Gearing up for A Long Ride: An inside guide
Some riders stick to local roads their entire riding career, while, some ride into other states, and sometimes other countries too. When you’re preparing for a long distance motorcycle tour, there are some key riding gear decisions you’re going to make and we suggest you make them wisely.
Breaking in is very important
First and most importantly: test all your riding gears, they are going to be your pal for the entire ride. A word of caution, don’t leave your house for a long trip wearing a piece of gear you’ve never worn before! Even motorcycle riding gears need breaking in before you put them to use. If not, you could be setting up yourself for misery. That said, we all know that part of riding motorcycles, and especially riding motorcycles over long distances, involves some sort of discomfort, but perfectly preventable pain is just a bummer to have to live with on vacation. Be selective in picking up a well sized and comfortable riding gear.
Sit back, relax and plan for it.
Bring rain gear?. Yeah, we know, the weather forecast looks sunny and gorgeous for the entire trip! How long are you gone, a week? Two weeks? The weather can be unpredictable at times. A rain gear is not just to keep you dry but can also serve as an extra emergency cold-weather layer. Carry big and small zip pouches too. They are a saviour during those harsh rains. Also make a list of all the things which you might be needing over the trip.
Base layers; a wise choice
An often-overlooked source of extreme comfort are the base layers. What are you wearing under your gear? You really don’t want to wear your regular jeans sitting on a motorcycle all day. High-tech riding gear is made specifically for the weather you’ll be riding through (hot or cold weather specific). Base layers help regulate your body temperature and keep you surprisingly comfortable no matter what the weather throws at you. This includes long-sleeved shirts, leggings and socks. Warm-weather, wicking base layers yank the sweat out of you and make that sweat work better.
Protect your ears
You may not bother with ear plugs on short trips or along your commute. But, when you are riding all day, every day, for a week or more, protecting your hearing ability becomes extremely important. Using ear plugs while riding helps you to stay focused and prevents the unwanted noise impacting your hearing. Wear ear plugs so that you don’t have to listen to the terrible music of your ears ringing every night.
Wear your best helmet
A really good helmet is one you won’t mind wearing for eight or more hours a day. It’s a full-face deal, since you don’t want a minor crash turning to be a broken-jaw show-stopper. Drop-down sun visors are great for commuting but not for long rides. A tinted shield in bright sun will help keep your face cool while, a clear shield closed will turn your face into a greenhouse. Do carry a separate clear shield while touring in case you end up riding at night. When you pull your helmet on and hop on the bike, everything should feel like home even when you’re thousands of miles away. that is what can be counted as the best motorcycling helmet.
Get on that beast, let it roar and off you go to explore!