics with the rider usually leaning back a little bit and with feet positioned forward.

3) SPORT TOURING MOTORCYCLE

The name is pretty self-explanatory. These are high-performance bikes with powerful engines that have saddlebags and fairings to provide greater comfort and storage for the rider. “Purpose Built” sport-touring bikes typically have shaft drives, instead of chain drives, so that a long-distance rider does not have to deal with chain maintenance, such as adjusting or lubricating the chain.

4) LUXURY TOURING MOTORCYCLE

And of course, there are the big luxury touring bikes, such as the Honda Gold Wing and BMW LT, that some describe as two-wheeled recreational vehicles. They are certainly of a different breed than any of the other categories mentioned. If comfort and luxury capacity are your need, those bikes aim to please. These two machines are the plushest motorbikes you can buy – and they are BIG!

MOTORCYCLE TOURING ACCESSORIES

There is no shortage of Motorcycle Touring Accessories available for the touring public (particularly if you don’t have a luxury tourer). In addition to luggage carrying accessories, there are windshields, custom seats, bigger fuel tanks, upgraded suspension components, and MANY more opportunities to improve your bike’s role as a touring machine.

Here are a few items to consider:

♦ MOTORCYCLE SADDLE BAGS		♦ MOTORCYCLE HYDRATION PACKS
♦ MOTORCYCLE TANK BAGS		♦ LUGGAGE RACKS
♦ MOTORCYCLE TAIL BAGS		♦ TOURING JACKETS
♦ SISSY BAR LUGGAGE BAGS		♦ TOURING BOOTS
♦ RAIN GEAR		♦ HEATED GRIPS, GLOVES, VESTS, JACKETS, ETC.

In fact, one could argue that an advantage of NOT buying a touring machine loaded with every accessory know to man, is the opportunity to pick and select your own accessories, to really customize your bike to your own preferences. But just as these words fly off the keyboard, I’m simultaneously cognizant of the unimaginable quantity of accessories that are available for the big touring bikes, from the manufacturers themselves, and through aftermarket manufacturers, too.

In the 21st century, regardless of what motorcycle you own, or whichever one you buy next, if you are interested in touring, you will never run out of Motorcycle Touring Accessories that you can buy for your own bike or as gifts for other riders.

Finally, you may want to consider reviewing some of these motorcycle touring books….

REVIEW AND COMPARE MOTORCYCLE TOURING BOOKS:

Click for TOURING BOOKS

AN INQUIRY INTO VALUES

I read Robert M. Pirsig’s famous book, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values, when it came out in the 70’s and recently enjoyed it again.  Of course the book is more a work of philosophy and the pursuit of “Quality” than a story about motorcycles.  However, there are some fine rider’s quotes, including the following that is so understated and sweet:

“You see things vacationing on a motorcycle in a way that is completely different from any other.”

The story itself is set against the backdrop of a father and son cross-country motorcycle tour. The tale does include some wonderful passages regarding the long-distance riding experience, and the sub-story behind the actual message of the book represents a historical contrast to the touring accouterments available to today’s cross-country tourer relative to a simpler era of the 70’s.

The book is a great read for anyone philosophically inclined, but holds an especially compelling interest for any motorcyclist. This is a thoughtful book of understated wisdom.

ZEN AND THE ART OF MOTORCYCLE MAINTENANCE (ZAAM):

Click For ZAMM

HIGH PERFORMANCE MOTORCYCLE TRAINING

Here is a simple and valuable motorcycle gift (or set of gifts):

Keith Code is world renown for his high-performance motorcycle training. His training and techniques have resulted in scores of victories for top riders around the globe, as well as better riding habits for anyone who has taken his classes.

Keith has written a number of books on motorcycle riding, and perhaps his most notable are his A TWIST OF THE WRIST series.

Keith Code it the Founder of the California-Superbike-Cornering-Schools.

I own the original A TWIST OF THE WRIST book by Keith Code, as well as his A TWIST OF THE WRIST II .

There are quite a number of practical and useful tips in both of these book applicable to any rider, although I found Chapter 15, of the original A TWIST OF THE WRIST, which is titled “HOW TO FAIL,” to offer the most insightful tips and insights into motorcycle crashing that I’ve ever read.

Although, I would guess most riders will find all the info on breaking, cornering, steering to be the most routinely relevant.

COMPARE AND REVIEW KEITH CODE MOTORCYCLE BOOKS:

Click for KEITH CODE BOOKS

SUPERMOTO BOOKS FOR HIGH-PERFORMANCE GOOD TIMES

Supermoto (or supermotard) motorcycles are an alternative to performance bikes, with a significant difference in rider position: Instead of the forward-leaning posture of a sport bike, riders of supermotards are seated upright, which is more comfortable.

All by itself, that makes any supermotard motorbike a practical urban performance machine, since much city driving entails stop and go riding, and the upright position provides greater traffic visibility.

Further, given the condition of many modern urban roads, supermotards have an additional advantage, since they also handle poor road conditions better than sportbikes.

Additionally, the light and nimble frame and handling characteristics of supermotos works just as well in tight, twisty, mountain and canyon roads, as they do in dense urban traffic.

SORT OF A CROSS BETWEEN STREET AND DIRT

If you consider the resemblance of supermotards to be a cross between a street and dirt bike, you’d be tapping into the basic supermoto lineage, which traces back to the 1970’s when the supermoto category was featured as part of ABC’s Wide World of Sports.

Supermoto lost its higher-profile status when that show went away in the mid 80’s.

Motorbikes customized for supermoto racing have traditionally been unique creations combining both off-road and on-road features from other bikes, including rims and tires, because a supermoto track roughly includes 70% tarmac with about 30% dirt, including small jumps, although the dirt section is not an actual requirement.

In recent years more manufacturers have begun to offer bikes targeted specifically at this supermoto niche, and the category is growing!

If you already own one, or have had the chance to ride one, you’ll very likely agree that supermoto motorbikes are a FUN motorcycle!

REVIEW AND COMPARE SUPERMOTO BOOKS

Click for SUPERMOTO BOOKS

MOTORCYCLE ADVENTURES UNDER THE STARS

Motorcycle Camping Made Easy by Bob Woofter is a very handy reference for the motorcycle adventurer who wants to get MORE enjoyment and MORE of the great outdoors at the same time.

I’ve read the book twice over the years since it came out (2002) and have referred to specific sections numerous times.

I’ve enjoyed camping since I was a youngster in the Boy Scouts and I have camped via motorcycle all over North America numerous times (and continue to do so).

It’s a great compendium of motorcycle gear and camping gear with down to earth advise and suggestions based upon lots of real-world experience, targeted primarily to someone new to motorcycle camping.

However, even as an experienced camper, I enjoyed learning about some of the basic technical information about tents and sleeping bags.

CHECK OUT MOTORCYCLE CAMPING MADE EASY:

Click for MOTORCYCLE CAMPING MADE EASY