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Motorcycle comfort tips and tricks...

If you've got a good long slog to do in the rain, keeping your feet warm and dry pays massive dividends in overall comfort and alertness. If you're caught without waterproof boots, or you;re like me and down own any, try this trick:

Stop into a shop that bags merchandise in thin plastic grocery style bags, and get two of them. Take your boots off, stick your feet in the bags, and then put your boots on, using the bags as liners for your socks. It'll keep the rain and cold out, and while your feet may sweat, it should stay nice and warm.
 
TylerW said:
Take your boots off, stick your feet in the bags, and then put your boots on, using the bags as liners for your socks. It'll keep the rain and cold out, and while your feet may sweat, it should stay nice and warm.
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That's an old Army trick and a really usefull idea! Especially good for sleeping in the cold. :thumbup
 
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Keep a couple of those clear grocery store vegie bags somewhere on the bike in a ziploc baggy. When you're feet get cold, slip the bags over your socks and put your feet back in your boots. It works fairly well for a while, though you may end up with sweatier feet after a while.
 
I like to sit on my left butt cheek, rest my left heel on the foot peg, rest my left elbow on my left knee and place my left hand on the inner left side of the gas tank to help control the steering of my 04 GSXR600 =)
 
afraid you might run out of gas across the Salt Flats, or during an all day ride in the Smokeys?

carry a long length of of clear tubing. in an emergency, you can get down into the deepest gas tank, and never get any fuel in your mouth because you can see the fuel filling the line around and around and around, before it gets anywhere near your mouth. after you're done you can just throw it away. sure beats trying to carry a liter of gas in a drinking container. the roll of tubing is cheap, takes up little space, an weighs nothing.
 

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One of these days, I'll buy a Throttlemeister. I've used cheapy throttle locks in the past, and always been pretty happy about having that capability. I've been using a Throttle Rocker recently, and it's not bad - not having to grip so much helps me relax, which is good, because I have a tendency to tighten my grip and lock up as the miles pile up.
 
rmautino said:
Most modern bikes will kill the engine if you put the kickstand down while it's in gear, I wouldn't recommend trying it.

I just pretend like I'm reaching in my pocket and tossing things behind me, and people usually back wayyyy off.
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Thanks for the reminder. Guess I'll just keep some pennies in my pocket or something.. haha.
 
Oh man.. I have loads of tricks, I've done all sorts of riding.

1. Got side vertebra boots that squeak? WD40 the spine.
2. Bring 2 pears of gloves, one for cold weather, one for warm. (for long trips)
3. On long rides.. stretch your legs completely out forward and to the side while riding, you'll save your knees.
4. Also on long rides.. reposition your feet on the pegs. I rotate between the knuckles of my feet to riding duck footed.
5. Carry one tire plug.
6. If you HAVE to sneeze, lift your visor.
7. If your visor keeps fogging up, which mostly happens when it's old, spit on the inside... this is a trick divers also use for scuba goggles.
8. Buy a camel pack for long rides. (someone already mention this) I always drink when riding. The beauty is you can stuff ice cubes at gas stops as well as Gatorade.
9. If you're riding night and day, bring your clear visor only and bring sunglasses you can use inside your helmet for the day times.
10. Ear plugs (already said)
11. TAPE your directions/map to your gas tank if you don't have a map bag. I do this all the time.
12. Don't put your cell phone near your tank bag, battery will drain! :(
13. Bring a small bottle of oil for long trips, and WD40 and a tooth brush for your chain.
14. Stand on your pegs when going over bumps or train tracks... also do this to reposition your butt/pants on long rides.

And for all those that keep on thinking "I wish I had a centre stand". All you need to do is hit your rear brake to turn the brake light on. Unless the car behind you plans on running you over, he will back off.. and when he does so accelerate to give yourself even more space. ALWAYS works for me.


I have more...
 
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^^^good tips.

I'm not sure about the cell phone/tank bag tip though... I've stored my cell phone in my tank bag many times and never noticed any unusual battery depletion.

Re: standing up, I've developed a weird habit of standing up whenever I cross a county line. Just one of those things I do. :p

and as far as earplugs are concerned, earbuds work almost as well... and you can listen to music through them. :ride
 
On a long trip, keep an extra set of clutch & brake lever (& maybe a cable too).

Keep a small vice grip in your tool kit. It's a very versatile tool.

If you doing multiple days of 400+ miles, take an advil at the beginning of the day.

Keep one credit card or cash in your leather's inside pocket. When you stop for gas or toll, it is quicker that way.
 
Doesn't work all the time but for those of you who do not have centerstands but are being tailgated.

Jiggle your handlebars a little so that it looks like you're losing control of the bike and about to crash. Not everyone wants to be in an at-fault accident, especially when there's witnesses and traffic.
 
For longer rides I always take the following:

1) Windproof neck gaiter. It really helps to keep one warm from cold air blasts.
2) A clear visor (in case you are out later then you expect to)
3) Lip balm
4) Moose makes a great dirt bike underlayer that has windstopper material in the frontal section. It packs down to about the size of the t-shirt and will fit in most trunks.
5) An un-used garbage bag (preferably the tip with the draw cord). This can act as a make-shift poncho if you get caught in the rain by making the appropriate holes. You can use it for a number of different purposes too, e.g., water collection, with lots of duct tape one can patch a hole on a radiator hose (experience on this one).
6) Duct tape for everything.

Scotty
 
Factor5 said:
Jiggle your handlebars a little so that it looks like you're losing control of the bike and about to crash.
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This made the hair stand up on the back of my neck. Don't make a bad situation worse...just tap your brakes so people know you want a little room or simply twist the throttle and get away from the trouble.

summitdog said:
6) Duct tape for everything.
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YES!!! I took a long strip of duct tape and I wrapped it around (and around, and around...) the stalk of my front blinker on my street bike. It's black, the stalk is black - you can't even notice it but if I ever need duct tape to make it home...it's right there for me everywhere I go. :thumbup
 
Dove said:
This made the hair stand up on the back of my neck. Don't make a bad situation worse...just tap your brakes so people know you want a little room or simply twist the throttle and get away from the trouble.
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You jiggled too much.:|

And yes, I agree on the tapping the brake or twisting the throttle or even just splitting away to get away from tailgaters.
 
to scare tailgaters away..keep the throttle on.. turn off the engine kill switch (the one on your handlebar) & immediately switch it on.. on my R6, it would shoot out a beautiful flame :) try it at your own risk... (leave the clutch pulled in) :laughing
 
I carry a super bright construction works vest that has reflectives and a bight orange color. I have never used it but have it for night rides where I feel uncomfortable riding (not seen) or get stuck and need to walk for help.

:ride
 
This is a tip I learned from Yoga: Since my Triumph puts me in a more aggressive position, lean forward by opening up my hips (if that makes sense). By having this more open position in my pelvic area, it takes the stress off my lower back, especially when I'm riding in my one-piece. I guess it makes more sense by demonstration, but since I've started doing this on long rides or when I'm slabbing it, my back suffers less and I can be on the bike longer. :hand Please, no sexual comments or references, kathxbai :teeth Yoga is great for learning how to ride comfortably, FYI.
 
The best tip I have for long rides is to remove your sensitive panties before the ride.
 
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