Motorcycles are a fantastic way to see our province (and country!), with the wind in your face, sun on your neck, and just the essentials on board. Here are some ways to prep your motorcycle road trips, no matter the destination. First up, plan where you’re headed…

Three winding BC motorcycle road trips that you will love

#1) Duffey Lake Loop

579 km, 7 hours, 30 mins

Head north from Vancouver up the Sea-to-Sky Highway through Squamish to Pemberton, where it turns into Duffey Lake Road #99 to Lillooet. Head south on Highway 12 through the Fraser Canyon via Boston Bar, Hell’s Gate, Yale and Hope. Then ride west on Highway 1 through Abbotsford or take a more relaxed ride home via Highway 7 through Harrison Hot Springs, Mission and Golden Ears Park.

#2) The Pacific Rim Highway

317 km (one way), 4 hours, 30 minutes

This road trip is a Canadian classic, with gorgeous twists and turns through mountains, valleys and rivers on the way to Tofino. Starting in Victoria, take Highway 1 up island to meet Highway 19 near Nanaimo. Keep riding to Parksville, then hang a left to go west and drive Highway 4 all the way to the fork outside Ucluelet, then turn right towards the beaches and Tofino. The great prize at the end is Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, a beautiful rainforest on the verge of flat, foggy beaches and incredible hiking and surfing.

#3) The Sunshine Coast

560 km (loop), 12 hours

This epic motorcycle road trip includes four scenic ferry rides and takes you along both shores of the Strait of Georgia. Begin your journey in Horseshoe Bay and catch the 40-minute ferry to Gibsons (ferry #1). From there, ride the winding Sunshine Coast Highway (BC-101) through charming coastal towns like Sechelt, Halfmoon Bay, and Egmont before boarding the next ferry to Powell River (ferry #2). Continue your adventure with a ferry ride to Comox on Vancouver Island (ferry #3), then cruise southeast through Parksville, Nanaimo, Duncan, Sooke, and Victoria. Finally, wrap up your loop by sailing back to the mainland via the Tsawwassen ferry (ferry #4).

Now here’s how to prepare for all your epic motorcycle trips:

Before you roll out of the garage

• Make sure your motorcycle is in good working order. Get your bike serviced at a trusted auto place like Kal Tire and save 5% with your BCAA Membership. Check out our Motorcycle tips to keep you safe and save you money.
• Check road conditions and travel safely. Always wear appropriate safety gear, including a helmet, eye protection, gloves, riding pants, and high visibility clothing. Make sure you are visible to other drivers and follow the rules of the road. Check road conditions on DriveBC ahead of time so you can make alternate plans to avoid hazardous areas.
• Pack for all-weather travel. Even if it’s summer, you can’t guarantee sunshine and blue skies for the whole way. Pack wind- and rain-proof layers, and ensure you have a raincoat, weather-proof gloves, and boot covers. Plus: make sure you are prepared for high temperatures as well, especially around Lillooet and Port Alberni.
• Pack light. There’s a variety of luggage racks for motorcyclists, but most of them have very limited space. Decide what is truly most essential and what you can live without. Book accommodations that include laundry facilities so you can refresh your clothes and recharge along the way. BCAA Members save up to 15% at Fairmont, Hilton, Marriott, Choice Hotels and more.
• Pack your tools. Always best to prepare for the worst. Get your motorcycle serviced before you head out, but make sure to bring basic tools for any quick fixes.
• Train your body. Motorcycle riding can be hard on your body, so be sure you’re physically fit enough to make a long trip. Work up to it. Start by practicing with different distances before you head out, then gradually build your distance up to handle a longer trip. Before long, you’ll be ready to ride the Pan-American Highway all the way down to the southern tip of Argentina! You’ll need to pack your stamina, and BCAA Travel Insurance with 10% Member savings for that trip!

On the road:

• Start early. If you’ll be covering a lot of ground, it’s best to get on the road early when you’re mentally sharp and before there is too much traffic. Starting early also means you are able to get to your next stop sooner so you can kick back and relax after a great day’s ride.
• Take frequent breaks. Spending long amounts of time on the saddle can make your body sore. Combat soreness (and thirst and hunger) by taking frequent breaks and staying hydrated and fed. Save 10% on snacks at Shell with your BCAA Membership. Filling up on gas along the way? You’ll save 3¢/L on fuel at Shell. Taking a coffee break? Get a free beverage upsize and save 10% on food items with your BCAA Membership at Blenz.
• Ride in comfort. Let’s face it, motorcycle engines are loud. So pack earplugs and consider ergonomic gear that will make the ride more comfortable, such as heated or padded grips, gel seats, and a backrest.
• Choose your crew wisely and let people know where you’re headed. Pick people who share a similar riding style to join you on your ride. Before you go, have a conversation with your crew about your team goals, where and when you want to go (and how early you want to get to bed and wake up), and what sort of stops you will make along the way. If you decide to ride alone, share your route. Make an itinerary and share it with someone you trust. In the unlikely case something goes wrong, they will know where to find you.

More great things to look forward to

• Pack your camping gear so you can stop at gorgeous BC campgrounds along the way. Check out some of our favourite campsites around BC.
• Need some food at your pit stop? Save at many restaurants around BC and across Canada, including Original Joe’s, Freshslice Pizza, Montana’s, and New York Fries.

Final prep before your epic ride(s) around BC

Before you hit the road, double-check that your motorcycle insurance is up to date (BCAA Members save 10%) and that you’ve got a BCAA Plus or Premier Membership in case of the unexpected. For quick access to 24/7 roadside assistance on the go, and for partner savings in the area, download the BCAA App.

Not a BCAA Member? Join today and check out our range of Membership plans! Share your motorcycle road trip experiences with other BCAA Members in our new online community, BCAA Connect.