Going on a bike tour? Read this first!

Hey guys, I assume most of us here have toured atleast once or frequently(like me). Anyways i wanted to share with you guys some important things to do before and during a tour. Moderators if there is a similar thread like this you may link this thread to the other one. Now there are some things to take with you when you tour.
1. Helmet - The most essential thing for a tour(other than the bike and you ofcourse).
2. Riding gear - Jacket, gloves, boots etc. Never ride without these.
3. Swiss Army Knife(you may need it. you'll never know)
4. A road map of the places you'll be visiting. If possible mark your route with a marker for easy reference.
6. A mobile phone and a sim card with roaming facility(if you're on a long tour and travelling to other states)
7. Your bike's tool kit.
8. Emergency contact numbers.
9. Carry Enough cash so that you don't run out of cash in the middle of nowhere and you have nothing but your credit card. Believe me its a pain in the ass.
10. Camera - Though its not necessary you may want to record your trip to show your friends or for your facebook account or you may upload in xBhp.
Tip: Learn some basic repair DIYs like adjusting chain slackness, puncture repair etc. If something goes wrong in the highway and there are no mechanics nearby you don't have to panic. You can do it yourself with the tools you carry.
DURING THE TOUR:
1. If its a long drive you'll be carrying a lot of luggage. Place your luggage such that it doesn't affect your riding. In other words make sure you're comfortable while riding.
2. Just because you are on the highway there is no reason to rip your bike. Highway accidents are far more dangerous than i the city as there will be heavy vehicles like trucks and buses. Imagine the damage you and your bike will take if something bad happens. I would suggest speed not more than 80. Even thats fast but still any biker would be tempted on highways. While going fast be sure always that you can brake immediately in case of an emergency.
3. If you happen to see someone else involved in an accident please be kind to help them out. After all he or she is also a fellow rider or driver like you.
4. One more thing to remember is to always assume other road users to be morons(and also remember others will see you the same way) because there will be people who try to cross the road carelessly or a reckless truck driver. Be careful with people with such attitude and stay away from them. The last thing you want on your mind will be to see your precious bike in a police station and your own name in a FIR.
If you think i left out something then share it here so others may benefit from it.
Happy touring.

Topic approved and merged.

You have pretty much considered everything for a long ride.Happy safe riding.

Nice conversation it is shared by you, thanks a lot for this It is an admirable work done, keep it up

nice one there... keep us posted

Luggage on long rides??

I love going on long rides. Especially alone.

After doing a couple of long rides I realized I was hurting my back with the heavy sack that I carried. I tried to find an alternative but couldn't find any. I want to tie my luggage to rear seat(or some other part) so that I can keep my luggage on the rear seat and ride without any weight on my back. I just can not figure out where to tie ropes and how to place bag on the rear seat.

I own an Unicorn.

Please help. Thanks.

A Saddle bag or Tank bag will solve your problem. If you dont know what it is, please google these 2 terms. A Tank bag sticks to your Tank and a Saddle bag is like the saddle you put on a horse. Its simple and very effective while touring.

Long Ride!!!

Planning for a ride to my Home from Bangalore on 13th Aug.Need suggestions regarding things to carry,the route and the breakdown of the journey.
This is the initial plan:
13th Aug:Bangalore-Nellore(appx 400kms)
Bangalore-madanapalli-tirupati-nellore or Bangalore-chitoor-nellore
14th Aug:Nellore-Vizag (appx 650kms)
Nellore-vijayawada-rajamundry-vijag will be better or Nellore-chiralla-machlipatanam-vizag
15th Aug: Vizag-Cuttack (appx 500kms)

Does this plan sounds good ???

Or

Day 1:Bangalore-vijayawada
B'lore- Nellore-vijayawada(670kms) or B'lore-Madanapalli-Kadapa-madanapalli (630 kms)
Day 2: Vijayawada-vizag
Day 3: Vizag-Cuttack

Please provide some insights on the itinaries I should carry and how safe are the routes. Also do we have some scenic place to stay and click some snaps rather than staying in middle of town.
E.g.: Staying in machlipattanam rather than vijaywada.
Dont know much about places in AP .

^^ Better stick to good roads for this stretch.

Day1: BLR-HYD - 550 kms
Day2: HYD-Vizag - 620 kms
Day3: Vizag - CTC - 550 kms

It will be longer than the Nellore route, but will take approx. the same time you will waste a lot of time getting from Blr to Nellore. You can even do BLR-Chennai-CTC ~ 1600 Kms again good roads all the way.

Do Srikakulam to Behrampur in day light preferably! And talk to the Hyd xbhpians for tips on the Hyd-Vijaywada stretch

Beautiful, super, excellent, marvelous, splendid, supersmooth, butter smooth, out of the world road! 10,000 times better than Autobhan


Try to avoid that MF road as long as possible!

Thanks Man!!!
This is why I posted, just 2 mins and got some expert opinions.I will take the hyd route.
It will be great if you join
Didn't get you bro, which route I should avoid

I could join you but then I'd have to be fired from my job

Might do this in November though

That's why I said ask the Hyd xMen

Till now I ve a company for the ride but he is tentative.Leaves not approved yet.If this plan is scratched , I will also do it in Nov along with you .

dont take hyd-vga road. One the most pathetic and dangerous highways in india! try to avoid it

Then suggest me something bro, As directed by Praful...B'lore-vijaywada route will take a lot of time.If I go to hyderabad, Hyd-vizag is not good .
How is this route?