How to Beat the Winter Biker Blues
January 11, 2015
With winter in full force, there’s not much a motorcyclist can do but wait for the snow to clear. That is, until you’ve read this cheat sheet on beating the Winter Biker Blues:
Head South
If you have time to travel this winter, then take a trip down south where the weather is always perfect for riding. Sunny coastlines rarely see temperatures dip below freezing in the winter, and are often a mild 60 to 70 degrees during the daytime. Don’t want to tow your ride all the way to Florida? That’s alright. Just take a test drive at the local dealership, or rent a bike for the day in Key West.
Plan Rides
The best way to make time pass on a cold winter night is to plan your upcoming summer road trip. Do you dream of trekking cross-country? How about a quick day-trip through the hills? Or maybe an international trip through South America? Start planning and saving now, and you will be ready to roll as soon as the ice melts.
Prep Bike
Winter is the perfect time for motorcycle maintenance. If you can’t ride, then you might as well prep your bike so you will be ready to ride in the spring. If you haven’t already winterized your motorcycle, then now would be a good time. You can also give your ride a good wash, as well as go through the essential motorcycle maintenance checklist. In fact, performing at least one annual maintenance check could keep your motorcycle running forever.
Check Gear
Not only does motorcycle gear wear out, but it also becomes outdated pretty quickly. Every year there is newer, better, safer equipment, as well as higher safety standards in the industry. That’s why it’s important to check your gear each winter. You certainly don’t want to be caught with a faulty helmet or torn boots when riding season comes around. Now is the time to take stock of what you need and start saving for new gear in the spring. Or if you have the cash on hand, buy new equipment now and take advantage of winter savings.
Watch these videos
When the ride is planned, the gear checked, the motorcycle cleaned and prepped, and there’s nothing else to do but wait, that’s when it’s time to check out these riding videos for inspiration:
Essential Motorcycle Tools
April 7, 2014
Over at bikebandit.com, there are a lot of great guides for motorcycle enthusiasts. One of the most important guides for those who want save a lot of money is the Buyer’s Guide to Motorcycle Tools. If you don’t already know, motorcycles can be high-maintenance, and learning how to fix and maintain your own bike is rewarding in so many ways. However, before you start any tinkering you will need a decent collection of tools. Get the tool-buying knowledge you need with the complete guide here:
http://www.bikebandit.com/community/guides/the-buyers-guide-to-motorcycle-tools
Motorcycle TLC
April 5, 2014
If you’re bike is a bit on the rickety side, if it coughs and sputters, or if it doesn’t start at all, then it might be time for a little motorcycle TLC. Luckily, there’s a blog post for that. See what the experts at the Allstate Blog have to say about DIY motorcycle maintenance:
Race Tires Vs Street Tires
April 4, 2014
Some might be forgiven for thinking that racing tires would be a safer choice. After all, they keep motorcycles glued to the rack racing at incredible speeds and turning dangerously close to the asphalt. However, racing tires were made for just that purpose. They weren’t made for the other common conditions many street riders face, such as road damage, weather conditions. and various styles of winding, rising and dropping roads.
So, if you’re replacing your tires, be sure to choose the right tires for the job. Research online, consult your manufacturer’s handbook and talk to people at the shop.
Top Tech Tips
April 4, 2014
Get some great motorcycle maintenance tips from Joe Conry to ensure motorcycle safety and smooth riding.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JSM3MTINTs&feature=youtu.be