Preparing for a big trip

From Honda Trail Bike Wiki

There's lots to think about when your preparing for a big trip. It could be a jaunt into the Highlands of Scotland, a European Tour or even a round the world trip but the advice is much the same. Prepare the bike and your packing list. You'll be thinking of all the possible situations and the gear you might need and quite often we all think about taking too much gear. The world out there uses bikes far more than we do in the UK so your actually going to need less than you imagine and the rest is having a little faith. It's important to know where you're going and what's available where.

Some of this article has been written from a UK point-of-view. Many considerations will apply to all EU citizens, but readers from elsewhere might need to look up local rules and procedures.

[edit] Preparing the Bike

Firstmost, what are your mechanical skills like? If your confident with a set of spanners then you're halfway there. If your not, it might be worth brushing up on knowing the basics...

The basic skills needed should enable you to do the following:

• Change Tyres
  
• Adjust chain tension
  
• Change Spark Plugs
  
• Change Oil
  
• Change Water
  
• Change Brake Pads
  

[edit] Do those jobs you know need doing

Before you set off, make sure that those niggles or jobs that need doing are done. There's nothing worse than setting off with a thought in the back of your mind that the clutch cable is on its last legs, or the chain just recently always needed adjusting. Replace them and put your mind at ease which will free up your thoughts towards enjoying your trip.

[edit] Other preparations

This will depend on where you are going and what you plan to do there. For overseas trips don't forget:

• to arrange for your mobile (cell) phone to be set to roaming;
• to notify your credit card company which countries you are travelling to.

If you forget to tell your credit card company, you might find your card becomes unusable while you're away. They'll try to phone your home number to check up, but even if you know this and call back, they'll ask all kids of security questions that you might not be able to answer when away from home!

If you are travelling outside Europe, check whether you need a tourist visa or any innoculations. If so, get them well in advance of your trip. Also don't forget to arrange EHIC, travel insurance, breakdown insurance, International Driving Permit (if needed), ferry tickets etc.

See Insurance and Breakdown Cover for the Trip

[edit] What do you need to take?

[edit] Documents and cards

In many countries you must carry with you originals of these documents:

• passport (and possibly a tourist visa);
• driving licence - both the card and the paper part;
• vehicle registration document (V5);
• motor insurance certificate:
  • within Europe your UK insurance will cover you for third party only, though some policies allow full insurance cover for limited periods (check your policy);
  • outside of Europe you will need "green card" insurance which is normally available at the border (it provides legal cover but don't expect it to pay out much!).

You should also have:

• EHIC (European Health Insurance Card);
• travel insurance policy number and telephone number;
• breakdown insurance policy number and telephone number;
• credit and debit cards (in some countries Visa is rare, in others MasterCard is rare, so take a couple of each);
• ferry tickets, hotel booking confirmations etc;
• International Driving Permit if the countries you visit need it (list from the AA);
• Carnet de Passage if the countries you visit need it (normally only Africa, Middle East and Asia);
• photocopies of all the above.

Keep the photocopies separate from the originals so that, if you lose one set, you'll still have the others. Also, scan the main documents and e-mail them to an e-mail account (such as Hotmail or Gmail) that you can access from any Internet cafe. That way, if all your documents and copies are lost or stolen, you can print of a new copy and take them to a Consulate to get replacements.

(See Insurance and Breakdown Cover for the Trip.)

[edit] Money

Within Europe cash machines (ATMs) are commonplace. Indeed throughout the world cash machines can be found in major towns and cities. However, you might find that they won't accept all types of credit/debit card. In some countries you'll need a Cirrus (MasterCard), a Star or a Visa card, so take a couple of each. Don't forget to notify the credit card companies of which countries you plan to travel in.

Euros are obviously accepted throughout most of Europe, but American Dollars are still a near-universal currency. If you are going outside Europe a small emergency supply (in one-dollar notes) might be useful.

Carry a mugger's wallet that contains a small amount of cash and some expired credit cards. If you're mugged, act scared and hand it over; they won't check the expiry dates! Keep your real credit and debit cards plus your back-up supply of cash in a separate wallet; don't use this wallet in public view! Muggers may see the real wallet and demand you hand that one over too.

[edit] Paying for Fuel in France

By and large paying for fuel is straightforward, but there is one pitfall. Many fuel stations - especially those away from Autoroutes - close at night and on Sundays. Locals can buy fuel out-of-hours using a credit card and PIN, however the French chip-and-PIN system is incompatible with the British one. A British chip-and-PIN card won't work in a French fuel pump. You should either fill up on a Saturday afternoon, look for fuel on an Autoroute or main road, or pay cash to a local to refuel you on his/her card.

[edit] For the bike

Here are the minimum essential items that will give you some peace of mind.

• Cable Ties
• Spare bulbs and fuses
• Spare keys
• Duct Tape

[edit] For Yourself

This is largely dependent on where you are going and how you intend to stay overnight but theres a good article on Motorcycle Camping for Beginners

[edit] UK Trips

[edit] European Trips & 1st World Countries inc USA and Australia etc...

The AA and the Insititue of Advanced Motorists has a good summary of the various legal requirements throughout Europe. Link available from Travel web sites.

[edit] Other Countries

[edit] Things to do before you leave

Here's a list of tips that's seems like useful advice for when your close to leaving... Please feel free to add to this!

• Wash the dishes
• Pets - get them sorted
• Empty your bins and fridge
• Remember your PIN codes etc..
• Charge the batteries
• Setup and use a webmail eMail address
• Clean your house/flat
• Pay the bills
• Get someone to check on your house regularly

[edit] Final Advice

Slow down. Sounds simple but you'll need to (unless it really is a race). Take the time to relax and see things and allow yourself to wander off your planned route. The things you discover when you haven't planned to see them are the elements of your trip you'll remember most. Kick back and enjoy the ride! The people you meet will 99% be friendly, accomodating and willing to help. It's sometimes hard allowing yourself to have more faith in the people you meet but it works. There's a pleasant realisation that people all over the world (and usually when they have less than ourselves) are more willing to give than you ever expect...

[edit] Links to other sites

The best site out there for getting real world information about this subject can be found at Horizons Unlimited