Ready To Become A Road Riding Retiree? Read This Before Hitting The Open Road

Retirement does not mean slowing down for many Americans. In fact, many use the years after retiring from work to realize dreams, such as touring the nation from the seat of a motorcycle. In addition to the obvious economical benefits of traveling on a motorcycle, many riders relish the open air experience that is completely unlike traveling by plane or in the closed-up environment of cars and trains. But in order to make this kind of adventure both feasible and safe, retirees who are considering this should take advantage of these tips. 

Choose a motorcycle that will offer comfort and safety

The first thing to decide when opting to retire to the open road is to make sure that you choose a motorcycle that is correctly sized for the people it will carry and the type of riding intended. While buying the biggest bike you can find might sound good, trying to operate one that is too large or heavy will only lead to exhaustion and frustration. To determine the best bike for both you and your future adventures, visit a reputable Harley Davidson dealer in your area and be prepared to spend some time trying out various motorcycle sizes and styles to find the very best one for your needs before purchasing.

Outfit your bike and body for riding success and safety

Once you have chosen a motorcycle that fits your usage needs and physical capabilities comfortably, it will be time to choose the gear and accessories you will need to ride long distances safely and enjoyably. Some of these might include: 

• a side car, especially handy when travelling with passengers or pets
• a trailer, for carrying camping supplies or luggage needed for long trips 
• suitable riding clothing for safety, including gloves, boots, helmets, and face protection
• communications gear to allow you to talk to passengers while riding
• a tool kit and tire patch kit for emergency repairs on the road
• a good motorcycle insurance policy

Outfitting you, your passengers, and your motorcycle with this type of gear is the best way to ensure that each trip is safe and enjoyable, even when on the road for several days or weeks at a time.

Start with short rides before attempting longer ones

Once you have your motorcycle and all the gear you will need, you might think you can hit the road, but you are not quite ready. In fact, it it best to purchase your motorcycle and gear several months before you actually plan to travel long distances on it. Use this time as practice by taking short rides in your immediate area. This preparation will make sure that you are completely comfortable operating the motorcycle safely in a variety of road and weather conditions and provide real driving experience that will pay off on longer trips.