Many riders love to do cross country rides because there isn’t a better feeling than getting that wind to your body, especially during hot summer days. To get on a cross-country trip, you will need your motorcycle, protective gear, and a plan to have everything covered, so you don’t bump into some surprises during the journey.
With all of the beautiful destinations across the US, you will need to decide the one you want to go to since there are many routes you can go on your motorcycle cross-country trip.
So how do you plan a motorcycle cross-country trip? As a general rule, the first thing you need to do is prepare your motorcycle for the journey. Your bike needs to be serviced and ready for the trip. Have a plan of your trip and write everything in detail, like where you will sleep and eat. Make sure to bring all the necessary equipment.
Further in this article, we will cover all the things you need to give the most attention to for your trip to be a great experience that you want to repeat in the future.
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How to Plan a Cross Country Motorcycle Trip?
The United States has so much to offer when we look at all the possibilities we can go on for a ride. You can sit on your motorcycle and ride through the deserts of the Southwest or ride through the most popular cities through the East Coast. You can also explore California and enjoy its famous beaches, or if you like America’s national parks, your motorcycle will give you the best experience.
Whatever part of the US you are from, the great news is that you can get to almost any part of America in a matter of hours and days, and if you have planned your trip to every detail, it will most surely be a fantastic experience.
So, where do we start? You will need to have an action plan that will have everything prepared and covered to the very last detail. You need to have your motorcycle routes prepared, but probably the most important thing is to have your motorcycle serviced and 100% ready because this is a trip that is hundreds if not thousands of miles long, and we don’t want any unnecessary problems along the way.
Things you need to give the most attention to:
- Change the oil
- Check your tires
- Get a tire-repair kit
- Pack maintenance tools
With all the possible prevention measures, sometimes we can’t escape any problems along the road, and that is why having additional insurance with road assistance is a smart thing to have, or you should invest in AAA. Another thing you should have in mind is to have a reliable mobile service provider so you can call for an emergency in case you get stuck in some desert, forest, or any other not-so-crowded area.
If you plan to go on a trip for a couple of days, getting a luggage reach to your motorcycle will also be a smart thing to do because it will enable you to get extra necessities.
Tip: You can get quality luggage racks for around 100$, and the rack will be very useful. This will allow you to get additional equipment and gear.
Get yourself a weatherproof riding suit because there is a great chance of rain and wind, especially on longer trips cross country that will be a couple of days long. There is a possibility that you won’t need to wear it, but you need to have it by your side.
You need to have a first aid kit, boots, clothes, cash, and a tire patch kit. You can also get a motorcycle suit that you find the most comfortable, so you feel nice during rides.
GPS navigation is another accessory you need to have on your trip, and if you have a smartphone, then you should have a GPS on your mobile phone.
Longer trips can be exhausted, and you could have a riding buddy by your side since it is much safer to be two of you on a ride than only one in case something goes wrong.
CAUTION: Giving your route and trip plan to someone back at your home and your motorcycle friends is the best way to be safe on your trip, and you should call someone regularly just to inform them where you are on your route and that they have the evidential of your progress.
The Best Motorcycles for Cross Country Trips
Choosing a perfect motorcycle for cross-country motorcycle trips is what you need to do before starting the journey. What motorcycle is ideal for a cross-country trip? Is it cruiser like Harley Davidson or touring or sports motorcycles like Yamaha, Honda, or Kawasaki? The answer to this question lies in your motorcycle preferences and what motorcycle types you like the most.
Some riders are in love with Harley Davidson since this brand is a classic and has an excellent reputation in the world of bikes, and it will give its rider a smooth and lovely ride.
BMW R1200GS
BMW R1200GS, on the other hand, is an impressive bike and is an agile and fast motorcycle. This motorcycle is one of the best bikes that you can choose for your cross-country motorcycle adventure. It has heated seats, wind protection and is pretty easy and smooth to handle.
Harley Davidson Electra
The Harley Davidson Electra will be a perfect choice for anyone who chooses a touring bike because it will provide a smooth and relaxing ride, and this motorcycle is equipped with GPS and is very reliable.
Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS
Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS is a motorcycle that will make your trip full of enjoying moments. This superbike will satisfy your needs and give you a comfortable cross country ride because it has motorcycle cruise control, integrated saddlebags, and an intercom/headset system.
If you want to learn more about How to Listen to Music While Riding, click here.
You can also learn about intercom systems where we wrote about Sena vs. Cardo and Which One Intercom System Is Better.
Ducati Multistrada 1260 S Grand Tour
This motorcycle will be the perfect choice if you prefer a modern bike over a classic one. It is a small size, 1262 CC motorcycle equipped with valuable gadgets. This motorcycle will satisfy every need for riders who want to enjoy long touring journeys and is an excellent choice for commuting.
Suzuki V-Strom 1050 ABS
If you like a little bit of a sporty option, you should go for a Suzuki V-Strom 1050 ABS, which is a 1037 CC bike that has two-stage traction controls. Although this bike has low ground clearance, you will be positioned high in the saddle because it has an upright seating position.
Yamaha FJR1300
Yamaha FJR1300 is another excellent choice for going on cross-country motorcycle trips. This is a 1298 CC motorcycle equipped with cruise control. It is a very popular choice for touring rides because it is equipped with luggage mounts and heated seats, and you will most definitely enjoy its comfortable ride.
Other popular and quality brands produce great motorcycles for cross-country journeys, and companies like Royal Enfield and Janus Motorcycles are definitely in top-tier rank.
Top 5 Cross Country Motorcycle Routes
The US is a country that has many cross-country routes you can choose to go for a ride and enjoy to the fullest. There are some of the most know routes that we will write about in this article that you should try, and you will most definitely like them.
You will want to start your journey depending on your current location, and you will need to plan the duration of the trip. If you still don’t know what cross-country route will be interesting to you, you can mix a couple of them to make your journey fun. We will give you the top 5 cross country motorcycle rides that we find interesting.
1. Pacific Coast Highway
This motorcycle route is a very popular choice for motorcycle cross-country trips, and it begins at the northwest point of the Olympic National Park located in Washington state. You need to get to the Pacific Coast Highway and travel for 1650 miles until you get to San Diego.
San Diego is a place where you can have a lot of fun and enjoy your motorcycle rides, and you can find the best of them by clicking here.
On this trip, you will enjoy views of the Three Capes Loop, temperate deserts, The Olympic National Park, and Redwood National Park.
You will go through the cities of Seattle, Portland, Sacramento, and finally, Los Angeles, known as the city of angels.
2. The Great River Road
The Great River Road is considered one of the best motorcycle cross-country rides inside the US, starting at the Great River Rd, Minnesota, and going to the Ocean in Boothville-Venice, Louisiana. You can stop and check St. Louise, Main Street USA, New Orleans, and the Natchez Trace Parkway on this trip.
You should make a stop at the Mall of America in Minneapolis, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, visit Graceland in Memphis, and make a final stop at Bourbon Street in New Orleans.
3. The Atlantic Coast
The Atlantic Coast is the best motorcycle cross-country trip on the East Coast of the United States. You will start your trip in New York and ride 2000 miles south until you reach Key West, Florida. Most of the journey is near the Atlantic Ocean, which means that you will see all the beauties of the Ocean itself and other scenic views along the way.
You should stop and see the Statue of Liberty as you ride along the Overseas Highway and stop by the Assateague Island National Seashore. Make sure to explore Key West and stop at Savannah and Cocoa Beach.
4. The Border to Border Road Trip
This journey will begin at Jasper National Park in Canada and ride to the Sonoran Desert located in Arizona. This motorcycle cross-country trip is perfect for riders who like rugged landscapes where you will witness tumultuous rivers, glaciated valleys, majestic mountains, and beautiful deserts.
Note: You should check the Columbia Icefield in Alberta, Canada, at the beginning of the trip. Plan your trip in detail and make time to stop at the Joshua Forest Parkway, explore Nevada’s Extraterrestrial Highway, and head to Montana’s Bitterroot Mountains.
5. The Historic Route 66 Road Trip
Route 66 is known as the iconic motorcycle route, and this journey goes from Chicago and heads to the city of angels, Los Angeles. On this historic Route 66, you can learn about many different styles and cultures that make America great. You will find some of the most visited locations on this route, and the most popular destinations are Tucumcan, Santa Monica, the Painted Desert, the Meramec Caverns, and Chicago.
You have plenty of things to enjoy on this route, and famous motorcycle bars, classic dinners, and nice company along the way are certainly why you should take this trip. This route will also give you some of the most beautiful and scenic rides and views that you have ever experienced in your life since you will ride through all the imaginable environments from national forests to sandy deserts.
These were the top 5 cross country route that we find the most interesting ones that will take your breath away, and you will enjoy them to the fullest. You can also organize your own route that you think will be interesting, and we can share your trip experience as well.
Prepare for Your Cross Country Trip
Planning your cross-country motorcycle trip is something you must do before the trip. This way, you will detail everything, and you will be aware of all the possibilities that can happen during the trip, both good and bad. After you complete your first motorcycle cross country trip, you will see how great an experience that is, and you will most definitely want to go on another cross country trip.
Conclusion
Every longer motorcycle trip especially cross country, demands some sort of preparation. You need to plan everything and prepare yourself, your motorcycle, and your gear for the trip. That way, you will have the best possible experience, and you will enjoy every second of the trip.