There is no other feeling in the world that can compare to the sheer joy of exploring the world from the back of a motorcycle. There is a sense of immediacy that is not present when sitting in the driver’s seat of a car. You get to experience the world directly, as it truly is. The smells, sites, and feel of the wind on your body make you feel alive in a way that no climate controlled, HEPA-filtered cockpit can. Motorcycling is truly a sport of emotions. If you ride long enough you will experience most of them. Many riders will tell you that some of the best (and quite possibly the worst) experiences of their lives were a direct result of their relationship with motorcycles. But once the bug has bitten, there is no turning back.
For me, motorcycling is purely about adventure. It’s about not knowing how the ride is going to turn out, but taking it anyway. So much of modern “life” revolves around trying to mold our own destiny into a nice, neat, politically correct and utterly secure package. Unfortunately for us, “life” is what ACTUALLY happens when things (inevitably) don’t go according to plan. True adventure riders understand and embrace this knowledge. They are always open to new experiences and are comfortable with not knowing exactly where the trail may lead.
Oddly enough, however, these riders are not generally risk takers. Most take wearing all of the appropriate safety gear on every ride quite seriously. They take great pride in practicing the skills that will keep them alive on the road. They take time to think through the problems they are likely to encounter and find creative solutions.
For the rider that wants to experience all that the world has to offer, whatever that may be, one type of bike stands out above the rest: the Adventure Touring Motorcycle. This class of bikes has a unique combination of abilities that allow it to perform well in a wide variety of situations. This makes them ideally suited for long term travel to out-of-the-way places. Larger and more road worthy than dirt bikes, but smaller and more off road friendly than large touring bikes, adventure tourers represent an important niche in the two-wheeled world. These beasts are able to tackle practically any road on any continent, paved or otherwise. As with most bikes, the limiting factor for capability is usually the rider and not the machine. Generally, they range in engine size from 650cc to 1200cc giving them more than enough power to carry the equipment necessary to live on the road indefinitely. The smaller bikes are well suited for solo travel and many of the larger machines are easily capable of comfortable two up riding. Few vehicles can match the versatility of these motorcycles.
So, where do adventure motorcyclists go? Wherever they want! At any given time there are adventure riders in most every country on the planet. A trip can mean anything from a spontaneous weekend jaunt to a multi-year, multi-continent ride. For the latter, planning becomes a critical part of the process. It is not uncommon for riders to spend several years preparing for a big trip. Currencies, languages, insurance, bike documentation, visas, repairs on the road, and shipping the bike across oceans are all things to be considered for international travel. Although preparing for a trip like this might seem like an insurmountable task, none of these items are inherently difficult when taken a piece at a time. It is also worthwhile to keep in mind that many people have done this before you. The Internet is a wonderful resource for this type of travel.
Lodging on the road can range from five star hotels to sleeping under the stars. Most trips involve some combination of hotel and camping (and possibly the occasional couch crashing with a newly acquired friend.) Hotels can provide a much needed break from the road with shower and laundry facilities, but the bread-and-butter of adventure accommodations is camping. Few activities are as suited to each other as motorcycling and camping. In the same way the bike lets you experience the ride directly, camping lets you experience the natural environment of your chosen destination. Successful bike camping is not difficult, but the consequences of poor planning can be much greater than those of choosing the wrong hotel. A bit of research and proper gear selection will go a long way towards a comfortable night’s sleep.
Adventure motorcycling is a unique mix of planning, riding, exploring, camping, and problem solving. It can be the ticket to some of the most wonderful places on earth, and it can be the cause of unfathomable frustration. For those that are willing to make the most of whatever life hands them and then ask for more, an adventure motorcycle will take them anywhere they want to go.
See you on the road less traveled!
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