It’s that time of the year again. Saying goodbye to 2018, and welcoming new adventures in 2019, whatever they may be. While it’s great to come up with lifestyle resolutions, your list can look a little different if you’re a biker. Whether you’ve been neglecting your bike or looking for a new challenge. AMERiders has thought up some New Year’s biker resolutions, to help you ride smoothly through 2019.
1. Ride three or four times a week.
If you’re looking back at 2018 and thinking, “I should have ridden more,” then definitely put this on your list. Once you start riding more often for a month or two, it will become part of your routine.
2. Attend a bike rally this year.
If you’ve never experienced one, this is something you don’t want to miss. The community-like atmosphere and getting the chance to meet fellow bikers are two good reasons to find a rally near you in 2019. Plan to go, but if you can’t, follow the action at Daytona, Americade, Laconia, Rolling Thunder, and Sturgis on their Facebook pages.
3. Plan a road trip with other bikers.
You may go on longer rides here and there, but there’s nothing like experiencing the freedom and joy of riding cross-country. If it’s in your budget, plan a long road trip with your friends and see the beautiful mountains, lakes, and rippling wheat fields the country has to offer. Enjoy the oceans at either end. You won’t regret this one for your New Year’s biker resolutions.
4. Clock at least 5,000km on road trips
Most times we get so caught up with everyday problems and routines that the only time we spend on a motorcycle is when we fight our way through traffic to get to work and back home, so add this to your New Year’s biker resolutions. In all of this mayhem, we forget that being on a motorcycle is all about the outdoors – being one with your surroundings. Driving in a car through a scenic road may be fun, but riding your bike on the same route is way more involving.
If you haven’t been on a proper road trip on your motorcycle yet, you’re missing out on something heavenly. It doesn’t matter if it’s just a short distance out of town to a weekend hangout or a multi-day journey to nowhere – gear up, tank up and head out.
Make those numbers on the odometer count for something. Resolve to ride out regularly and clock at least 5,000km on road trips in the year, no matter which way you break those up. Whether it’s 200 at a time or the complete 5,000 in one go, every one of those kilometers will have their own unique story to tell.
5. Inspect your motorcycle regularly.
Doing regular maintenance on your bike is essential for your safety. You can look at your manual to get more familiar with your motorcycle, and if you have any questions, talk to your local mechanic. Plus, there’s plenty of instructional videos you can watch online. This is essential to add to your New Year’s biker resolutions.
6. Always wear a helmet.
This seems obvious, but not all states have helmet laws. When you wear one, not only does it protect your head, but it reinforces that you are a responsible and experienced rider.
7. Teach a friend how to ride.
If you have a friend that’s shown interest in riding and put off teaching them, now is the time to start! It will be a bonding experience and if they fall in love with it, you’ve gained yourself a new riding buddy. This is a definate good one to add to your New Year’s biker resolutions.
8. Keep your motorcycle clean.
This is an area of opportunity for most riders. It’s not the most exciting part of owning a motorcycle, but it’s one of the more important ones. If you clean and polish it on a regular basis, it will not only look better – but run more smoothly for you.
9. Take a safety course.
Everyone took the proper training to get a driver’s license, but it doesn’t hurt to brush up on some of the safety courses. You’ll only learn more about motorcycles, and your state’s regulations for bikers, and is a good idea for your New Year’s biker resolutions.
10. Go camping with your motorcycle
Regular road trips are OK, but the epitome of being one with nature is to spend the night beneath the stars, out in the open with nothing but your tent to shelter you and a bonfire to keep you warm. Add a motorcycle to that equation, and you’ve achieved nirvana.
So add a night under the stars to your New Year’s biker resolutions, make sure you experience this at least once. Strap your luggage on the rear seat, stack your tent and sleeping bag, pack some snacks and head out on your bike – ride to a camping site, like the countless ones in California or even visit Jellystone yes it is real, or any other such destination wherever you are.
Spend the night under a starlit sky – alone or even with your buddies and you’ll bond not only with Mother Earth but also with your motorcycle – the only two entities that will ever matter for the rest of your life.
11. Appreciate good drivers
Just because you’re on a motorcycle doesn’t mean all the people driving cars are a**holes. There are many who actually drive well and in a sea full of drivers and people on motorcycles that flout basic traffic rules, the good ones need to be appreciated.
All it takes is a wave or a thumbs up. So from now on, when you do spot someone who gives you way at the flash of your headlight or slows down to let you cut in front of them or even simply sticks to their own lane, wave out – let them know that they are appreciated.
It will only encourage them to keep doing it and it may even inspire others to drive and ride better every day. In the end, it all adds up, makes our roads safer and that’s a win for everybody. Make that one of your New Year’s biker resolutions.
12. Make at least one practical modification
Personalization is a basic human trait – we like to customize things we own to our tastes and needs. When we buy a house, we make sure we get the kind of furniture that suits our needs and it’s the same with motorcycles. Personalize your bike this New Year – and I’m not talking about some stickers here and there – I’m talking about adding at least one accessory that is practical in helping you with the way you ride. Add a luggage rack to help with your out-of-town trips, add a GPS device, holder (like these from our store) or even a simple USB charging port. Because everyday problems shouldn’t come in the way of riding your motorcycle! Your bike will thank you for adding this to your New Year’s biker resolutions.
13. Get a Second Motorcycle
Are you an admirer of multiple brands and want to try something different? Do you own a sports bike and always thought of transitioning to a cruiser? If you have the budget then why not have both? Owning two cuts down on the wear and tear for both of them – the only added expense is the license plates and extra insurance. If you can find a good insurer who offers dual bike insurance, all the better. Make sure to spend an equal amount of time maintaining them even if you ride one more than the other. Two is better than one!
14. Do an Overseas bike tour
We know most of you have done a lot of tours in the country, why not plan a bike trip abroad instead. It takes a lot of time and attention to meticulous details, but if you get your research right, it shouldn’t be a problem.
A friend just back-packed and went on a solo bike trip in Vietnam; rough terrains and unknown territory didn’t stop him and neither should it stop you. These tips will help you pack like a pro for your next trip.
15. Participate In A Group Ride
What better way to make 2019 a year to remember than by attending a group motorcycle event? These occasions are a must-do for every biker at least once in their life. Getting out there and riding with a bunch of fellow bikers cannot be overstated.
Whether it’s a short local ride or a huge rally (yes i have said rally already this is different), there’s no shortage of motorcycle events to choose from. With hundreds, if not thousands of these events taking place throughout the year, you have a ton of options.
From fundraisers to holiday rides, you can be sure to find at least one event that appeals to you. From the iconic rallies like Sturgis and Daytona to the more eclectic local gatherings, you’re sure to have a blast spending the day with other riders. If you’ve never been to one, you should definitely put it on your 2019 list.
16. Spread the cheer
Ask any real biker and they will tell you that the most happiness they’ve ever had in their lives has been on a motorcycle. The only way to multiply that happiness is to share it with everyone around you. Be a model citizen – spread the joy. This New Year show the world that motorcycle riders are truly the best people that ever existed.
Ride out to support a cause, like any of the Veteran’s Rides, any Children’s like ROLLING THUNDER RIDE FOR FREEDOM XXX and Bikers Against Child Abuse Help out people you see who are in need. Respect the road and respect its rules, stop at traffic lights – even if there’s no one else around you who’s stopping. People observe, and they learn so make them learn from you and your motorcycle.
Give way – especially to pedestrians. Make space for Ambulances. Don’t park like schmucks. Inspire people with the way you behave – both on and off your bike. Donate blood – it may just save a fellow biker’s life. Refrain from road rage. And most importantly, talk about the joys of motorcycling.
Happy New Year folks, and Merry Motorcycling from all of us at AMERiders
~And as always…
~Live Free Ride Hard~
~AMERiders
and
Let AMERiders give you some New Year’s Bikers Resolutions.
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