Keep your motorcycle covered overnight and at rest stops.

Don’t hit the highway until you spend a little time planning. Motorcycle road trips should be free and spontaneous to a point, but limited storage, physical exhaustion, and bad weather can quickly derail your plans if you fail to think ahead.

Get a tune-up.

Before you head out for a road trip, whether it’s a few days or a few weeks, you’ll definitely want to do some maintenance on your motorcycle. Although you can’t totally prevent any mishaps while you’re out on the road, making sure your bike is in the best shape possible will reduce your chances of breaking down on the highway. Do the tune-up yourself or take it to a certified motorcycle mechanic for a complete checkup.

Check the forecast.

Traveling by motorcycle is a far cry from traveling by car when it comes to the weather. Wet roads are hazardous for motorcycle riders, and getting soaked in the rain isn’t usually the experience you want when you set out for a motorcycle road trip. Check the forecast beforehand, and pack appropriate clothing. Always bring rain gear, even if the forecast is dry and sunny.

Pack carefully.

With limited on-board storage, you’re going to have to leave the kitchen sink behind. Pack only what you need, but don’t leave out essentials like a tire repair kit, waterproof riding gear, a cell phone and charger, map or GPS device, and a first aid kit.

Know your route.

You don’t have to map out every road you’ll take, but having a general idea about where you’ll be and when is important for letting family or friends know where you’ll be, just in case something goes wrong. It’s also helpful to know that you won’t be stuck 50 miles from the nearest motel when you decide to veer off the main highway and take the scenic route.

Cover your bike.

Keep your bike covered—literally and figuratively. Use a travel motorcycle cover to protect your bike from rain, snow, and the elements. A motorcycle cover also gives your bike a low profile to deter theft. Keep your bike covered figuratively by making sure your motorcycle insurance is up to date. Add supplemental travel insurance for extra peace of mind.

A motorcycle cover keeps potential thieves from easily determining the make and model of your bike.

There are two main types of motorcycle theft: The first is where the thief rides away on your bike, and the second is where a group of thieves lift and load your bike into the back of a truck and drive away with it.

If you want the best protection for your motorcycle, you need to be prepared for both types of scenarios.

Bike Locks

A lock that protects the ignition will cut down on your chances of ride-away theft, but it still makes you an easy target for lift-and-load theft.

Locking up to a solid, immovable structure (like a street lamp) cuts down on both types of theft. The heavier the chain or cable, the better.

Attach the cable through part of the frame on your bike, and make sure the cable is high enough and tight enough that it doesn’t rest on the ground. For extra security, use more than one type of lock.

If you’re riding with a few other buddies, you can loop a cable through all of the bikes and lock them up together. That makes it harder for the lift-and-load thieves to carry out their crime.

Motorcycle Cover

Covering up your bike with a motorcycle cover can also reduce the chances of theft. If the thief can’t make out the make and model of your bike, he won’t know if it meets his requirements and will be less willing to take a risk. He’ll move on to the next bike that’s not so well protected.

Bike Storage

Where you leave your bike can also make a difference. At home, store your bike out of sight in the garage or shed if possible. Cover up the windows in your garage in case any thieves come snooping around.

If you’re parked outside a restaurant or office building, park your bike in a well-lit, heavily trafficked area. It won’t guarantee safety, but it’s better than parking in a dark alley.

Last Resort

Finally, protect your bike with motorcycle theft insurance. Let’s hope you’ll never have to use it, but in case you do, you’ll have some sort of consolation.

What’s the difference between a storage cover and a travel cover for your motorcycle?

Travel covers are…

Lightweight Motorcycle Travel Cover

• Lightweight

Storage covers are heavy and bulky compared to travel motorcycle covers. If you plan to use your motorcycle cover on trips, you want the lightest, most compact size you can get. A travel cover gives you all that and more.

• Compact

You only have so much room on your motorcycle to store things. Thankfully, a travel bike cover won’t take up much space. It scrunches down to a compact size for easy storage in your luggage or saddle bags.

• Convenient

Just because you’re away from home doesn’t mean that your motorcycle has to be exposed to the weather 24/7. Slip a lightweight motorcycle cover over it when you stop for a bite to eat or overnight, and your bike will stay safe and protected from the elements.

• Durable

Don’t be fooled by the light weight of a travel motorcycle cover. Travel covers are thinner and lighter than storage covers, but they still provide premium protection. Travel covers keep your bike protected from rain, moisture, and UV rays, just like a storage cover.

• Secure

Integrated grommets with shock bungee cords give you the option to tie down your cover as an extra measure of security and to keep it in place during stormy weather and strong winds. You can also secure a lock through the grommets to protect your bike from being stolen. Think of it as a little extra insurance coverage for your bike.

Prevent motorcycle theft with a lock and cover.

Couldn’t a thief just slash the cover and steal your bike anyway? Sure, but most thieves are a sucker for easy targets. A cable lock and motorcycle cover both work to slow thieves down. It poses too high a risk of being caught, and most thieves will simply walk away.

Even if a thief does try to steal your bike with a cover and lock, these deterrents will slow them down. The longer it takes them to free your bike from the lock and cover, the greater the chance that someone will spot the thief and stop him in his tracks.

Not only does a cable and lock protect your motorcycle, but it also protects your cover from being stolen and from blowing away in strong winds. The peace of mind that a cover and lock bring are more than worth the investment!