Is Solo Motorcycle Touring The Best? Pros and Cons

Freedom, wind and peace. These words have deeper meanings and emotions attached to them when it comes to solo motorcycle touring.

While one might argue that solo touring is better than group touring, here are a few pros and cons to solo motorcycle touring.

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Pros of solo motorcycle touring

1. Freedom

Freedom is the biggest perk to touring solo on a bike. You get to set your timelines, schedules, and itineraries and make impulsive decisions to feed your adventure needs on the go. You can relax and take break days when you feel tired without worrying about dragging anyone behind.

2. Making new connections

You mostly tend to stay in your group when you ride as a group. While you ride solo, you will be forced to interact with strangers for help or companionship. This opens up a new world of socialisation even to the shyest introverts.

You will get to meet people, be a part of their group, learn about new cultures, listen to stories and the list goes on. It’s a surreal experience.

3. Enjoy moments at your own pace

This goes out for all the introverted and shy folks like me. When you tour alone, you can stop at every sight that moves you and get emotional without feeling embarrassed.

When you are one with nature and with no one around, you can smile, sing, dance or even cry without fearing judgment. That’s something every solo motorcycle trip promises to offer.

Cons of solo motorcycle touring

1. Safety risk

Solo riders are more vulnerable than group riders. Often solo camping and riding in remote locations come with their fair share of the risk of being confronted by animals or humans.

Avoiding riding in the dark and riding in remote locations with proper communication and navigation equipment are some of the ways to mitigate the risk involved. Moreover having each other’s back in case of any health or motorcycle emergency is a big plus point of riding with a group.

2. Expensive

Solo rides tend to be more expensive. Often you’ll get only double bedded rooms to stay in and will have to pay two person charges. The same goes for tickets to tourist attractions, fuel, food and public transportation tickets.

3. Loneliness

At times riding long hours on the highway can get boring. Loneliness hits at the least expected moments and you’ll wish you had somebody to talk to. Taking a break and calling someone back home can be refreshing in these moments.

With all that being said, choosing to travel solo or as a group boils down to personal preference after weighing the pros and cons. With my experience in riding alone, I would anytime choose to travel solo because of the unique experience you get.

I’d prefer riding with a group in remote locations such as Ladakh and on difficult off-road trails. The only way to know which would suit you better is to try both. Ride safe.

Check out the pros and cons of solo motorcycle touring in a video format here –