Long Distance Riding

Taking your Harley-Davidson® motorcycle on a long trip can be a thrilling and rewarding experience. You’ll get to see new places, meet new people and feel free to go wherever you please on your bike. However, there are some risks associated with long distance riding and you can put yourself in great danger if you don’t prepare yourself adequately and address any potential problems in advance. At Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson® in Eugene, OR, we know what it takes to have a successful and safe long distance ride, so we’ve prepared this guide to help you plan your next trip.

Plot Your Route

Once you’ve determined your destination, you’ll want to plan the best way to get there and figure out where you’ll want to stop along the way, either for rest breaks, food, fuel, camping or staying in a hotel. Make your reservations now for hotel rooms or campsites as necessary so that you aren’t turned away by a No Vacancy sign after a long day’s ride.

You’ll want to check traffic on the roads you plan to use to see whether they’re under construction or closed for the season, in addition to checking for roads that are often heavily jammed. Taking scenic routes or byways can cut down on stress and increase your enjoyment of the ride, even if it adds a few miles to your overall trip.

Perform A Pre-Ride Inspection

Before you hit the highway, you’ll want to make sure that your motorcycle is in peak condition. Failing to address any maintenance issues before your ride could leave you stranded by the side of the road waiting for a mechanic or a tow truck to help you out. This could curtail or end your trip suddenly, and no one wants that! Take some time to look over your bike and fix anything that needs to be addressed. 

Use a tire pressure gauge to check that your tires are properly aired up to the correct pressure, then check the treads and look for any embedded objects or uneven wear. Replace tires if they look worn.

Make sure that your lights and signals function as they should, and take a spin around the neighborhood to listen for any strange sounds and check that your brakes work well. 

Check the oil in your motorcycle and top it off if it’s clean; replace the oil and the oil filter if they're dirty. Always fill up your tank before you head out, too! If you find anything that seems amiss and you can’t repair it yourself, contact the Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson® service department so we can help get your bike in shape before your trip.

Wear Hearing Protection

Long hours on your motorcycle can fatigue your body in general, but one sense that is particularly at risk is your hearing. Between the wind noise as you hit higher speeds and the sounds that your motorcycle’s engine makes, you’re in for a deafening ride. Helmets can sometimes reduce the overall noise levels, but wearing earplugs under your helmet is smart, as they can reduce noise by up to 30 decibels while still allowing you to hear sirens.

Take Frequent Breaks

You might think the best way to get from point A to point B is to ride for as long as possible and stop as little as you can. While you’ll already need to stop for meals, bathroom breaks and fueling up, you should plan a few other rests into your day as well. Take breaks to walk around, stretch your legs and allow your mind to relax. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Admire the scenery around you! You also don’t want to try to ride more hours per day than your body can handle, or you may end up too tired to ride at all the next day. Give yourself chances to rest and recuperate and you’ll enjoy your long trip that much more.

A long distance trip is a great way to spend time on your Harley motorcycle and see the sights that the country has to offer. To view our inventory of Harley-Davidson® motorcycles for sale, come on down to our Eugene dealership. Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson® serves the cities of Corvallis, Portland, Medford and Salem, OR.