Motorcycle Riding In The Mountains
As a proud Harley-Davidson® motorcycle owner, you want to ride your bike everywhere you possibly can. Long, straight prairie roads? Check. A highway on the bluffs overlooking the Missouri River? Check. But what if you’re heading west to the Rockies on a long trip? Riding your motorcycle in the mountains can be a thrilling new experience for those of us used to the flat roads of the Great Plains, but it does take some special preparation due to the elevation and curvy roads.
Fortunately, your friends here at Frontier Harley-Davidson in Lincoln, Nebraska, have got you covered! Before you leave the Cornhusker State on a high-elevation adventure, use this guide to plan your Rocky Mountain route.
Assess Weather Conditions
Whether you’re new or experienced at riding in the mountains, it pays to make smart choices so you don’t endanger yourself. This means not taking undue risks in poor weather. You should never head up into the mountains if it’s snowy, icy or rainy, and you’ll want to keep an eye on wind conditions. A Harley-Davidson® motorcycle is much lighter than a car, so it’s easier for you to get blown around in particularly high winds, making it harder to steer and more likely that you’ll slide out or have a collision. Falling rocks and landslides are also a concern!
The temperature is also worthy of your concern—while you can certainly layer up to keep yourself warm, the length of time you can safely be outside decreases sharply as the temperatures slip below freezing. Check the weather in advance of your trip and look up the route you plan to take. If there are warnings or closures, delay your ride until conditions improve and the roads reopen. You don’t want to risk hurting yourself or damaging your H-D bike, after all.
Dress Appropriately
Your usual Harley-Davidson® motorcycle attire may not be sufficient in the colder temperatures of the mountains. You’ll also be contending with wind chill. Layering up is a smart way to keep yourself warm, as it allows you to remove layers as you come back down and the temperatures rise. It’s wise to invest in insulated gloves and socks to keep your appendages warm and to have a balaclava or cowl to keep your neck and face warm under your helmet. High-visibility colors like blaze orange or fluorescent yellow should be worn to improve your visibility, since cars will likely struggle to see you on narrow roads with lots of curves. It doesn’t hurt to have rain gear on hand, too!
Remain Alert
One all-too-common way that riders get themselves into an accident is due to fatigue and inattention. Winding mountain roads with high winds and unpredictable traffic mean that you’ll have to focus much harder than you do on a nice, flat stretch of I-80. Don’t ride if you’re tired or not feeling well, because you won’t be able to focus fully and you’ll only endanger yourself unnecessarily.
Increase your visibility by taking corners widely, as close to the center line as possible so that oncoming traffic can see you. You’ll probably want to lengthen the space between you and those driving cars or other motorcyclists, since you never know how green they might be to mountain driving or riding. Watch cars carefully to anticipate their movements and be prepared to brake or turn as necessary.
We hope this guide helps you plan your mountain journey! Still seeking the perfect bike for all your summer riding? Visit our Lincoln dealership today to check out our current stock of Harley-Davidson® motorcycles for sale. Frontier Harley-Davidson welcomes all our Nebraska customers coming from both Omaha and Nebraska City!