Hopping on your bike and taking off spontaneously is great, the freedom of just getting lost and being in the moment…there is nothing quite like it right? Sure if everything goes as planned and you return safe and sound, but how about we take a moment to do a pre bike check for whatever type of riding we plan on doing? If you are planning on a long trip, chances are you’ve put some thought into the trip, the schedule, etc. so why not put some time in checking over your bike to make sure everything is working properly and there are no loose nuts and bolts? Checking your lights, blinkers, brakes (making sure they aren’t too spongy), Oil level, fuel and tire pressures the night before you embark will allow you to rest peacefully before your ride. This also applies to just a quick jaunt around town, if the bike hasn’t been ridden or even looked at for a while, it may require a little attention to get it ready for the riding season. Maybe even a little maintenance at the shop…so before you get on and try to fire it up only to discover that it won’t turn over, get it ready before you plan on riding again so you won’t be frustrated. Now if you are planning on hitting the track, please be mindful that while you think you may pass tech, if you come with less than 50% wear on your tires, you will not be riding or you will be at the mercy of purchasing whatever tires they have at the track in order to continue your day. I know this can be irritating, but remember this is not about you, this about the safety of everyone out there. You are not riding that track alone which is why it is important to know what it will require to pass tech and if there is any question, have your bike serviced within a month or so of the track day and you should be good to go. When you have large groups of people going around the track together at a very spirited pace, it is important not to ride over your head and show off because if you should have to maneuver quickly to avoid someone/something, you may end up being “that guy” that sends out the red flags and stops the whole session. The reason there are requirements are because we all have families and jobs we would like to return to the following day/week so let’s each do our part in making sure we are being safe, not just for ourselves, but considerate to the others we are sharing the road/track with.
That being said, just knowing and being confident that you are good to go can allow your attention to be on the task at hand, riding, and enjoying it. I ride with tunes through my Sena SMH10 (which I personally love) and yes there are plenty of other brands out there, but I have to say for ease of use and clarity I really love it. I have also placed an order on their newest generation of the Sena 20s which you can read about through www.sena.com. It links your music, gps, phone and intercom, allowing multiple applications to be open at the same time. “Sena 20S Audio Multitasking™ technology allows you to have an intercom conversation while simultaneously listening to music, FM radio, or GPS. No longer do users have to deal with the frustrations of interruption-based audio functions of past Bluetooth communication devices. Now audio features won’t interrupt each other but simply overlay for a smooth listening experience.” The SMH10 can intercom between 4 users, now the Sena 20s can link up to 8 at a 1.2 mile range as well as be used with other generation Sena units and non-Sena bluetooth units. This versatility will be groundbreaking as it will allow groups to communicate with each other and keep track of everyone…no more herding kitty cats! I am really excited about their new design which is lower profile and sleeker than the SMH10…look for a review when I finally receive mine, they are due to be released beginning to mid-June. In the meantime, enjoy the beautiful weather!
Vixens Ride!
