While this one can be difficult to avoid, riding towards the sun when it’s low can really strain your eyes. So try and plan your breakfast and dinner times near sunrise or sunset, so you don’t have to ride towards the blinding sun.

Try to be ready and rolling by 8am, if possible. It’s always great to watch things wake up around you  in the morning. And with miles to go, the earlier you can get going, the earlier you can stop for the night. However, because of wildlife, it’s best not to hit the road too early and to be off the main roads by dusk. The dimming light can make it more difficult to spot and be spotted in turn, and you’re better off avoiding street hazards and becoming one yourself.

For a motorcycle tour in Europe, you will need good quality riding gear. Remember, wearing a helmet is mandatory across the entire continent. Riding without one is illegal throughout the entire EU, so make sure you bring your helmet with you.

In general, most riders prefer bigger touring bikes for 7+ day trips, but you should only ride a bike that you are comfortable handling. For off-road riding, there is a completely different set of features you’ll be considering compared to perfectly maintained roads and highways of the USA.

On the other hand, Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark are best explored in mid-summer. If you’re planning to ride your motorcycle to Nordkap, for example, the best time to go is August.

In winter you can enjoy Florida and the Southwest, or even do a tour down to Cabo San Lucas in Mexico. Our guide to winter riding offers all the best routes and trip suggestions. Summer offers a must consistent level of temperatures and in the desert areas, you’re very likely to face extreme heat. Not everyone is ready for that, so some riders opt-in to ride in months that are a bit cooler.

Being well prepared for a motorcycle trip can turn a bad trip good and a good trip great. But learning all the tips and tricks to save time, stay organized and have the most fun on the road often takes years of trial and error to figure out.

Luckily you don’t have to wait years to have these “aha moments.” Revolutionize the way you ride by checking out these 15 insider motorcycle touring tips from Olympia Gloves.

1. Eat at weird times. Everyone and their dog eats around 8 a.m., noon and 6 p.m. So if you want to get in and out of restaurants quickly, plan ahead so you’re not hungry at those times.

2. Carry a spare key. Hide your spare somewhere on your bike using a zip-tie or duct tape, or trade keys with a traveling companion.

3. Keep your stuff dry in saddlebags by using trash compactor bags. These DIY waterproof barriers are thicker and more durable than the standard garbage bags a lot of bikers use.

4. Set yourself up for a quick getaway. If you’re nearing the end of your riding day, you can set yourself up for a quick getaway in the morning by riding to the far side of the next city you reach before stopping. This will eliminate time lost in urban traffic the next morning.

5. Carry a backpack hydration system. Take a tip from off-road riders. This must for arid weather lets you easily drink while you ride. For more gear suggestions check out the Sturgis Rider News article 10 Essential Pieces of Gear You Shouldn’t Ride Without.

6. Use the envelope system to stay organized. Going on a long, complex trip? Before you leave, prepare one envelope for each day on the road. Mark the outside of each envelope with dates and locations, then stuff them with things like hotel reservation info and lists of things you’d like to see. Instead of juggling your entire stack of literature to find the information you’re looking for, you can just open up that day’s envelope.

7. Look your bike over every morning before hitting the road. Checking the simple stuff—air pressure, oil level, loose or missing fasteners—only takes a little time, and it can save you from big trouble. Here’s a great motorcycle pre-ride checklist you can follow.

8. Sign up for AMA Roadside Assistance. To sign up, call the AMA at: 800-262-5646. 9. Wear earplugs. Earplugs help reduce wind noise, and they’re fairly easy to come by. Check out their website HERE.

9. Keep track of where you are. Your cell phone can be a lifesaver in an emergency. You can dial 911 for help anywhere you’ve got service, but dispatch will want to know where you are. Keep track of route numbers, interstate exits, towns you’ve passed, road signs, mileposts—anything that can save emergency officials time in getting to you.

10. Plan for a day of nothing. On a long tour, plan for at least one day per week of doing nothing. Time is the ultimate luxury; it can mean the difference between a vacation and an endurance run.

11. Be realistic with your daily mileage. In really scenic areas, 150 miles may make a very full day. Don’t assume you can achieve freeway mileage on good back roads. You can plan out your route and find amazing places to stop by using the Buffalo Chip’s Rider Friendly Map. Check out all of our motorcycle routes in Olympia Gloves Blog.

12. Invest in a packable motorcycle cover. These covers not only keep your bike clean and dry overnight, they also discourages thieves.

13. Call ahead for your room. If you call a hotel–even if you’re only two blocks away–you can often get a better rate than if you just walk in. And if you have access to a computer or connected mobile device, you’ll often come across some spectacular Internet-only deals. Either way, do yourself a favor and have a reservation by 4 p.m. You never know when a convention will take over your destination city. For a list of rider friendly accommodations in the area where you’re traveling, be sure to check out the Rider Friendly Map.

14. Avoid riding into the sun. If you’re traveling east or west, schedule breakfast and dinner times near sunrise or sunset so you don’t get stuck staring into the blinding sun when it’s low on the horizon.

Of course, this list isn’t comprehensive, nor is it meant to be. Perhaps you have a few touring tips of your own that we should know about, eh? Share ’em.

Enjoy the ride!

Above all else, enjoy yourself. These 2 wheels we’re riding (or 3 if you’re on a trike) give us some amazing freedom and perspective.