COMMON MISTAKES on a LONG MOTORCYCLE TRIP (do you make them?)

Do you make these common mistakes on a long motorcycle trip? Regular motorcycle travel is one thing, but once you start going on longer motorcycle adventures there are some things to consider. I go through some of these travel and riding mistakes based on my own experiences traveling on the road and explain how to avoid these with some motorcycle tips.

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT:

FOLLOW ALP AND ME:

Hi, My name is Pedro Mota and I ride my trusty Honda Transalp to wherever she will take me. Motorcycle touring around the world!

[stevenjohn]

Back on a motorbike after an absence of 38 yrs, so wished that I never gave it up. Now in my 60s and it's all I live for. The freedom is so refreshing. Riding has saved me.

[fivebadgers]

I started a solo trip from KS to Alaska. On day 2 I met John at a gas station just outside of the campsite he asked if he could follow me to the US Canadian border..No problem. After the crossing he asks if he can join me (We were headed to the same place). I laid out my rules for riding together and he agreed. A couple of days later John and I are in Canada and meet another solo rider also headed to Dawson City/Alaska. He asks if he can join us. Again, I laid out my plan and he was welcomed to join. For the next 7 days we rode through British Columbia, the Yukon and Alaska with never a cross word said to each other. It was a great adventure of three solo riders becoming a bonded group. That trip was in 2009 and we are all still friends! I feel what made us all click is that we had the same goals, attitude, and riding skills. We were like minded people.

[nicozimmermann]

the reason why i ride alone is noone of my friends has a motorcycle licence or is interested in bikes

[williamkenny]

lol one time at an airport I was questioned as to why I was traveling so light, knapsack. I replied "well I got a deal worked out with a couple of multibillion dollar companies. They filled most of the developed world with these stores that keep supplies there so all I have to do is walk in with some money and then walk out with whatever I want instead of bringing it all with me." haha TSA agent didn't laugh.

[kirkglover]

I definitely like riding alone.  I rode in a large group and it really sucked.  My experience, the bigger the group the more jerks you will find.

[Roadmaster]

I always ride with 5 other people, the others are all in my head. We have great conversations and arguments too.

[burnerjack]

I don't care how heavy it makes my bike: I'm not brushing my teeth with a bar of soap.

[mundoglory]

Hi, I've done 3 major long distance road trips. I'd say:


1. Don't take too much. Everything should fit in a backpack
2. Don't rush, do a nice 200km a day
3. Avoid highways, take the minor roads. Theyre much more scenic and twisty!
4. You don't need a big bike. I did the length of Indonesia on a 150cc, was amazing and so cheap
5. Ride alone, you can suit yourself and not have to compromise/argue/wait for another person

[calin]

I might be kind of late to comment on this video, but I couldn't stop to notice that almost everybody, if not all, were saying that they prefer to ride alone and adding - half excusing - "I'm kind of a loner, you know". Well, having a bike it is already a statement of the kind of person we are. Independent, and independent rimes very well with loner. Even if we have friends we may like to ride with, we are still riding our own bike and our own ride. Good luck to all!

[sumporfuk]

Dude great video and you bring you’ve touched on several several points that I am all to familiar with but also forgot about.
One the most important things that I’ve learned about riding with other people is 1. As much as you might want to, you can’t ride with everyone. 2. The quickest way to end a friendship is to ride with people that are not compatible with your own riding style. 3. Accidents don’t just happen, they are truly a culmination of a number of smaller events that lead up to a bad event. 4. If you are lucky enough to find someone that you are compatible with and fits your riding style, hold onto and cherish that person because they are pure gold.

[stevegabbert]

I'm glad I clicked on this one. It was, "Well, lets see what this guy has to say about it." It's been 45 years since I started riding around North America, with a total mileage of over 530, 000 miles under the tires...many tires. All of the mistakes and cautions you talked about works with any long trip, on any bike, not just adventure bike trips. For me it's, "All about the ride." I'll ride past the sunset, most times it's at least a 12 hour day. My latest long ride was up to Alaska on my Suzuki 650 scooter. Woke up at a place near Pink Mountain and rode with the sun that day. As long as the sun was up, I rode. 17 and a half hours later I pulled into a motel parking lot. Even saw 6 black bears along the way. I have ridden 99.9% of the time by myself. I don't go over 55mph, so I can enjoy the ride longer. I'm not afraid to tell others how I ride, because I know most don't do it that way. If we're going to the same place I'll say, "Well, maybe I'll see you there." Then we go our separate ways. I have always looked over the map first and lay out the routes, and If I "accidentally deviate" ;) from the route, I just declare it part of the ride and don't try to make up time. Getting some place safely is much better than not getting there at all. Enjoyed the video. Keep the rubber side down. Stay safe out there.

[peted]

I did a day ride with a friend and by the end of the day I was wondering why I ever liked the guy to begin with.

Mistake 1 bringing too much stuff
Mistake 2 not bringing enough stuff
Usually both at the same time.

[AnotherHipster]

Tried with someone else, never again with that person. Different budgets, different idea of fun, different eating habits [Mine are normal, breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks inbetween. Theirs not so much] So many regrets like missing out on local food, zip-lines, kayaking. Can't wait to do the trip again but on my own next time, it sounds harsh to say but I had a good time but felt like it was missing something

[bikeroam]

Thus is the first time someone has pointed out the cause of that stressful everywhere/nowhere feeling!!! Great vid man, excited to check out the rest of your stuff

[threethrushes]

Pedro, you deserve x10 or x20 subscribers - this video is gold!

Excellent psychological tips - not just a list of items for the trip. Keep it coming Pedro, and dont be scared of making longer videos.

I agree with all of them, despite not doing any bigger trips than simple city to city trips across Europe, so I am noob, and learning before considering doing something longer. Truth is, I dont want to travel the world by bike! Its definitely a calling… or something people think they should do. You fall in the first camp.

Cheers,
G

[MrJrFish]

calamity (def.): the sum of smaller mistakes that meet each other in a perfect circumstantial shitstorm

Brilliant!!!

[RumorHazi]

"Just remember to adapt on time!" Now that's funny. I spilled my coffee when you said that! Good video! Cheers!

[jasonkapner]

I'm definitely a solo rider... I really love to ride without a precise schedule. I like group riding as well, and it feels really nice to share the passion of riding with fellow riders... but, as in every life situation, you have to be very picky about the riding partners you choose. We all need to feel the sense of freedom we get when we are on a bike, indeed we mostly ride because of that. So, I wouldn't advice any restriction of such freedom! Cheers to all!

[skyking]

This is a very good video. I've been riding for 50 years and I found out early on that I am the consulate planner of my routes but I also learned to relax about the destinations. I ride exclusively alone. I refuse to even ride with my best friends because at the end of the day no two people ride alike. I enjoy meeting people on the road but I go my way so they go theirs.