Riding Solo on a Motorcycle

Solo motorcycle riding offers a unique allure. Enjoy the freedom to go where you please and take the type of trip you want to take. You'll be in full control of where you eat, where you stop, and the length of the ride. Soak up new sights and scenery while enjoying peaceful solitude.

But before you hit the road alone, be sure that you set yourself up for a safe ride. There are risks to riding a motorcycle alone, but you can help reduce and minimize them with some proactivity. We've gathered up safety tips for solo motorcycle riding below. If you have any questions or want to look at bikes for sale, visit Polaris of Gainesville. You'll find our dealership in Alachua, Florida. We also proudly serve those in Gainesville, Lake City, and St. Augustine, Florida.

Build a Safe Route

Your first step is to figure out where you want to ride. It's best to stick to main roads and highways. These tend to be safer than the unreliable terrain of side roads full of dust or gravel. Plus, there are usually plenty of other motorists around to help if your motorcycle encounters a mechanical issue. If you have to call a buddy or service for help, it'll also be easier to direct them to your spot on a main road than guide them to some side trail.

As you plan your ride, you'll want to look up two key things. First, what is the weather going to be like? Avoid riding in weather conditions that are more dangerous, such as stormy weather or hail. Second, what are the traffic conditions? You don't want to spend your whole ride inching along, stuck in traffic. Make sure to look for any potential delays, such as construction or an accident, before you hit the road.

Share Your Itinerary

It's important to tell someone else your plans. Plan on times to check in with them. If something happens and you are unable to call for help, you would miss the check-in time and this would signal to them that something was wrong. They would then be able to alert help and direct them to where you are most likely to be. Make sure your enlisted person gets a copy of your motorcycle route and any places you are stopping for the night. Check in with them each day so they know you are safe.

Stay Aware

When you ride motorcycles in a group, you can rely on the other group members ahead of you to point out any obstacles or issues on the road. When you ride your bike solo, you have to be vigilant on your own. Be sure you are aware of your surroundings as you cruise around the city. Scan for dangerous road conditions and obstacles. Stay aware of suspicious people at rest stops. 

A key part of staying alert involves taking care of your body. You need to take breaks on a long motorcycle ride. Otherwise, your focus will wane, you'll slip into highway hypnosis, and it'll be harder to spot issues and react in time. It's also important to stay hydrated and well-fed. When you get dehydrated or hungry, it's a lot harder to focus! Take care of yourself and you'll be more likely to enjoy a safe and fun bike ride.

We hope you found these solo motorcycle tips helpful! If you are looking for bikes for sale, visit Polaris of Gainesville. Our dealership is located in Alachua, Florida. We proudly serve those in Gainesville, Lake City, and St. Augustine, Florida.