Motorcycle Trip on a Budget: Plan Your Next Adventure

Embarking on a motorcycle adventure is a fun and exciting undertaking that blends passion, exploration, and the raw sensation of a roaring engine. However, as you plan for your next motorcycle trip, you will need to focus on some crucial aspects, like planning a budget. This might not seem very important to consider in a trip, but it will definitely be worth your time. You don’t want to find yourself worrying about finances while in the middle of your journey when you should be enjoying your trip.

Fortunately, you don’t have to sacrifice fun to save money. With proper planning and an effective budget, you can make your next motorcycle adventure memorable for all the right reasons. Here are the main categories of spending on a touring motorcycle trip and easy tips on how to cut the costs for each.

Destination and route

Choosing the right destination sets the tone for your entire motorcycle trip. You need to have some ideas of where you want to go and the route you would like to take. Typically, your budget is primarily determined by the places you go. Once you have a general idea of the countries or states you want to visit, you can make a more detailed budget for your next motorcycle adventure.

Motorcycle

The bike you choose will add to your experience and will be determined by where you want to go, what you want to do when you get there, how long you will stay, and your budget.

Big vs. small

The best bet will be a touring motorcycle. As the name implies, these bikes are designed for longer travels and come with cozy seats and a more upright riding position. Furthermore, their suspension is designed for comfort over speed.

However, if you crave the open roads and expect to explore dirt and gravel backroads, an adventure bike is a perfect choice for you. These bikes feature large engines, long-travel suspensions, and sturdy tires to keep you rolling. Both touring and adventure bikes will get you out there, but one will take you to those more difficult-to-reach places.

Buy vs. rent

Whether to buy or rent a motorcycle for your adventure is a common dilemma motorcycle travelers face while planning their trip. It’s also not an easy question to answer since there are lots of variables and aspects to consider. Everyone’s trip, circumstances, and budget are different.

That said, buying a motorcycle is your best option if you are planning for an extended tour that spans several weeks or months. It’s also a great option if you plan a long journey involving many border crossings. While purchasing a bike can be relatively expensive, you can take out a motorcycle loan to finance a new or used adventure bike.

On the other hand, renting a bike could be your cheapest option if you plan to explore just one country. This option also allows you to ride different makes and models that suit your trip without worrying about things like parking, insurance, and ongoing maintenance. The major drawback is that you will have to wait until you at least get your P’s.

Shipping

If you are on a long-distance motorcycle trip, chances are you will need to ship your bike at some point. This could be when crossing a border on a round-the-world tour or a journey where you want your motorcycle to be shipped back home instead of riding it back due to time constraints.

International shipping of your bike can break your bank, but the good news is that there are ways to save money on it. First, look around for a reliable agent, as prices fluctuate. After that, determine whether you will ship by sea or air. Shipping by a cargo boat is usually cheaper, but it can take up to 8 weeks for your two-wheeler to reach the destination country.

Spare parts and maintenance

You don’t have to be a mechanical expert to travel on a two-wheeler. In fact, most experienced and well-traveled motorcycle travelers don’t know how to change the oil, a tube, or even where the spark plug is.

However, it’s important to learn the basics of motorcycle maintenance and repair before you embark on your journey. This will ensure you can rely on yourself in difficult situations (like a mechanical issue) and can also save you money. Before you leave, master the basics, like changing a tube, cables, filters, tire, oil, and basic servicing.

Research the dealers of your motorcycle’s brand in the countries you are visiting if you are traveling on your own bike. If the brand isn’t very common, you will need to bring the appropriate spare parts with you or budget the high prices of importing spare parts in the event of a breakdown.

Gear

Chances are you already have a helmet and a protective jacket. However, you will need full protective riding and rain gear for any multi-day trip. Protective gear could make a difference between arriving late and finding yourself at the hospital if you get a mishap on the road.

Most motorcycles with luggage cases or panniers have enough room for a tent, sleeping gear, and a few day’s clothes. However, if you don’t have panniers, consider investing in a backpack. Bring the right clothing with you, as the weather can change from freezing cold to steaming hot.

Gasoline

As other travelers pay for trains and buses to get from one place to another, you, as a motorcycle traveler, will need fuel to ride from point A to point B. Your bike is your means of transport on the road trip, meaning you have to budget for the fuel cost.

Start by figuring out the distance you plan to cover to help you determine how much money you will need for gasoline. Estimate the distance you will ride by calculating how many miles you will ride per day and multiply that by the number of days you will be on the road. Once you determine the distance you will cover, it’s easy to get a rough estimate of how many gallons of fuel your bike will consume.

Fuel stations on highways are often more expensive than on main streets. Exit the highway when you need to fill up your bike and look for a local station instead. Also, if you are about to cross a border, research the fuel cost in the next country and stock up where you currently are if it’s cheaper.

Accommodation

Accommodation is the biggest ongoing expense on a motorcycle adventure. The cost of hotels, guesthouses, and Airbnbs can quickly rack up over long-term trips. Even a relatively cheap $20-a-night hotel, every day for two months, could cost up to $1,200.

You can stay in a five-star hotel if you are lavish and want downy slippers and robes. However, a motel can do just fine for a bed to sleep in and hot running for showers. Motels are usually located in more remote places, not just urban areas like most posh hotels. You can save money by opting for an Airbnb, but they are typically unavailable in remote places.

Camping is another great way to save money on accommodation. While there are drawbacks like carrying more equipment and limited luxuries, it’s a big part of motorcycle traveling and can save the most money on a day-to-day basis.

Food and water

Once you have looked into accommodation, it’s time to think about food and drinks. Buying food and drinks in bulk can help you save money, especially if you will be touring on your bike for an extended period.

Purchasing new bottles can be expensive and wasteful, so carry a refillable water container. If you plan to eat mostly on the go, make sure to change your menu. This can help you save money, and you won’t get tired of eating the same thing.

Set aside a few days a week for eating out. Ensure you try local cafes and street food rather than expensive Western-themed restaurants. Don’t feel embarrassed to take your own water bottle (a small one, of course) to a café and ask them to fill it up before you leave.

Washing and hygiene

Bathing and maintaining hygiene are incredibly essential while traveling. If you don’t look after yourself, you can get all kinds of terrible skin rashes and infections.

It’s easy to skip shower time when camping in cold areas or exhausted after a hard day’s ride. Of course, no one expects you to bathe every night, as it isn’t possible in most parts of the world. However, you should ensure you keep on top of your personal hygiene.

Laundry is unavoidable on both long and medium road trips, but you can bring your own fabric softener, detergents, and dryer sheets. The launderette next to your hotel will always be cheaper than the hotel’s washing service.

Wrapping it up

A motorcycle trip doesn’t have to cost the earth and is something anyone can easily do. The key is to figure out how to keep your expenses low and reduce unnecessary spending. Follow these tips when planning and budgeting for your next motorcycle adventure, and your journey will be more than just a ride.