New Year’s Resolutions For Bikers

With the new year almost upon us, people across the globe are thinking about their resolutions for 2020. Naturally, these goals for the new year vary from person to person. For all the motorcyclists out there, we’ve put together a few suggestions to help make 2020 an unforgettable year of riding.

Ride to At Least Two New Places

Nothing is more exhilarating than escaping your comfort zone and discovering a new place. Of course, there’s a comfort in routine and sense of home, but that doesn’t mean you can’t shake things up every now and then and go exploring.

One of the best ways to inject fun into your life is to take a trip to explore a new city, state or even country. A motorcycle road trip can be a great way to experience new places. Luckily, there’s no shortage of iconic road trip routes throughout North America. From the Pacific Coast Highway out West to the Tail of the Dragon ride in Tennessee and North Carolina, there are countless scenic adventures to take. If you’d like, you can always blaze your own trail and just see what you find along the way.

Maybe there’s an iconic landmark you’ve always wanted to see. Maybe you want to check out some of the best biker bars in the country. You don’t even have to leave your home state to see something new. If you don’t have the time to go on some grand, cross-country journey, a quick weekend jaunt to a nearby town can be just as rewarding.

You can use this as an opportunity to see a different side to your home state. Whether you’re on a group trip with friends, or you’re going at it solo, traveling on a motorcycle is one of the greatest ways to see the world. If exploration interests you, this could be an excellent goal for 2020.

Take Extra Care of Your Bike

Your motorcycle is a fine-tuned piece of machinery and as such, needs to be properly serviced on a regular basis. Of course, anyone with a motorcycle knows the importance of keeping their bike in working order. For longtime riders, they know their bike like the back of their hand, and keeping up the maintenance comes as naturally as breathing.

However, that doesn’t mean that people aren’t susceptible to letting little issues fall to the wayside. As much as we love our bikes, sometimes life gets busy. Routine maintenance, like tire checks and oil changes, can be put on the back burner and left to deal with sometime in the unforeseeable future.

For 2020, make small tune-ups and regular maintenance more of a priority. Taking care of your bike will allow you to spend more time enjoying it, and less time in the shop for little problems that went unattended.

Consider doing your own maintenance work in the new year versus taking your bike to the shop. Many motorcyclists enjoy doing their own maintenance because it gives them the opportunity to bond with their bikes. It also saves time and money. Plus, you’ll learn even more about motorcycles in the process, making you even more of a bike expert in 2020 

Participate in a Group Ride or Rally

What better way to make 2020 a year to remember than by attending a group motorcycle event? These occasions are a must-do for every biker at least once in their life. Getting out there and riding with a bunch of fellow bikers cannot be overstated.

Whether it’s a short local ride or a huge rally, there’s no shortage of motorcycle events to choose from. With hundreds, if not thousands of these events taking place throughout the year, you have a ton of options.

From fundraisers to holiday rides, you can be sure to find at least one event that appeals to you. From the iconic rallies like Sturgis and Daytona to the more eclectic local gatherings, you’re sure to have a blast spending the day with other riders. If you’ve never been to one, you should definitely put it on your 2020 list.

Ride At Least Once a Week

Depending on your circumstances, this one may be a bit of a no-brainer. If your motorcycle is your primary point of transportation, then this one isn’t for you. For those who are stuck taking the car, for the most part, carving out time to ride is absolutely essential.

Of course, sometimes things happen and we don’t get to ride as much as we’d like. Whether it’s work deadlines, family obligations, or health issues, sometimes we put riding on the back burner. Sitting down and taking the time to put it down on paper can be a way to ensure that your rides actually happen.

Whatever is going on in life, you should always take the time to care for yourself and the things you love doing. Motorcycle riding comes with a myriad of benefits and can be a great source of relaxation and happiness. If you’re lucky enough to ride, be sure to take some “me time” and put some miles on the bike at least once a week.

Become a Safer Rider 

Set a goal to be an even safer rider in the new year. Whether you’re new to riding or are a master of the road, there’s always room for improvement. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation® (MSF) encourages riders of all levels to refresh their skills and knowledge regularly. 

For example, you can start by vowing to wear your helmet every single time you ride. Yes, even if you’re just running a small errand or swinging by a friend’s house in the neighborhood. Some states require motorcyclists of all ages to wear a helmet at all times, and for good reason.  

Another way to improve your riding safety in 2020 is by taking a motorcycle training course. Many motorcycle training services offer both beginner and advanced classes.

We know, taking a safety course doesn’t exactly sound like fun, especially if you’re a seasoned rider. However, you could invite your best buds and turn it into a group outing. You could even have a friendly competition to see who’s the best rider in the group.

For example, Harley-Davidson® has a Riding Academy Skilled Rider Course. This is a course for experienced riders and provides advanced tips/techniques taught by MSF and H-D certified instructors. 

Some of the skills you can expect to improve upon during this course are: 

• Control at low speeds
• Risk management
• Limited space maneuvers
• Cornering judgment
• Swerving and stopping quickly on straights and in curves
• Multiple curve maneuvers and surmounting objects

Once complete, you’ll earn an MSF Basic Rider Course 2 completion card. This may even qualify you for a discount on motorcycle insurance, depending on your insurance provider.  

Teach Someone How to Ride

Sharing your love of motorcycles with someone else can be one of the most rewarding experiences a motorcycle rider can have. Whether they’re a spouse, a family member or even a neighbor. Whoever is interested in learning more about motorcycles, or just wants to experience the thrill of riding one.

One of the best ways to share your love of motorcycles is to offer a ride on the back of your own. Giving up the keys to your bike is a big ask, and let’s face it, that’s probably not going to happen. However, offering a ride on the back can be the next best thing, and a great way to make someone’s day. What better way to make 2020 better than by sharing your love of motorcycles with someone new.

Start Saving up for Your Next Motorcycle

Make a point to start saving for your next motorcycle at least one year in advance. We’ve all been in a situation in which we’ve made a large purchase decision we wished we would’ve saved for. 

If you purchase a new bike every two to three years, you have plenty of time to save up for your dream bike. You can make a separate account for your motorcycle savings or stash your cash savings in a dedicated piggy bank. 

Saving up for a motorcycle may even decrease its cost. Many sellers will lower their asking price when a cash offer is on the table. 

This New Year’s resolution will spare you from the stress and buyer’s remorse that often come along with making a large purchase decision. 

What’s Next for 2020?

Resolutions are everywhere this time of year, and it always seems like thinking about your own can be slightly overwhelming. We hope our brief rundown here helps narrow your focus and possibly gives you a few ideas for how to make the most of 2020!

Do you have any resolutions for 2020? Be sure to tell us about them in the comments!