How to Prepare for a Motorcycle Road Trip

With summer finally here, it’s the best time of year to enjoy a long, post-pandemic road trip on your motorcycle. However, you’ll want to take a few basic steps to prepare, and make sure to always observe the rules of the road, to maximize your safety.

1.    Check Your Motorcycle

The first thing you should always do before a motorcycle road trip is ensure your motorcycle is in perfect working order. Remember the “4 C’s”: Check the tires and the electrical system, change any fluids and bulbs if necessary, calibrate the valves, and clean the fuel system. If you’re a novice rider, you can have your motorcycle serviced by a professional before your trip.   

2.    Check Your Gear

Next, make sure you have all the right gear for the trip. Always wear protective motorcycle gear and a full-face motorcycle helmet for maximum accident and weather protection. Wearing a helmet is the single most effective way to prevent a head injury. You can supplement your protection with airbag vests or jackets, which immediately deploy airbags to protect the chest and vital organs upon impact.

Remember to think carefully about what boots you wear, as they are also an essential safety element. Poorly constructed boots are a significant cause of rider injury, so choose boots that can protect your feet and withstand the shock of potential impact.

A portable GPS will come in handy for sticking to your planned route. Some newer motorcycle helmets come equipped with a built-in GPS and other features, such as built-in cameras that provide rear views.

Bring a backpack that you can easily access to store other necessities, like your cell phone or glasses.

Staying hydrated on the road is vital to your alertness. Bring at least two gallons of water on your trip and stop to have a drink regularly.

3.    Check Your Insurance

Having motorcycle insurance will provide peace of mind on the ride. Louisiana requires its motorcyclists to carry liability coverage for bodily injury equal to $15,000 for death or bodily injury to one person at a minimum ($30,000 for two or more persons) and $25,000 for damage or destruction of property. Comprehensive coverage and collision coverage can be added. Check that your insurance is valid, what it covers, and whether you’ll benefit from adding other kinds of coverage.

When riding, keep your most important documentation, including your insurance, ID, and other necessary information, in a safe place that’s well protected from the elements.

4.    Stop Regularly for Breaks

It’s essential to know your limits on the road. Remember to stop and take a break at least every 100 miles. Stretch your legs, keep yourself hydrated, and enjoy your surroundings.

Be aware of road fatigue, which is a common factor in accidents. Always stop and rest if you’re feeling tired. Find somewhere to lodge overnight if a short rest isn’t enough. 

5.    Practice Road Safety

Remember to practice road safety as best you can. Unfortunately, riders are all too often involved in incidents that are not their fault but instead the result of careless drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, three motorcyclists are killed at intersections every day in the United States.

If you’re involved in an accident that is not your fault, you should consider filing a personal injury claim. Seek support from experienced Louisiana motorcycle accident attorneys when dealing with a personal injury case.

Injury Lawyers for Louisiana Motorcycle Accidents

The team at Dudley DeBosier has partnered with Paul Teutul Sr. of Orange County Choppers and the hit show American Chopper to promote the “Back Off My Bike” initiative, a campaign to let motorcyclists know they deserve fair treatment after an accident and shouldn’t settle for less than they’re owed.

Motorcyclists are often involved in accidents that are not their fault and face unfair bias in the aftermath. However, with the right attorney by your side, you can get the compensation you’re entitled to.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident that wasn’t your fault, contact Louisiana motorcycle accident lawyers at Dudley DeBosier to schedule a free consultation or to learn more about how you can get the respect and payment you deserve. With Dudley DeBosier, you have an advocate on your side.

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