Going for a driving holiday in a car and going for a long ride on a motorcycle are different in a single fundamental way: in a car you watch the scenery pass by. On a motorcycle, you’re right in the middle of the scenery. You’re exposed to everything – and stray animals on the road take on a whole new significance. Here’s what you should carry along on a riding holiday.
The right documentation. You’ll need the original motorcycle documents – registration, insurance and the PUC certificate. Keep copies on the motorcycle, but carry the original documents in your backpack. Carry a list of names and phone numbers of who should be contacted in case something goes awry.
A good full-face helmet. Most riders still are under the impression that full-face helmets restrict enjoyment – but they’re made specifically so that they restrict a minimal amount of vision. Also, motorcycle statistics from the NHTSA, the governing body regarding automobile safety in the USA, show that an overwhelming majority of motorcycle-related injuries are to the facial region. Earplugs are a good addition to your helmet if you’re the kind who likes to cruise at or above 80kmph. They help cut down wind roar and thus reduce fatigue.
Tinted as well as clear visors. Tinted visors help cut glare and also give the illusion of it being cooler than it actually is – a very useful thing in our conditions. Clear visors are required at night and in the evenings, when flying insects can be a menace. Some people will recommend you carry sunglasses along, but from personal experience I can tell you that if you enter a tunnel, the sunglasses can be quite a bad idea. Take off the sunglasses before you encounter a section with tunnels. Carrying a second visor won’t be too much of a hassle if you know the right way to pack it.
A balaclava. A ski mask is essential – not only will it filter out dust that your helmet cannot cope with, it will also serve as a breath dissipator, preventing your visor from fogging up on the inside when you exhale. It covers your neck, where a lot of large arteries and veins run close to the surface. It helps you keep warm when it’s cold, and when it gets too hot, pour water on the bit around your neck – instant cooling!
Protective riding gear. This is an often-overlooked part of motorcycle travel. With the condition of most of our roadways and traffic being disordered, you’ll need all the protection you can get. Even if you think the gear is too expensive, cover yourself up as much as possible – wear hiking boots, full-length trousers and jackets or t-shirts with full sleeves. Not only will this save you from sunburn, a lot of moisture is wicked from the skin by the wind. By covering yourself up, you’ll avoid dehydrating.
A first-aid kit. Sure, there is a first-aid kit below your seat, but how many people are actually going to think of it should you crash? It is better to carry along a bigger, better medical kit. Add whatever you might need besides the bare basics that the company provides. Tablets for fever and painkillers will be good additions to the kit.
A puncture repair kit. You don’t have a spare (unless you’re going touring on a geared scooter), and pushing the motorcycle is quite impossible with the luggage you’ll be carrying. A pump will be a good addition – the latest models require hardly any effort or time to fill up a motorcycle tyre. A spare tube will be a useful addition if you’ve got tubeless tyres.
Luggage. Saddlebags, tail bags, tank bags – get as much luggage as you can. Saddlebags can carry the most and they carry the weight low, which keeps the motorcycle stable. Keep weight off your back – carry only the essentials on your back. The more you have in your backpack, the sooner you’ll get backache. And if you do get saddlebags, try and keep all the plastic bottles on the side opposite to that of the muffler. Unless you like melted plastic in your saddlebags.
Spare fuses and bulbs. There are a couple of spare fuses in your motorcycle, but a few more spare fuses will always be welcome. Carrying spare bulbs is tricky, but well worth it. A blown headlamp or tail-lamp can mean the difference between getting to your destination at night or wandering in the dark.
Spare, er, spares. Take along a spare spark plug, spark plug cap, throttle cable and clutch cable. Some motorcycles are dead reliable, others throw a fit every so often. Carry along these spares because these are minor repairs you can carry out yourself on the go.
These are things that you can carry along on the ride. A few other things that can help make your trip enjoyable are research on the place – is there an authorised service centre in the area? Does your mobile carrier have adequate reception in the place you’re visiting? Don’t forget to read up on the techniques involved in riding a motorcycle, and how to deal with the hazards of everyday riding. Lastly, learn about your motorcycle, and how to perform minor repair jobs yourself. It will hold you in good stead when you’re stuck without help in the middle of nowhere.
Hello, my name is Jack Sparrow. I'm a 50 year old self-employed Pirate from the Caribbean. 
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