Some people ride motorbikes for the thrill, some people ride motorbikes for the ease of commuting. But one of the best experiences you can have on a motorbike is taking a trip or a motorcycle tour. Whether it be at home or overseas, a motorbike road trip is one of the best ways to truly experience the freedom and fun that comes with riding a motorbike.
Once you've decided to take the road less traveled, you need to think about making sure you have the right kind of gear for going further. We've put together a touring bundle to help bring down the cost of getting a touring jacket, waterproof trousers and everything you'll need for your trip.
There are hundreds of well-traveled routes and hidden gems all over the world, there are roads that are perfect for beginners and roads that can challenge a rider to their limits. We've narrowed down the best places for a motorbike road trip to give you a bit of inspiration for your next touring adventure.
Motorbike Road Trips in the UK
North Coast 500
You don't always have to travel overseas to experience amazing roads and breathtaking views. The North Coast 500, along Scotland's wild Highland coastline, encapsulates great British roads with some challenging roads and good tourist facilities.
It's a busy route, but don't let that put you off. The scenery alone is worth making the trip to the wild of Scotland and the abundance of company on the road.
The route is 500 miles (hence the name), beginning in Inverness and heading North through Dornoch, Helmsdale and John O'Groats before cutting west all the way to Durness before heading south to Ullapool, Laide and Ardarroch before eventually heading back east to Inverness.
There's plenty of rest stops and sights to see along the way, check out the NC500 website for more information.
Long Way Down
Probably the most well known route, famed mostly for being from one extreme end of the country to the other. Begin either at Land's End or John O'Groats and keep travelling in the opposite direction. There are plenty of routes to take, but travelling through some of the UK's most beautiful National Parks and Areas of National Beauty will make the journey one to remember.
Starting from Land's End, you can pass through Dartmoor National Park, North Wessex Downs, up through the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, Lake District then on to Northumberland National Park before crossing the border. Through Scotland, you're treated to mile of wild highlands before reaching the final destination of John O'Groats.
Lake District Loop
For an easier day run, the Lake District has winding roads through rolling hills that make any motorbike road trip an absolute dream.
Start from Windermere town and take the boat to the West shore. The Wrynose, Hardknott and Honister Pass are all a must-ride and the quaint villages and picturesque views make riding through the lakes a real treat. Once you reach Ambleside, start heading south back to the Windermere start point.
Motorbike Road Trips in Europe
Trans European Trail
transeurotrail.org/estonia
The Trans European Trail is a monster motorbike road trip that covers 27 countries and 21,000 miles. The project was conceived by British trail rider John Ross with the idea to map an unpaved route across Europe. The TET does pass through the UK but also takes on some of the best trails across Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and the likes of France, Germany and Belgium.
It's the ultimate adventure for those who like to dabble in tame off-roading. Many traverse the route in sections over a number of years and, while it's not impossible to dot he route in one go, it's only recommended for more experienced riders.
Iceland Ring Road
Take a round robin trip around Iceland with more than 800 miles of well surfaced roads and notoriously rugged landscapes. The route around the island may not be the most exciting, but it provides a perfect route to dart further inland to visit all that Iceland has to offer.
Start in Reykjavik and head North to reach the Northern Coast before turning East and following the coastline loosely until you reach the East where you'll find icy beaches and the famous black beaches of volcanic sand.
There's plenty of opportunities to take rugged off-road trails, but plan these in advance as the weather can be bad and civilisation sparse.
Alpine Loop
The Alpine Loop is perfect for traversing the famous Stelvio Pass, but don't forget about the rest of the Alps, which are just as stunning and fun to ride. This route travels through Austria and Italy to take in the breathtaking views of wide spread mountain ranges.
Motorbike Road Trips Around the World
Moroccan Madness
Morocco mightn't be the first place you imagine when you want to take a motorbike road trip, but don't cast the country aside just yet. A different way of life and travel await you as you trek across exotic lands the the Red City.
Take your time to soak up the culture of Northern Africa as you visit Kasbahs, souks and Hammams. Begin this journey in Ceuta and head through the Rif Mountains to Fez before heading into the famous Atlas Mountains. When you've snake through the Todra Gorge, you'll be in the vicinity of Marrakech itself. From there, head to the Atlantic Coast on the Tizi n'Test Pass until you get to Casablanca, then head through Tangiers back to Ceuta.
The Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road along the South Eastern coast of Australia is the perfect one day ride for a mid-winter adventure. On this route, you'll pass through rainforest, past sandy beaches and along rugged coastline.
The Great Ocean road is a popular tourist attraction in Australia, so expect plenty of company along the way and plenty of friendly pit stops and things to do.
Istanbul to Anatolia
Turkey is a great destination for biking that offers just as much culture as it does fun, winding roads. On this 1850 mile route, take in ancient ruins, beautiful seas and breathtaking mountains as you snake your way through bridge between continents.
The Best Touring Gear
We know that planning and executing a motorbike road trip is where the fun lies, spending time and money on getting all the right gear is less fun. To help combat the gear nightmare, we've put together a bundle of motorbike touring gear that gives you everything you need in one easy package!
Plus, we've got RiDE Recommended two piece suits with gloves to match to make sure you don't compromise on style when shopping for gear for your motorbike road trip.