Motorcycle Touring

One of the joys of motorcycling is the sheer freedom. And motorcycle touring means taking that freedom further afield. It needn’t be complicated or intimidating, whether you’re taking to the open road alone or setting out with a pillion passenger or a group of friends. You don’t need a large touring motorbike, either – even a small scooter can take you away from your everyday haunts for a weekend or longer.

So where to go? There are enough great motorcycling routes in the UK to keep you busy for a lifetime, for short breaks and longer touring. It’s easier than you might think to take your motorbike to continental Europe or Ireland, using ferries or the Channel Tunnel. And further afield, if you’re not planning the kind of expedition that will make shipping your motorcycle abroad worthwhile, you can hire a suitable motorbike or scooter, or join an organised trip.

Before you go, check our top tips on the three Ps of motorcycle travel:

Once you’re on the road, make the most of what’s special about travelling by motorbike or scooter:

  • The freedom: Don’t be afraid to change your route and your schedule. Slow the pace to take in the scenery, or head off the main roads into the hills. Why follow the herd?
  • The friends you’ll make: There’s no better way to start a million conversations, both with your fellow motorcyclists and with curious (and envious) bystanders. 
  • The low-cost flexibility: a motorcycle’s not just for cheap commuting. Why not use your enviable fuel economy to cross Europe for half the price of taking a family car, while keeping all the independence you DON’T get from budget airlines and off-peak rail fares? By camping or using youth hostels, you could squeeze a week’s holiday out of that citybreak budget. Or blow what you’ve saved on luxury hotels and travel light with just a toothbrush and credit card. The choice is yours.

Wherever you go, and whatever you ride, just remember – you’re there to enjoy yourself. Relax, don’t rush, give yourself time to adjust to novel riding conditions. Check out our Top Ten tips for riding your motorcycle abroad.

And don’t forget to share your stories and pictures with the Get On community when you get back!