The Official Long Distance Biking thread for newbies

[Newbiker0507]

I've created this thread so that new people to long distance motorcylce travel (like myself) can learn from more experienced riders about long distance travelling i.e. via 'A' roads and motorways.

This should include:

1) Checklist of things to always include
2) Things to watch out for and why
3) Anecdotes from riders about experiences they've had

Please sticky this and contribute!!!

[sickpup]

What do you consider long distance?

[Newbiker0507]

60 miles or more using a major trunk route...I guess

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

I cycle 60 miles in a few hours, it's not considered a big distance imo.

Anythig less than 200 miles in considered short to me, and I'm sure to many others on here. Your question is far too open to interpretation as people obviously have different ideas of what is considered 'long distance'.

[.....]

[----]

Anything less than 150 miles is just a run around the block imo.

Theres a thread in the touring section for what you need to tour.It will apply to riding long distance too..
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DRZ-400sm

[ncrn]

I would say over 150 miles could be considered a long journey, and for that I would make sure I;

Am Warm
Am Waterproof (if the weather might rain)
Have a mobile (charged)
Have a debit card (with money)
Have directions and if necessary a map
Have anything I may need (spare clothes for over night etc)

As long as the bike is mechanically sound and fuelled I wouldn't bother with much more to be honest.
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Past: 55 Sym Jet, 91 ZZR250, 03 NSR125R. Present: 97 ER-5.
https://www.nsr125.co.uk - NSR Owners forum.

[Newbiker0507]

OK thanks for the corrections, I am a newbie...

60 miles is about Nottingham-Northampton, a route I used to do when I drove. Seeing as I took the motorway I assumed it was more than a short trip...whatever though...

150 miles or more it is

[Faldo]

TBH, 200 miles is a normal Sunday morning hoon for me.

I just do the usual checks that I do before I leave the house whether I'm walking/caging/biking.

Keys
Wallet
Mobile Phone
Cigarettes
Lighter

Sorted.

If anything goes wrong I have RAC card (Wallet), I can phone the RAC and I can chill out with a ciggie whilst waiting for 'em to turn up (Never had to call them yet).

Never owned waterproofs, (yes I do ride in the rain, I just get wet) but I did recently invest in some rather unfashionable waterproof gloves as my pinkies get really painful when they're soaked through and the cold wind hits my Alpinestars GP Pros.

Oh, I've learned to think about whether I'd need the clear visor before leaving now too!

HTH.
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Current: ZZR1400
Previous: ZXR 400 L9, ZX-7R P5, ZZR 400, ZX-7R P6, Bandit 600, GSXR 750 Slingshot, DRZ400, DR650, ZX10R C1H, ZXR 750 L1, ZXR 750 L3, '99 ZX7R P4, KTM 300 EXC, ZX-9R E1, TDM850

[Bendy]

All you *need* is some means of paying for things. Stick your cashcard in your pocket and off you pop.

Most people probably carry their mobile phone with them these days. And if you have breakdown cover, it makes sense to have the details with you.

As we've seen so far, one person's epic journey is another's tootle around the block so feel free to go crazy on the planning and preparation if it makes you feel better. But in the end, as long as you've got money to keep sticking fuel in it, you're sorted.

[map]