Australian Road Rider

SET UP FOR THE LONG RIDE

“MOST TOURING IN AUSTRALIA TAKES PLACE ALONG THE NORTH/SOUTH AXIS…”

In last issue’s Part 1 of our touring tips, we argued that for the jaded, getting away on a long bike ride will re-invigorate the two-wheeled love affair. We also reckon it adds a new dimension for any rider, whether they prefer adventure riding, sport riding or cruising.

As a suggestion: one way to kick off the touring life is to go to an interstate sporting event (MotoGP, WSBK or ASBK?). It provides something to build the trip around. Ideally, one spends a few days on the bike, has a break for the event, and back on the bike to get home.

As we mentioned in Part 1, first-time touring sometimes fails to meet expectations (like other great life events). To help avoid this, we looked at the detail of planning a glitch-free, multi-day ride. Now we’ll dive into gear and set-up tips, plus tips on roadcraft strategies. We’ll also look at what to take in case things go pear-shaped.

BIKE SET-UP

Comfort is everything on tour. Even minor discomfort wreaks havoc on enjoyment (especially later in the day) and small mods make a big

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