By now, you’ve probably gone on a few shorter rides – and maybe even some longer ones – on your motorcycle. The thought of a road trip comes to you as the warm weather piques the interest of most bikers.
We agree it’s an ideal time for a motorcycle trip, but you should never be caught unprepared when you’re far from home.
This is why you can’t just get on your motorcycle without making a safety plan first, including choosing the best route or gear.
But let’s not just talk small – here is your ultimate guide for safe motorcycle travel.
Prepare the Tyres
If you want to be safe while travelling, you need to think about the motorcycle itself. Motorcycles need meticulous and regular maintenance to ensure road safety due to their much tighter tolerances compared to cars, for example.
You should check your tyres first – they are the last point of contact between the rider and the harsh road. Check your motorcycle’s tyres thoroughly to ensure a smooth ride every time.
Any problem, such as improper tyre pressure, will put a damper on your day and only ruin the excitement of travel.
Frequently, the pressure shown on the tyre sidewall is the highest recommended, rather than the optimal pressure for a thrilling and safe ride.
You can find the ideal tyre pressure for your motorcycle in the owner’s manual. Always check your tyre pressure before setting out on a ride and when stopping for rest breaks on longer routes.
Never rely on the air pressure gauges seen at gas stations. Get a high-quality gauge from a bike shop to check the pressure in your tyres before each ride.
The next thing to do is to look for wear indicators – little “bumps” within the grooves, that will tell it’s time to get new tyres.
Simply running a penny over the tyre grooves will reveal their condition. If the whole penny shows up, it’s time to go tyre shopping.
Also, make sure that no foreign object is stuck in your tyres – only a screw or nail can lead to a catastrophic blowout. If you detect a foreign object, get a tyre patched by a professional or get a new tyre right away.
You’ll also need to replace the tyres after keeping a motorcycle in storage for a long period.
Wear a Helmet
Without a doubt, a helmet is the first and most important safety accessory for each motorcyclist.
You should always ride while wearing a helmet for many reasons, all of which pertain to your safety.
For example, wearing eye-catching designs and reflective surfaces helmets means more people will notice you as you ride. With more eyes on you, fewer people will accidentally run into you.
This will help avoid the possibility of traumatic brain injuries, which are common among motorcyclists. As Michigan Motorcycle Accident Lawyer states, traumatic brain injury victims often struggle with basic movement skills, speech difficulties, memory loss, and other cognitive deficits.
Patients often need specialized treatment programs to help them regain their normal abilities. It’s important to note that traumatic brain injury can still happen even if you wear a helmet.
However, wearing it drastically reduces the severity of the consequences.
Plan Route
A motorcycle ride can be made much more enjoyable with careful route planning. Think about factors like the road infrastructure, the weather, and the terrain.
Also, planning your travel along scenic roads and finding little-known treasures can bring the experience to a whole new level.
Discover popular locations, scenic routes, and motorcycle-friendly accommodations with the help of motorcycle-specific travel guides and biker forums.
Riding across a wide range of landscapes and seeing other cultures will make your travel interesting and safer, but only if it’s well-planned.
Stay Healthy and Comfortable
Maintaining comfort and attentiveness on long-distance travel requires mental and physical strength.
For your physical health, it is crucial to drink enough water, sit up straight, and take frequent pauses when riding long distances.
Another important thing to keep in mind for safe travel is to manage mental fatigue and stay focused on the road.
If you want to have safe and fun motorcycle travel, you learn to balance pushing your boundaries and respecting your limits.
Make Yourself Visible
“I didn’t see him! He appeared out of nowhere!” These are common responses from drivers who hit motorcyclists.
Save yourself from becoming a statistic when it comes to these responses. Do your best to make sure other drivers see you on the road.
For example, you can wear brightly coloured clothes or use reflective tape. Additionally, maintaining eye contact with other drivers is just as important as wearing protective gear.
Ride Prepared
Whether you go for a long or short-distance ride, you should always have some important things on hand in case of an emergency: rope, flares, duct tape, a fire extinguisher, a utility knife, a first-aid kit, a blanket, and a paper map.
You should also keep a few simple tools on hand since belts can loosen and lights can go out while you’re on the road. Build an easy, travel-friendly toolbox using commonplace items like pliers, wrenches, screwdrivers, a tire gauge, and a flashlight.
You can also bring a riding camera. A riding camera will record any crazy things, such as another driver trying to annoy you, an unusual animal crossing the road, or an especially breathtaking sunset.
Attach a camera to your motorcycle or helmet, but make sure you choose one that is resistant to wind and bad weather.
Last but not least – it may seem obvious, but make sure that you have some important documents on hand.
Bring along some extra cash, your driver’s license, registration, insurance, AAA, and emergency information cards. A copy of your motorcycle’s owner manual should also be on hand.
Few things can compare to the satisfaction of riding a motorcycle over open terrain with nothing but the wind in your face and the freedom to chase your own goals. Having your dream travel cut short for avoidable reasons like bad weather or a bumpy road is the last thing anybody wants. This is why it’s important to consider the factors mentioned above, check them all off, and go for an unforgettable ride.
