Being well prepared for a motorcycle trip can turn a bad trip good and a good trip great. It does not take an expert to learn all the tips and tricks that save you time, keep you organized and allow you to have the most fun you have ever had on the road. Revolutionize the way you ride by checking out these 10 tips for motorcycle road trips. Road Trip Tip #1 – Eat at Weird Times. Most everyone eats around 8 a.m., noon and 6 p.m. If you want to get in and out of restaurants quickly, plan ahead. That way, you are not hungry at those times. Road Trip Tip #2 – Carry a Spare Key. Hide your spare somewhere on your bike using a zip-tie or duct tape, or trade keys with a traveling companion. Road Trip Tip #3 – Keep Your Stuff Dry. Use trash compactor bags to house your stuff inside your saddlebags. These DIY waterproof barriers are thicker and more durable than the standard garbage bags many bikers use and offer extra protection from wet weather. Road Trip Tip #4 – Keep Yourself Hydrated. Take a tip from off-road riders and carry a backpack hydration system. This must for arid weather lets you easily drink while you ride. Road Trip Tip #5 – Stay Organized and Call Ahead for Your Rooms. Going on a long, complex trip? Try an organization system like the envelope system. Before you leave, prepare one envelope for each day on the road. Mark the outside of each envelope with dates and locations, then stuff them with things like hotel reservation info and lists of things you would like to see. Instead of juggling your entire stack of literature to find the information you are looking for, you can just open up that day’s envelope. If you call a hotel – even if you are only two blocks away – you can often get a better rate than if you just walk in. Moreover, if you have access to a computer or connected mobile device, you will often come across some spectacular Internet-only deals. Either way, do yourself a favor and have a reservation by 4 p.m. You never know when a convention will take over your destination city. Road Trip Tip #6 – Sign up for AMA Roadside Assistance. To sign up, call the AMA at 800-262-5646. Road Trip Tip #7 – Keep Track of Where You are and Avoid Riding into the Sun Your cell phone can be a lifesaver in an emergency. You can dial 911 for help just about anywhere you get service, but dispatch will want to know where you are. Keep track of route numbers, interstate exits, towns you have passed, road signs, mileposts or anything that can save emergency officials time in getting to you. Remember, too, if you are traveling east or west, schedule breakfast and dinner times near sunrise or sunset, so you do not get stuck staring into the blinding sun when it is low on the horizon. Road Trip Tip #8 – Be Realistic with Your Time In really scenic areas, 150 miles may make a full day. Don’t assume you can achieve freeway mileage on good back roads. You can plan out your route and find amazing places to stop. On a long tour, plan for at least one day per week of doing nothing. Time is the ultimate luxury; it can mean the difference between a vacation and an endurance run. Road Trip Tip #9 – Wear earplugs. Earplugs help reduce wind noise, and they are fairly easy to find. Road Trip Tip #10 – Protect your face. Before you hit the road, make safety a top priority and be sure you are using a high-quality motorcycle windshield. Slipstreamer offers easy to install windscreens that offer superior protection and great style.