Planning to head out for a trip on your hog this year? You aren't alone, this year hundreds of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts will embark on a road trip, whether just for vacation or to one of the many events, rallies, conventions and expos that are held every year for bikers. Before you head out, don't forget some of these travel safety tips specifically for bikers:
Preparation
You should not head out on a long ride without thoroughly checking out your bike first and doing some preventive maintenance. Tires, brakes, oil, engine, basically every part of your bike should be checked out. If you are not a mechanic, consider getting a thorough check from a reputable auto mechanic that has experience with motorcycle maintenance and repair. You should also make sure to ride your bike for a few days before you head out after you have made your preparations and any repairs.
Safety Equipment
Don't forget the safety equipment, number 1 being the helmet. In addition to a helmet, consider also getting a good jacket, gloves, goggles or glasses and boots. There are specially made motorcycle pants that are made of armored textile. They can fit underneath your jeans and offer a nice amount of protection, with some options being waterproofing for those rainy rides.
Traffic Tips
Unlike in cars and trucks and commercial vehicles, there are no seatbelts on a motorcycle and few safety devices available. This is why you'll want to be extra careful riding your motorcycle in traffic. You need to be extra vigilant and wary of the vehicles around you as in some situations they may not be able to see you. Be extra mindful of your speed, as motorcycles accelerate much faster than other vehicles.
Weather Riding Tips
Bikers will encounter different types of weather throughout the year and you need to be prepared for each extreme. When it's hot, you should take care to limit the amount of sun and hot air that touches your skin as this can increase your body temperature and dehydrate you quickly and cause serious heatstroke. Don't risk riding in temperatures in the high 90's, consider staying in, riding later in the day when it cools down, riding at night or taking the car instead. If you must ride in hot weather, take precautions, including drinking lots of water, covering your head and neck with a wet bandanna or cloth and taking lots of breaks in shady areas. Thankfully, for winter weather riding there are many special apparel and accessory options including jackets, gloves and more. There are even heated apparel options.
