Solo Motorcycle Riding Safety Tips
As thrilling as it can be to ride your motorcycle with a group of fellow enthusiasts, it’s just as exciting to explore the open road on your own. When you travel solo, you have all the freedom you need to choose your preferred itinerary, change your plans at the drop of a hat, and make additional stops along the way. Nothing can stand between you and your motorbike adventure. It’s important to note that you’ll need to be all the more vigilant about your personal safety when you’re riding alone. You don’t have anyone to rely on if something goes amiss. Fortunately, Bartels’ Harley-Davidson® is here with some tips to help you prepare.
If you’re still in the market for the perfect bike, be sure to stop by our dealership and browse our inventory. We’re located in Marina Del Rey, CA. We also serve our friends in Malibu and Santa Monica.
Plan Your Route
While there’s no harm in stopping at tourist attractions along your motorcycle route, you should avoid straying too far from a reliable highway. Considering you’ll already have taken the time to research the traffic and weather conditions as well as the best route to your destination, you’ll want to do your best to stick to this plan. After all, main roads are far safer than gravel roads, especially when you’re not sure where it leads and can’t locate it on a map.
Share Your Itinerary
Another reason you should stick to the original plan is that you’ll want to share your itinerary with a family member or friend back home. If you happen to get lost while you’re on your motorcycle and you don’t check in with them, they can let rescue crews know where to begin searching for you. Give this person a copy of your exact route, let them know where you plan to stop each night, and check in with them every now and then so they know you’re safe. Riding your bike solo doesn’t mean you should ditch society entirely.
Avoid Riding At Night
You should have a safe place to stay each night when the sun goes down. You really shouldn’t try to ride at night by yourself. Night riding is dangerous to begin with, but attempting to do it alone is even riskier. Even with the bright lights on your Harley motorcycle, you’re much more likely to be struck by drivers who are tired and can’t see well in the dark.
Let’s not forget that your body needs a chance to rest for the next day of riding. Play it safe and choose your hotel or Airbnb ahead of time. Alternatively, you can stay with a friend or family member in the area. Camping is an option as well if you have the right supplies and a safe place to camp near other people.
Prepare For Emergencies
No one wants to plan for the worst, but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared for potential emergency situations. If your bike suddenly breaks down when you’re in a remote area, you’ll want to increase your chances of rescue crews locating you. Start by trying to contact them via cell phone or radio. If your devices have also broken down or you have no signal, you may have to wait for someone to stop and assist you. Make sure you’re easy to see from the road, but don’t stay so close that you could possibly get hit by traffic.
As you wait for rescue, you should be focused on keeping yourself warm, fed, and hydrated. Continue trying to get a signal on a device if possible. It’s best to stay in one place rather than hiking elsewhere unless you know for a fact there’s a town within walking distance that you can reach during daylight hours.
We hope these tips for solo motorcycle riding have been helpful. If you have additional questions or you’d like to check out our motorbikes for sale, visit us at Bartels’ Harley-Davidson in Marina Del Rey, CA. We also serve Malibu and Santa Monica.