- 1) To get in and out of restaurants in short order, eat at off-peak hours - most people eat around 8 a.m., 12 noon and 6 p.m. If you’re traveling East or West, schedule your meals near sunrise or sunset so you don’t have to stare into the sun when it’s low on the horizon.
- 2) Pack a short metal cable with loops on both ends (like a bicycle cable), it is perfect for securing a jacket and helmet to your bike’s helmet lock.
- 3) Carry a spare key (NOT FOB). Zip-tie or duct tape it somewhere hidden on your bike, or give it to a traveling companion.
- 4) Consider having a weather APP on your smart phone (i.e. Weatherbug), they can save you from riding into a massive storm.
- 5) On high mileage days, you’ll feel better if you carry and use eye drops every time you stop for gas.
- 6) If you’re ending your riding day and want to set yourself up for a quick getaway in the morning, ride to and find a place to stay on the far side of town. This will eliminate cross-town traffic the next day.
- 7) Keep and carry plenty of water bottles so you can drink while you ride - a must for arid weather.
- 8) On long and complex trips, keep yourself organized by packing each days clothes in a large ziplock for quick and easy access.
- 9) For those of you w/o built in GPS, a simple phone/GPS case attached to your bike’s tank can keep you on course without the bulk of a tank bag.
- 10) Keep your stuff dry in saddlebags by using trash compactor bags as waterproof barriers. They are thicker and more durable than standard garbage bags.
- 11) Use ear plugs to help reduce wind noise. You can get them from most mail-order shops, motorcycle dealers, or in bulk from safety-equipment supply houses.
- 12) Pack a small towel or rag or Bugslide kit for wiping dew off seats, windshields and mirrors, or even for doing a quick whole bike cleanup. Synthetic chamois cloths also work well.
- 13) Pack extra bungee and zip-ties.
- 14) Remember! Your smart phone GPS will not work without Internet signal.
- 15) Look over your bike carefully every morning, check the simple stuff - air pressure, oil level, loose or missing fasteners, etc.
- 16) Consider purchasing a Motorcycle road side / tow service. It provides some peace of mind knowing that if you do break down, a motorcycle-savvy towing crew is only a phone call away. HOG member service has been know to be hit or miss.
- 17) Stash a little emergency cash somewhere hidden on the bike or on you.
- 18) Before departing in the mornings, double check every strap on tank bags, soft saddlebags and every latch on hard luggage.
- 19) Never park your bike facing downhill unless your on a trike with reverse gear.
- 20) Wear a dog-tag or keep a document with your name, blood type and emergency phone number on it, especially if you’re riding alone. You can get them from many places including a pet store.
- 21) A cell phone can be a lifesaver in an emergency. Keep track of you whereabouts, e.g., route number, interstate exit, town, the last mile marker you past, etc. - anything that can save time in reaching you.
- 22) Good motorcycle gear is a must have. Waterproof, breathable linings in boots, jackets and pants will change the way you think about bad weather. Test your gear on a rainy day at home before facing a storm on the road.
- 23) Do routine maintenance at home with your bike’s toolkit, so you’re sure you have what you need along the side of the road.
- 24) Plenty of stretch your leg stops can do wonders on a long day. R&R time can make the difference between a vacation and an endurance run.
- 25) Be realistic about your daily mileage. 150 miles in really scenic areas may make for a very full day. Don’t assume you can achieve freeway mileage on good back roads.
- 26) Guidebooks can be invaluable. An internet search can also add spice to a trip by revealing interesting locations some books fail to mention, try [COLOR=rgb(50.196000%, 0.000000%, 50.196000%)]www.roadsideamerica.com[/COLOR].
- 27) It is possible to make emergency tire repairs (on the road) using a kit. But practice using the kit, at home, on an old tire so that you know how it works.
- 28) A pack-able motorcycle seat cover will help keep your seat clean and dry overnight.
- 29) check tire air pressure often on trips. A low front tire can cause the "death wobble" while riding.
- 30) Calling a hotel / motel, even if you’re one block away, can often yield a better rate than if you just walk in. If you have internet access, there may be some great online deals available. Either way, have a reservation by 4 p.m.
