Travel Tips for Motorcycle Road Trips

Kara Santos

6 years ago

Earlier this year, I met Phillip / JT of MoTour Pilipinas, a motovlogger based in Laguna who aims to visit all 81 provinces of the Philippines on two wheels. For those who’ve been following my blog and Facebook page, this has also been a long term quest of mine as well and I know how challenging it can be to try and do it all by motorcycle.

He’s also vlogging all about his adventures. Video content is something I haven’t really tried doing seriously, but I can see how engaging it is for audiences compared to just writing and photos. We’ve been trading some tips on different trips through Facebook and I’ve been following his adventures on Youtube.

If you want to get ideas on where to go around the country, be sure to subscribe to his Youtube Channel: MoTour Pilipinas. His vlogs are very light, fun to watch and informative. Check out his first vlog where he explains his first mission.

Here’s another video where we have a short meet-up in the city (at 11:30 mark). Our schedules haven’t really synced this year, but hopefully, we can schedule a ride together soon.

Anyway, it may seem like riding to places is always fun and exciting. But before you can enjoy the journey and the destination, there’s actually a lot of work that goes into making sure you and your motorcycle are prepared for a ride. If you own a bike, this means regular maintenance and tune-ups. I recently reached out to ask Phillip / JT about how he prepares for his rides and added a few of my own tips.

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1. Be prepared physically

If you’re the one driving, be sure you are physically prepared to endure driving especially if you’ll be driving long distance or doing multi-day trips. This involves getting enough exercise, going on short practice rides and getting enough sleep before the actual ride. Driver fatigue is a real thing. Many accidents happen because whoever is driving is tired or sleepy.

Take frequent breaks. Most safety guides recommend a 20-30 minute break for every three hours of driving.
Avoid driving between 12 midnight and 6 am, as these are the hours when alertness is at a minimum.
If you feel sleepy, stop at a well-lit, busy place like a gas station. Don’t stop along the road or the shoulder of an expressway as these are only for emergencies.
Do not drink and drive.

2. Get your motorcycle checked

Be sure to get your motorcycle checked especially before a before a ride. Remember the acronym “BLOW BAG” when checking your vehicle (whether it’s a car or motorcycle) for road worthiness.

B – Battery
L – Lights
O – Oil
W – Water
B – Brakes
A – Air
G – Gas

It’s recommended to change your oil once a year or every 2,000 to 3,000 miles.

3. Plan Ahead

Research about the destination and familiarize yourself with the routes, hospitals, convenience stores etc. along the route.
Better yet, use a smart phone for GPS navigation.
These days, mobile apps like Waze can be counted on to help you get to your destination. No more need to bring bulky physical maps. I usually just rely on Googlemaps.
Ask tips from riders who have previously gone there on the best routes, pit stops and what to look out for.

4. Bring the necessities

Your main bag can contain clothes, chargers, gadgets, trash bags, and others depending on the trip.
It helps to have a smaller bag that contains a first aid kit, some food, water, tire pump, tire puncture repair kit, flashlight and basic tools like wrenches etc.
If riding in groups, maybe one (who has the biggest storage space) can carry most of the tools
Some of the most useful items to have in your storage compartment include: garbage bags, raincoat, rags/basahan, string or bungy cords, cable ties (very useful), swissknife, locks etc.

5. Wear proper safety gear and protect yourself on the road

Wear full safety gear for long rides: helmet, padded jackets, padded pants, heavy duty shoes/boots, gloves.
Be aware of your surroundings while driving. Presence of mind is key.
Aside from other vehicles, there are a LOT of things you need to watch out for when driving in the Philippines, including pedestrians crossing the road without looking, kids and dogs running across the street, gravel and sand, melted asphalt, open manhole covers, potholes, uneven sidewalks and lots more.

6. Learn the proper road discipline

The Philippines is not exactly known for having the most disciplined drivers, but that doesn’t mean that you should forget common courtesies while on the road.
Keep your cool whenever you’re driving. If someone is behaving badly on the road, try not to get involved. Road rage can escalate very quickly. It’s better to just slow down or avoid a fight then become another statistic.
If a vehicle behind you is trying to overtake but can’t, take no action.
Keep to the speed limit (there are CCTVs now that can check!). Don’t obstruct drivers who wish to overtake.
For group rides, assign designated checkpoints (like gas stations) where you can regroup every several kilometers.

7. Enjoy the trip!

Don’t get too fixated with following a strict itinerary or ticking off must-sees and must-do’s in every place you visit just because it’s the most famous.
The best thing about motorcycle road trips is how random encounters can make your travel experience more fulfilling compared to the usual packaged tours.
Sure, you can read previously written travel guides as a guide, but the best part of riding is enjoying the journey itself and just finding out for yourself what makes a place special.
Some rides are best enjoyed with groups and friends. Having companions can make an otherwise boring or tiring journey more fun.
But having no one to ride with shouldn’t stop you from riding either.
For solo trips, it’s the random places where you just stop to take a break or the casual conversations with people you meet that make the trips the most fulfilling.

Additional photos and tips courtesy of Phillip / JT of Motour Pilipinas. Check out his Youtube channel!