5 Tips For Safety When Solo Motorcycle Traveling

Here are some ways to stay safe if you are solo motorcycle traveling. Thanks for watching!

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🏍 WHO IS TIM COLLINS OF FTA ADVENTURES? (FORMERLY FORTY TIMES AROUND)
A lifelong adventure enthusiast and a long time motorcycle traveler, I have spent the last few years honing my craft as a motorcycle adventure specialist.

Motorcycle travel and camping have become my largest passions in life. I have a meticulous nature that helps me analyze gear, technique and tactics in a way that is highly beneficial to anyone looking to embark on a motorcycle venture of any scope.

If you want to learn more about the book check it out here:

[etiennevanstraaten]

In South Africa our list is this: 1. Gun 2. Second gun. 3. Pump action gun. 4. Crocodile Dundee knife. 5. Faith.

[DJPTEXAS]

Invest in a personal locator and keep it on your body, not on the bike, it will enable people to follow your route and texting can be done when no phone service is available....

[Jon_Bass]

Thanks, Tim. #2 is the one I have to watch. "Just a few more miles" isn't always the best plan and I've never regretted resting when tired.

[billparke]

Great tips. I agree 100%. One I would add: Be prepared to modify your trip. I’ve encountered severe weather, sketchy campsites, health problems, and gnarly, rocky roads. It is easier to change your plans than pay a heavy price for stubbornness. Ride on!

[sneww]

There's a few more tips I can add on. Sorry in advance for the long winded response but I have spent a lot of time in bear country and have strong opinions on the topic.

1. Have the tools and knowledge to get you out of a bad situation. carry a tire repair kit, air pump, tire irons, tools for basic maintenance, extra parts that are known to go bad on your bike. doing maintenance yourself at home can teach you how to repair things on the trail. also carry things like zip ties, JB weld, electrical and duct tape, etc. Carry survival items as well like a way to purify water if you get stuck, a good first aid kit and tourniquet, etc. Make sure to get first aid training as well.

2. I like to avoid travelling at night if possible. I also like to get to camp with a few hours of light left so I don't have to set up in the dark.

3. A Garmin In-reach is MANDATORY when travelling alone IMO. Make sure in addition to the regular subscription that you pay for the Search and Rescue Insurance. its like 50 bucks a year and covers up to $100k if something bad happens and you have to be rescued out of the back country. A Helicopter trip will ruin you financially if you don't have insurance. Having good regular health insurance is needed as well in case you break a leg or something, but that insurance does not cover SAR. Even when with a group, if your buddy has one, and you get injured, they will still come out to help you but his insurance does not cover you.

4. Know what threats are in an area. Stopping by and talking to a ranger will give you invaluable information that you cant find online. Know how to deal with different kinds of wildlife that are in the area.

For Brown Bear (grizzly) country specifically:

Carry a firearm AND Bear Spray and know how to use them. They should be on you and accessible, not in a saddle bag. My preference is a shoulder holster under my jacket for the firearm and for bear spray I mount it on the outside of my jacket on my shoulder / chest, opposite the in-reach. For the back country my go to is a full size 10mm pistol and as many rounds as I can get. I use underwood 220 grain hard cast lead flat nose ammunition that is specifically designed to be able to penetrate the skull of a brown bear. I will also switch to regular self defense hollow points like Hornady critical defense when in town. Most self defense ammunition is not powerful enough to protect yourself from wildlife. You should also know the laws where you are travelling through and make sure you are able to do so legally. Ahead of time before your trip you can get a permit that will give reciprocity in most states you are travelling through. Utah issues CCW permits to non-residents for example, which allows you to carry in some western states that don't have constitutional carry yet. If you are going to carry, get training and practice often. Even practice shooting while wearing your motorcycle gloves. While it is more expensive then standard range ammo, you should at least shoot a few of the rounds you plan to carry to make sure your gun cycles properly with it. For example, I swapped to a different guide rod spring so it handles the heavier hard cast lead stuff better. The USCCA website is a great resource for information on related laws and reciprocity. There are definitely some limitations as you cant get a CCW in some states as a non-resident (mostly in CA) currently, but do your research and figure out the best way to protect yourself.

For a trip to Alaska, you can't carry though Canada, but you can stop at an FFL in your home state, and have them ship your firearm up there ahead of time to somewhere just over the border like Tok Alaska. You pick it up once you get there, carry it while you are there, and have them ship it back home for you before you head back south. You can bring a shotgun or hunting rifle through Canada but I haven't been able to figure out a good way to carry that on the bike, lol.

Bear spray is often much more effective and should be the first option before going to your firearm, since you can put a large cloud of it in front of you. I would highly recommend getting a can of Sabre Practice Bear Spray and setting off one of them so that an emergency scenario is not the first time you are using one. that way you can get a feeling of how far it goes, how the wind effects it, etc.

Black bears though you typically do not want to use bear spray. Some places like in Yosemite you are not allowed to carry it. Your attitude and body language is important. Don't show your back to a bear, don't turn and sprint away, back up slowly while facing it and make loud noises. You should also do research on how bears will react in different scenarios. Like how a sow with cubs can be much more aggressive. Also make sure you have some paracord to hang your food and scented items in a tree away from camp.

Bison, Elk, Moose, Wolves, etc. can also be a threat. In places like Yellowstone people will stop to watch them on the side of the road and block traffic. They are protected by a big metal cage, you are not. Don't stop, GTFO of there. Go around cars or down the center lane if you must. You don't want a bison charging at you or goring you while you are stuck in traffic.

Most species are usually active in the early morning and near sunset. Elevation, Temperature, Rain, Vegetation (food), water sources, the rutting season for cervids, and more, can effect where they are and their behavior.

5. Lastly, use a tool like OnX offroad to pre-scout your route, keep an eye on wildfires (even historic ones from previous years), area closures, etc. The National Forest Service websites, or the one for whatever area you are in are also a great resource.

[jetskiaddict]

I'm a week out from a motorcycle adventure and I've been watching all of your videos the past few months. I could listen to you all day.

[MeAndMyRoyalEnfield]

I recently took a #2, haha. Tip #2. Wanted to get to a friend's house that evening, long day I was tired, missed my turn, got mad at myself, wide perfectly paved road, no one in sight, doing a slow easy U-turn somehow dropped my bike in the middle of the road. One of those slow motion drops where you almost stop it. Stopped in a safe area, had a talk with myself, we decided to go to the nearest motel. Good tip. Enjoy these short videos. Thank you.

[sneaky_ru]

Good to see you're still making videos. I'm heading to Yellowstone next month.

[chrisd]

All great tips. I start my 23 day Alaska trip next month. Fun fact, I’m packing the same hat you are wearing.

[markgman]

I will be heading to Glacier National Park from Dallas in 4 weeks. All good things to keep in mind. Thanks Tim. You look like you are doing well.

[insatiable_mind]

ATGAT for sure. A “Napachino” works great. When you quickly drink a caffeinated drink then take a 15 minute nap. Caffeine take a little while to take effect so you have time for a snooze or just to rest your eyes.

[GS_Johnny_ADV]

Binge read your book two days ago, great job! Learned some awesome pointers, many thanks for sharing your insights

[mikemaners]

Always a pleasure, I will doing my first 10 day trip this August to Cape Spear, NL, from Montreal, and yes, I follow you al the time, thank you again!

[xc-wild]

Totally agree with #1. I didn't want to wear full moto-x boots and shin/knee protection. Enduro jacket with all the pads. Glad I did. Crashed on the TAT. Solo. No injuries.
I would add. Hook a satellite device to your jacket. When I stopped sliding down that North Carolina Mountain side. I was in a spot where; I knew they would never find me. Oh, be sure it's charged too.

[markchristianson]

Nicely worded FTA you have been on a lot of trips !!

[TictacAddict]

Great tips. I will be doing my first motorcycle trip this spring. My older brother may ride with me. I am a planning fanatic. Have outlined several routes (1500 miles). I am an Amateur Radio operator and plan on announcing my ride via a few websites so I can have people besides my wife following my progress.

[mtscott]

Few more in Oz:

Crocodiles up north: don’t camp or go near water
Snakes everywhere: don’t leave boots outside and watch when you get out your tent
Spiders: keep clothes and boots inside tent

👍🏻😁

[Avensur]

Super mindset information, well needed.

[josephd]

Hello Tim good to see you here. Helpful info, thanks.

[guillermocabal]

Another great video with down to earth advices. When you come down south (Colombia) we are ready to be your guides