Budgeting For A Motorcycle Trip

As you gear up for your next motorcycle trip, you’ve probably got a good idea of what your adventure will look like. It’s hard not to imagine all the new sights you’ll see, fellow travelers you’ll meet, and the breathtaking scenery you’ll enjoy along the way.

Before you get too caught up daydreaming about the details of your upcoming journey, you’ll want to focus on some important logistics, like planning a budget. While this might not seem like a very exciting aspect of the trip to plan, it’ll be worth your while. You don’t want to find yourself on the road worrying about finances when you should be having fun. Fortunately, a solid budget will help reduce stress.

Here at Indian Motorcycle® Of Orange County, we know the importance of budgeting for a motorcycle tour, so we’ve gathered some helpful information to get you started. If you have questions or would like to browse our inventory before you hit the road, visit us in Westminster today!

Food

Everyone is different when it comes to their eating habits and entertainment preferences, so budgets will vary. However, one of the most enjoyable aspects of traveling to new places is dining out and trying new foods and restaurants. If this is appealing to you and your budget permits, it might be wise to set aside some funds for dining out during your trip. On the other hand, if you’d prefer to save that money for sightseeing and other motorcycle touring activities, there are many other meal options to choose from.

For example, you can pack lightweight items to take on the road with you so you don’t have to dine out frequently. Buying food items in bulk can save money if you’re going to be touring on your bike for an extended period of time. Bring a refillable water container because constantly purchasing new bottles can get expensive and wasteful. If you plan to mostly eat on the go to save money, be sure to switch up your menu so you don’t get tired of eating the same thing.

Entertainment

Remember to account for entertainment in your budget as well. Whether this involves attending local events, going to concerts, or simply enjoying a night out on the town, this can add up. If you don’t plan correctly, you might find yourself going over your budget before your motorcycle trip has come to an end. A good way to plan is to check out what’s happening locally before you arrive.

Free events are more common than you think. For events with a fee or extra costs, make a note of the ones you plan to attend, how much they’ll cost, and add them into your budget. If you’re more about enjoying the ride and taking in your surroundings, you might not need to set aside too much money for entertainment.

Nightly Accommodations

Depending on your preferences, nightly accommodation costs can easily become the most expensive aspect of your motorcycle trip. The good news is there are plenty of choices when deciding where to stay for the night. If you’re on a tight budget, you’ll want to consider the options that won’t drain your funds quickly. Many bikers choose to travel with camping gear and tents so they can stay at campgrounds for a small fee.

If camping really isn't your style, there are other ways to plan for nightly accommodations. Check out websites like Couchsurfing, which is an affordable option for staying with locals in the area. If you have money to spare when it comes to lodging and prefer a more comfortable environment, you can use sites like Airbnb to book accommodations. Of course, you can always choose to check out motels and hotels in the area, too.

Fuel

Your bike is your means of transportation on this expedition, so you’ll need to plan for the cost of fuel. When determining how much money you’ll need for fuel, start by figuring out how much distance you plan to cover. If you have yet to determine an exact destination, estimate the distance you’ll ride by calculating how many miles you’ll ride per day and multiply that by the number of days you’ll be on the road.

Once you’ve figured out how much distance you’ll cover, divide that by the miles per gallon of your bike to get a rough estimate on how many gallons of fuel you’ll use. If you’re really aiming for an accurate figure, you can check the cost of fuel in the areas you’ll be traveling through to get an idea of what you’ll need to spend to fill up. If you’re planning to tour in another country, you’ll need to convert your fuel figures accordingly.

Maintenance & Repairs

In a perfect world, you’ll be able to take care of any maintenance and repairs prior to your trip. If you happen to be on a relatively long trip, it’s possible that you’ll travel beyond the recommended maintenance period and need to take care of things like oil changes and replacement tires while on the road.

Unexpected repairs are harder to plan for as you can’t exactly plan for what might go wrong. The best way to prevent this from happening is to ensure your bike is in tip-top shape before you start your touring trip. Of course, it’s still wise to have some room in your budget for any repairs that might come up unexpectedly.

You’re one step closer to hitting the road on your next motorcycle touring adventure! If you’ve still got some questions or want to invest in some new gear before you go, be sure to visit Indian Motorcycle® of Orange County in Westminster today! We’d be happy to provide additional information and help you find what you need for your motorcycle trip. We welcome all our southern California customers in the Inland Empire, including those in greater Los Angeles area.