Cross-Country Motorcycle Riding Tips

You’ve got the itch. You need to get out there and see everything. And what better way to do that than on your bike? The wind whistling through your helmet, endless asphalt under your boots, nothing but you, the road, and the whole country out there waiting to be discovered. Sounds idyllic, right? We agree!

But before you get out there, you need to do some important prep. You need to be sure you’ve got the gear, supplies, food, water, and emergency tools you need to be sure you can travel safely and without worries. At Gina’s Motorsports of Monee, we’ve put together this brief guide to the gear you’ll need for your ride. An article covering everything you need for a cross-country ride would be quite long, so we’re focusing this article on the kind of clothing you’ll need to stay safe and comfortable on the road. And when you’re ready to shop for a new bike or accessories, please come visit our dealership in Monee - our friendly sales team will happily show you what we have to offer. We’re happy to serve customers in Chicago and Kankakee County. 

Helmet

Check your helmet’s condition - have you dropped it recently, or do you notice any visible damage or cracks? It might be time for a new one. Be sure your helmet is DOT compliant - that’s how you’ll know it’s safe for the kind of riding you’re going to do. If you’re really going cross-country and expect to encounter both cold and hot weather, you might bring two helmets with you: one with good ventilation for warm days, and one with good insulation for cold days. 

Base Layer and Armored Jacket

A cross-country ride will include a lot of different weather conditions, so you need to pack accordingly. Wear layered clothing. A good, breathable base layer that wicks sweat away from the skin will help you in both cold and warm weather. For warmer weather, bring an armored jacket with good airflow - some jackets are perforated and let a lot of air flow through them; others have zippers strategically placed to create air vents under the arms, for example. For colder weather, bring a well insulated and waterproof armored jacket. The best choice might be a jacket with a removable liner - these are really flexible for all kinds of weather. 

Pants

For a warm weather ride, wear lightweight pants and cover them with breathable overpants with armor in the knees and hips. Alternatively, you can buy dedicated riding pants with armor built in; of course, the disadvantage of doing it this way is that you won’t be able to remove them when you want to, for example, go in and have lunch in a restaurant - so you’ll be sitting there in bulky armored pants. With a standard pair of jeans covered by armored overpants, you’ll be able to shimmy off the overpants before you head inside, which you’ll probably find more comfortable. For cold weather rides, the same idea applies, but look for well insulated, waterproof overpants. 

Boots and Gloves

A good pair of armored boots is critical for safety and comfort on long rides. Your feet can suffer serious damage in a crash if they’re not properly protected. Look for good quality boots that fit snugly but not too tight. Some motorcycle boots have an armored toe box and reinforcement on the ankle. Your boots should also have shifter pads - hard spots on the outsole that will allow you better grip on the shifter with your foot. 

For colder weather, look for insulated boots with a good lining, and pair them with wicking wool socks to keep your feet comfortable and dry. For warmer weather, look for perforated boots with good airflow. If you plan to do any hiking side trips, you should bring an extra pair of dedicated hiking boots - hiking in your motorcycle boots can be less than ideal. 

Not to be forgotten, gloves are also critical to staying comfortable on the road. In cold weather, your hands can get numb pretty quickly, and that can be painful and dangerous. Make sure your gloves are well insulated, or opt for claw style gloves or mittens in really cold weather. In warm weather, look for perforated or ventilated gloves that still have armored protection on the knuckles at the very least.

This guide could only cover the basics, but we hope it’ll get you started on your cross-country journey with more information to keep you safe on the road. And if you find yourself in need of gear or a new bike, please come see us at Gina’s Motorsports of Monee. We look forward to seeing you!