Modern bikes are very reliable these days so it’s shouldn’t be necessary to fill your paniers with a full on workshop tool kit and spares package. You will have breakdown insurance as a requirement of coming on our tours, but it’s worth bring a few things to cover those niggly roadside issues that can crop up from time to time.

Riding position/comfort

If you haven’t toured before it’s worth clocking up a few longer days riding miles on your bike before you leave, as this will give you a good idea of the bikes ergonomics and comfort so you can adjust things if you find anything uncomfortable before your holiday starts.

Heated grips are a nice feature to fit if they aren’t part of the original spec of your bike as it can get cold in the mountains, seat pads, touring screen extensions can also help with comfort on the longer days.

Toolkit

The best advice for a motorcycle tour is less is more. Our guides do carry some basic tools but if there are any specific ones for your bike model it’s probably worth bringing them, so if there’s a specific tool to remove the fairing for example.

Engine/Service

As most of our tours will cover at least 1500 miles excluding any distance you need to travel from home to reach the start point, it’s worth checking when your bike is next due a service and get it done before the tour if the mileage we cover is going to push it close to its next service interval. If its been done recently check all the fluid levels before you leave and you should be good to go.

Bulbs

Lots of modern bikes now have LED bulbs so you won’t need or be able to bring an LED headlight unit for example, however if you have an older bike or some of your bulbs are non LED you will need to bring spares. This is not only sensible but also a legal requirement in some of our European destinations.

Battery

If your battery is getting a bit old it’s worth considering getting it changed prior to the tour, as it’s a bit of a pain if your bike won’t start each morning before the days adventure. Batteries can of course be changed while on tour if there is a problem, but its best avoided as it just delays your day and causes unnecessary stress.

Brakes

If you have had your bike recently serviced there should be plenty of life left in your brake pads, if you are unsure how much is left on your pads get them checked by a dealer before you leave and change if necessary bearing in mind the mileage you will be covering while away on tour.

Tyres

Make sure you have plenty of tread on your tyres before any tour as it’s surprising how much tread you can through on a tour, with average rear tyre wear of around 5000miles on most bikes (we know some go more and some less) and a 2000 mile trip including home travel can put you close to the legal limit if there isn’t plenty of tread before you leave. Of course tyres are available locally while on tour but again much like the battery it’s a pain to have to change them mid holiday. Also make sure you haven’t picked up any nails or foreign objects in your tyres before you leave.

Numberplate

Your number plate needs to meet the legal requirements of your bikes county of registration

Chain/driveshaft

Carrying a small can of chain lube is a good idea so you can keep your chain in good condition throughout the tour and it’s also useful to know how to adjust your chain to the correct tension. If in doubt get it checked by your local repair shop. If your bike is shaft drive just make sure the fluids are topped up before you leave