The Ultimate Guide to Motorcycle Trip Essentials
With so many incredible landscapes to explore, riding a motorcycle should be fascinating and enjoyable. The feeling of being part of motorcycle adventures is unique and more fun, but the difference between an excellent ride and a good ride is carrying the essential gear while on the trip.
Planning for long-distance rides is overwhelming, especially if you do not know what to consider before going for rides. The following are some outlines that one might consider to help them make their adventures more fun.
1. Conducting motorcycle pre-ride inspection
It may be tempting to jump on a motorbike and ride off without another thought of pre-inspecting if the motorbike is in good condition before hitting the road. The standard rule for any motorcycle ride safety recommends that one should conduct a quick pre-ride inspection before hitting the road.
A pre-ride inspection is one of the major practices that should be the norm for motorcycle riders to reduce and manage risks while on the road. Motorcycle inspection takes only a few minutes and can help a lot since it helps one spot problems that could turn into major problems if left unattended.
There is a popular acronym that most people consider while inspecting their bikes, and this is TCLOCKS which stands for tires and wheels, controls and levers, lights and electricity, oil and fluids, and the chassis.
2. Wearing all the riding gears
The importance of wearing all the right gears while riding a motorbike cannot be overstated. The main reason for wearing all the riding gear is self-protection in an accident.
Therefore, one should have a motorcycle helmet for head and face protection before hitting the roads. Use a motorcycle facemask that offers unrivaled protection, coverage, and comfort. Jackets are another essentials that one should not lack; they should contain a waterproof membrane, shoulder and elbow amour with CE approval for maximum protection.
In addition, gloves for hand protection since hands can take a hammering, especially during cold and wet seasons. Boots that come in different styles are another consideration and should have ankle protection, they should be waterproof but with breathable linings, and they should resist resistance.
Even though the trousers are always overlooked, they are among the major necessities since they are used for protecting the legs and particularly the knees, which are always vulnerable to both accidents and harsh weather conditions.
3. First aid kit and medicines
Motorcycle riding should be an adventurous experience, but it also has some risks, and therefore taking precautions and equipping yourself with the safety kits before they arise is essential.
Sometimes people ride off roads and away from the city and major towns, making hospitals very far away. Therefore, the significance of carrying aid kits and medicine cannot be underestimated.
The aid kit can contain the following basic treatment options: antiseptic wipes, latex gloves, curved scissors, burn gel or cream, sizeable sterile gauze pads, band-aids, among other safety equipment.
4. Avoid night riding if you are alone
Night riding comes with limited visibility, thus exposing the rider to more cautious riding. Many things happen on the road, making night riding an absolute nightmare. One will encounter many drunk drivers who drive recklessly, and, therefore, one needs to be cautious if they ride at night.
If one wants to go out for a night ride, they should make themselves more visible while on the road by wearing reflective clothing and gear. The clothing should be added with reflective tapes and decals that catch other road users’ attention for added visibility.
5. Stay hydrated
The warm and sunny weather makes summer an ideal time for taking the long adventurous rides, but one needs to be prepared to deal with the above-average temperatures, especially if they are in for long rides.
Heat exhaustion is a heat-related illness reported to be occurring to riders who are exposed to high temperatures. This can include water and salt depletion in the body; the riders are advised to be drinking plenty of water supplements and salty snacks to avoid it.
Also, one should avoid drinking alcohol or caffeine, especially if they are in for long rides, since alcohol impairs one’s ability and increases the rate of dehydration on their body.
6. Maintain proper tire pressure
The tire’s capabilities go beyond rolling since they offer critical importance when absorbing shocks, carrying loads, and obtaining equilibrium while on the road, especially the muddy ones.
Some people will opt for low pressure, assuming that there are no risks associated with it, but low pressure can result in an unpredictable grip that is not conducive to riding.
The over-inflated tires are also risky since they increase the chances of skidding since they are associated with fewer steering controls. Therefore, the tires should be inflated with the optimum pressure for swift movement while on the road.
7. Packing should be light
Although the packing checklists depend on the duration of the trip, the size of the motorbike, the trip location and terrains, or whether one will be going alone or with a passenger, their packing should be light. Therefore, one needs to pick only the essential things they will need for the trip.
Some more Motorcycle trip essentials
Apart from these essential items, here is a list of some other things you can consider packing. There’s no harm in taking a look. Who knows, you might find one or two essential items below for your next trip.
- A spare bike key (must). In case you lose one.
- Mosquito repellent cream. You don’t want to be eaten up by bugs.
- Keep water and sweat-resistant sunscreen with SPF of more than 30 to avoid sunburn.
- Keep chain locks and disc-brake locks with you.
- Eye drops for dry eyes due to wind. Use judiciously and when required.
- Tank bags. They give you easy access to things that you require repeatedly.
- Video camera to make memorable clips.
- GPS devise for the motorcycle that works without a network.
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Conclusion:
In conclusion, riding should be more fun, especially if one considers all the essential requirements before going out. The above-outlined requirement will guide even the first-time riders in ensuring they enjoy while having the essentials for their trips.