Apr 4, 2018 | Motorcycle
The Spring and Summer months bring with them quite the heat wave. This is great for a number of reasons. You can get a tan, go back out on the lake, lay by the pool… the possibilities are endless, and pretty great. But, when it comes to keeping cool on your bike— it can be quite challenging (if you wear the right gear, that is). When you think of your typical bikers’ gear, breathable isn’t really the first word that comes to mind. But, there are actually quite a few options for keeping cool.
Keeping Cool in the Summer for Bikers… Without Sticking Ice Down Your Shirt
Staying cool starts with staying hydrated
First things first, it’s important to understand that you’re going to sweat; it’s inevitable. There are moisture wicking technologies, and perforated jackets— which we’ll get to in a second. But, ultimately, you have to hydrate. Part of hydrating is to allow your body to have something to sweat out. Invest in a quality water bottle— I suggest brands such as Hydroflask (it stores ice for around 48 hours without melting). Cold water is refreshing, it makes you feel cooler, and you’re hydrating… the ultimate triple threat.
Invest in warm weather gear
Obviously, you have to keep covered. Wearing a t-shirt when you ride will give you a sunburn and leave you pretty susceptible to harm if that summer traffic gets a little crazy. Plus— fun fact: heavy winds dry your skin out and make you dehydrated as well. So, invest in warm weather gear!! Research hot weather jackets, and perforated jackets. The Fly Flux Air Jacket is made for hot weather, and has a removable water resistant liner. It’s mesh, lightweight, and pretty affordable. Pair a quality jacket with a sweat wicking dry fit shirt, and you’ll stay much cooler than you’d like to think. You also might want to look into cool towels, such as the Frogg Togg’s.
Other than that, avoid midday heat
We provided a few means of staying cool above, but ultimately, your best bet is to avoid the midday heat. Take an early morning right, and early evening ride, or wait for a cooler day. When it comes to beating the heat, your front runner is always that of not going outside. But, if you can’t stand to skip that beautiful coastline crawl, be sure to prepare for the weather!
Mar 29, 2018 | Motorcycle
If you’ve been in the motorcycle game for some time now, you’ve likely learned a few motorcycle hacks along the way. But, for new riders— they might not have learned those tricks of the trade yet. From old-school Apple Maps, to keeping the sun out of your eyes— there are plenty of ways to make your ride a little easier, and maybe even quicker….
Motorcycle Hacks: Being A Smart and Cool Rider
The magnet trick(s)
If you have a bluetooth helmet that can read you directions— good for you! But, some of us might not have that luxury quite yet. So, we’ve got just the hack for you. So, let’s say you have your directions written down on a piece of paper that you need to reference every now and then. It’ a bit hard to steer the motorcycle, and read your directions. So, grab a few magnets, and stick them to the metal on your bike. They’ll hold on easy, and they can keep your written directions in an easily viewable spot. These motorcycle hacks are pretty cool, right?
Our second magnet trick is a great way to help you shave off some travel time. If you’ve ever ridden a motorcycle— you know that stoplights can be pretty problematic. Usually, a motorcycle isn’t going to trigger those sensors to let the light know you need it to turn. So, attach a few magnets to the bottom of your bike. Why? Because the electro-magnetic force of a bike is pretty weak, but add on those magnets, and you might as well be in a big rig.
Cool for the summer
One of the biggest issues that many riders have is overheating. While they make warm weather gear— new gear is typically pretty expensive. So, bag up some ice and put it into your pockets or jacket. This is a great way to cool off, especially if you’re riding in heavy gear on a hot July afternoon. But, be sure to double bag that ice… don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Keep your kickstand from sinking
If you’re pulling over for a quick break; there’s a strong chance you’ll be putting down your kickstand. But, sometimes you can run into trouble in doing this. If you’ve stopped in an area that isn’t covered in gravel— there’s the potential that your kickstand could sink. Doing so could knock your bike over, or even break your kickstand. No matter what, the outcome is pretty much the same— damaged bike.
So, you’ve got to keep it from sinking… but, how? By increasing the surface area of where it sits! A kickstand is typically quite small. Sturdy, sure, but small. So, crush a can, take some cardboard— whatever you have, and put that under the kickstand. It’ll keep your kickstand clean, but also— above ground.
Mar 16, 2018 | Motorcycle
That beautiful spring weather is fast approaching. Which means, it’s about time to bring that bike of yours out of hibernation. The weather is right, and that means the time has come. But, before you hop back on the hog, it’s important that you spend a little time in the garage. Why, you ask? Well, it’s time to do that warm weather maintenance. You likely don’t ride as much in the winter, therefore there’s a few extra steps you need to take to make sure you, and your bike, are in riding condition.
Warm Weather Maintenance for Your Bike: Before You Leave the Garage
Start with electronics
Check those wires. If you keep your bike in a garage, it avoids most of those winter woes. But, one it might not avoid— is the electronics. It could be a mouse, everyday wear and tear, or a freak accident. No matter the cause, it’s worth a check before you get back out there and realize halfway through that your speedometer isn’t working.
Now, let’s move on to the battery
At the very least, it might need a quick scrub with the wire brush. Build up happens over time, especially depending on where you store it. I’m sure you know, but if not, build up on those battery terminals can cause a poor connection. In short, your battery might not work— but with a little elbow grease, it just might. No matter if the battery is bar, or just dirty— it’s a quick and easy fix.
Next, let’s check those fluids
It’s time to check the brake and fuel lines. Get them drained, cleaned up, and topped off before you even consider getting back out there. Keeping them in proper shape can increase the life of your bike, but also keep from potential failures along the way.
We’re almost finished! Sprockets and chains time
It’s time to check them out, clean them up, lube them up, and get ready to go. Winter is typically pretty dry, and that dryness can be tough on your chains. So, giving them that once over and moisturizing them can increase the life and decrease the chance of failure.
Lastly, give those tires some love
Another aspect of your bike that can suffer greatly from winter weather are your tires. The air is getting cold, then colder, and then hot again— especially if you live in the South. So, it’s easy for tire pressure to fluctuate. Check and make sure they’re pumped up, no holes, flat tires, or bald spots. once you’ve done this, you’ve completed your warm weather maintenance and you’re ready to ride. But remember, safety first!
Mar 12, 2018 | Motorcycle
If you’re a nine-to-fiver, as well as a biker, it’s easy to assume that you take most of your trips on the weekend. The warm air, the coastlines, and the crowds. There’s no doubt about it— for a biker, that weekend riding is a dream come true. But, what you might not know, is that weekend riding comes with it’s own unique set of risks. So, what makes it different than riding on any other day of the week? What about the weekend makes it harder for me to stay safe? We’re going to explain it to you.
Weekend Riding: Why It Can Be More Dangerous
Heavier ‘Fun Traffic’
Think about how you and the people you know spend your average weekend. Goin to the mountains, the beach, the breweries, or brunch. Most people, especially those who work during the week, are out and about on the weekend. This means more traffic on the road, which for bikers, means a bit more risk.
Heavier Fun Traffic = More Alcohol
We are hoping that people will ultimately do the right thing when it comes to drinking and driving, the simple fact of the matter is: not everyone does. So, you add more people to the roadway, a potential for more impaired drivers, and a motorcycle, and you have a pretty good recipe for mishap. This is not to say that you aren’t a smart driver, or that something bad will inevitably happen. It is just to say that the potential is a bit higher.
That potential has a few more risks for you than, say, your four-wheeled friends. So, it is something to keep in mind when you’re planning out your trip. Maybe avoid those peak times, windy roads, and heavy traffic.
We know that the weekends are for you too… so just be more careful
There is always the potential for danger on the roadway. If you’re a smart and cautious driver, you are typically able to prepare for and avoid an accident. But, you also have to prepare for the possibility of unforeseen circumstance. Drive safe, be smart, be aware, and keep your following distance.
Feb 9, 2018 | Motorcycle
If you are finally about to ride along with your significant other on their motorcycle, there are a few things you need to know. Being a good passenger in a vehicle is one thing, but on a motorcycle— it can be the difference between life and death. We are not telling you this as a means of intimidating you. Rather, to tell you why you should take it seriously. Riding along on the motorcycle, especially when you don’t have to be in control of it— is pretty exhilarating. But, before you go— we’re going to tell you how to be a good passenger.
Being a Good Passenger on a Motorcycle
First things first— get dressed in tight clothing
No, this ins’t so you’ll look great on the back of the bike. Loose clothing can be a big danger. As a passenger, your seat is right on top of a lot of the nitty gritty. I know, a skirt flowing in the wind is the kind of romantic you’d envisioned. But, that flowing fabric could get caught in a lot of different places. And, not to mention, you want a strong thick fabric just in case you happen to graze that exhaust pipe— it gets pretty hot down there.
Which brings us to this, watch out for the exhaust.
Your seat is right over top of that exhaust pipe. You can get some pretty severe burns from that stuff. So, keep your feet locked onto the rest. You don’t want to accidentally rub your leg up against this while you’re riding. I guarantee you’ll jerk it off— which can cause some pretty serious issues. Which brings us to this…
Do not make any sudden movements
You are part of a balancing act. Making any sudden movements can throw off the balance, and the driver. I don’t have to tell you how a loss of balance can be detrimental. If the driver isn’t expecting movement, they could lose control of the vehicle and end up in the roadway.
Communicate effectively
If you can’t communicate with each other, there is no possible way for you to be a good passenger. Communication is the key to riding together. If you two can’t get through a conversation without arguing, riding a bike together might not be your best bet. You need to be able to establish what you’re comfortable with. From what’s too fast, to how you tell the driver if you need to pull over, and the likes. Some helmets come equipped with bluetooth. If you have that luxury— great. But if you don’t, you’ll need to establish a system. Remember that you are a passenger, and you don’t have the normal protection of a car. So, listen to your driver. If they tell you to lean with them, lean— accommodate. As we’ve said, you’re part of the balancing act.
