3 tips for motorcycle travels
Tip 1 - Spare Key .. How to Carry It
On any
major motorcycle trip, you’ll certainly want to bring one or even two spare
keys for the motorcycle. (Especially the ignition key, as this can be very
difficult to recreate given each manufacturer’s specific key formats.) But how
should you carry and safeguard a spare so it doesn’t get lost or broken, too?
Backpacks
and luggage can be stolen, jackets can have zippers slide open, and storing a
key within another location on your bike that depends on having a key to access
it is just a bad idea. The best solution is to buy a simple Velcro/ nylon
watchband available at almost any watch store, and use either an existing loop
on the band or a key ring or something to wrap the key around your wrist
securely.
Sure, it
sounds annoying, like the key might be constantly dangling and getting in the
way. However, with a little time, you’ll find a way to fold the key under the
watch band so that it just lies on your wrist and you’ll never notice it’s
there. Shower with it on, sleep with it on, and short of being mugged for
everything on your body, you’ll always have a spare key with you.
Benefit
summary: Never be stuck without a key!
Tip 2 - Inner Wear Use Long Undies… Not Liners
If camping
is to be part of your motorcycle trip, a sleeping bag liner might sound like a
great add-on to your existing sleeping bag to help stay warm at night.
Advertising that they can increase a sleeping bag’s warmth by up to 10 degrees
Fahrenheit, bag liners serve a second purpose of helping keep your sleeping bag
clean from dirty legs, feet,sweat, etc.
While they might serve both purposes well, the point here is that sleeping bag
liners only help you at night.
Instead of
spending the money, adding more weight, and using more space on your motorcycle
with a sleeping bag liner, buy a good pair of wool or synthetic long underwear
that will do essentially the same thing (keeping you warmer at night, and
helping keep your sleeping bag clean.)
However,
the added bonus of long underwear is that you can easily use it beneath your
riding gear on cold days riding the motorcycle as well! Most of us have the
space within our padding and riding gear to allow for this thin extra layer,
and it can make a major difference in keeping you warm during the coldest
rides.
Benefit
summary: Save packing space, weight, and money… and stay warm day and night.
Tip 3 - Safety and Cooling Padding, Protection, and Staying Cool
Hopefully you’re
a safety-minded motorcycle rider, and as such, riding with full padding and
body armor at all times is just part of your philosophy.
Unless your
travel plans involve absolutely zero chance of riding in a hot climate though,
you’re likely to end up searching for a way to “cool off” at some point. Your
first thought might be to take off your padding, liners, and layers that make
up your riding jacket, but then you will have exposed your upper body
completely in the event of a crash.
A great
compromise between remaining fully protected and boiling under the sun can be
found in body armor systems that are sold separately from jackets. Items like
the Alpinestars Bionic 2 Protection Jacket or the Dainese Gladiator allow you
to ride without your normal heat-trapping leather or textile jacket, but still
keep excellent padding on for some minimal amount of protection.
The
protection offered by such armor systems really isn’t “minimal” at all though.
With individual CE certified pads spread over your elbows, shoulders, back, and
chest, these hard plastic pads are likely to offer better impact protection
than any “built-in” padding that currently comes in motorcycle jackets.
Furthermore,
if properly fitted, protection systems like the Alpinestars or Dainese are much
more likely to maintain proper position on your body in the event of a crash.
Being much less likely to twist or turn way from your elbow or shoulder during
impact, try one out and you’ll likely agree it would stay in place better than
built-in pads.
Most
assuredly, you do run the risk of having skin abrasions in the event of a
crash, whereas a full textile or leather jacket might better protect your skin
from the ground. The point here is that at least your bones and joints are well
protected.
By riding
with only the body armor on, you’re also likely to be called “The Terminator”
or “RoboCop” by folks you walk past. A fun sacrifice to make for staying cool
and protected at the same time!
Benefit
summary: Stay cool, stay protected, and save money by buying the right gear the
first time.
