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Motorcycle road trip: planning your stages and accommodation
Daily distance, roads, luggage, weather, campsite or a proper bed: a step-by-step method for planning a motorcycle road trip in France, stage by stage.
On a motorcycle, the journey begins at the very first bend. But fatigue, the weather and limited space in your panniers call for more careful planning than in a car. Here is how to organise a motorcycle road trip, from the route to the night's stop.
A pace that suits the bike
On a motorcycle, fatigue sets in faster: wind, vibration, constant concentration. Rather than aiming for long distances, plan reasonable stages with regular breaks, and leave time for photo stops and coffee in village cafés. Minor roads are often more beautiful than the motorway, but they take longer: allow plenty of time.
Choosing your roads
Mountain passes, ridge roads and valleys are what make riding a joy. Before you leave:
- check that the passes are open, especially in spring and autumn;
- avoid main roads at rush hour;
- note the petrol stations on remote stretches, as a motorcycle's range is limited.
Luggage: travel light
Side cases, top box, tank bag or tail bag: space is tight. Take quick-drying technical clothing, waterproofs, a repair kit and something to charge your phone and GPS. If you are camping, your camping gear needs to stay compact.
Where to sleep on a motorcycle trip?
Outdoors
A campsite is cheap and a good way to meet other travellers. Bring a tent that pitches quickly, and check opening dates out of season.
Under a roof
Hotel, B&B (chambre d'hôtes), inn or gîte: after a day on the road in the rain, a real bed and somewhere to dry your gear make all the difference. Ask whether secure parking is available for the bike.
Many riders alternate between the two depending on the weather. The same options apply to cycle touring: see cycle touring: where to sleep each night.
Keep an eye on the weather
Rain and cold can turn a lovely stage into an ordeal. Check the forecast every morning, keep a shorter fallback stage in mind and don't hesitate to move a day's ride.
A motorcycle route with Pakvia
Pakvia plans motorcycle trips too: the route follows the road network, and you choose your accommodation, Outdoors (campsites and unstaffed mountain huts), Comfort (hotels, B&Bs, inns and gîtes) or Both. Every evening ends at an official place taken from OpenStreetMap, with lunch, dinner and up to two activities a day, and each day opens in Google Maps.
Travelling by car instead? Read our guide car road trip in France: organising your stages. And for your next ride, plan your route for free.