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Tips
Tip1: Preparations
Make sure that your machine is up to scratch,
mechanically sound and is up to the journey that you intend to make.
Consider joining a breakdown recovery scheme such as the AA or RAC.
One journey home on the back of a recovery truck will more than cover
several years subscriptions.
It is worth checking your insurance as some insurance companies
provide such cover as part of the normal insurance cover or at a small
additional cost to the standard premium |
Tip2: Check your tyres
You will probably be covering more mileage than
you do normally so make sure that you have plenty of tread on your
tyres, they are in good condition and that they are inflated to the
correct pressures. It is surprising how quickly a part worn tyre wears
down when travelling increased distances.
You may need to increase your tyre pressures if riding with extra
luggage or a pillion. Consult the handbook for the machine. It may be
worth considering using a puncture preventative product or at the very
least carrying an emergency repair kit to get you on your way. |
Tip3: Remember your
waterproofs
Don't forget your waterproofs whatever the
weather and always have warm clothes with you. It is better to be too
warm than too cold and you can always shed some extra layers if it is
too hot.
Whilst it might be nice and warm at a low altitude, as you climb it
often gets much colder. As we all know, in the United Kingdom we can
get all 4 seasons weather packed in to one day sometimes. It is worth
taking 2 pairs of gloves with you, one thick pair and one thinner
pair. |
Tip4: Packing luggage
When it comes to luggage pack as light as
possible, with heavy items as low down on your machine as they can be
placed, so that the centre of gravity is not raised too much and
affects your balance and control of the motorcycle that you are
riding.
Make sure all luggage is securely fastened. |
Tip5: Riding as a group
When riding as a group always ride within your
own limits. Whatever you do, don't try and keep up with those in front
of you. It is important that you arrive at your destination safely.
Have a look at the
'drop off' system which works well when riding as a
group. It is a simple method to keep a group together and let everyone
ride at their own pace and may be used by the tour leader to get you
safely from one point to another. |
Tip 6: Does your visor mist
up?
| Wipe your visor with washing up detergent if
you have a misting up problem with your visor. Misted up visors are
dangerous as your visibility can be severely restricted, especially in
wet weather. A simple way to stop the visor misting up is to polish
the visor with some washing up detergent: using a soft cloth or
tissue, first apply the detergent. After the detergent has been
applied polish the visor to remove the detergent to give a clean clear
and unobstructed view. This will then stop the moisture clinging to
the dirt particles on your visor and forming a mist to obstruct your
vision. After several days the effect of the detergent will wear off
so repeat the same procedure to give yourself a clean visor with a
clear and unobstructed view. |
Tip 7: Keeping dry
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Wrap up your sleeping bag in a suit carrier
to keep it dry. A simple idea used by one of our tourers on the
camping weekend was to wrap a sleeping bag up in a suit carrier to
keep it out of the elements and making sure that you have a dry bed
to sleep in at the end of a hard days riding. A simple and cost
effective idea that I had not seen before and perhaps one that you
might like to try when on a camping tour. |
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