Motorcycle touring - for the fun of it

There are several good sites out there (including this one!), telling you what to pack for a trip, how to approach a tour, how to ride, and all the standard things you can put on a checklist. Now, anyone who has a few tours under his belt will have mastered these skills, as long as they apply some critical thought and listen to those who have come before. But we bike for fun, and don't always want to just focus on the do's and dont's. Yes, we know there are dangers to motorcycles, whether you're touring, on the track, or commuting. I just thought it's time to look at some of the more fun aspects - the neglected things that enhance your trip.

First of all, get rid of the idea that it's all about the bike. What it is about is the whole experience of touring. Most of your time will not be spent on a motorcycle, although your most enjoyable moments probably will. Personally, I like spending about five or six hours a day on the bike. Any more, and I start wanting a friendly campfire and to stretch my aching back. I have done much longer stretches, but during the last few hours I can only think of my destination, and don't pay as much attention to the ride. At that point, I'm cheating myself out of what could be a great experience, and it's usually due to poor planning. Go search for the most fun places to stay on your route. It is worth it to ride half an hour out of your way to get to a great campsite or a good restaurant.

For the most part, franchises suck. On the other hand, I've been in towns where the highlight was a Tim Horton's, so it's not always healthy to generalize - for the starving, cold motorcycle tourer, a hot cup of coffee (double-double) and a ham sandwich can be heaven. But if you have any kind of a choice, look for something slightly off the beaten track. Biker forums are a great place to start. Even if they don't have any information already on hand, I find that most bikers are very willing to share their hidden spots with others. Some of my best memories are of backpackers' hostels. They're cheap compared to hotels, and many of them offer rooms which have a lot more character, and often camping as well. They also have a tendency to attract interesting people, often foreigners who are very glad to interact with the locals (or semi-locals, i.e. you). And who knows - you may just run across the Swedish volleyball team's training camp...

One type of motorcycle trip I've been meaning to do is a culinary one. Although the best restaurants are usually found in big cities, there's a lot to be said for finding a cosy restaurant, bar or diner which serves that one great dish, even if it's only a spectacular cheeseburger. If you head for parts with a certain cultural heritage, you could even be very pleasantly surprised - maybe they'll make that German dish you like in a way you've never experienced.

Campsites are definitely also not all created equal. Fortunately, there are many sites that cater for bikers; see the links page for some examples. A little internet browsing should quicky lead you to the best options.

Motorcycle touring is all about seeing things a different way. It can't just be about riding, because otherwise we'd spend more time on the track than we do searching out picturesque routes. Hence, it can only improve our experience to consider what happens off the bike. And when you find something good, get on a forum and share it with the community, or simply submit it through our contact page.