A touring bike is designed to withstand the weight of luggage and an extra passenger while maintaining speed and providing rider comfort. You don't have to own a touring bike to go on a long distance motorbike ride. Let's take a look at a few things you can do to make your sports bike more comfortable for riding long distances.

Saddle

Technological advancement in motorbike seating materials means that any bike can be equipped with a comfortable saddle for long distance riding. Look for a hard, flat saddle over a preformed, soft saddle—this way, you can move around a little and shift your posture throughout the ride. If you find that you feel significant perineal discomfort when riding long distances, consider installing a seat with a deep channel down the centre, as this will provide relief from constant perineal contact and enhance comfort.

Tank Bag

A tank bag allow you to store extra accessories in an easily-accessible location. It will also provide you with increased comfort on a long journey, as you can lean your chest on the bag for added support. This will alleviate the stress on your wrists and back, allowing you to relax your grip a little and change posture when muscle stiffness sets in.

Grips

Consider replacing your stock grips with some cushioned, ergonomic grips. A quality grip designed for comfort will help to absorb vibrations suffered on uneven roads- perfect for the unpredictable terrain of a long distance ride in Australia. An ergonomic grip will also mean that you will be able to loosen your grip on the bar a little. Speak to local motorcycle shops like Town & Country Motorcycles to assist your selection of grips to suit your bike and lifestyle needs.

Handlebars

The low handlebars on a sports bike can leave your wrists feeling tired and achy very quickly when riding long distances, as your wrists are under pressure due to the angle of your body. For a more comfortable ride, try a clip-on handle bar riser, which will allow you to instantly change the height of your handlebar for increased wrist comfort. Alternatively, pivoting bar risers are recommended for those with top mounted handlebars, as they are fully adjustable to allow different handlebar settings for track riding and touring.

Rearsets

A sports bike is designed to have your legs bent in a crouching position—ideal for taking corners—but your knees and legs will ache after a while on the open road. The easiest solution to this problem is installing fully-adjustable aftermarket rearsets, allowing you to place the pegs and controls in a comfortable position ideal for your leg and knee relief on long journeys.

If you are making significant modifications to your bike prior to a long distance ride, make sure that you do so well ahead of time, allowing a test period to ensure the additions function well and are reliable for your journey.