Going on an adventure on your motorcycle down an open highway feels liberating. But as a beginner rider, you need proper preparation for a safe, thrilling trip. This article provides essential tips to help you get ready for your first adventure ride. You’ll learn about proper motorcycle maintenance and skills that will set you up for success and a great experience.
Photographer: Harley-Davidson
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#1 Invest in Quality Protective Riding Gear
Your riding gears are the most important investment for safe adventure motorcycling. You need to invest in quality, adventure-specific motorcycle protective gear that will safeguard you on rough trails at high speeds. This should be your number one priority. It is not the area to cut costs or make compromises. Here are some riding gear you should invest in:
Motorcycle Helmet
Invest in motorcycle helmets designed for adventure riding. This will protect your head on rough trails and at high speeds on backroads. When shopping for a motorcycle helmet for an adventure, prioritize features like a strong outer shell, dense inner EPS foam padding, multiple air vents, and a scratch-resistant visor with a pin-lock anti-fogging lens. A motorcycle helmet with a full-face style is the most recommended for adventure riding as it protects your entire head.
Jacket and Pants
Choose a jacket and pants with extensive abrasion-resistant material and CE-approved armor pads on shoulders, elbows, knees, hips, back, and chest. Prioritize jackets and pants with waterproof and ventilated fabrics. Similarly, chest and back protection is crucial if you ride technical trails.
Gloves and Boots
Select off-road adventure gloves with knuckle, palm, and finger protection. Make sure adventure boots have oil/gas-resistant soles, ankle support, and toe protection.
Don’t cut corners on gear that protects you during inevitable spills on rugged rides. Investing in adventure-specific protection now allows you to adventure for years to come.
#2 Learn Basic Motorcycle Maintenance
As an adventure rider, you should learn to perform key pre-ride checks and routine bike maintenance. Proper motorcycle maintenance keeps you safe and gives you confidence in your adventures.
Tires and Lights
Before each ride, start with the tires. Verify that tread depth exceeds safe limits and inspect the rubber and rims for damage. Additionally, ensure proper inflation as per the bike manual for on and off-road traction. Underinflation of tires will severely impact your bike handling. Next, test all lighting, including high and low beams, to ensure road legality and the ability to see obstacles ahead during night riding.
Chain, Throttle, and Brakes
Clean, lubricate, and adjust the chain before every ride. Keeping the proper slack will make shifting smooth and extend the drivetrain component life. Similarly, check throttle and brake cables for free play and smooth operation within the lever range of motion.
After rides, continue building know-how by gradually taking on more involved maintenance tasks. For example, adjust valve clearances, change fluids from brake to engine oil at factory intervals, swap air filters as needed, and master chain adjustment for good. This experience pays off hugely in self-reliance during long adventure tours.
#3 Practice Key Riding Skills
Mastering motorcycle handling takes time and practice. As a beginner adventure rider, focus on developing these key skills in safe environments before hitting the trails:
Emergency Braking
Get comfortable using both front and rear brakes to stop rapidly. Practice threshold braking — applying maximum pressure without locking the wheels. Learn proper weight distribution and posture during hard braking. Start slowly in empty parking lots before building speed.
Cornering
Practice leaning, countersteering, and looking through turns. Start tight and smooth, then widen out the curves. Shift your upper body weight and outside foot peg to increase stability. Maintain steady throttle control throughout the entire curve.
Shifting
Smoothly operate the clutch and throttle to change gears, especially when climbing or descending hills on variable terrain. Avoid sudden power changes to prevent loss of rear wheel traction.
Rough Surfaces
Start by practicing leaning, countersteering, and looking through turns. Begin with tight and smooth turns, then gradually widen the curves. Shift your upper body weight and your outside foot peg to increase stability. Maintain steady throttle control throughout the entire curve.
Low-Speed Maneuvering
Navigate obstacles like large rocks or downed trees through precise throttle, brake, and body position adjustments at a walking pace. Maintain balance and control.
Consider taking a beginning off-road riding course to properly prepare your skills in a structured environment before tackling challenging adventures.
#4 Properly Secure Luggage and Gear
Loading gear on your motorcycle for multi-day adventures requires planning so weight distribution does not hamper stability, handling, and control. Follow these tips to pack properly:
- Pack Light: Minimize luggage weight. Use compact, versatile off-road gear to reduce bulk without sacrificing necessities. Waterproof roll bags maximize space.
- Balance Luggage: Distribute left/right weight evenly and load heavier items low for the best center of gravity. Too much rearward load reduces steering responsiveness.
- Secure Well: Use sturdy mounting points and designated luggage racks when possible. Tie roll bags tightly with rugged straps or cargo nets to prevent shifting. Bungee cords stretch if items resettle while riding.
- Check Often: Before hitting the twisties or technical sections, stop to verify load security has not loosened over rough terrain. Re-tighten tiedowns as needed to prevent loosening again.
- Avoid Overloading: Consult the bike’s cargo capacity, but ride conservatively when fully loaded. Save capacity for spur-of-the-moment purchases! Gradual loading/cornering prevents unsettling dynamics.
Carefully loading your motorcycle leads to the best performance potential when chasing adventure on exciting trails through beautiful country. Keep luggage tight for the best possible experience.
Conclusion
Adventure motorcycle riding lets us explore places in nature most people never experience. As tempting as far horizons may be, start small until skills become second nature. Focus on continuous improvement between each ride. Gradually expand your comfort zone while prudently respecting limits. The open road holds magic for those well-prepared.