Few onroad experiences are more satisfying than motorcycle touring with friends, and it doesn’t have to be dangerous. Chris Sheedy tells you what you need to watch out for to ensure you have the safest possible trip on two wheels. Perfect days, open roads, the sights, sounds and smells of the Australian landscape – many say that the ultimate way to experience our wide, brown land is from the seat of a motorcycle. Sharing the trip with friends, whether it is a loved one perched on the pillion seat or a large group, simply intensifies the enjoyment.

But a motorcycle tour can be ruined by a breakdown, a route mix-up, discomfort or a crash. However, there are plenty of simple steps you can take that will minimise or negate the possibility of this happening.

Pre-plan

A great ride is as much about the planning as the execution, especially when it comes to group rides. Ensure the route is familiar to all riders, even if that just means a map drawn in the dirt before saddling up. Make sure riders know what to look out for, whether it’s slippery corners or not-to-be-missed views.

Check that the length of the ride isn’t going to mean an uncomfortably long time on the bike. All riders should have plenty of time to reach their destination before nightfall. Don’t forget to allow for, and identify, frequent stops along the way, giving everyone plenty of time to refuel, use the bathroom and have a feed.

NRMA Vehicle Safety Expert, Jack Haley, who regularly does group rides, says, “Don’t forget to check availability of premium fuel as that’s what many bikes require. You can check this on the fuel companies’ websites. You may also want to ring the local police to check if there are any roadworks in the area – gravel can be disastrous under wide bike tyres.”

Bike preparation

Give your motorcycle a good wash a few weeks before the trip. This is good for several reasons – more shine makes your bike more visible to drivers, it removes dirt and grease that could cause problems with mechanical parts and, most importantly, it makes identifying leaks much easier.

Having your bike serviced is not only sensible and safe, but it’s considerate to your fellow riders who’ll be stuck with you should you break down.

Check tyres for wear and for foreign objects, and ensure brake pads still have plenty of life left in them. Using a reliable pressure gauge, check your tyres are inflated to the level recommended by the manufacturer – slightly under-inflated tyres can cause a massive drop in performance and handling, as well as extra wear and dangerous overheating. On a multi-day ride, check tyre pressure and oil every morning.

“Check that your NRMA membership is current,” says Jack. “And pack a tool kit with screwdrivers and spanners – bikes now are very reliable but these can come in handy.”

And don’t forget essentials such as chain oil and a security device.

Gear preparation

What sort of weather are you expecting? Prepare for it, and more. If you’re heading into the mountains, then cold can be a serious issue. Winter gloves and a set of thermal underwear can be a lifesaver. Remember that the pillion will often be even colder than the rider, so make sure they’re prepared. Waterproofs, obviously, are a necessity on any long ride, and if you’re expecting hot weather then invest in ventilated, but well-armoured, gear. Overheating during a ride can be extremely dangerous and takes away from a rider’s concentration.

If your boots aren’t waterproof and don’t have excellent shin protection, it’s a good idea to upgrade. And pack some tissues and cleaning fluid to clear your visor during stops.

Make sure you’ve worn and tested everything you’re taking with you in order to confirm that it’s comfortable and it works – in the middle of a tour is a very bad time to discover your new panniers are not waterproof!

Group briefing

When the group meets up it’s vital to spend half an hour or so having a quick briefing, discussing routes, sites to look out for, expected onroad behaviour and hand signals.

Common signals include the left hand raised for stopping; arm extended and palm down for slowing down; arm pointing downwards to the right or left to indicate a hazard on the road; and an opening and closing fist meaning ‘turn your indicator off’.

Agree on a leader and a tail rider. These two must stay in their positions throughout the entire ride, and it’s also a good idea to make sure the tail rider has a first-aid kit handy. It’s even better if they know how to use it!

Ensure everybody understands the corner marking process. This involves the leader turning a corner and indicating to the rider immediately behind to mark the corner. That rider pulls over and points the other bikes in the correct direction rejoining the pack when approached by the tail rider.

On the road

No matter how good the conditions, be sure to leave a three-second gap between yourself and the rider in front. Jack says you should double this time gap if the road is wet.

If you’re not completely comfortable with the pace, then back off and ride at your own speed – you’ll save fuel, reduce tyre wear and reduce the likelihood of having a crash. Group leaders should ensure they only ride at the pace of the least experienced rider.

It’s also a very good idea to split a large group into several sub-groups based on riding skills – this has been proven to drastically reduce chances of a crash. If a rider does come off, secure the site as quickly as possible. Other riders should make themselves visible on nearby corners to warn approaching traffic. Kill the crashed bike’s engine and switch off the fuel as others call for help.

Finally, Jack says to apply simple rules of courtesy. If you’re moving up through the pack, then overtake only when it’s safe and when there’s enough room, and when cutting back in, don’t cut across someone else’s line.

If our tips are followed, you will arrive at your destination refreshed and thrilled about the ride. And after a good night’s sleep you’ll wake up keen to do it all over again.

More safety information

The Motorcycle Council (MCC) of NSW was established in 1982 and represents over 41 clubs with more than 36,000 motorcycle riders.

The MCC lobbies for motorcycle riders’ rights locally, nationally and internationally on issues such as road safety, legislation, crash barriers, parking and tolling.

NRMA Motoring & Services sponsors the safety pages on the MCC of NSW website. For more motorcycle safety information, visit Motorcycle Council of Australia.