Some useful touring tips:

1. Preparations
   

   Make sure that your machine is up to scratch, mechanically sound and is up to the journey that you intend to make. Consider joining a breakdown recovery scheme such as the AA or RAC. One journey home on the back of a recovery truck will more than cover several years subscriptions. It is worth checking your insurance as some insurance companies provide such cover as part of the normal insurance cover or at a small additional cost to the standard premium.

2. Check your tyres
   

   You will probably be covering more mileage than you do normally so make sure that you have plenty of tread on your tyres, they are in good condition and that they are inflated to the correct pressures. It is suprising how quickly a part worn tyre wears down when travelling increased distances. You may need to increase your tyre pressures if riding with extra luggage or a pillion. Consult the handbook for the machine. It may be worth considering using a puncture preventative product or at the very least carrying an emergency repair kit to get you on your way.

3. Remember your waterproofs
   

   Don't forget your waterproofs whatever the weather and always have warm clothes with you. It is better to be too warm than too cold and you can always shed some extra layers if it is too hot. Whilst it might be nice and warm at a low altitude, as you climb it often gets much colder. As we all know, in the United Kingdom we can get all 4 seasons weather packed in to one day sometimes. It is worth taking 2 pairs of gloves with you, one thick pair and one thinner pair.

4. Packing luggage
   

   When it comes to luggage pack as light as possible, with heavy items as low down on your machine as they can be placed, so that the centre of gravity is not raised too much and affects your balance and control of the motorcycle that you are riding. Make sure all luggage is securely fastened.

5. Riding as a group
   

   When riding as a group always ride within your own limits. Whatever you do, don't try and keep up with those in front of you. It is important that you arrive at your destination safely. Have a look at the 'drop off'system which works well when riding as a group. It is a simple method to keep a group together and let everyone ride at their own pace and may be used by the tour leader to get you safely from one point to another.

6. Does your visor mist up?
   

   Wipe your visor with washing up detergent if you have a misting up problem with your visor. Misted up visors are dangerous as your visibility can be severely restricted, especially in wet weather. A simple way to stop the visor misting up is to polish the visor with some washing up detergent: using a soft cloth or tissue, first apply the detergent. After the detergent has been applied polish the visor to remove the detergent to give a clean clear and unobstructed view. This will then stop the moisture clinging to the dirt particles on your visor and forming a mist to obstruct your vision. After several days the effect of the detergent will wear off so repeat the same procedure to give yourself a clean visor with a clear and unobstructed view.

7. Keeping dry
   

   Wrap up your sleeping bag in a suit carrier to keep it dry. A simple idea used by one of our tourers on the camping weekend was to wrap a sleeping bag up in a suit carrier to keep it out of the elements and making sure that you have a dry bed to sleep in at the end of a hard days riding. A simple and cost effective idea that I had not seen before and perhaps one that you might like to try when on a camping tour.