Before you ride off into the sun and start living the dream, there are a few things to check off your ‘to do’ list. Such as preparing all your riding gear and travel necessities, as well as making sure you have a valid passport (if applicable), and setting up travel insurance.
Prepare for Your Motorcycle Tour With These 6 Tips
Here is a detailed look at what to do before the much-anticipated first day of your epic motorcycle tour.
#1. Get Your Riding Gear Ready to Go
Get all your riding gear organized and ready to go. The most fundamental piece of riding gear is your helmet, we recommend an open model type. You can rent a helmet, but having your own helmet is always the best way to go. You’ll also want a quality riding jacket, seek out a mesh variety if possible. In addition, you’ll need motorcycle shoes or boots, MC gloves, and MC pants. Sunglasses can save your eyes and help you enjoy a safer ride—after all, you’ll need clear visibility to guide your bike.
#2. Prepare Your Travel Gear
Along with your riding gear, there are several things you’ll need to make the most of your adventure. Every traveler will have a slightly different checklist, but in general you’ll need:
- Sunscreen
- Toiletries
- Any medications you take or may need
- Phone and charger
- A variety of footwear—from MC boots/shoes to sandals
- Light raingear
- A small backpack for day trips
- Clothing for eating out or hitting the town at night
#3. Passport (if traveling to the US from another country)
US-based motorcycle riders will not need a passport, although it works as a good form of identification. If you are traveling from outside of the US to participate in a motorcycle tour, it’s important to check that your passport is good for the entire duration of the trip. Your passport should be valid at least 6 months after your scheduled return home. In addition, passports must be machine-readable—two ‘machine-readable’ lines are found at the bottom of your passport identification page.
Important reminder: your passport must be damage-free to be considered valid.
#4. Send in Your Official ESTA Application for Your Visa/Entry Permit
Apply for entry through the official Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before leaving your country on the way to the US. All ESTA applications must be sent electronically no less than 72 hours before your departure. The application is $14 and payment is sent via credit card after you complete and submit your application.
#5. Consider Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is great to have when you need it. Fingers crossed, everything will go according to plan and you will not need it but there is always the chance for something to go wrong. If an accident should occur, travel insurance can prevent you from losing money. It may also help pay for medical expenses if you become ill or injured while traveling. To find the best deal, compare the details of a few different types of travel insurance to see exactly what each will cover and for how much.
#6. Prefer to Bring Your Own Bike? Set Up Motorcycle Transportation
If you prefer to ride your bike instead of a rental bike, we offer specialty motorcycle transportation services. Our experienced transporter will pick up the bike from your place of residence (or any specified pick-up location) and deliver it on-site and ready to go. Make sure to schedule this well in advance of your tour to ensure our transporter is available for the job.
All bikes are transported in a specially designed motorcycle hauler that is covered and fully protected from the elements. There is very little you need to do to prepare your bike for transport. Simply arrange a pick-up location, hand over the keys, and fill us in on security system details. Your bike can be shipped with a full tank of gas so it’s ready to be ridden the moment it arrives. A detailed check-list is used to evaluate your bike at pick-up and drop off to ensure it remains in the same condition from point A to point B. Learn more about our motorcycle transportation services.