Prep yourself in advance, when you go on a motorcycle tour:
BeforeDuringAfter
PACK YOUR STUFF
Documents and Finances
o Copy important documents and keep it separate or send it to your email box (just in case if the original would be lost)
o Pack important documents in waterproof bags (zip-lock bags)
- ID (check the expiration date on your ID card and / or passport! Make sure your passport is valid at least 6 months after your travel date)
- Valid motorcycle drivers license
- If needed: international motorcycle drivers license
- Reservation confirmation, airfare, hotel voucher, …
- International certificate of vaccination
- Allergy Card
- If needed: Visa
- Foreign health insurance
- Travel & Health Insurance Card
- Emergency sheet with important phone numbers, blood type, …
- Means of payment (cash, EC-card, Credit Card, foreign currency)
- PIN for Credit Cards
- Credit Card backup
- Authorize your credit card for the area you travel
Personal Items and Helpful Stuff
- Toiletry bag (toothbrush, toothpaste, shaving kit, brush, deodorant, shampoo, nail scissors, tweezers, lotion)
- Glasses and spare glasses
- Contact lenses and contact lens fluid
- Sunglasses
- Small functional towel
- Mobile phone and charger (phone service in the area you travel)
- Camera with charger or batteries and memory cards (–> store your phone and camera in a waterproof bag!)
- Helmet Camera
- Multitool (not in carry-on luggage, when flying in a plane!)
- First-Aid-Kit (analgesic, antipyretic, wound / healing ointment, against diarrhea, nausea, fever thermometer, tick tweezers, etc.)
- Sunscreen
- Disinfectant spray
- Mosquito repellent
- Visor cleaning cloths
- Adequate backpack or hydration pack
- Adapter plug (Adapterstecker Ausland)
- Reading stuff (book, eReader)
- Dictionary or App
- Travel book or App
- Maps
- GPS
Cloth and Riding Gear
- Underwear
- Pajamas
- T-Shirts, Shirts, Sweater
- Jacket (Softshell, Fleece)
- Shorts, pants
- Socks
- Swimming trunks
- Cap
- Flip-Flops or sandals and sneakers
- Functional underwear
- Motorcycle pants
- Motorcycle boots
- Motorcycle jacket
- Back protector
- Kidney belt
- Raingear
- Motorcycle helmet
- Motorcycle goggles
- Balaclava
- Motorcycle gloves
Before Your Motorcycle Adventure
- Do you need any vaccinations?
- Check with your Doctor for approval
- If you want to ride in or out of the EU with your rental motorcycle, check with the rental station if this is possible at all. If yes, make sure they have the necessary documents prepared
- Get travel and trip cancelation insurance
- Do you need to practice riding? Maybe join a motorcycle training
- Print out all relevant travel documents, vouchers and tickets
- Make sure that the rider’s credit card has enough funds to deposit the security deposit
- Make sure that the rider’s credit card is approved for transactions in the area you are traveling
- Organize the ride/drive to the rental station / tour operator
Bike Pick-Up
- Pick-up the bike on time, in case you are late, please inform the motorcycle supplier
- Plan some extra time for the pickup, you might be not the only one starting a trip
- Have your valid motorcycle driver’s license and your ID/Passport ready (no copy!)
- Have your credit card ready for security deposit authorization
- Read the rental contract carefully. Make sure to clarify uncertainties
- Taking out further insurance is optional, depending on your needs
- Check the gas level: take over the bike with full tank, return it with a full tank –> ask the motorcycle supplier for the nearest gas station
- Check the bike –> Have damages and defects confirmed in writing
- Any scratches, dents? Take pictures
- Tires okay?
- Mirrors, lights okay?
- Note the fuel level
During your ride
- Properly pack your bike (pay attention to balance!)
- Keep an eye on the oil level of your bike
- Take plenty of breaks
- Don’t ride for too long distances
- Make sure to stay hydrated
- Use GPS and stay with your planned route
- In case of an accident
- Call the police in any case and get an accident report (no accident report, usually no insurance coverage)
- Call the motorcycle supplier and report the damage
Bike Drop-Off
- Fill up the bike before returning (keep the receipt for at least 3 months after vacation)
- Drop-off the bike on time (late drop-off can lead to additionally charges). Be early since many rental stations closing and traffic might be heavy in the city area around the station
- Confirm bike for a return damage check (note that no damage has been added, confirm tank level)
- Get a copy of the released credit card authorization
Tell your friends about your motorcycle adventure and share pictures! 🙂