Motorcycle Travel Tips

Teo Romera | [email protected] | www.igalia.com

Motorcycle Travel Tips

Teo Romera

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Motorcycle Travel TipsChoosing 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!

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Motorcycle Travel TipsContents 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

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Motorcycle Travel TipsChoosing your Motorcycle

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

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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

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Sports Bike

… your back will nottake it too long ;)

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Tourer

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

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Custom

Cruiser

Classic

…

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

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Standard

Naked

Street

…

Regular naked bikes are usually small and lack of wind protection

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Trail

Off-Road

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

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R 1200 GS

● 1200 cc● 110 hp● ABS● ESA● ASC● Telelever● Paralever● Drive Shaft● + it does it all well :)

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

Pilot: GustavoYear: 2001Engine: 124ccPower: 12,5 hpTank: 13 ltsConsumption: 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)

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

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Motorcycle Travel Tips Equipment for you

Clothing and rider equipment

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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!!

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Motorcycle Travel TipsEquipment for you

What you should buy in order of importance

● Helmet● Gloves● Jacket● Boots● Pants● Lumbar / back protection● Ear plugs

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

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Motorcycle Travel Tips Luggage and packing

Luggage and packing

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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

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

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

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This is a proper waterproof pillion bag made of rubber

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

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

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Motorcycle Travel Tips Food, drinks and shelter

Food, drinks and sleeping

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Motorcycle Travel Tips 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

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Motorcycle Travel TipsFood and Drinks

Food should be balanced!

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Developed the rule of the cake and coffee

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Have cake and coffee everyday you are close to death

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Have cake and coffee every day that riding is unpleasant

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Fuck it! Have cake and coffee every day :)

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No alcohol!! Unless...

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This is how unnatural camping is for a biker

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In some hotels you will feel just like in the wild

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Motorcycle Travel Tips Mechanical problems

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

problems

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Learn how to fix a flat tire

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

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

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In long you will have to service your motorcycle

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Motorcycle Travel Tips Dealing with the weather

Dealing with the weather

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● 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!

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Cover your neck, your head, your mouth and nose

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Wait for the ice to melt

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Wind and sun can burn your skin

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Keep a good attitude about rain

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Keep the throttle alive with wind

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Motorcycle Travel Tips Choosing Roads

Planning and choosing roads

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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

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The perfect ride :)

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It is easier to get lost than with a car

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Crowded roads are dangerous

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So are lonely roads

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Mountain passes become playgrounds

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Do not plan too much

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Motorcycle Travel Tips Staying safe

Try not to hurt yourself!

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Motorcycle Travel Tips 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)

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Invest on a safety course

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Watch out for animals on the road

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Remember that abroad things change

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There are two kinds of bikers...

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Thanks!Questions?

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

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