By In this article I will share some simple tips to help you stay comfortable on long rides, making your journey a bit more enjoyable.
Choosing the right bike for long-distance touring
Choosing the right motorcycle is important for a comfy ride. Picking a bike made for long trips, with a comfy seat, adjustable parts, and easy controls can make all the difference to your trip. A windshield can also help protect you from the wind and weather too.
But you don’t have to go with the typical expensive, dedicated touring and adventure options. There’s a whole range of bikes that don’t fall into the traditional touring and adventure categories that might suit you.
Wear the Right Riding Gear
Good riding gear keeps you safe and comfortable during your trip. Here’s what you need:
- Helmet: Choose a light, well-ventilated helmet with a sun visor.
- Jacket: In the Uk, a waterproof jacket, such as a laminated or Goretex lined jacket is ideal, with built-in ventilation zips and flaps to give that extra bit of ventilation
- Gloves: Pick gloves with padding to reduce vibrations and protect your hands – consider taking two pairs, one for wet and cold, and one for hot and dry.
- Boots: Look for waterproof boots that support your ankles and have non-slip soles.
- Trousers: Go for waterproof, padded trousers made for riding motorcycles.
All of this is pretty standard advice, but one thing they don’t teach you:
Choose the right undies!
Those undies you wear all day every day right now, without giving them a second thought, might be the number one thing causing you pain on your rides. The problem is when you’re on the bike you can be sat in one position, applying pressure to your posterior in exactly the same way for hours at a time. If you have pants with a significant seam across your cheeks, you get a pressure point that builds up and can become really uncomfortable over time. Choose some knickers that are smooth all around where you’re going to be sitting on your bike, for an even distribution of pressure across the whole of your delicate behind.
Sit Comfortably
Sitting right on your bike can make your ride much more enjoyable. You’ll need to find the right position for you, Remember to:
- Let your back sit in a natural, relaxed position, don’t force your posture, but don’t let strange things happen to the angle of your back or neck for a long period of time either
- Keep a loose grip on the handlebars
- Bend your elbows a little.
- Keep your feet, knees, and hips in an alignment that feels natural and relaxed.
- Adjust your seat and handlebars to reduce the amount of forward slide on your seat, and take the weight off your wrists. For those with shoulder pain, a small adjustment to the angle of your handlebars can make a world of difference so try a few things to see what works best for you.
For those longer rides, you will want to consider a more relaxed position that you can stay in for a longer period of time. Try putting the bridge of your foot on the pegs, rather than a sportier position on the balls of your feet, for example.
Rest before it starts to hurt
Taking breaks helps you stay awake and stops your muscles from getting stiff. Stretch your legs, back, and arms during breaks, and do some light exercise to keep your blood flowing.
It’s much better to rest every hour or two before you get to the point of being in pain and discomfort. You’ll find you can ride longer overall if you rest early. Once you have a painful crick in your neck or a sore arse, it’s near impossible to shake it.
Drink Water and Eat Smart
Staying hydrated and eating right can help you stay comfortable. Bring water and remember to drink it often. Eat snacks like energy bars, nuts, or fruit to keep your energy up, and avoid heavy meals that make you sleepy.
Don’t underestimate how dehydrated you get riding a bike. Wrapped up in all that gear head to toe, the adrenalin of an exciting ride brings on dehydration as well. Taking on water regularly will help you keep fatigue at bay. When it comes to caffeine, you’ll have to know your own body on that front, but it’s often best not to overdo it on the coffee or red bull if you’re in for a long ride. Keeping your mind clear to focus on the road and enjoy the ride can often be the best way forward.
Be Ready for Wind and Weather
Wind and weather can affect your comfort on a long ride. To fight wind fatigue, use a windshield and wear something to protect your neck. Dress in layers to stay warm or cool, and wear waterproof gear to keep dry in the rain.
Getting wet isn’t the problem. Getting cold is the problem. Make sure you’ve got the option to layer up. Heated grips or heated gear are going to be a great investment as well.
Make Your Bike Even Comfier
Adding accessories and adjusting your motorcycle can make your ride more comfortable. Think about adding footpegs, handlebar risers, or a backrest that you can adjust.
The big hitters for me, in terms of upgrades for long-journey comfort:
- Seat
Comfort seats are a great upgrade – look for an option that allows your weight to be carried on a flatter plain, rather than tilted forwards. It’s not all about adding extra squidge. A firmer seat, with a wider pan and a better seating position, can often give a better distribution of pressure and hold your weight in a more comfortable position. Options such as inflatable pads are worth looking at also. Many covet a piece of sheepskin. I’ve tried this and personally found it to be less comfortable than the seat itself and honestly feel people mainly do this for some kind of placebo effect, or to feel like they look like an adventurer. But each to their own. - Screen
Getting the right height on your screen can be hit-and-miss. On a naked bike, you can often find the bikini fairings actually create more noise and turbulence than not having a screen at all. Extending the screen on a faired bike can mean you end up with a jet of air in your ears rather than over your head. The phenomenon of ‘screen roar’ is a counterintuitive one, as you often expect the screen to make things better rather than worse. The types of screens I’ve found to really make the biggest difference are ones with an additional spoiler. You still get the air hitting you but they somehow make it much smoother and less turbulent. The MRA options are generally well-regarded, but I’ve had success with the eBay specials where you just clip a spoiler onto your existing screen. - Bar height
Getting bar height right can be finickity. Often, motorcycles don’t have enough slack in the cables to add bar risers without changing the whole cable set-up. But if you can get away with it, getting those bars that bit higher can sometimes add a good couple of hours to your riding time. Don’t go too high though, or you’ll start to cause shoulder problems and such.
Get used to your bike!
The biggest and most important tip I can give – allow some time to get used to your bike! The more miles you put in, the more you’re body and mind will learn to feel comfortable in the saddle. Build up the time you spend riding over time and be patient as you begin to feel more at one with your machine!
In Conclusion…
Long motorcycle rides can be a great experience, but staying comfortable is key to enjoying your trip. By picking the right gear, sitting comfortably, taking breaks, and adjusting your bike, you’ll be ready for a fun and exciting journey.
