Imagine taking the trip of a lifetime and discovering far-flung lands from the saddle of an adventure motorcycle. The breathtaking views, delicious foreign dishes, and colourful cultures will change your view of life for the better. The adventure of navigating twisty mountain paths, open sandy plains and emerald stepped paddy fields of south Asia is one you’ll never forget. But to get the most from your ultimate adventure, you’ll need to properly prepare with adventure motorcycle training.

Tour companies like Ride Expeditions and Great Escape Motorcycling recommend riders properly prepare for these epic adventures, and they’re not just talking about getting your paperwork in order. Roads in South Asia aren’t like the tarmacked surfaces we’re used to in the UK. A little off-road training goes a long way when you find yourself in unfamiliar territory.

So what do you do before a motorcycle tour to properly prepare? Who do you train with? How on earth do you train for foreign lands when you’re stuck in Ol’ Blighty? We’ll share the best motorcycle tour tips in this blog so you can have the most epic and enjoyable motorcycle adventure of your life! 

The reality of the ride: going beyond paved paths

It’s easy to get lost in the romance of a far-flung adventure, but the reality of the ride is a little different from a Sunday scoot down well-tarmacked roads. These tours, especially those in the Himalayan regions of India and Bhutan, are designed to challenge and delight you. You’ll visit places few people get to see and be left breathless with wonder.

That’s where the real fun—and the real challenge—begins. Navigating narrow and dusty mountain tracks is part of the thrill. The idea is to be able to enjoy the challenge along with the sights, sounds and flavours of the different cultures you’ll ride through.

You may find yourself contending with steep inclines, deep gorges, and even cold glacial streams. The roads here challenge and change with the seasons. A landslide or a storm can wash away a section, transforming roads into rocky obstacle courses. On a tour like this, a little off-road training goes a long way.

Trips like these ask for a significant investment too. When you’ve paid for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, it’s best to be prepared. The last thing you want is to be so stressed about the terrain, dropping your bike, or a minor crash that you don’t see the world around you.

Getting the right training beforehand isn’t just about safety. It’s also about ensuring you’re able to confidently handle every challenge thrown your way and truly enjoy your epic adventure. A little off-road training protects your investment and makes sure you’re focusing on the breathtaking views, not the potholes.

Why adventure motorcycle training is not a luxury, but an essential investment

Adventure motorcycle training transforms you from a stressed passenger to being in confident control of your machine. You’ll know how to put your bike exactly where it needs to be, moment to moment without second guessing yourself or losing your cool. Pre-trip jitters about the conditions of foreign roads fade away when you have the skills for handling any obstacle. That means you can relax into your ride and completely immerse yourself in the journey. The incredible sights, new smells, and sounds of the landscape become your focus. The wheels carrying you through these places become a source for joy, not anxiety. Your skill and frame of mind turn a great trip into an unforgettable one.

“Really well organised amazing trip. Good backup for any issues with the bikes or logistics and nice hotels and campsites. Roads are a bizarre mix of off road trail like and smooth tarmac but amazing views on winding roads with hairpins and swooping curves,” Toby, returning rider from a Himalayan tour with Ride Expeditions

Training provides simple confidence and the practical skills you need for the unexpected. When you’re thousands of miles from home, you can’t afford to be caught out by a muddy track or a section of sand. Proper training prepares you for these surfaces. You’ll know how to manage a heavy adventure bike on steep inclines and declines. And you won’t need to worry about being laid up with a broken limb in a foreign hospital. 

Ian Davis, a returning rider from a trip to Cambodia with Ride Expeditions said,

“Just did the Cambodia Tomb Raider 2025. Wow what an experience! Tough riding, coupled with stunning views and a mixture of overnight stops. If you want a truly immersive tour, book this one”.

Justin, our main instructor at Phoenix Trails tailors each off-road training session to meet his rider’s skill levels and build upon them. He knows which trails and which exercises will prepare you best for these unique tours. His three-level program goes beyond the basics to build confidence and skills steadily so riders are fully prepared for the challenges of riding off-road in far-off places.

He reminds trail riding students to enjoy their ride while they learn new skills.

“Don’t be in a hurry to be anywhere else—if you’re upright and travelling forwards, enjoy exactly where you are. If you’re riding at a pace that you can’t take a look around at the scenery, then you’re probably riding too fast! And you’re missing a big part of why we ride the trails and take these epic trips. ” – Justin Trigwell, Phoenix Trails Instructor

Ready, Set, Go!

A motorcycle trip abroad is a dream come true, and one that will be remembered, shared and talked about for years to come. These ultimate adventures may be more within reach than you realise. Whether you’ve imagined the sights, the sounds, and the freedom of the open road in far-off lands or taking a trail break trek a little closer to home, preparing well will only improve the experience.

You’ve learned that the best way to enjoy your motorcycling adventure is to prepare for the reality of the ride. Now is the time to turn your dream into real life.

Adventure motorcycle training is the single best thing you can do to get ready for your trip abroad. It protects your investment, gives you the confidence and skills to get the most out of every mile, and lets you concentrate on having fun rather than avoiding mishaps.

Start your journey today by booking a training session with Phoenix Trails to prepare. Or book your tour with plenty of time left to prepare for your epic adventure. The choice is yours and the world is waiting.