Tips for Riding a Touring Motorcycle
Touring motorcycles are fun and relaxing to ride when you want to take a scenic drive and travel to new destinations. Due to the size and weight of this type of motorcycle, it's important to know how to ride this type of bike to ensure you stay safe on the road. You can learn a few important tips from Bluegrass Harley-Davidson in Louisville, Kentucky, serving Jeffersonville, Kentucky, and Jefferson, Indiana.
Avoid Putting Too Much Pressure on the Bars
Many people make the mistake of applying too much pressure with their grip on the handlebars, but this can cause your arms to feel fatigued due to the vibrations of the bike as you're in motion. You should have control of the bars but keep your hands and arms relaxed. This is possible if you make a small circle with your forefinger as it touches your thumb while operating the motorcycle.
Inspect Your Luggage
The luggage can start to shift and move around on long drives because of the motion and vibration of the bike. This requires checking the luggage straps each time you stop to ensure they're secure and keep your suitcases secure until you reach your destination. You can also have your passenger keep an eye on it during the drive.
Stay Focused
Due to all the different bells and whistles that are present on the bike, it can be easy to get distracted and fail to operate the motorcycle safely. From the cruise control to the adjustable suspension, there are many gadgets that you may want to test out while driving. Unfortunately, this can take your eyes off the road and lead to accidents if you don't remain focused on how you're driving. When you're traveling at a high speed, you'll want to avoid fiddling with any of the settings until you pull over. Practice adjusting the settings without having to look down at the gadgets before you head out on your next trip to increase your level of safety.
Stay in Tune With a Second Rider
If you plan to have someone sit behind you on the touring motorcycle, you'll need to stay in tune with one another. They should avoid distracting you in any way and sit close while squeezing their legs against you. Instruct them to avoid moving unexpectedly, which can cause the weight to not be distributed evenly on the bike and can lead to a crash.
Are you interested in learning more about how to operate a touring motorcycle on your next excursion? You can talk to the experts at Bluegrass Harley-Davidson in Louisville, Kentucky, serving Jeffersonville, Kentucky, and Jefferson, Indiana.