5 Safety Tips To Riding A Motorcycle In Winter

The cold is your number one enemy when riding a motorcycle in winter, but it is still possible to enjoy a winter stroll in your motorcycle. There are surely ways that you can do to protect yourself from cold and have a fun and safe ride whatever time of the day. Some of these tips are similar to the tips I wrote for running in winter.

There are few things you have to remember when riding a motorcycle in winter. Here are the top five tips:

#1 Wear Proper Motorcycle Clothing And Gear

This is the most obvious and most necessary on this list. A comfortable ride starts with wearing proper gear. It is important that you layer what you wear to make sure that you stay comfortable throughout the entire ride.

·       Winter clothing – Start with a baselayer, which is a long sleeve. You can check out your favorite motorcycle apparel stores and find the best one of your choice. A baselayer will allow your skin to breathe and helps draw away moisture. You can also have a mid-layer like a fleece, which would help in insulating.

Your outer gear has to be waterproof and breathable. Stay warm with a waterproof outer gear so even when it snows, you stay dry in the inside and avoid hypothermia. It has to be breathable for added comfort in the inside.

·       Neck Warmer – A neck warmer is a nice finishing touch to keep your whole upper body warm.

·       Footwear – For boots, choose a pair that is breathable and waterproof. 

·       Gloves – Gloves are important to keep your fingers and hands warm. There are different lengths of cuffs for gloves, so you have to choose which one is more comfortable for you to use. Remember, though you need coverage to keep your body warm, you are also looking for comfort.  

·       Helmet – You can save your life when you choose the right helmet. A full helmet will protect you from wind and road debris. Another gear that will keep your head and face warm is a balaclava. This will keep the cold from penetrating your jacket.

·       Reflector – Another thing, it’s not really usual for bikers to be out during winter, but if you really can’t resist the fun in driving, just make sure that you wear a reflector so you are still visible even if it’s foggy outside.

#2 Gear Up Your Motorcycle

It is vital to check the condition of your motorcycle before your drive to make sure that everything works perfectly fine and it’s in condition to run in a cold weather with all the road distractions. Check the brakes, light signals and tires. Go to your local motorcycle garage to get a full winter check.

·       Tires – The changes in temperature from autumn to winter can affect your tire to lose pressure. So have it checked by a mechanic, if you’re not an expert, to ensure safety. Let your tires warm up because the cold weather can get the rubber harder when it gets cold. There will be less traction provided when this happens so make sure that warm it up before the drive. 

·       Windshield – Have a windshield installed in your bike. With this, you’ll go a long way. This is simple but helps a lot in keeping your body warm as you drive as it diverts the wind rather than landing on your body. You can also use an anti-misting spray to make sure that you can see clearly in your mirrors.

·       Heated Motorcycle Parts – There are gears you can install in your motorcycle to give you more warmth. There are heated seats, jackets, grips and inserts. These are options which will help you keep warm while driving in a cold condition; you just have to choose what is comfortable for you.

·       Oil – Properly oil your motorcycle, this is a priority. Consult a mechanic if you’re not familiar about this.

#3 Check The Weather Forecast Before Leaving

The weather is ever changing even in winter, so you better tune in for weather forecast. Know when it is going to snow, and if it does, you know you have to better stay at home and postpone your road trip for some time.

#4 Be Aware Of The Road Hazards

You should be familiar with the road you are driving. Be aware of signage, wet roads and ice. You need to anticipate what hazards could be present in the road when driving. Remember to prioritize your safety when riding.

#5 Be Sensitive To Your Body

If your body is feeling really cold, you can stop in a nearby store and heat up to make sure that you survive the winter drive and actually enjoy it.

Winter doesn’t have to keep you from enjoying a motorcycle ride. There are a lot of ways to keep warm while driving. Remember, to wear proper clothing and gear up your motorcycle, be aware of the weather and road hazards and listen to your body when taking a ride in your motorcycle in winter. You can surely get to where you want if you keep these things in mind and of course enjoy the ride.

Motorcycle Road Trip

Road Trip With Friends

Road trips allow you to escape from the normalcy of life a little bit and hit the open road headed for adventure. 

Taking a motorcycle road trip with some of your closest friends can make your journey even more enjoyable and help you make some more great memories. And in the end it doesn't matter whether the road trip is just a few days, a long weekend or even weeks. On the road, you can visit some interesting places and have an experience that will last a lifetime. 

However, before you set out on a road trip with your friends, there are a few things that you need to consider and plan for. If you don’t do a bit of planning before you hit the open road, you will be kicking yourself later on.

It’s All About The Journey

Your road trip is all about the journey toward your destination, but you do need to have a destination in mind. This means that you and your buddies shouldn’t just head out without any final destination as your goal. You need to have some place that you are trying to get to during your road trip. 

When you are picking a destination for your road trip you do need to be logical and use a bit of foresight. You need to take into account the typical distances that you have traveled on your motorcycle before and the amount of miles that you can cover during your trip. When you think about the amount of time that you will need, you also have to account for rest, sleep and the time that you will spend off the road. 

Most motorcycle enthusiasts don’t like to travel more than about 500 miles a day, so you have to make sure that you and your friends decide on the amount of miles that you wish to cover.

Comfort is Important

You don’t want to get in a race against time. Make sure that you plan a road trip that allows you to relax and take in the scenic views and sites that are along the way. You don’t want to be in too much of a hurry, because it will keep you from experiencing all that your trip has to offer. 

The most important thing to remember is comfort. If you own your own motorcycle, you just have to deal with it but if you need to rent one, take a comfortable touring motorcycle. You'll benefit from it especially on longer road trips. You want to plan a road trip that allows you to feel relaxed at all times. You and your friends do not want to be trying to cover too many miles along the way. At the end of the day, any journey can be enjoyable as long as you have your prized motorcycle and your best friends by your side.

Break it Up

Sometimes breaking up your road trip into small excursions can be the best way to help you get a full experience on the road. Check out this site for more info. You can choose a few smaller destinations along the way that can be interesting places to stop and explore. 

As long as you have your trip mapped out and know where you are going, you and your friends are guaranteed to have the time of your lives.

My Top 5 Best Electric Kids Scooters

Every time I go for a ride on my motorcycle, my son has been interested in riding as well. Of course, he's still way too young but I'm sure that one day we can ride together!

For the last few years, he's been enjoying his kick scooter a lot but a few friends have an electric scooter and he's asking (begging) me to buy one for him as well. I think he can handle an electric scooter and it will be a nice step towards a motorized scooter in a couple of years. I'm not afraid that he won't move anymore since he's a very sporty boy and not sitting in front of his pc or game computer all the time. I've been doing some research of the best electric scooters and I've come up with a top 5. See whether you agree or maybe you have another model for me to check and add to this list. 

The best electric children's scooters all have one thing in common! They are fun! Why would you want to buy your kid an electric scooter? The fun factor is high and they are a great way for them to get around. They are completely safe, they are eco friendly and they are relatively inexpensive.

Electric kids scooters are easy to operate and made especially for children and young adults. The sizes are ideal for kids, the speed ratio is ideal and overall they are a great gift idea.

Razor and Currie Take the Lead

Razor and Currie have quite a few models of electric scooters and all of the models have different driving ranges and top speeds. They are well made and are geared to different age ranges so making the right choice for your kid is easy.

Razor electric scooters

Razor offers three models specifically that easily make the best electric kids scooters list. The following three models are in the top 5 model list for kids scooters.

• 
  eSpark is ideal for younger kids. The top speed is about 10 mph which can reduce the risk of falls for the new rider. The eSpark is suggested for new riders ages 8 and up but they can easily accommodate children as young as 6. The sparks which can be activated with the special pedal is fantastic for children.

• E200 is ideal for older kids. It has a maximum weight load of 220 pounds and a maximum speed of 12 mph. This is a great option for the 12 plus set and even for younger kids that have some riding experience.

• E325 is a powerhouse! This is great for the 12 and up age group that has some experience. It offers everything that the E200 offers AND a more powerful motor that can reach speeds of 15 mph. The E325 is not for the little kids under the age of 12 because it is a powerful electric scooter and can easily get away from a little kid. The E325 also has a maximum weight load of 220lbs. It is a great option for older teens or young adults.

Curries Technologies electric scooters

• 
  The Currie eZip 500 is a popular model as well and makes it to the top 5 best electric kids scooters list BUT it really is not for little kids; it is for teens and young adults. What makes this a stand out model is that the front suspension offers up a much smoother ride. It also has a powerful engine that can reach speeds of 15 mph. It is a well built scooter that has a range of about 12 miles. It can carry up to 260 pounds. The tires are a generous 12 inches. The cost reflects the “extras”.

• Currie also offers a Nano eZip model that is less faster than the eZip 500 at 12 MPH it is a truly practical way for kids to get around. Just like some of the other electric kids scooters models this has a fully padded seat. It is recommended for children 13 years of age and up. 

So this is my top 5 list of electric scooters. Since I want my son to use it for quite a few years, I want to get him something decent and not just a toy which will boring in a weeks time. Therefore I'm thinking of buying the Razor E325 for him. Of course I need to get a helmet for him and maybe new protection. If you have any thoughts or other recommendations, please let me know! Thanks!

Weekend Trip With a Motorcycle

Taking a weekend trip on your motorcycle allows you to take in the breathtaking scenes that are all around and check out some really cool sites. Short trips are meant to be a little more carefree and less planned out, but you still have to have some direction before you hit the open road. Even if you are only going to be away from home for just a few days, there are a few things that you need to bring along and plan for. Your weekend motorcycle trip will be so much more memorable and enjoyable if you are prepared for what lies ahead.

Make sure that your motorcycle is serviced regularly so no surprises will come during the trip. I've just been looking into getting a new touring bike (see here). To get some ideas about possible US trips, check this site here. And I've found this site for Ontario routes.

It can always be a good idea to go on a weekend motorcycle trip with some of your closest friends. This will give you company, but also help you stay safer along your journey. 

Think About a Pace Car

If you're traveling with a large group then having a pace car that follows behind with all the things that you will need is also a great idea. This car can hold all the stuff that you will need once you make it to your destination. There is not a lot of room on your motorcycle, so a pace car is the ideal way to take along the things that you will need most. Some items that you can consider packing in the pace car include blankets, sleeping bags, food, tents and all the equipment that you will need once you make it to the camping area. A motorcycle trip is only enjoyable when you truly enjoy nature and spend the night camped out under the stars.

Take Along a Map

It is always a good idea to know where you are going to ensure that you don’t get lost along the way. Even though the journey to your destination is probably the most enjoyable part of the trip, you still need to make sure that you stay on course. This means that you have to carry a map with you that you can use as your guide during your stops. Instead of maps you can consider to buy a GPS device which shows you the route on the little screen. Make sure that you have your trip planned based upon the number of miles that you can cover in a day and the places where you can stop to fill up on gas. Some routes can be pretty desolate for miles, so you need to make sure that you fill up on gas when you can to keep you from becoming stranded in the middle of nowhere.

Emergency Kit

If you want to be prepared for whatever your weekend motorcycle trip throws your way, you should have an emergency safety kit tucked away on your bike. This kit can include tools that will help you fix your motorcycle if any small emergency repairs are needed. You never know what will be thrown your way during your weekend excursion, so it is best to be prepared for everything. It is always better to be safe rather than sorry and this is especially true when you are on the open road. If you do have a pace car driving behind, then this is less of an issue since the pace car can bring you the spare parts and heavy tools.

Anyway, whether it's going to be a weekend trip or a longer trip, enjoy the scenic routes and time with your friends or family. That's part of the good life!

Touring Motorcycles

If you're planning to head out camping or on a long trip on the road, why not take a bike on your next trip? If you're already a bike fanatic, you probably already know how incredible it is to head out on the road with a bike in tow. I certainly know how great feels to head out on the road with a touring motorcycle!

Don't have a touring bike? Why not think about buying one? Naturally, there are many suitable touring bikes on the market. Let's take a look at two top touring motorcycles (wiki) for your next bike tour.

BMW K1600 GTL ($23,950 MSRP)

The BMW K1600 GTL (info) is a fast, comfortable and capable bike is a favorite of many who like to take this bike out on the road. Many reviewers consider this bike a 'very fast, capable and incredibly comfortable bike' that just doesn't feel like a heavy bike—even though it weighs a little over 700 pounds.

The performance is great, too. That's thanks to its powerful 1,649 cc engine, 160 hp and 129 lb-ft of torque. It also feels comfortable to ride, constructed to position the foot pegs lower and more forward, while the bars are positioned higher and closer to the driver.

Couple that with various luxuries among an already impressive standard equipment list, and you have a pretty great ride.

Honda Gold Wing F6B ($19,999 MSRP)

The Hond Gold Wing F6B (info) is best described as a long distance tourer and an all around town cruiser—and for good reason.

The Honda Gold Wing F6B is actually an improvement – an upgrade of sorts – from the standard Honda Gold Wing bike. And, according to reviewers, it's a much-needed upgrade. This bike, unlike the standard Gold Wing, makes changes that are all the better.

This 'Flat Six Bagger' (F6B) bike boasts the same 1,832cc flat-six engine, frame and transmission as its counterpart. It does, however, lack the electric reverse gear, among other equipment. Though, the reduced equipment load, surprisingly, took off well about 60 pounds from the bike's total weight, bringing to a little less than 850 lbs when wet.

What ultimately makes this Honda Gold Wing better than its counterpart is its seat positioning, which offers the rider much more space to move around, especially if they're already covering a lot of miles. The construction of this bike lets you ride it like a sport bike or, if you're covering a lot of road, settle back and enjoy the ride while cruising about.

If you're looking for your next touring bike....

As you can see, plenty of options for good motorcycles exist out there (top 10 here). Even if the market looks a bit expensive, there are a lot of bikes that you can look at on the market that are fairly reasonably priced—that is how I got my new BMW touring motorcycle!

As with every new bike, there are some options which I needed to buy straight away. For instance side and top travel cases, a tank bag and a navigation device. There are a lot of GPS for motorcycles available, from BMW (looks great but expensive) to TomTom Rider (affordable!) to Garmin (most popular motorcycle GPS are the Zumo 665 and 590) but in the end it’s what you feel comfortable with but make sure you get a waterproof device… Same counts for the travel cases by the way. I’ve seen some bikers coming to a camping ground after a rainy day and taking out of the cases their wet clothing. That’s not really what you want of course!

Once you've bought a touring motorcycle make sure you ride a lot on it! Get the feeling of it because it will probably handle differently than your previous bike. You can go for some short weekend trips to begin with, combine it with a short hike to loosen up the muscles. Take your basic clothing (not too much) and food (breakfast because lunch and dinner you can buy on the road) with you and a tent or go to a motel.

Got anything to add to this article? Just want to comment about your new touring motorcycle? Send me a message via the contact form!