Photo: Susan and Grant Johnson - Horizons Unlimited
Listener Question: Noel Bowerman - Home Plated Registrations
This month on RAW, we're answering a listener question about international motorcycle travel and the realities of riding a home-plated motorcycle around the world. Does a foreign number plate help create connections with locals, or do adventure motorcyclists stand out no matter what they ride? Does traveling with a foreign-registered motorcycle make you a target, or can it actually open doors along the way? What are the pitfalls and advantages of renting a motorcycle locally? We discuss the trade-offs of each approach and what riders should consider when planning a long-distance motorcycle adventure, and things you probably haven’t even thought about.
ARR RAW round-table discussions with motorcycle adventure travellers - featuring Grant Johnson, Sam Manicom, Shirley Hardy-Rix, Brian Rix, Michelle Lamphere and Jim Martin. RAW LISTENER QUESTIONS: Have a question for the RAW panel? Send it to us here.
Sam Manicom’s Peace of Mind Rental Check List:
Oil colour and condition – gravelly?
Oil leaks.
Coolant.
Tyre condition.
Brakes and pads.
Chain and Sproket condition
Lateral waggle on front and rear wheels. And sideways wobble? Do the wheels spin easily, straight and with no odd sounds.
Are the handlebars straight?
Levers functioning. Levers not showing any sign of cracking. Cables run smoothly.
Tool kit – no? Perhaps buy the basics locally before setting off.
Take photos of the bike you are renting when you pick it up! Lots of close ups or...
Film the bike, so if you are challenged re damage, you have proof of the condition of the bike when you got it.
Put any faults you find, in writing to the owner. Or at least take time stamped photos and email them to the company.
Ask:
‘What happens if I break down? Do you get someone local to collect and fix it?
Or to you collect it and give me a replacement bike? Are there any charges for this?’
What insurance is there?
Ask yourself:
Am I going to be happy and relatively safe on this bike, or am I going to be fretting all the time?
Do I look for another opportunity?
Many Thanks to this Month’s TOP ONE-TIME SUPPORTERS!
André Kempe
Kevin Henderson
Harlan Furbush
LINKS:
DEEP TROUBLE: Runaway Motorcycle on a Costa Rica Mountain Road
Clint and Tom Randall are Randall's On The Road