First solo ride

[Twofeather]

Hello everyone, I'm going on my first solo ride tomorrow. It's only 125 miles one way, so not to far from home. Any advice and or tips that my keep me out of trouble? I have been riding with a couple of my friends a few times and have had no problems. My first real ride was 275 miles the day after I got the bike running. I was worn out but felt pretty good afterwards. I know I need to drink lots of water so I don't get dehydrated. It is going to be very warm here in Arkansas, but is there anything else I should look out for? Thanks for your advice.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Just the simple stuff. Tire pressures, fluid levels, lighting, brake pads, etc. Enjoy the ride 

[carolinarider09]

Don't worry, be happy.

I have noted, in the years I have allowed to be in this life, that the more you worry, second guess, the less fun you have.  

Think positive thoughts.  Always check your six.  When in doubt just ask yourself what is the worst thing that can happen and prepare.  

Don't not over think.  

I don't have a lot of time solo on two wheels but I have noted that when I have not ridden for a couple of weeks, when I first get out, it takes me a hour of so to re-acclimate myself to the bike.  But, that is just because I am older now  

Hydration is a good thought and its easy to check your hydration level (see the link below).

http://www.urinecolors.com/themes/uctheme/assets/dehydration-chart.pdf

[Rams]

Besides what's already been mentioned, one thing.   The fat lady will give you all she has with a twist of the wrist.   Never under estimate her, be prepared or, she will surprise you.  She loves to stretch her legs.. For many reasons, I hadn't ridden since returning from InZane, decided last night to take her instead of the Valkyrie Trike.   Rolled up behind some traffic at an intersection and when I got the chance to slide into traffic, I let her go (a full twist of the wrist).   She reared up and roared, got my attention and the attention of the folks in the second lane.   Was fun once it was over but, surprised the hell out of me.    

I've considered getting some performance upgrades done on my fat ladies but, things like this remind me she's a screamer when I fire her up she's one hot ride.   I'm talking about my Valkyries.  

Rams

[Serk]

The heat'll be thick this weekend, so hydrate.
Stop more often than gas requires, drink water. If you're not pee'ing every gas stop, you're not drinking enough.
Soak a shirt in water right before leaving each stop, that evaporative cooling helps a LOT.

Have your phone charged, just in case.

But yeah, as others have said, 125 miles is a nice run for lunch for these ladies, they've got long legs and love to stretch 'em out and run, so don't overthink it past the basics, enjoy your ride!

(And come back and share a ride report with some pics of your wonderful AR roads too!)

[Hobo]

Look out for those crazy cage drivers down there in Saline county!!

Come on up here in the Ozarks, the heat wont be quiet as bad. 

[Jess from VA]

Keep your eye on the ball (eight ball drivers).  Keep looking down the road.  Look for potential danger before you ride into it.  Keep a safe distance, but don't encourage every cager to pass you either.  Watch all side streets/intersections.  

When rolling into stops in traffic, always slow sooner than you normally do in cars (drop the throttle and coast in) and then watch your mirrors that the guy behind you sees you slowing early and does too.

When just cruising for fun, I ride for space (from other traffic).  I'll go fast or go slow to get into my own bit of space, then maintain best speed to keep that space.

If some nutjob speed demon comes up behind you, do your best to let him go by.   No matter how crazy or rotten some other drivers may be, never get angry or lose your temper (because if you do, half your IQ instantly leaks out your ear).  (This happens with erections too, but hopefully that's not something you do when riding.)

Don't ride behind (or beside) loaded trucks, cars, trailers that things can fly out of; fall back, or pass them.  

Use both sides of your lane to best advantage, for visibility ahead, and for distance from cages or bad pavement.  Never hold your position in another guys blind spot.  

Heat more than anything has caused me to become sleepy or inattentive.  I ended up riding in a water ditch beside the road for a while once because of it (at about 50mph, at first).  The really great thing is there were no giant rocks in that ditch.  I kept the bike up, and rode back out to the road, and stopped and thought about it for awhile.  

I never chew gum, but I nearly always chew gum while riding.  There's a tiny sugar buzz (for a short time), but something about it works to help me stay attentive.  If your jaw gets sore, stick it up in your gums for awhile.  If a bug flies in your mouth, add another stick for better falvor.  

Wave to other riders.  But always keep looking straight ahead.  

Some people really enjoy looking at Valkyrie motorcycles.  That's fine, but don't let some looky-loo ride right off your tail or side for long.

If there's some terrible accident or something else out along the road that everyone is slowing down and looking at, that's the time someone will hit you.

Sunblock cuts down on skin cancer. 

Have fun.    

[Mooskee]

Ditto all that was said above. Enjoy the ride, but stay aware of your surroundings. I know it is hard to believe that the people in the cages can somehow not see a motorcycle as big as a Valkyrie, but they can't or don't. If you make the assumption that you are invisible, and that it is your responsibility to make sure you don't get run over. you will be off to a good start.

I know you aren't going to read it before your ride this weekend, but an excellent resource on safe motorcycling is https://www.amazon.com/Proficient-Motorcycling-Ultimate-Guide-Riding-dp-1620081199/dp/1620081199/ref=dp_ob_title_bk#:~:text=Proficient%20Motorcycling%3A%20The%20Ultimate%20Guide%20to%20Riding%20Well%2C%20Updated%20%26%20Expanded%202nd%20Edition%20(CompanionHouse%20Books)%20The%20Must-Have%20Manual%3A%20Confront%20Fears%2C%20Sharpen%20Handling%20Skills%2C%20%26%20Learn%20to%20Ride%20Safely%20Paperback%20%E2%80%93%20November%2012%2C%202013

I read it many years ago. It has a lot of information about riding techniques and managing risks.

Ride Safe.

[Serk]

I know you aren't going to read it before your ride this weekend, but an excellent resource on safe motorcycling is https://www.amazon.com/Proficient-Motorcycling-Ultimate-Guide-Riding-dp-1620081199/dp/1620081199

I read it many years ago. It has a lot of information about riding techniques and managing risks.

Ride Safe.

(URL edited for brevity)

I second this book as well, read it initially when I first started riding, some of the wisdom obtained therein has saved my butt several times over the years.

I try to re-read it every winter before the spring riding season fires back up.

[Oss]

watch for pig or chicken guts in some of the rural twisties where those big trucks carry livestock,   kind of how you look out for manure or mud when you see a place where a tractor crossed the road

The first few minutes when it starts to rain are the most slippery  Once it has been raining a while no big deal

Otherwise I echo what others have said   HAVE FUN  it is after all why most of us ride

[signart]

Remember you are invisible and everyone's out to get you.

[Twofeather]

Thanks everyone a lot of good info. I look forward to reading that book you posted Mooskee. I wish I had time to read it before I leave, but life just gets in the way sometime.

Ram, I know exactly what you mean. It took me almost a month to get the parts I needed to fix the brakes. When I finally got to ride her, I felt like a new rider, like I had to learn all of her little quirks again.

I would love to post some pics when I get back, but I still haven't figured out how to post on the board. Maybe I can on facebook. I'll be sure to let you all know how it turns out.  Thanks everyone

[0leman]

2FS,  All the recommendations above are great.   Just pay attention to the road and what is around your and enjoy the ride.  I do agree that our "Ladies" like to stretch their legs.  Yesterday during a ride, I slipped around two pickups pulling work trailers and a semi on a long stretch for road.   Valk was doing 89 when I went around the last vehicle, semi.  Hey they were really dogging it.   

I ride 99% of the time by myself.  I feel like I haven't gone for a ride if I haven't clocked at least 100 miles.   Most of my rides are in the 150-200 mile range.  Though one has to consider what kind of roads you are riding one and the traffic.  I am bless with two lane roads and not much traffic.   Plus some great country to look at.

[Crackerborn]

Remember you are invisible and everyone's out to get you.

 


THIS! 

[Twofeather]

Well I didn't end up going by myself, the guy I bought my bike from ended up riding with me. We had a great ride. Got rain on, ran out of gas, and was real hot. But I wouldn't change a thing. What a beautiful country we live in.

[old2soon]

Well I didn't end up going by myself, the guy I bought my bike from ended up riding with me. We had a great ride. Got rain on, ran out of gas, and was real hot. But I wouldn't change a thing. What a beautiful country we live in.

           And muicho Betta when seen enjoyed and reveled in from atop a M/C!  Preferably a Valkyrie!  RIDE SAFE.

[Jess from VA]

Well I didn't end up going by myself, the guy I bought my bike from ended up riding with me. We had a great ride. Got rain on, ran out of gas, and was real hot. But I wouldn't change a thing. What a beautiful country we live in.

Just because you had a riding partner is no excuse to run out of gas. 

So did you get to ride bitch?   

[Twofeather]

Jess , no riding bitch.   

[Jess from VA]

The thing is that while riding on the back is a bit unmanly, I'm just scared sh!tless to ride on the back of any motorcycle. 

Not quite as bad, but I really don't like being in any cage I'm not driving either.  And have not been a passenger more than a few times in 30 years.  A dozen road trips in college, always in my car/van, and I was the only driver.  And no one ever went to jail either, which was never a certain thing back in those days. 

[..]

Thanks everyone a lot of good info. I look forward to reading that book you posted Mooskee. I wish I had time to read it before I leave, but life just gets in the way sometime.

Ram, I know exactly what you mean. It took me almost a month to get the parts I needed to fix the brakes. When I finally got to ride her, I felt like a new rider, like I had to learn all of her little quirks again.

I would love to post some pics when I get back, but I still haven't figured out how to post on the board. Maybe I can on facebook. I'll be sure to let you all know how it turns out.  Thanks everyone

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[Twofeather]

Nope I've tried with two different Emails. It tells me that my password has been sent to my Email, but when I check there is nothing there. I've looked in junk and spam and it is not there. Not sure what to try next.

[cookiedough]

one thing I learned last year is to give, if possible, say on rural roads, more than a 3 second following distance from vehicle in front of you.  Guy slammed on his brakes ahead of me and never saw the brake lights due to old car poor brake lighting, the sun in my eyes, and not thinking he would BREAK HARD for the deer that came in front of him.  I locked up the Valk and skidded a few seconds doing 50 mph 30 degrees sideways,  but never flung off the cycle when it straightened ASAP right up letting off the brakes a tad.

I try to make it a point to either PASS NOT FOLLOW if they going under 60 mph or stay far away back or tend to AVOID cars on rural roads all together keeping AWAY from everyone as much as possible.  Daily we all see TEXTERS looking down on their phones vs. the road.