Tips for a Motorcycle Vacation
Summer time is here and going full swing, so that means you must have a vacation coming up. This article shares some tips to make your summer motorcycle vacation a safe, relaxing, and fun time.
First up is making sure your bike is healthy enough for a long trip. Your best bet is probably to take your bike into the shop, and have an experienced mechanic look things over, but if you can do it on your own, check the following:
- Oil. Do you need an oil change?
- Fuel filter
- Spark plugs
- Chain and belt tension
- Tires
- Lights
- All fasteners
Again, if you notice a problem with any of the above parts, the best thing to do is have an experienced mechanic do the work for you to ensure your bike is in the best shape possible for your trip.
When your motorcycle is in tip-top shape, it’s time to get yourself ready. When going on a long trip it’s important to pack wisely. Do you really need to take excessive amounts of clothes or other items? Try packing trial size toiletries like toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, etc. Make a list of the things you absolutely need and work from there. If there are things you can easily pick up on the road or at your destination, then there is no need to bog down your bike with that extra stuff.
Once you have decided what you are going to pack (you are packing lightly right?), then make sure you balance the load on your bike evenly. If your bike is packed top heavy, the load isn’t balanced properly, your motorcycle will be more difficult to handle, which can cause you to fatigue easier, and that becomes a safety hazard. Check, double check, and recheck that your luggage is secure on your bike. You don’t want stuff flying off your bike on the highway, and neither does anyone else.
When you are finally ready to hit the road, always remember safety first. Don’t be in a hurry to get to your destination. When you are on a motorcycle vacation, the ride there and back should be as enjoyable as the time you spend at your destination. Heck, take some back roads, take some extra stops so you can stretch your legs, take a break to have a snack or a drink (NON-alcoholic of course!). The reason you are taking your bike on a vacation is to enjoy the open road, don’t forget that. In the past I’ve had some rides that was a hectic whirlwind to get where I was going, and the ride became more of a pain that the relaxing jaunt that it should be.
So relax and enjoy your time on the road, and at your vacation destination.