Posted March 14, 2005   Email   Print

The three-step plan for starting the riding season right

Photo: Rich Van Every

All across this great land, a new riding season is dawning. In the north, they’re pulling covers off winterized bikes. In the south, they’re making plans for summer vacations. And out west, they’re debating between taking in the races on the coast or a dirtbike excursion in the mountains.

Spring is here and anticipation of another riding season is high. But before we get carried away with the religious experience of it all, let’s make sure we’re ready to hit the road metaphorically, so we don’t hit it literally.

I really boils down to three ingredients: your motorcycle, you, and a plan. Here’s how to make sure all three are ready for the 2005 riding season.

Step One: Get your bike ready. If your motorcycle has been sitting idle, or nearly so, for most of the winter months, you need to go over a few things before you take that first ride. Here’s the rundown on how to prep your bike for spring.

While you’re at it, refresh your memory on the things you should check before every ride.

Step Two: Get yourself ready. It doesn’t matter how fast your sportbike, how shiny your cruiser or how comfy your luxury tourer, your machine is only as good as the operator attached to the handlebar. It’s the same if you ride an off-road motorcycle or an ATV.

Fortunately, there are more options than ever for those of us who want to pursue continuing education on two wheels. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation courses for beginning and experienced road riders, for off-road motorcyclists and for ATV riders are a great place to start, and they’re just the beginning.

Today, there are schools run by former world champion roadracers who will teach you how to ride smoother, off-road riding schools for those who want to learn advanced skills in the dirt, and even a “camp” for riders who want to try their hand at flat-tracking.

When we urge you to take advantage of all these educational opportunities, we’re also practicing what we preach. Nearly every rider on the AMADirectlink.com and American Motorcyclist magazine staff has taken at least one riding course in recent years, and some have completed several.

Here are first-hand accounts from AMA staffers who took the four MSF courses: RiderCourse, Experienced RiderCourse, Dirtbike School, and the ATV RiderCourse.

Plus, at right is a list of 15 other schools you can attend. Some provide discounts to AMA members.

Step Three: Make a plan. They say half the fun is getting there. But that assumes the destination is the other half. Actually, we feel the advance planning is a good percentage of the fun, when it comes to a motorcycle trip. And AMADirectlink can help you there, too.

First of all, we’ll provide you with a few thousand potential destinations. Search our database listing all the AMA-sanctioned events, from major road rallies to local bike shows to dual-sport runs.

Once you have a destination, why not find some great roads to ride on the way there? Or maybe you’ll want to look for some additional off-road riding areas to try during your trip.

Either way, you’re in luck – if you’re an AMA member. Just go to the Great Riding database in the Members Only section. Not signed up yet for Members Only? It only takes a minute and it’s free to all AMA members.

Not an AMA member? Join us. We’ll show you lots of ways to make this the best riding season ever.

© 2005, American Motorcyclist Association