Apr 4, 2020 | Accident prevention, Motorcycle
After you ride long enough, you’ll have to deal with riding in the rain. Being prepared with the right motorcycle rain gear can help make these rides more tolerable. However, it’s important to know all your options so you can make the best choice for you and stay safe in unforeseen road conditions..
Motorcycle Rain Gear: Keeping Dry
Material construction
Not all motorcycle rain gear is created the same. In fact, there are several different options and materials to choose from. For example, PVC is very common for waterproof jackets and pants. However, these days, more breathable waterproof options like Gore-Tex are becoming popular as well.
How breathable your gear is is also important. PVC gear is the cheapest option, but it also builds up heat and moisture. This could leave you just as wet after your ride if the heat isn’t vented out properly. This is why Gore-Tex materials are becoming more popular, but they do cost a bit more.
Visibility
Visibility is also important to consider when picking out motorcycle rain gear. Rainy weather lowers visibility on the road, making it harder for other drivers to see you. Combine this with the tendency for drivers to focus less on what’s around them, and you can be at serious risk.
It’s always good to make sure your gear has reflective patches or stripes. These should be on places which will be visible to other drivers too, like your back or arms. Many rain gear manufactures also offer high-intensity color options which can help with your visibility.
Boots and gloves
It’s important to not forget about your hands and feet as well. Rainy weather could loosen your grip on your bike and cause your hands or feet to slip. That’s why you should make sure to get some good boots and gloves for rainy riding.
Recently, many rain gear manufacturers have started making their own boots and gloves. Gore-Tex, for example, has begun making gloves and boots for motorcycle riders. Still, any good kind of waterproof material will work. These boots and gloves often will come with additionally straps or lacing to help increase their waterproof seals.
Just like when riding in the cold, it’s important to have the right kind of gear for riding in the rain. Luckily, there are plenty of options out there for you to choose from. You can find the right combination of style and protection that will best suit your needs are a rider.
Dec 18, 2019 | Motorcycle, Motorcycle Accidents
There is a special connection between a motorcycle and its rider. Riding sparks joy. Not much is better than riding on a sunny day with a slight breeze. A good ride can enhance a good mood, but what can it do for a bad one? Avoiding emotional riding is important when maintaining safe riding habits. Your senses are out of line when emotional, which puts you at a greater risk for accidents.
Emotional Riding: Why To Avoid It
Emotional Riding
Maybe you’ve just received a sad call or gotten some bad news. Or perhaps you’re angry because you and your partner got in a fight. In these cases, to avoid emotional riding can help avoid accidents. These emotions can cause aggressive driving, which leads to 56 percent of fatal traffic accidents. Feeling distressed or under pressure can also cause this erratic riding behavior.
Alternatives
Avoiding emotional riding can come in different forms. In place of riding while upset or angry, you can try:
- Washing your bike, performing maintenance, or detailing it. Being physically in contact with the bike will give you the same connection but keep you and others safe.
- Listening to soothing music. Letting your mind relax and go to a different place will help your overall mood.
- Ride, but not right away. When avoiding emotional riding, it’s important that you take the time and let yourself calm down first. Once you’ve gotten to a more level head space, try going for a short ride. Make sure it’s at a time where traffic is light.
- Ride to a peaceful place. If you feel like you can’t avoid emotional riding, try riding to somewhere that calms you down. A nice overlook on a mountain or a waterfront spot might do the trick. Focus on getting there safely and not on your situation. Then, use your time at this scenic spot to calm down.
At the end of the day, the safety of you and others is important. If you ride while upset or angry, you are not just putting yourself in danger. Most of the time, situations that evoke these strong emotions are far less serious once fully thought through. Give yourself time to relax and breathe, and then enjoy your bike. Avoiding emotional riding also avoids accidents!
Sep 28, 2019 | Motorcycle, Motorcycle Maintenance
Riding anxiety can affect several different kinds of riders. Maybe you’re a new rider anxious to get on the road for the first time. Or, maybe you’re coming back to riding after an accident. Whatever the case might be, this anxiety can leave you second-guessing about going out. That’s why it’s important to know how you can tackle these riding jitters…
Riding Anxiety: Beat those Biking Jitters
Figure out why you’re anxious
The first step in handling riding anxiety is figuring out where it comes from. There are many reasons why this kind of anxiety can pop up. For example, it could come from the crash statistics for motorcycles. Motorcycles can be a bit more dangerous than traditional cars, which can give some pause before they ride.
However, it could also come from a lack of experience. If you haven’t had much or any motorcycle experience, you could be quite anxious over making mistakes. Not only do you not want to look out of your element, but you also don’t want to make any mistakes which could be dangerous.
Think…but don’t overthink
Once you’ve determined where your riding anxiety is coming from, it’s time to think about ways to handle it. For starters, if you’re worried about accidents, then take some steps to make yourself safer. Invest in some good gear, like helmets and jackets, and study why most accidents occur in the first place.
If you’re worried about making mistakes, then it’s a good idea to brush up on some motorcycle riding 101. There’s plenty of online resources you can find that’ll help you figure out what you should and shouldn’t be doing. You can also look for riding classes, which can give you a safer hands-on learning experience.
Experience is key
Of course, the only real way to overcome that riding anxiety is to get out there and ride. If you don’t, that anxiety will keep you from ever giving your bike a good shot. As with most things, the more experience you get riding, the more confident you’re going to feel as you ride.
Still, you don’t have to go crazy when starting out. You can begin with just some simple rides around your neighborhood or town. Once you begin to feel confident there, you can take your riding to the highways and beyond.
Feb 24, 2019 | Motorcycle, Motorcycle Accidents
With Spring right around the corner, bikes which have been put away for the Winter can finally have their chance to shine again. However, before getting back out on the road, it’s important to perform some quick Spring maintenance. That way, you avoid running into issues when you’re out on that first joy ride of the season…
Spring Maintenance: What to Double-Check
Oil and filters
Proper Spring maintenance includes checking and replacing your fuel and oil supplies. Make sure that your oil still looks good, and add more or replace it if the levels or quality are not up to par. The same goes for your gas tank. If you have any leftover fuel from the Winter, it’s a good idea to drain it and run some fresh fuel through the lines.
Furthermore, your bike filters need a check too. When checking your oil and gas, check the filters as well. Your oil, fuel, and air filters are all important and work together to provide you with the best ride possible.
Battery and plugs
Battery and spark plug checks are sometimes overlooked during Spring maintenance. Also, check your battery for residue buildup and if it has any charge. If your charge appears to be on the weaker side, try to give it a quick charge and work on getting a new one soon.
Spark plugs can be easy to check, but sometimes riders overthink them during their Spring maintenance. First, just pull out the plugs and check their condition. If they need replacement, just go for a plug that had a good reputation and fits your bike.
Chain, breaks and tires
Your chain, breaks, and tires all work together, so if one is in bad shape, they all can be impacted. For your chain, check for rust or breaks first. If it all looks good, give it a quick clean and apply some new lubricant. Then, most of your Spring maintenance is done.
Your last stop on Spring maintenance, is checking the breaks. As we all know, brake function is key to safety for any rider or driver. Check the break pads for wear, and replace the brake fluid with a new batch. For the tires, make sure they have the right amount of air in them. Give them a change as well if they’re a bit too worn out.
Spring is a great time to start riding again. Of course, you want to make sure your bike is still in working order after a Winter tucked away. Doing this Spring maintenance can help make sure your bike is ready for the many, many rides ahead.
Aug 24, 2018 | Motorcycle
When it comes to motorcycle manners and etiquette, there are some things that are sacred. Having proper etiquette on your motorcycle means that you’re following the law, driving considerately, and showing courtesy towards other riders and drivers. By being a responsible motorcyclist, you help to kill the biker stigma, keep yourself safe, and make drivers and riders aware of the moves you might be making. Therefore, using motorcycle manners and etiquette can do a lot for you, and other people on the roadway.
Motorcycle Manners and Etiquette: Breaking Biker Bias & Being Considerate
Be mindful of other bikers when coming up close
The first rule of motorcycle manners is to be respectful of other bikers’ space. When approaching another biker, don’t ride up too closely. If you want to pass, give them the signal that you’re going to do so. You don’t want to make the other driver angry, anxious, or nervous by riding too close. So, give them space just like you’d want. Furthermore, give them enough time to respond and react to your signals when you give them. By respecting their space, they’ll be more likely to respect you, and your space.
Wave
Yep, it’s that simple. When you’re riding around other motorcyclists— waving or giving a quick nod is customary, and a sign of respect. By doing this, you’re showing that you see them, and you’re aware of their space. Many motorcyclists will make more of a habit to wave at someone on the same brand of bike as theirs. But, waving at any and all is a sign of respect that can go a long way.
How these signs and symbols can help reduce biker bias
The images that come to mind (for most) of bikers are particularly destructive to the motorcycle community. While we are aware that motorcyclists are just your every day bankers, doctors, moms, dads, and so forth— the stigma of inconsiderate speed demons is quite a popular one. Therefore, by showing that the motorcycle community is, in fact, a community, and not a gang of lawless bandits— you help to strengthen the idea of normal people who love bikes. Help to show that, we too, have manners like the rest of the drivers on the road.
Aug 8, 2018 | Motorcycle
Anyone who rides a motorcycle knows how great it can be. It’s a liberating way to enjoy beautiful weather, see beautiful places, and experience the thrill of the open air. Riders do so in a number of ways; some do their daily commute on a motorcycle, and some use it as a weekend getaway. No matter what you prefer, you always buy a motorcycle with more in mind than just functionality. However, the fun can quickly come to a halt when you begin to experience motorcycle-related back pain. Although there are many positives to riding, back pain is most definitely a down side.
Motorcycle-Related Back Pain: Cause and Prevention
The most important thing to know is that motorcycle-related back pain can stem from a number of different things. From posture, to support, and even weight— depending on the way you ride, and what you ride, there could be a number of causes.
What bikes are best?
So, if you’re looking to purchase a bike, and back support is a priority for you, look into your standard bike. Cruisers and Sport bikes offer much less support. Standard bikes force the rider to sit up straight, and provide that little bit of support that trains you to have good posture atop your bike. Your second best option is a cruiser. Cruisers also have that bit of support that allows for an upright posture, limiting the amount of stress. However, a sport bike forces the rider to lean forward. Thus, offering the most stress on your back and the least support.
Other factors in causing pain
There are plenty of other factors that can lead to motorcycle-related back pain. For instance, a rider’s weight may lead to discomfort in that they have to handle the bike accordingly. Furthermore, the positioning of your bike parts can cause issues. If your handlebars, seat, and foot pegs aren’t in the correct places— the way you have to sit to handle your bike can be damaging to your posture. Many people don’t think to customize their parts to their body. However, it’s worth the investment to make your riding experience a little more unique to you, and the needs of your own body.
Riding a motorcycle is a liberating feeling, and one that many people chase after. But when that bike leads to back trouble— the appeal can sink quickly. That’s where picking the right bike, positioning, and parts can make all the difference. A bike can mean back pain for many, but it doesn’t have to be that way for you.
