Monsoon is about to bid farewell, and motorcycle enthusiasts are all gearing up for the upcoming riding season. It’s time to unleash your own shiny BSA Gold Star on the open road, especially if you are a proud owner of one. But before you do that, we have a list of ways to avoid common motorcycle road trip mistakes.  

The Importance of Preparation Before You Hit the Road

Most mistakes can be avoided if you prepare in advance. Motorcycle road trips can be intense, and proper preparation is necessary for maximum safety, comfort, convenience, and emergency preparedness.

One of the typical motorcycle road trip mistakes, committed particularly by new riders, is not preparing and planning for it in advance. A multilevel preparation is required for a motorcycle road trip, starting from assessing the performance standard of the motorcycle to fixating refreshment stops during the road trip. As a rider of a legendary brand like BSA, you crave an authentic experience. As a BSA rider, you’re part of a legacy. We prioritise preparedness to ensure your riding experience is as authentic and uninterrupted as possible. It’s about equipping yourself and your motorcycle with everything you need to immerse yourself in the thrill of the open road fully.  

In the following section, we have discussed the mistakes you should avoid during a motorcycle road trip. 

5 Mistakes to Avoid During BSA Motorcycle Road Trip

A motorcycle road trip should be a fun riding experience full of adventure and beautiful memories. But mistakes before and during the ride often make it stressful and challenging. To help you avoid these mistakes, we have prepared this list of errors.

Mistake 1: Not Inspecting the Motorcycle

Not inspecting your motorcycle is among the major BSA motorcycle road trip mistakes. Your motorcycle is supposed to be your most trusted partner on a trip and not a matter of concern. To ensure that it is capable of ultimate performance, you must run a visual and physical inspection to identify any issues. This includes the condition of tyres, air pressure, brake performance, all fluid levels, and the status of electronic equipment. For example, your BSA Gold Star’s beast-like 652cc engine is liquid-cooled. So, you must check the coolant level before starting the trip. Do the same inspection with the brake fluids of the Gold Star hydraulic braking system on both wheels. Start the engine and listen for any unusual sounds and vibrations. Don’t forget to check the condition of the chain and lubricate it if necessary. Fix all issues, if any, at authorised service centres only.

Mistake 2: Not Wearing Sufficient Gear

Riders on a road trip without sufficient gear are not uncommon on Indian roads. BSA doesn’t recommend this since it is a potentially dangerous motorcycle road trip mistake and must be avoided. Riding gear ensures your safety, comfort, and protection from the elements. Always wear a well-fitting, certified helmet, a riding jacket, pants, and riding gloves. Protect your feet with hard-toed boots.  

Mistake 3: Riding Without Physical and Mental Fitness

The fitness of the motorcycle and rider is equally important. Each road trip has unique challenges, such as road conditions, traffic, terrain, and uncertain weather conditions. To cope with these challenges and enjoy the fun of riding, you must be in an optimum physical and mental state. Reschedule your trip if you feel sick, take proper rest and sleep before the day of riding, and drink and drive is a strict no-no. 

Mistake 4: Restless Long Ride

“I will ride 200 kilometres at one stretch” — probably not a very good idea. Resting is essential for both man and machine. Instead, stopping frequently on a long trip is more necessary than riding. Restless long rides put enormous stress on your body and mind, compromising your ability to control the machine, decision-making ability, and reaction time. Stopping is also necessary for the motorcycle to avoid overstretching its limits and mechanical failures. However, with BSA Gold Star you can enjoy some advantages. This machine has an advanced liquid engine cooling system, which gives it long-range capability. The thickly cushioned seat, upright riding posture, and 5-step adjustable rear twin shock absorbers ensure a comfortable and fatigue-free ride, even on long journeys.

Mistake 5: Overloading the Motorcycle

New riders are particularly prone to this BSA motorcycle road trip mistake. Overloading the motorcycle with too much luggage compromises balance and manoeuvrability. This is particularly disadvantageous in slow traffic, offroad riding, and in critical riding conditions. Pack only necessary items and resort to disposable stuff that you can discard after use. Your motorcycle’s engine power output is a factor to consider here because low-powered motorcycles have a lower power-to-weight ratio and are unsuitable for load carrying. But not your BSA; its 652cc single-cylinder engine produces 45 horsepower and 55Nm of torque with an impressive power-to-weight ratio. This allows you to carry a passenger with all the gear and luggage without breaking a sweat.  

Now that you know what mistakes to avoid, let’s examine what smart riders do on motorcycle road trips. 

Smart Considerations During a Motorcycle Road Trip

Your new BSA motorcycle is ready to hit the road and you have checked everything to avoid BSA motorcycle road trip mistakes. Here is something for you to consider for a pleasant trip without any hiccups, as most seasoned riders enjoy.  

• Plan the Route and Stopovers:

  Chalk out a route plan from the starting point to the destination. If it is a multi-day trip, plan for each day. A good plan will have a primary route, an alternative route if the main road is closed for some reason, riding time at each stretch, stopping points, and refreshment brakes.

• Start Early:

  Starting early on a motorcycle road trip has several benefits. There will be less traffic in the morning, allowing you to cover a long distance quickly. Also, you can reach your destination early to rest properly and rejuvenate for the next day’s ride. Starting early also saves you from riding in the dark. Motorcycles have lower visibility on the road; at night, they are even less visible to other drivers. This increases the chance of accidents. Potholes and stray animals are characteristic features of Indian roads, which can be potential threats at night.

• Ride Responsibly:

  You are responsible for your safety and that of others. Don’t indulge in road rage, overspeeding, and racing with other motorcyclists. Always obey traffic rules and stay within the speed limit.

• Let the Trip Begin:

  You are now ready to begin your motorcycle road trip and prepared to avoid motorcycle road trip mistakes. The joy of the open road invites you, and the upcoming long-riding season holds endless exploration opportunities. But remember, the century-old motorcycle culture we cherish at BSA stands on the principle of discipline. Remember to avoid mistakes and be a part of that culture and the global motorcycle community.