What You Shouldn't Do on Long Motorcycle Trips?

The wheel bearing on the sprocket here, there are two wheel bearings, two on the wheel, the wheel is fine, but the third one is here, it's gone. When I take it out, it actually fell apart, you see the balls, yeah. So eventually I'm gonna have a spare here in this shop and we'll be able to change it and continue. This intro was the perfect example what you shouldn't do on a long motorcycle trips. And here you might ask, Pavlin, are you saying that I shouldn't do something that you just did? Yes, this is exactly what I mean. In this video, I'll try to explain why and also give you some very useful tips how to preserve your motorcycle. Stay with me. Welcome back, if you don't know me, my name is Pavlin, I am a motorcycle traveler. In this channel I usually upload anything related to long motorcycle trips, so you might consider subscribing. What you shouldn't do on a long motorcycle trips? In my opinion, the goal of any motorcycle trip should be to complete it with minimum problems and maximum pleasure, right? For that purpose, you're gonna need a reliable machine and a lot of good luck. But what about if I tell you now that in 90% of the broken down situations, the rider is the person who actually created it? This means that you, exactly you, my friend, are responsible for the problems that you might or might not have during your trips. I know that it sounds ridiculous, but let me explain you why. The technical problems are like diseases, they never come just like that. And here you might say, Pavlin, you're wrong. I have a brand new motorcycle, I treat it very well, I did the service as I should, but even so, it's broke in the middle of my trip and now I cannot find a person to fix it. And this actually gently reminds me about my first tip. Choose the right motorcycle. Most of the riders go on a long trips with the wrong motorcycle. There are many debates what exactly you need to ride, big or small, powerful engine or light machine, air or water coolant, carburetor or injection. But the reality is that you're the only person who really knows what exactly you need. And this actually is my second tip. Use the motorcycle for what it's designed for. With the intro, I gave you the perfect example that if you use the bike the way you shouldn't, sooner or later it will break. And just because you found in its name the word adventure, it doesn't mean that you can do whatever you decide and it will handle it. The word adventure, it's a marketing trick very well used from the big motorcycle companies when they try to sell us their next big elephant with the empty promises that it will perform like a gazelle. We all know that it's a bullshit, but even so, we're making the same mistakes over and over again. If you did not understand it until now, in what I really doubt, but anything over 200 kilograms, it's very very hard to control on the dirt roads, unless you're very very skilled rider. On the other hand, if you have very light 120, 150, 160 kilogram motorcycle and plan to make really long trips, mostly highways, it's going to be disaster. Just because you saw some professional riders to control the motorcycle in any conditions, it doesn't mean that you'll be the same. You can learn it now or the hard way later. But of course, the second option will cost you much more. Tip number three. Stick to the main goal of the trip. If the idea is to see as many places as possible, to ride as many kilometers as possible, to meet as many people as possible, just do it. On the other hand, if the idea of your trip is to have an adventure off-road experience, then pick up the right light motorcycle and just go. You have to keep in mind that all motorcycles got some pros and cons. You have to use the pros and of course, avoid the cons. That simple it is. Tip number four. Learn when to say no. In almost any of my trips, the people that I usually meet always try to test my riding skills, or at least this is how I see it. And knowing the main goal of my trip, I should have said no on many, many places, but I didn't. And of course, after that, I paid for it. So it is very, very important to learn when to say no or to stop. Even that I know all of this, sometimes I cross the limits. And the intro that I played to you was the perfect example. I also understand that if you say no, you might skip or you might miss a big adventure. But I also know that if you say no, you might preserve your motorcycle and even save your life. And my last tip number five. It is not really related to the topic, but it is important and I believe that it's worth a minute or two from your time. Do not overestimate your riding skills. The motorcycles are much better than us. With this, I wanted gently to remind you once again that the motorcycles can handle much more than we can offer. For example, when you start tilting down, from the moment when you fear telling you stop, the motorcycle can handle two, three more centimeters and many more. But finally, when the motorcycle breaks down, you can have spare parts and fix it. But there are no spare parts for human body. That's why you shouldn't risk. There are actually some spare parts, but I cannot recommend using it. Anyway, I hope that this information will help you at least one person to make the right decision. If you want to learn more about long motorcycle trips, check the rest of the videos in the channel. I have more than 700. If you want to learn, but you don't have the time, you can consider joining my online course. For eight hours, you'll be able to learn the most important. Of course, you have to pay for it, but it will save you a lot of time. All the details in the description down below. Always ride safe and see you next time. Ciao!