Motorcycle Adventure Riding Singapore| Beginner's Guide

Beginner's Guide: How to Prepare for a Motorcycle Adventure Riding Trip

Reading time: 4 mins

If you are a motorbike enthusiast and love the thrill of adventure, then you probably dream about hitting the dirt road in an exciting motorcycle riding trip! 

Adventure motorcycle riding is definitely a fun way to put your two-wheeler to the test while enjoying the great outdoors. But, there are important things to consider, like, what type of bike to use, what gear is necessary, weather conditions and most importantly safety. 

Of course, when it comes to safety, the first thing you should get is motorcycle insurance. Ensure you choose the right motorbike insurance cover type that will protect you when riding through challenging terrains. You should consider adding on Optional Benefits like Any Rider that will also cover your riding buddies, should they want to test out your motorbike too. Bear in mind that this only applies to riders that meet the criteria stipulated in your insurance policy.

Once you’ve got that sorted, you can move on to the other prep work for your adventure trip. We’ve made it easy for you, by highlighting all the details you need to know, to go on your first adventure biking road trip! 

What is Motorcycle Adventure Riding? 

Naturally, before we get into what you should do, let’s discuss what adventure motorcycle riding is all about. Duh! Going on an adventure on your motorbike, right? Well, yes, that’s the gist of it, but adventure motorcycle riding is more than just going on a joyride with the wind in your hair. 

Proper adventure riding involves riding through long highways, rough roads or dirt tracks to another location. You could be heading to a quiet off-road rest stop or even another country, usually as part of a convoy. Typically, adventure riders prefer to take the route less travelled to get to the end point, as that’s the whole thrill of the ride. 

In other words, be it dreadful weather, mechanical issues, or difficult terrain, adventure motorcycling is all about pushing your motorbike to its limits and having a blast while you’re at it. 

How to Prepare for Your Adventure Riding Trip?  

Here are the main things to think about, as pre-preparation for your exciting motorcycle adventure ride.

1. Terrain & Riding Style

Are you keen for a long touring adventure on uncharted highways or are you seeking a short day trip through more challenging terrain? Consider if the route is mostly dirt, gravel or mud roads. Then check on all other possible routes in case you decide to change course halfway through.

Thinking about where you want to ride to, the path you want to take to get there, and whether you’ll be riding alone or with a pillion rider, are crucial things to consider when deciding on all the other factors of your adventure riding trip. 

2. Type of Motorcycle

When it comes to off-road riding, the type of motorbike you choose plays a major role in your safety and overall adventure riding experience. Most sport bikes, cruisers, standard or touring motorbikes are not made for off-roading, unless you have modified it to be able to ride on dirt or gravel roads. 

However, if you’re planning to ride through more difficult routes, your best options are Dual-sport, Adventure or Enduro motorbikes that are made for adventure riding. Here’s a quick summary of these motorcycle types:

Dual-sport

This motorcycle is the most versatile for adventure riding beginners who have not ridden off-road before. It has a single-cylinder, making it much lighter and easier to handle when riding through sandy, dirt roads.

Adventure 

As the name suggests, these motorbikes are made for adventure. These bikes are comfortable for long distance riding with a pillion rider. However, it’s multi-cylinder engine makes it heavy and can be difficult to manage, especially if you are new to adventure riding and have no off-road riding skills.

Enduro

This motorbike is used for endurance races. It’s powerful and the lightest of the three that makes it the ideal option for real thrill-seekers that are keen on tackling very challenging and technical terrain. But the Enduro can cost a lot to maintain and is the most expensive option of the three.

3. Bike Accessories & Riding Gear

So, you’ve figured out where you want to ride to and got yourself a motorbike to suit your riding style. Now it’s time to think about the necessary accessories and riding gear for your adventure ride. 

There are plenty of motorcycle accessories you could get once you become an advanced adventure rider but to start, there are only 2 must-haves – a pair of handguards and a bash plate. These accessories are crucial to protect you, your bike and your engine, in case you fall off your bike and your motorcycle hits the ground. 

Besides that, you should set aside a budget for your riding gear. It’s a no-brainer that you should get a helmet, jacket, riding pants, a pair of gloves and boots that offer optimal protection, abrasion resistance as well as good breathability. Besides that, you should also invest in a sturdy impact suit and knee guards or braces for the added protection, if you want to seriously get into off-road riding. 

4. Join a Motorcycle Adventure Riding Group

Adventure bike riding is not a solo sport. Join a group like Adventure Riders Singapore, that’s made up of motorcycle enthusiasts like yourself. Get acquainted with other riders and check if there are any adventure riding trips coming up. 

Travelling with a group of adventure bikers, some of which may be very experienced in off-road biking, will give you a chance to learn some adventure riding tips and tricks. Plus, it’ll ensure you have help on hand in case you get injured or damage your bike. And of course, it’ll be much more fun!!

Hit the Dirt Road for Your First Adventure Ride!

Once you’ve covered your bases, it’s time to go on your first motorcycle adventure riding trip. Don’t forget to carry enough water to keep hydrated, and a first-aid kit just to be prepared.

It’s also worth bringing along a navigation device (or you can download an app on your mobile phone), a multi-tool kit and a mini air-compressor, in case you need it. 

Now, all that’s left to do is plan that trip and have a ride of your life!