West Malaysia loop ride

As the time for departure draws nearer, it is also time to take care of the little things to ensure that the adventure is not filled with avoidable problems. Some would argue that an adventure is not much of an adventure without problems and I would agree with that. However, I think problems resulting from our own neglect does not an adventure make. So it is a good idea to see what we can reasonably avoid through good preparation…so we can focus our energy on more interesting and fun challenges while on the road.

Bikes

It goes without saying (or maybe it goes with saying) that with bikes, the best thing to do is to get a good service a week or two before the start of the trip. Fresh oil can only make the bike feel better under load. Plus changing out parts that are worn means the bike will perform better too! Check for worn plugs, brake pads, discs, tires, chain, filters, gaskets, cables and other usual suspects. Replace anything that does is not performing optimally. Adjust tensions, suspensions, pressures, together with a check on the state of the battery. Also check that there are no loose nuts, bolts and other fasteners. Simple checks like this can make the difference between a trouble-free or a troublesome ride.

Gear

Many people ride motorcycles in this part of the world without donning the proper gear. While this is certainly a personal choice, the best thing to do when going on a long journey is to think safety first. We are all familiar with what happens when human skin comes in contact with tarmac…the tarmac wins, hands down. While there are people with skins thicker than the thickest leather available, most people have skins thinner than a piece of A4 printing paper. This means it will tear at the slightest brush against tarmac, rocks, and other rough substances. On a journey like this one, a proper jacket, riding pants, boots, gloves and helmet will be required. Making sure we have the right gear makes any incident less painful and debilitating. A good set of gear goes a long way.

Equipment

No matter how well we maintain our motorcycles, unforeseen problems can happen while traveling on a long journey. Road condition, weather, other road users and our own state of mind can contribute to these problems. Fasteners can vibrate loose, slips and knocks can put a well adjusted attachment off, or rain could get into the most unlikely of places and cause havoc. It is a good idea then to have the right equipment on hand for minor adjustments, repairs and maintenance when the need arises. The simplest way to ensure everyone has access to tools and equipment is to share. Just ensure that everyone has any unique tools required for their bike! Other than the usual tools, also look at common items that may need replacing like bulbs, plugs, cables, tubes and tyre repair kits. If there are bikes with limited petrol range, a jerry can for extra petrol and a siphon would be good to have on hand!

First aid

One of the things about traveling in remote places is being prepared for emergency first aid. It is best to have someone qualified for this. Better still, have two, just in case. It goes without saying (interesting that I am using that phrase for the second time in this post) that the group should have a well stocked first aid kit or two. A basic kit should include sterile gauze, dressing gauze, compression bandages, triangle bandages, disinfecting solutions, surgical gloves, forceps, scissors, plasters, Panadol, Po Chai pills, Tiger balm, tape and a collection of plasters at a minimum. This is, by no means, a comprehensive list of items. A kit should be fit for purpose so you might need other items for other activities.

Insurance

This is the last ditch backup should every possible precaution and action already taken not prevent a major issue during the trip. When the bike simply refuses to be fixed and needs to be towed back, or should there be injury that cannot be resolved through simple first aid or local medical care, then a reputable travel insurance (possibly with a rider – nice pun here – that includes motorcycles) is the best way to prevent major roadblocks in getting back home quickly for repairs, and possibly, medical attention. This is also the best way to pay off any liabilities incurred through the incident. Being adequately insured for each trip is not only good sense, it is absolutely vital.

Contacts

A motorcycle trip is a very enjoyable experience for the riders. There is a sense of freedom, adventure and camaraderie. However, the folks at home are usually more than a little worried. Technology allows for daily updates home to relief some of this worry. It is vital, then, that folks at home are kept informed of what is happening should there be an incident. Having a list of emergency contact numbers for every rider becomes important for this purpose. A list of contacts for services that might be required during the trip including motorcycle towing businesses, emergency response services, hotel/accommodation hotlines and other services would be useful to have.

So…are we ready?