What is the OPTIMAL Daily Mileage for Motorcycle Travel?

This is probably the most asked question in my entire motorcycle travel career. The short answer is: "Whatever is good for you" but because most of you won't really understand the meaning of this phrase in this video I will try to be more specific.
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[Sixbears]

As always, good advice. I've been doing a lot of riding on a 150 cc scooter. My biggest day was 250 miles. It was mountain roads, mostly twisty and some dirt. Still had time to talk with people, have a picnic lunch, bird watched, and took photos. Still felt good at the end of the day. In the US recreation vehicle travelers use the 3, 3, 3, rule. Three rest/fuel stops, 300 miles, and end the day by 3 o'clock.

[AmaNotaGogo]

Take note of what this man says - he knows!
If you want to ride fast, why bother with a trip, go ride on a track. If you are on a trip, take the time to see what there is to be seen and experience the places. I love to stop and smell the flowers, taste the stream water (within reason of course), listen to the sounds etc. That to me is a trip so I plan to have time for all of this. The kilometers are just part of the trip.

[pavanmuthanna]

I live in India, where the average speeds are lower than the West. With time, I've come to see that an estimate of 50 kmph is realistic across the course of most days ( not including off road or village roads ) factoring in food, petrol, toilet and stretching breaks. In our weather, it makes sense to start really early ( 5 am for me), and end early to mid - afternoon so as to be fresh for the next day.

[Dedalus]

I find that newbies are more optimistic until the first 1000km day on the highway, then they either abandon the trip or they start being reasonable :) Particularly on long range trips I personally find that less is more, less kms, less speed equals more fun, more people you can meet, more places you can see. Then of course it's a matter of personal preference if you like to ride off road or you like to get to your destination by the shortest and fastest route. My personal preference is no more than 500km highway transfers and no more than 350 400 on secondary roads.

[spicy__roads]

At the end of september i will start my motorbike trip and the plan is avoid highway, ride slowly and try do not exceed 250 km average x day in order to enjoy the trip and be satisfied every day without be too tired.
Thanks for your advise, most of the time common sense is the key.

[ozkayozen]

Following your footsteps is helping us (new riders) to have the pleasure of the ride with confidence.
Thanks for these precious recommendations, Pavlin.
Appreciated 🙏🙏🙏

[gearjammer]

250 miles a day in the UK is my preference. Allows for stops and a decent lunch break. No rush, no dangerous riding etc. Arriving relaxed and ready to have a good evening of chat and fun.

[marcheighton]

This one is easy!! When you have had enough stop. Never push on for the sake of it by then the fun has all gone. Ride your ride. Enjoy your ride. Be safe be kind. 👍👍👍

[reinholdpelz]

Great video as usually Pavlin.
For me the sweet spot is between 230 and 250km per day. Transitdays around 500km max. I can go for weeks and weeks at this pace without getting totally burned out in a matter of days.

[krzysztofg]

So great advices for less experienced riders :) When I started to watch your channel few years ago I did a same mistake as your friend - Balkans in two weeks. It was insane! I also stopped riding longer trips with friends because of that constant tiredness.
This year I did smaller journey into Balkans. Just less points to see a distances to ride. I didn't see all what I planned but it was one of the best Holidays I ever had. I stay relaxed, I enjoyed food, views and even met new friends! What I don't visit - I can see next time. It's a motivation now .
Thanks for the priceless lessons Pavlin :)

[donnewmancanada]

These are great guidelines for distance. I just got through a 350km and 700km day to break in a new bike before heading out on a 5000km trip. This gave me a good idea of where my comfort levels were and how often I would need a short break to stretch or grab a photo or a longer break for food and fuel. This will be my first trip over 1000km and your videos have been very motivating.

[nderezic]

After 5-6 hours everything starts hurting: head due to my long oval head, knees due to uncomfortable position, ass due to stiff seat (even with an inflatable pillow). Maybe I could ride longer if I made brakes more often (every hour). Distance is not so important, since it depends on the road type. Thanks for a great video! You never disappoint! ☺️

[Dyna-rjwp]

July this year I did a trip Kołobrzeg (Polish seaside) to Lisbon. Ca 3500 km there and 3500 km back. It was 5 days there and 5 days back. Mostly highways, but speed max. 120 kmh. It was partially extremely hot, till 44oC. My bike is 2006 Harley Davidson Electra, im 68 years old. It was wonderful ride. Greetings from Poland.

[superwag]

Excellent advice. I do even less than you recommend. 4 hours in saddle is full day, I almost never exceed 5 days. It’s worked all over the world. 75 countries so far and almost never tired.
Long hard days were when I was sailing around world on my yacht or cycling. Motorcycling is easy compared to that. But never rush life. I have the time 😅

[KenMcBridePhotography]

Just completed a 725 Kilometer (450 Mile) journey from the top of Ireland (Malin Head) to the bottom of Ireland (Mizen Head) in one day (13.5 hours) on a Vespa 300 and it's so true what you say about missing so much in between. I need to do it again but over a few days.

[setter]

My limit to have fun is around 250 km per day or less (no highway and preferably Mountain roads with many stops to visit places)

[adityasubhedar]

This video is very accurate. I did a 14 hour bike ride with pillion on my Yamaha FZ 150 this year; We tackled almost every situation like city traffic, highways, village roads, no roads, ghats, water crossings, sand and even rode the bike over a land slide. What I learned from that experience is
1) Load maps beforehand.
2) know the limits of your bike.
3) Sleep well the day before. the ride.
4) Take calculated risks.
5) Always have a backup power source for charging devices.

[whitedrguy]

As I get older I find that time on the bike is a bigger factor than distance, 6-8 hours is close to my maximum, so whatever distance I do in that time is what I do.

It is not for everyone as most people have a time limit on a trip be it time off work or visa limitations, which is a bit of a pain so I guess you have to plan around that.

A lot depends how I am feeling during the day, if I feel okay on the bike I keep riding but sometimes it is hard to get in the groove so I will stop more which uses up time therefore limiting the distance.

I budget on shorter distances now to allow for more time to take in my surroundings and enjoy the trip.

[newbee]

One of best episodes, you covered every aspect of traveling, excellent video Pavel

[drklynoonrides]

Pavlin, I took a trip in July and I made so many of these mistakes. My first day was 850 KM and by the end of the day I was completely tired. By the end of the second day my right hand couldn't engage my throttle lock. Day three both arms were numb most of the day and my legs were killing me. Day four was a race to get back home and recoup. I am glad for the experience but the trip was very disheartening because I experienced so little and was in a fair amount of pain most of the trip. Thank you for all you do to teach and help us to keep from making these mistakes.