Tip Top Tips

[mogster]

I have been going to a few rallies & riding on wet grass, which is a new experience for me.

Another rider told me NEVER ride on a slippery surface with feet down..........because if the bike goes over you won't be able to stop it but would injure your foot/leg in the tumble.

Anyone else got any tip top tips?

[JackoftheGreen]

Try to be in a gear that places you about midway through your power band when entering moderate or challenging curves. Having the power readily available will allow you 'power out' if your lean goes tippy, but not being at the top of your power band makes it less likely you'll spin all the grip out of your tire while accelerating through the apex.

Buy a hand-pump siphon from your favorite tool shop and include it in your gear for longer trips. Running out of gas sucks, but having a dedicated tool for siphoning gas from a helpful stranger will make it suck less.

And, washing and detailing your bike with some regularity will help you spot fluid leaks or other impending mechanical failures before they become an emergency.

[earwig]

If you have a bag, invest in some rain gear...

[a_hippie]

Learn the maximum quantity of fuel your tank will hold. Then learn the MINIMUM distance you can drive per gallon/liter of fuel. Multiply the amount of fuel by the minimum distance and determine that the result is your maximum range your bike can go EVER!

Otherwise, bring more petrol

Regards,

[blues2cruise]

When you are riding over gravelly or bumpy places, keep your elbows loose.

[Grey Thumper]

Bring a wide olive jar cover whenever you tour (a junction box cover works too). Put it under your sidestand if you park on something that isn't completely solid (even if that soil seems pretty dry, it could always rain). On a related note, never put up a tent right beside your bike.

[sapaul]

If you are camping, put a space blanket beneath your sleeping bag.

[totalmotorcycle]

Learn how to do basic maintenance (oil change, spark plugs, battery charging/replacing, chain tightening, cable lubing, etc) on your motorcycle, it not only saves you some money but gets you much more familiar with your bike and helps you detect if anything needs attention in the near future.

[ceemes]

Learn how to do basic maintenance (oil change, spark plugs, battery charging/replacing, chain tightening, cable lubing, etc) on your motorcycle, it not only saves you some money but gets you much more familiar with your bike and helps you detect if anything needs attention in the near future.

If you have a place to do it that is.......last time I tried to do an oil change on the old Sabre, my apartment management read me the riot act.

[ceemes]

Listen to your inner voice, if it is shouting at you that something isn't right, don't ride or go. The one time I failed to listen to that inner voice, I got t-boned off my CB650. Up to then, I listened to it and can't count how many times it was correct. There are times when you just know or feel that you shouldn't ride, listen to that voice, it can save you a world of pain.

A few months back I was getting ready to ride to work and halfway doing up my riding gear, my inner voice was saying no. Took off the gear and drove to work even tho it was clear and dry. On the way home, it rained and the road were slick. Even with AB's and four wheel drive, it was dodgy. Then I got to watch a cage flip onto its roof at the tunnel. Had I been on the bike, I think I would of end up back in the hospital nursing broken bones.