Motorcycles Make Summer Travel More Fun
(ARA) - You’ve heard the phrase “getting there is half the fun.” Well, for motorcycle enthusiasts, getting there is the whole point. Traveling by motorcycle is a completely different experience than going by car.
Rather than being enclosed in a metal bubble, listening to the radio, protected from the elements and removed from the outside world, bikers experience the world around them -- they have a full view of the scenery, they feel the wind and they smell the great outdoors. Your whole mindset is different when traveling by motorcycle -- less focused on the quickest route between two points, more inclined to enjoy the journey, wherever it takes you. Not to mention the adrenaline rush of experiencing the open road on a powerful motorcycle.
If you’re planning a motorcycle road trip, make sure you’ll be comfortable enough on your bike to log the necessary miles every day. That doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice exhilaration for comfort.
Just ask Richard Leary of Fredericksburg, Va. It’s not uncommon for him to log 150 miles at a time on his days off. He likes to ride his Big Dog Motorcycles Ridgeback, twisting through the nearby mountains and says, “I haven’t had this much fun on a bike in years.” Leary knows what he likes -- he’s been riding for 43 years and been in the motorcycle business for 26. “I’m almost 60, and the Ridgeback is an extremely comfortable ride even though it’s a rigid frame,” he says.
No matter what type of bike you ride, make sure it is top condition before hitting the road for an extended trip. If you’re in the market for a new motorcycle this summer, look for those that incorporate safety features such as 4-piston brakes for superior stopping power and vibration-resistant mirrors for improved visibility. LED turn signals and brake lights provide both brilliant luminosity and improved longevity and reliability. LEDs are also less susceptible to vibration than lights normally used on motorcycles.
While you can’t control the weather, you can be prepared for it. Check weather forecasts and road conditions before heading out each day. You may not always avoid bad weather, but you can be prepared for it. Have rainy-weather gear such as rainsuits -- preferably brightly colored, full-face helmets or at least goggles, and gloves easily accessible. For wintry riding, consider layers of fleece, waterproof boots and gloves, and heatsuits.
Plan your route -- either a little or a lot. For some riders this means picking a general direction in which to head, while others like to map a detailed itinerary. Do you want to take the scenic route, or the highway? A good map will help get you where you want to go, regardless of the tactic you choose.
Raymond Atwood commutes 100 miles a day between his home in Vista, Calif. and the Navy base in San Diego where he works. He’s logged 16,000 miles on his Big Dog Motorcycles Mastiff since he bought it in April. It’s not uncommon for him and his brother to take off on a Friday afternoon for rides of 1,000 miles or more. “I love doing long trips on my Mastiff. It is very well designed and thought out,” says Atwood, who chose the Mastiff for its long-distance comfort. That and the fact that “It’s a blast to drive.” He also reports that his motorcycle attracts big crowds wherever he stops. His bright yellow paint job with ghost flames gets attention both on and off the road.
Look for intelligently designed accessories to make the journey more comfortable for you and your passenger while not interfering with the clean, custom look of your motorcycle. For example, within Big Dog Motorcycles’ line of BDM Performance Products, you can find sporty luggage racks, sissy bar systems, and stylish grab-and-go storage devices to replace those out-dated bulky saddlebags; comfortable pillion pads, two-up seats, and backrest pads are as easy on the eyes as they are on the passenger; and windscreens protect your face without harming your bike’s good looks. These and other Big Dog Motorcycles accessories provide real performance with equally real practicality.
For more information on Big Dog Motorcycles, visit www.bigdogmotorcycles.com.
Courtesy of ARA Content
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