Going for a long distance motorcycle ride requires adequate planning without which it would be a trip worth remembering for all the wrong reasons. Motorcycle trips cannot be planned the same way you would plan a normal car trip. Riding a motorcycle comes with certain limitations that car drivers wouldn’t normally face so it is better to think ahead before you hit the open road.
How To Plan A Long Distance Motorcycle Ride
For starters, you need to plan where you are going and how long you will be gone. Are there any lodgings or motels where you can spend the night? In addition, you need to have a safety and repair kit with you when you go for your road trip.
Other items that you should pack include:
- A tool kit. Ensure that you are equipped with tools such as wrenches, pliers and wire cutters. Most bikes may have tool kits but ensure you are equipped with everything that you might want to use in case your Harley breaks down.
- A first aid kit is very important and you wouldn’t want to travel without it. You can use it to treat an ankle burn from an exhaust pipe or poison ivy.
- Duct tape can help you hold things together during unexpected mechanical failures.
- Other items you should carry include night gear such as warm clothing, an adaptable visor, etc., a flashlight and extra tubes, binoculars and mechanical spares.
Before going on a long distance trip you should inspect your bike. Check your tires to ensure they are properly inflated. Don’t ride with a tire that is too worn out or doesn’t look like it can endure a long ride; replace it with a new one.
Make sure your controls are working perfectly. Your brake lights, turn signals and headlights should also be working.
Regularly check all the oils and fluids used on your motorbike such as brake fluid, coolant and engine oil.
Packing for a long distance motorcycle ride is not easy because you have to ensure that you don’t carry too little or too much. Check the weather forecast so that you can know which clothes to carry. Pack several thin layers of clothing instead of a few thick ones. You can add or shed the layers as necessary.
When packing your motorbike, put solid items on the sides and bottom of the bike while items that are much lighter should go on top. Carry water, trail mix and energy bars.
Eat very light meals for breakfast and eat an early lunch. Save the heavy meals for when you are going to sleep or at the end of the day when you are not riding. Eating a big meal will make you drowsy because it takes a lot of energy to digest.
Make sure that you carry enough cash with you. Not all places that you will visit accept credit cards or debit cards. Take a break in between rides to stretch and rest. Don’t try to ride too many hours in a day because it might interfere with your decision-making ability and reflexes.
Finally, do not forget to clean your bike.
Have A Motorcycle Accident Attorney On Speed Dial
You may have prepared yourself sufficiently but there’s a possibility that the unexpected may happen and you may end up getting into a motorcycle accident. A long distance motorcycle ride requires discipline and a lot of planning but your journey can be cut short because of someone else’s negligence.
If you have been in a motorcycle accident, you should take pictures of the scene if possible and visit the nearest hospital. Do not be fooled into thinking that the accident was not serious enough for you to go to the hospital. Most motorcycle injuries are never apparent on the first day. More over, when you seek medical treatment, your doctor will document your injuries and prove that they were as a result of the accident.
We have a team of experienced Massachusetts and Rhode Island motorcycle accident lawyers who can visit you wherever you are. We know that riders deserve a fair representation and should be awarded compensation if it is determined the accident was due to someone else’s negligence.
Contact one of our experienced lawyers at (800)-200-7752 or fill out a contact form.
