To many Americans, motorcycles, in general, represent an adventurous spirit thanks to films like The Great Escape, Easy Rider,  and more recently, The Motorcycle Diaries. Adventure motorcycling doesn't have to be dangerous, though, nor does it have to mean bike owners change their entire lifestyles and ride off into the sunset forever.

 

Adventure motorcycling can be anything from weekend-long camping trips to years-long expeditions. What all of these trips have in common is that the journey is more important than the destination.

Choose a Capable Motorcycle

The first step to enjoying and mastering the sport of adventure motorcycling is to find the right bike. Whether that means buying a used Harley or heading to the dealership to check out the latest models, take the time to consider what you'll need.

 

True adventure motorcycling requires getting off the beaten path, which means you'll need a motorcycle that can handle long stretches of highway riding and at least a small amount of off-roading. Specialty adventure bikes draw inspiration from both traditional cruisers and dirt bikes. Though that might sound like an unlikely pairing, it lets adventure motorcyclists ride long distances in comfort while simultaneously ensuring that they'll be able to break camp wherever they want.

Does Harley-Davidson Make an Adventure Bike?

When most people think about riding off into the sunset to find the next great adventure, they're not thinking of Hondas or Kawasakis. What comes to mind is a Harley cruiser equipped with leather saddle bags and all the gear required to go wherever the road takes them. These days, though, the company does better regarding comfort and convenience.

 

If you want to start your motorcycle adventure on a Harley, you don't have to settle for a heavy cruiser that won't make it far off-road. The quintessential American motorcycle brand now makes two bikes for adventure touring: the Pan America 1250 and the Pan America 1250 Special. Both bikes feature a comfortable upright riding position and mid-mount foot controls but are light enough to make even day-long rides a breeze and feature on-road/off-road cast aluminum wheelsets and Michelin tires to take riders off the beaten path.

Do You Need a Specialized Adventure Bike to Get Started?

Most serious adventure motorcyclists find it's worth investing in a specialty bike. You can still practice some of the basics with your current motorcycle, though, even if there's no way it'll be taking you off-roading.

 

Once you have plans in place to ride off into the sunset and get off the beaten path, the situation changes. You'll need a bike that can handle both long highway rides and at least small amounts of off-roading.

Know Your Needs

Adventure motorcycling is a little different for everyone. Some people don't mind sticking primarily to the hardtop and the occasional dirt road. Others want to ride down single-lane dirt tracks without worrying about whether their bikes can handle it. Either way, the bike should offer a combination of creature comforts and off-road readiness. The ratio of one to the other is where things get interesting.

 

There are two ways to get a feel for different styles of adventure riding. The first is to invest in an official education by signing up at an ADV riding school or training program. These programs teach all of the fundamentals, from body position and braking to feeling comfortable on larger machines riding in deep sand. The second way is to borrow or rent an adventure bike and jump straight into the deep end by planning a trip with more experienced friends. Both these approaches will allow you to walk into a dealership with a clear idea of what you need.

Get Geared Up

If this isn't the first article you've read about adventure motorcycling, you may believe it requires investing in gear as expensive as the bike. Thankfully, that's not entirely the case.

 

You need high-quality protective gear because crashing is a routine part of adventure motorcycling, particularly on those first few trips. Having the right gear can make the difference between picking up your bike to continue on a fun adventure and winding up in the hospital.

 

The good news is that safe street gear is fine for those just getting started. Most riders eventually switch to dirt bike gear since it's less bulky and more breathable, but there's no need to invest in everything at once. Just be sure you have:

 

• Off-road boots
• Knee guards
• Body armor
• Lightweight motorcycle gloves
• A helmet designed for off-road use

 

Remember that you can always build up your collection slowly. You don't need to spend thousands on gear before heading off on your first motorcycle camping trip.

Is Specialized Gear Worth the Money?

Over time, you'll find that some specialized clothing is worth the investment. Heavy gear can leave you feeling fatigued, so it's best to keep things lightweight. Motorcycle gloves are a good example. Street gloves can be too bulky for adventure riding, where you'll be using the clutch and brake much more often. Adventure motorcycling boots are another good example. They're less flexible than alternatives designed for dirt-biking.

What About Tools and Equipment?

Gearing up isn't just about getting the right clothes. You'll also need to outfit that new ADV motorcycle for your first great adventure. Most experienced riders carry clothes, tents, food, and cooking equipment in their saddlebags and more expensive items like cameras in tank bags. You'll also want a small tool roll, a couple of spare tubes, and extra oils to keep the bike in top shape on longer trips and prevent unnecessary delays.

Practice Key ADV Riding Skills

To reiterate, the best way to learn the ropes is to take a class or find someone to teach you one-on-one. That said, plenty of riders manage to hone their ADV skills solo before heading out on days, weeks, or months-long adventures. Consider planning a day trip out to a local trail to practice skills relevant to riding on dirt and sand such as:

Standing While Riding

There are good reasons that motocross and trail riders tend to stand up while riding, and it's not just that it looks cool. Standing transfers the weight to your feet, allowing you to steer more effectively and navigate different types of terrain in ways that would be impossible sitting down. In the context of adventure motorcycling, it also gives you a better perspective. If you can see what's ahead, you'll have time to plan how to react instead of relying on instinct.

 

Keep your legs slightly bent while standing on the bike. Even the best suspension isn't going to soak up every jolt on rough terrain. Staying loose and keeping the balls of the feet on the pegs acts like a secondary suspension. Don't just keep your legs slightly bent and a little loose. Do the same with your upper body. Squeezing the gas tank can help, at least at first. After enough practice, standing while riding will feel completely natural.

Covering the Brake and Clutch

Adventure bikes usually have adjustable brake and clutch levers. Even if yours doesn't, there are aftermarket parts you can have installed to improve the situation. Be sure that both levers are within easy reach, as you'll want to keep a finger or two over them at all times. Covering the levers in that way helps you respond faster to potential problems.

 

Most riders find that their levers are comfortably within reach when angled downward. Remember that you'll be in a standing position during the most challenging parts of your ride. Angling the levers will let you feather the clutch, giving you more control over the bike.

Learning to Turn

If you're coming from a street biking background, you already know that turning a bike requires you to use the traction available through a combination of body positioning and technique. The difference is, you'll be standing. This position gives you greater control over where your body weight is placed, allowing you to lean forward when riding uphill or back on descents.

 

While turning on dirt or sand uses the same principles, it's a skill you should practice before your first adventure tour even if you're making the switch from riding on pavement. Practice keeping your weight over the front when starting turns to maintain traction and using the throttle to finish them by spinning the rear tire.

 

You'll quickly notice that while the basics are the same, you'll need to change where you keep your center of gravity when riding off-road. Instead of shifting with the bike, keep yourself centered or weighted over the outside peg and lean the motorcycle over instead. You can maintain the correct position by turning your entire body or just your upper body in the direction of the bike's bars and adjusting your feet as necessary. Just be sure to keep the weight of your lower body on the outside peg.

Keeping the Front Light

A final difference in technique comes into play when you hit sand, mud, or water. When sand riding, keep your weight back and knees bent to avoid placing weight on the front tire. That way, the tire will skim over the sand and won't get dug in. The same applies to water and mud.

Plan Your Route Effectively

If you've never been adventure motorcycling or even motorcycle camping, the temptation to pack up all your gear and head out with no particular plan is very real. You shouldn't do that, though. Having a route planned out makes it much easier to avoid unnecessary setbacks like long stretches with no gas stations or seasonal road closures.

 

In addition to helping you make sure you can skip unnecessary hassles, effective route planning also allows you to fit as much as possible into your trip. There are so many amazing things to see out there. Why spend all your time on routes you could take with any old bike or even a car?

 

One of the best ways to start planning a route is to confer with other off-road enthusiasts. Many online communities share custom maps for Garmin GPS devices, and there are even apps designed just for motorcycle camping and adventure touring. Just keep in mind that these resources won't replace the need for doing plenty of research before taking off. A route that was fantastic in the Summer of 2020 might be miserable in the Fall of 2023, or even non-existent.

Adventure With Friends

Most activities are more fun with friends. When it comes to adventure motorcycling, fun isn't the only issue at hand, though. Most experienced riders also recommend bringing along some friends to avoid trouble on the road. The last thing any distance rider wants is to get stuck completely alone in the middle of nowhere without so much as a bar of cell reception. Having a friend there who can ride to the next town for help can make all the difference.

 

Riding with friends isn't just about what you'll do after a serious fall or equipment failure. You'll also have more fun sharing the adventure with others than if you took off alone. If you don't know anyone into ADV riding, why not head to an event?

 

The American Motorcyclist Association maintains a list of planned tours, trips, and events all around the country. You'll find one that matches your skill, interests, and geographic location. Plus, you're almost guaranteed to make some new friends to ride with if you decide to take on a more substantial adventure motorcycling trip in the future.

Start Planning That Next Great Adventure

Adventure motorcycling isn't a sport you should jump right into. Take the time to learn and practice the basics before you head out on that first grand adventure tour, and bring at least one more experienced motorcyclist along for the ride. Adequate planning and safe riding are the keys to making sure everything goes as intended so you don't wind up in a bad situation.