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Motorcycle Travel Tips
Teo Romera

Teo Romera | teo@igalia.com | www.igalia.com

Motorcycle Travel Tips 2
Choosing your motorcycle

So apparently I am now an expert…??

● Started riding in 2004
● Toured north of France in 2007

● Toured Ireland in 2007

● Toured The Alps in 2008

● Ushuaia to Cusco in 2010

● Joined IMTBike.com in 2010

...
● I do not consider myself an expert!


Contents index

Topics covered (more or less ;)

– Choosing your motorcycle

– Choosing your gear

– Luggage and packing

– Food and shelter

– Mechanical problems

– Dealing with the weather

– Planning and choosing roads

– Staying safe

Choosing your Motorcycle

First of all: you will need a
motorcycle, right?



Roughly there are a few major categories for Motorcycles

● Sports bike
● Tourer

● Cruiser / Custom / Classic

● Standard / Naked / Street Bikes

● Trail / Off-Road

● Scooter / Maxi Scooter (*should not be included, Carlos)

● The Swiss army knife: The BMW R 1200 GS



Sports Bike

… your back will not
take it too long ;)


Tourers are built for touring, but they
are heavy and a bit boring

Tourer



Custom

Cruiser

Classic

…

Custom bikes are built to look cool
but they are not that practical



Standard

Naked

Street

…

Regular naked bikes are usually
small and lack of wind protection



Trail

Off-Road

Trail bikes are good for off-road
riding and pretty decent as tourers



R 1200 GS
● 1200 cc
● 110 hp

● ABS

● ESA

● ASC

● Telelever

● Paralever

● Drive Shaft

● + it does it all well :)



Actually any motorcycle will
do if you really want to :)

Pilot: Gustavo
Year: 2001
Engine: 124cc
Power: 12,5 hp
Tank: 13 lts
Consumption: 30 km/l (loaded
and on the road)
Weight: 107kg (original) / 210kg
(with baggage)
Fabrication: Manaus, Brazil

http://www.re-moto.com/

(Plus he found a woman in Spain
that followed him, married him in
Germany and went to live with
him in Argentina)


Equipment for you

Clothing and rider equipment


Equipment for you

Try to look like a rider!

● 3 liner by Rev' It
● Thermal

● Waterproof

● Lots of ventilation

● Cordura offers protection and

comfort
● Leather, not so good for travel

● High boots for protection

● Buy long pants!!


Equipment for you

What you should buy in order
of importance

● Helmet
● Gloves

● Jacket

● Boots

● Pants

● Lumbar / back protection

● Ear plugs


Equipment for you

When compared to other tourists,
you look like a total freak


Luggage and packing

Luggage and packing



When on a motorcycle, space
is a real constrain

● Carry less and less things
● You will be on your riding gear

● Gear besides your clothes

● Tools, repair kits, spare parts

● Books are a luxury

● Liquids are heavy

● You can buy things on the road

● Comfortable clothes

● Assume the bum look


Luggage and packing

Waterproof cover for the backpack,
based on a Decathlon plastic bag


Luggage and packing

The net is the cheapest (3 €) and
most useful accessory ever


Luggage and packing

This is a proper waterproof
pillion bag made of rubber


Luggage and packing

Tank bags are quite handy too but they
may damage the paint in the tank


Luggage and packing

A top case allows you to carry a
passenger and serves as back support

Food, drinks and shelter

Food, drinks and sleeping


Food, drinks and shelter

Riding requires lots of energy

● Eat and drink in advance
● Drink a lot

● Eat more sugar

● Listen to your body

● I do not usually carry food

● You will want hot meals

● Keep in mind local times

● I do not usually camp
● After a day or riding you

need a proper bed
● Riding solo is easier to find

places
● You may also need shelter

for your motorcycle

Food and Drinks

Food should be balanced!


Food and Drinks

Developed the rule of the
cake and coffee


Food and Drinks

Have cake and coffee everyday
you are close to death


Food and Drinks

Have cake and coffee every
day that riding is unpleasant


Food and Drinks

Fuck it! Have cake and
coffee every day :)


Food and Drinks

No alcohol!! Unless...


Food and Drinks

This is how unnatural
camping is for a biker


Food and Drinks

In some hotels you will feel
just like in the wild

Mechanical problems

Be prepared (or at least informed) for
the most common mechanical
problems


Mechanical problems

Learn how to fix a flat tire


Mechanical problems

Which is totally useless
when you have to change
the ball bearings of a
direction system...


Mechanical problems

… or when you have to
remove the mudguard so the
wheel can spin again


Mechanical problems

In long you will have to
service your motorcycle


Dealing with the weather




● Weather can be unpredictable
● Weather can change your mood

● It always feels colder on a bike (-10ºC)

● On cold weather
● Avoid riding below 2-3 ºC

● Avoid exposing skin

● Wear layers

● Drink hot liquids

● Have an eye on your hands and feet

● Keep you neck hot

● Snow, ice or mist? Do not ride!

● On hot weather

● Hydrate your body frequently

● Avoid exposing skin

● Keep your neck cool

● Wear mesh clothes

● Over 35 ºC? Do not ride!



Cover your neck, your head,
your mouth and nose


Wait for the ice to melt


Wind and sun can burn your skin



Keep a good attitude about rain



Keep the throttle alive with wind


Choosing Roads

Planning and choosing roads


Choosing Roads

What are the best roads?

● Plan ahead, but not too much
● Mountain roads

● Narrow roads

● Roads from nowhere to nowhere

● Highways are boring

● Highways are faster

● Cities are not recommended

● Allow for the unpredictable


Choosing Roads

The perfect ride :)


Choosing Roads

It is easier to get lost than with a car


Choosing Roads

Crowded roads are dangerous


Choosing Roads

So are lonely roads


Choosing Roads

Mountain passes become playgrounds


Choosing Roads

Do not plan too much


Staying safe

Try not to hurt yourself!


Staying Safe

How to stay safe

● Follow signs and instructions
● Apply all the regular rules

● Also apply an extra care

● Forget about sport riding

● 90% is about looking and anticipation

●
Develop a 6th sense
● Assume everyone else wants to kill you

● Practice

● Do not ride too long

● Never ride at night! (*Invisibility superpower)


Staying safe

Invest on a safety course


Staying safe


Staying safe

Watch out for animals on the road


Staying safe

Remember that abroad things change


Staying safe

There are two kinds of bikers...


Staying safe

Thanks!
Questions?

Btw, I also have a video... wanna watch it?


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