Any true rider knows the advantages they have over their car driver counterparts. However, when undertaking a road trip with a motorcycle, it’s important to acknowledge what your bike can’t offer. Whether it’s zipping between lanes, getting from A to B much quicker, or generally a more free feeling as you travel, owning and riding a motorcycle has many benefits that a car simply can’t offer. However, when it comes to a road trip, the tables become quickly turned, with unknowing motorcyclists failing to plan appropriately and ending up in strife.

How to Plan a Motorcycle Road Trip

If you are looking to take your bike out on a long haul road trip, Bill Rigdon AMSOIL Dealer has the following post that can help.

Don't Push Yourself Too Far

Close your eyes and picture this scenario. You’re sitting in a comfortable seat, the air conditioning vents are pushing out the perfect temperature air, you have drink holders at the ready, friends are around you talking and chatting, and you can easily stretch your arms and legs because you have cruise control. Open your eyes and think about how long you could reasonably sit in that situation. The chances are that it’s a decent amount of time. After all, you aren’t doing too much and are in a comfortable space. Now, close your eyes again and consider this scenario. You’re sitting hunched over on a vibrating engine on wheels, there’s no air conditioning, bugs are flying at your face and helmet, there’s no way of drinking water as you travel, and if you were to stretch out your arms and legs, you would fall off at great speed! Now, open your eyes and think about how long you could reasonably sit in this situation for. We’re going to guess significantly less. And with good reason - it isn’t comfortable. However, that’s how riding a motorcycle over long distances is. For this reason, it’s important to remember that you can’t ride the same distances as you would usually drive. Include more frequent stops to either see landmarks or to just have a walk around and drink some water. If possible, look for towns along your route where you can stop and explore, giving your body a full stretch. Click here to buy AMSOIL 20W-40 Synthetic V-Twin Motorcycle Oil and give your engine the right products that it needs to work at peak performance and maintain its lifespan. You can also visit the online store to view the full range of products available for all engine types, or alternatively speak with an oil change expert at Bill Rigdon AMSOIL Dealer by calling (503) 329-9004.

What's the Weather Look Like?

Not at your destination, mind you. No, instead, along your planned route. When you are driving a car, even the heaviest storms seem like no trouble in the world to travel through. Sure, your car may bump a little to the left or the right during a strong gust, but on the whole, you’re safe from the elements and can continue to your destination with relative ease. As you can imagine, if you get caught in a storm when you’re on a bike, then prepare to be one of those unlucky souls huddling together underneath a bridge waiting desperately for the rain to let up. To save yourself from a situation like this, simply look up the forecasted weather conditions for the areas you will be riding through and plan ahead. For example, if you can see that showers will be moving through a town at a certain time of the day, arrange to arrive at the town beforehand and wait out the storm in the comfort of a cafe or do some shopping.

Stay Entertained

While you should always be paying attention to the road as you drive or ride, you also don’t want your mind to drift off. While drivers have other passengers to talk to and keep their brains active and on the task, motorcycle riders are on their own. Or are they? Head to your local electronics store and browse the range of high-quality Bluetooth earpieces. Instead of grabbing the cheapest set you can find, look for a well made one that can connect to and interact with your phone’s built-in personal assistant. With a product like this, a rider can easily take and make calls, listen to and dictate messages, add items to a grocery list, change the song or the volume of the music, shop online, etc. All of these actions can be done simply with a voice command and without having to take your hands off the bars.

Give Your Car the Best With a Full Synthetic Oil Change in Gladstone

These are just three great tips that can help you to plan a more enjoyable road trip on your bike and help you stay out of sticky situations. Of course, the main component of you arriving at your destination safely is the quality of your bike. Always make sure that you give your bike some basic maintenance before you ride, and always check the fluid levels. Click here to buy AMSOIL’s 20W-40 Synthetic V-Twin Motorcycle Oil and give your motorcycle engine the product that it needs to work at its best for longest. Check out the online store for more products available for any type of engine type you have in your garage. Alternatively, don’t hesitate to speak with an expert at Bill Rigdon AMSOIL Dealer by calling (503) 329-9004.