How to enjoy the perfect motorcycle road trip….So the first time I tried to go on a “real” motorcycle road trip—like, more than just a Sunday cruise or a loop to get tacos—I forgot socks. Socks. I packed a tool roll, four granola bars, an extra clutch lever, and no socks. My boots smelled like sin and regret by Day 2.
That said… it was one of the best things I’ve ever done.
And that’s how I figured out how to enjoy the perfect motorcycle road trip—well, my version of perfect, anyway. Messy, magical, and only slightly sunburnt.
If you’re just getting started with motorcycle trips and wondering how the heck people make it look so cool, here’s some beginner-friendly, real-talk advice I wish I had before hitting the road.
✌️ First Off: It’s Supposed to Be Fun, Not Perfect
Let’s just start there, because nobody really tells you this. The road trip doesn’t have to be all “zen” and “wind in your soul” on day one. Sometimes it’s just windburn and a $14 gas station sandwich that tastes like cardboard.
But you know what? That’s part of it.
If you’re new to this and Googling how to enjoy the perfect motorcycle road trip, breathe. You’re not doing it wrong just because your GPS keeps rerouting you through neighborhoods with suspicious chickens.
🏍️ Start Small (Like, Don’t Cross Three States on Day One)
I once met this guy at a rest stop who said he was riding from Florida to Oregon in four days. Four. Days.
I smiled. Nodded. Then went behind a vending machine and took a nap.
For beginners, start with a 2- or 3-day loop, max. Keep it chill. Ride 100–150 miles a day tops—especially if you’re still getting used to your bike’s seat and your own butt’s tolerance level.
Pick roads with views, minimal traffic, and at least one solid diner along the way. Trust me—diner pancakes taste 20% better after a few hours of riding.
🧳 Pack Light…ish (But Don’t Be Dumb Like Me)
This one’s tricky. You think you’re gonna be a minimalist. Then next thing you know, you’re packing a second helmet “just in case.”
Here’s what I wish someone had slapped me with early on:
- Pack like you’re going on a weekend camping trip. Only you’re camping with a loud metal horse.
- Bring layers. Weather’s moody. Bring a hoodie even if it’s 80°F when you leave.
- Don’t forget socks. (Have I mentioned that already?)
- Zip everything into dry bags. Or double garbage-bag your underwear. Rain happens.
🛣️ Choose Roads That Don’t Suck
Don’t just follow Google Maps. Google Maps has no idea you’re on a motorcycle—it thinks you’re a Camry with dreams.
Use something like REVER, Scenic, or even ride suggestions on Reddit’s r/motorcycles. Look for scenic byways, twisty roads, and low-speed limits (the fun kind, not the crawling-through-construction-zone kind).
If you’re brand new, skip interstates. They’re loud, fast, and full of folks texting at 80 mph. Plus, you’ll miss the weird little towns with names like “Possum Neck” or “Chicken Bristle.”
🍔 Eat Like a Local, Not Like a Lizard
Fast food? Eh. Sometimes you gotta. But part of the whole road trip magic is stopping somewhere random and weirdly awesome for food.
I once found a BBQ shack in Alabama with no sign, two plastic chairs out front, and a brisket sandwich that made me want to cry.
Pro tips:
- Ask locals where they eat
- Avoid chain spots unless you’re desperate
- Bring backup snacks (jerky, granola, etc.) so you don’t get hangry mid-ride
🕶️ Wear the Right Gear (Not Just the Cool Looking Stuff)
Look, I get it. Leather jackets are sexy. But so is not turning into a human crayon when you fall off.
Basic beginner gear checklist:
- Helmet. Full-face if you like your jaw.
- Jacket. Armor helps. So does not freezing.
- Gloves. Every single time, even if it’s hot.
- Pants. Jeans = better than nothing. Riding pants = better than jeans.
- Boots. Cover those ankles. Converse is not motorcycle gear, my dude.
I once forgot my gloves and rode an hour barehanded. I still cringe thinking about how my knuckles felt when a wasp smacked me at 60mph.
🎵 Build a Vibes Playlist (Or Ride in Glorious Silence)
Totally personal choice here. I know riders who can’t ride without music and others who hate it.
Me? I like a little lo-fi playlist going under my helmet speaker until I get tired of it and switch to yelling at cows in the distance.
But if you do go the music route:
- Keep the volume low. You still need to hear traffic
- Make playlists in advance so you’re not fiddling mid-ride
- Try podcasts too (just nothing that makes you laugh too hard—learned that the hard way)
🛏️ Sleep Doesn’t Have to Be Fancy (But It Should Be Safe)
If you’re staying overnight, you’ve got options:
- Cheap motel: Weird smells, loud neighbors, but usually a hot shower.
- Camping: Stars, dirt, and sometimes raccoons.
- Couchsurfing: Works if you have chill friends with couches and no cats (I’m allergic).
For beginners, I recommend pre-booking your first couple nights. Winging it sounds cool until every motel in town is booked for a llama convention or something (true story—New Mexico, 2023. I don’t want to talk about it).
🙃 Embrace the Weird Stuff That Happens
One time I dropped my bike in a Taco Bell parking lot. It was low-speed. No injuries. But a kid eating nachos pointed and said, “That guy just fell down.”
Was I embarrassed? Yeah.
Did I still eat my taco after? Also yeah.
Stuff goes wrong. You’ll get lost. Your butt will hurt. Your phone will randomly die 10 miles from the next gas station.
But all of it—the hiccups, the bug guts, the moments you almost rage-quit—it’s part of the ride.
Final Thoughts from a Guy Who’s Still Figuring It Out
If you’re wondering how to enjoy the perfect motorcycle road trip, here’s the deal—it won’t be perfect.
But it’ll be yours.
There’s something crazy beautiful about being alone on a road you’ve never ridden, with just your thoughts, your machine, and maybe a bag of trail mix you regret buying.
You’ll grow a little. You’ll laugh a lot. You’ll curse at your GPS and then cry at a sunset. And you’ll come back with a story that nobody else can tell.
So… what are you waiting for?
Strap on the helmet. Don’t forget your socks. And go chase whatever the road wants to show you.
🌐 Bonus Links Worth Clicking:
- Beginner Touring Tips on RevZilla
- Motorcycle Camping Fails on Reddit (Don’t judge, laugh with us)
