Riding a motorbike is a great way to see the world.  Whether you decide to head off-road and enjoy challenging trails through breath-taking scenery, or hop on a touring bike and enjoy a road trip around the USA, bike tours offer riders unprecedented freedom, and are an affordable and fun way to explore new places.  Here are a few of our favorite routes:

1.    Mountain Riding – Dolomites and Alpines

This route starts in Munich, Germany, and takes you through the Austrian Alps and the Dolomites in Italy.  Along the way, you can visit quaint towns and villages, perhaps even stopping for a while to go skiing.  There are lots of technical, winding mountain pass roads, so you’ll need to make sure you have some good motorbike tires and strong riding skills, but if you enjoy a challenge then this is definitely the trip for you.

2.    Long Distance Riding in Brazil

This trip takes an almost circular route through south-eastern Brazil, taking riders along the Serra Da Mantiqueira Mountain path from Sao Paolo and heading down to Rio de Janeiro.  The route covers around 940 miles of country roads and high-altitude highways, with the occasional coastline stretch added in for variety.

The full round-trip, with occasional stops at resort towns along the way, takes about 10 days.  If you like to party, give yourself more time to enjoy Rio.

   3. Rome to Istanbul

This route takes travelers along the Mediterranean cost, giving them the chance to sample some fine cuisine, and explore some rich and varied cultures. The trip starts in Rome, and heads through the Apennines towards the port in Bari.  From there, a ferry takes you to Greece and after exploring Greece you can take the second ferry heading to Turkey.  The journey through the Boz Mountains can be quite challenging, but the views make it all worthwhile.

4. Australia’s East Coast

Explore the natural wonders of Australia by taking a trip from Melbourne to Queensland. This route takes you along the coast, offering several opportunities to stop and take in sights such as the Yarrangobilly Caves, the Great Ocean Drive, and Heron Island.

 5. Exploring the Alps

For spectacular views of some of the most amazing landscapes in Europe head to the Western Alps.  Follow the Southern Alpine Pass (which is a part of the Tour de France), and pass through the Black Forest in Germany, visiting some beautiful towns and villages along the way.  The route takes you from Zurich to France, and includes some challenging paths, but should be suitable for most riders.

Before you head out on a long riding trip, make sure your bike is in good condition, and that you are well equipped.  You should wear sturdy motorcycle boots, leathers and a helmet even when riding at home, but it’s even more important to be safety conscious when you are heading abroad. Plan your route before you leave and take paper maps as well as your GPS. Above all, have fun!

Guest post from Amy Fowler for Ride Direct, experts in MX boots and tyres. Click here to read more from Ride Direct.