All it takes is that one cold snap to bring home the point that yes, those warm fall days are really going to end, and winter’s right around the corner. In our last post, we talked about how to winterize your motorcycle to handle the climates in North Carolina and Virginia, while leaving you the freedom to ride on those unseasonably warm days we sometimes get. Here are a couple more tips to get you through.

Get a Trickle Charger
No, a trickle charger isn’t something you buy in a novelty store. It’s actually a type of battery charger. Typically, the battery in a motorcycle (or a car, for that matter) will fail to hold a charge if it sits too long. And when that surprise warm day arrives, you don’t want to get your leathers on just to find out that your bike’s motor won’t turn over. The trickle charger detects when the voltage in your battery begins to drop, then charges it just enough to get back to normal. Think of it as “topping off your electricity.” This will keep your battery healthy and ready to go when you are.

Don’t Let Your Bike Get Lonely
Probably the biggest thing you can do is just start your bike once a week and let it run, or even just take it for a spin up and down the street a couple of times. This keeps things lubricated and working like they should, and circulates your gas and oil. It’s hard to argue that a little movement of parts is a good prescription to keep your bike in top shape through those lonely winter months.

Stay Covered
It might be tempting to drop your motorcycle insurance during the winter to save a few bucks, but think about the temptation to ride when it’s suddenly 75 degrees one day in January. You don’t want to give up that opportunity, do you? Or even worse, you might be tempted to ride anyway, and riding without insurance is a bad, bad idea at ANY time. Of course, if you’re looking for insurance in VA or NC, give us a call. We’re happy to help.

Road trips on a motorcycle can be a blast, whether it’s across town or cross country. But these trips are even more fun when you arrive unharmed and feeling good so let’s look at a few tips to make this the case every time.
When going on a trip of any distance, take frequent breaks. Park your bike in a safe place and take short walks to get the blood flowing. This will help reduce cramping too.
If you don’t already have one, consider adding a windshield and fairing for the trip. Most people don’t realize it but not having that constant wind pulling your body back from the handlebars can help you retain a lot more stamina on long rides. And, of course, it’s great not to get smacked with rocks and road debris at 65 mph.
Make sure your helmet is still good. Believe it or not, even in DOT approved helmets the foam dries out, compresses and otherwise goes bad making that particular helmet little more than a shiny hat. Most are rated for several years when stored properly in climate controlled environments but don’t take anything from granted. You know how ratty a foam cooler gets if you stick it in your garage on a shelf for years at a time. Do you really want to risk that for the thing protecting your life?
Consider the benefits of a full face helmet before starting out. I’ve met plenty of bikers missing teeth in my travels who wish they had worn one when the rock or hunk of steel belted truck tire. And they have come a long way in comfort and peripheral visibility.

In a recent blog, we gave some great advice for motorcyclists on the best protective gear for riding. This time, we’ll look a little more closely at the most important piece of gear you should own: your helmet.

Helmet Laws. First, if you’re planning a road trip this summer, remember that states have various laws regulating helmet use. Twenty-seven states have laws on the books that require only riders of a certain age (typically minors) to wear them. Twenty other states – including Virginia and North Carolina – require helmets for all riders. The only three states that don’t regulate helmet use at all are Illinois, Iowa, and New Hampshire. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has information on the specifics of each state’s laws.

Helmet Construction. According to a University of Southern California study, the helmet is the number one most important factor for survival of a motorcycle crash. The Federal Vehicle Motor Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218 sets the minimum level of protection that motorcycle helmets sold in the U.S. must meet (also known as the DOT Standard). DOT certifications are based on several criteria, but most importantly, impact absorption.

The Snell Foundation is an independent organization that tests helmets submitted by manufacturers and issues its own certifications. Submission of helmets is voluntary but the Snell standard is even higher than the DOT standard, providing even more protection. Any Snell certified helmet meets and exceeds DOT requirements, so these are the typically the safest helmets available.

So make sure you have the right equipment and be careful out there. And don’t forget, if you need motorcycle insurance in North Carolina or Virginia, Insurance Doctor is here to help.