Five Ways To Start The New Year Fresh On Two Wheels
The start of a new year is a great time to make some changes. Most
people will make resolutions to improve their health through diet
and exercise (which is always great) but we wanted to take a look
at a few ways that could improve your motorcycling life.
Go Back to School
One of the best things you can do as a motorcyclist is improve upon
your riding skills. Professional riders like Marc Marquez,
Valentino Rosi, Eli Tomac, and Jared Mees are all at the top of
their game but still find minor details and quirks that they study
and practice to improve their overall riding performance. There are
all types of riding schools and classes you can take that will help
you fine tune things like entering/exiting turns, finesse braking
techniques, how to manage your speed through whoops sections, and
so on to help you become a more skilled rider.
[caption id="attachment_71793" align="aligncenter"
width="300"] Photo: Courtesy
Harley-Davidson[/caption]
Even if you aren't into road racing, motocross, or flat track
racing, and just enjoy taking leisure rides on your cruiser there's
still plenty you can learn from taking a motorcycle training
course. From breaking bad habits to making sure your more aware of
your surroundings and paying attention to other vehicles on the
road, enlisting in an advanced rider course can not only help you
become a more knowledgeable and safer rider, but depending on your
insurer you may be eligible for a discount on your insurance if you
complete a riders training course.
Check your Head
How old is your motorcycle
helmet? Did you know that motorcycle helmets have a recommended
lifespan of about five years? While those five years isn't a hard
and fast rule, it's good to take note of and you should consider
replacing your helmet every couple years. Of course any time you
are in an accident or if your helmet accidentally falls and hits
the ground it should be replaced as the structural integrity could
be compromised and the helmet may not work as intended the next
time you take a hit to the head.
Even if you've never had an accident or dropped your helmet the
reason why you should change it out every five years or so is
because the sweat, dirt, and debris that gathers inside the helmet
over years of use tends to break down some of the materials used to
make the helmet. As the materials break down they lose their
effectiveness in providing a safe and comfortable helmet.
If you're not sure how old your helmet is, you should be able to
find a sticker with the manufacturing date inside the helmet behind
the liner. If your helmet still has plenty of life left to it you
can at least start the New Year with a shiny and fresh smelling lid
by giving it a good
cleaning in and out.
Refresh your Rubber
Similar to your motorcycle helmet your motorcycle tires
have a recommended lifespan as well and most manufacturers put that
time frame around five to six years. If you don't ride a whole lot
and still have plenty of tread on your tires you still may want to
think about freshening up your tires. Over time the rubber can
break down and develop cracks or harden which can result in
potentially very dangerous riding conditions. Things like extreme
cold or heat, moisture and direct exposure to sunlight can speed up
the aging process. Also if you leave your bike sitting with little
or no air pressure in the tires it can lead to cracks or structural
issues in the rubber.
You can find the
manufacturing date of your tires on the sidewalls. And while
you're inspecting the born on date go ahead and check the tread as
well. If you can't find the wear bars on your tires you can do a
simple penny test to determine if you're near the recommended wear
limits. Take the penny, turn ol' Abe on his head, and place him in
between the center groove in your tread. If the tread doesn't reach
the top of Abe's head (about 2/32") it needs to be replaced.
Fill'er Up
Not quite sure how long ago you performed your last oil change? If
you start the New Year with fresh oil you'll easily be able to
remember when your next service should be performed or how long
it's been between oil changes. While you're changing the oil take a
look at your other fluids such as the transmission, fork oil, and
radiator fluid, and either drain and refill them or top them off as
needed.
Get in Gear
If you're serious about sticking to your new year's resolution to
lose some weight then you're probably going to need some new riding
gear that fits your slimmed down physique. Oversized motorcycle
gear can be annoying as it flaps in the wind and makes you feel
like you're drowning in a heap of mesh, leather, jean, or whatever
materials your gear is comprised of. If you've never owned a pair
of motorcycle jeans you're really missing out. With new
technologies, materials, and designs riding jeans have come a long
way and so much like a regular pair of pants that many people don't
even notice that you're rocking heavy duty tear resistant pants
with impact protection.
[caption id="attachment_71794" align="aligncenter"
width="300"] Klim Badlands Pro
Jacket[/caption]
There are so many different styles of motorcycle jackets these days
your options of styles, colors, materials, and features are nearly
endless. If you've traditionally been a leather motorcycle jacket
guy maybe check out some of the jean jackets offered by companies
like Speed and Strength or Roland Sands Design. Or if you're
thinking about venturing beyond the hard tarmac and hitting the
dirt in the New Year there are some really awesome ADV jackets that
are loaded with armor and features. Check out some of the offerings
from Klim and Scorpion Exo.
Hopefully this list has given you some ideas and will help you
tackle the New Year fresh and ready roll on two wheels. Be sure to
explore new roads, meet new friends, but most of all, ride safe.