For bikers, this means taking some time to hit the road!

Regardless of the experience level, jumping back on a motorcycle after a long layoff can be an intimidating time for some riders. Before the adrenaline kicks in and you do something stupid, here are a few things to think about before taking a ride after a long layoff.

• Motorcycle Maintenance: Motorcycles are made for riding, not for sitting around for months at a time. If a bike has been sitting for a few months, it is likely that the oil, gas, coolant, brake fluid, and other fluids need to be checked and changed. Make sure to give the bike a thorough inspection and have a mechanic review the bike if necessary.

• Tires: Tires are one of the most important systems on a motorcycle yet they are frequently overlooked in a safety inspection. Review the treads and air pressure. Make sure to inflate the motorcycle tires to their correct levels and that the tires are free from dry rot and cracks.

• Apparel: Depending on the climate, make sure you have on the appropriate motorcycle apparel for safety, fit, and comfort. Riding in the wrong gear can cause rider discomfort and fatigue.

• Weather Conditions: Make sure you and your bike are properly outfitted for the climate you will face. Whether it is heat, snow, or rain, your bike needs to be ready to handle whether comes its way.

• Length of Ride: Don’t bite off more than your can chew for your first ride. Take shorter or medium length rides to start.

• Speed: Only ride at a speed you are comfortable with. If you fall behind, you can catch up later.

• Other Riders: Motorcycle group riding is always dangerous. Limit you ride to the smallest group of riders possible.

Don’t hesitate to go back to basics. If you need to have a few short practice rides before you are ready for the road, then do it. There is no shame in being safe.

If you want the same look for your metric cruiser or Harley it can be achieved. All you need is the fat tire kit, some know-how, or a good mechanic and it can be done.

You will also need a lot of money.

Standard fat tire kits costs generally cost between $1500-$4000, not including labor costs or the time to install the part. This also doesn’t include other items that may need to be replaced like, seats, lighting, and paint. The cost of the upgrade is also largely dependent on the tire size and type of bike.

This is not an upgrade for every bike. Some metric cruisers with shaft drives generally need to convert to a chain driven system to accommodate the larger tire. This increases maintenance costs. It may be cheaper to upgrade to a different motorcycle than to upgrade to a fat rear tire.

For bikers, riding the Pacific Coast Highway is as good as it gets. The road offers the technical challenge of negotiating hills, blind turns, and traffic. A mistake on this highway could result in a head on collision with a vehicle, rear ending a slow vehicle, or a several hundred foot drop off a cliff. This ride is not for rookie bikers.

The reward for this ride is some of the most stunning scenery in the world. This ride features views of the Pacific Ocean, coastal mountains peaks and valleys, rock outcroppings, waterfalls, redwood forests, and flowered meadows.

Along the highway, whales, sharks, sea lions, falcons, butterflies, and other types of wild life can be seen from various vantage points. There are also a number of lighthouses and 18^th century Spanish missions along the route.

The best way to enjoy the Pacific Coast Highway is to start south and head north to Monterey, CA. As a destination, Monterey has lots of offer and makes a great place for bikers to jump off their bikes and enjoy the landscape. Monterey has lots of restaurants museums, galleries, and tours. This area is also known as Butterfly USA due to the winter migration of a large variety butterflies; some migrating from as far as Canada. One of the best tours in the area is Hearst Paradise, the mansion/castle built by former publishing giant William Randolph Hearst.

Depending on the time of the year, motorcycle apparel and gear can be very important. Generally, the weather in this region is mild but rain could be a factor. Since this route has lots of twists and turns, checking and possibly changing your motorcycle tires for a ride like this is a smart move.

Riders of all types uniformly say that the Pacific Coast Highway is one of the best rides a motorcyclist can take. It doesn’t matter what type of bike you ride, this highway offers the type of scenery and challenge that all bikers can appreciate. Make sure to watch the road more than the scenery while driving. Like any scenic highway, traffic can sometimes get congested.

Rebel defiance is expressed through the design of the biker’s motorcycle. In the early days of custom choppers, the actual bike owner served as the chief mechanic and designer creating the bike in his own unique vision. Decades ago, bike owners used paint, custom motorcycle accessories, chrome, and other items to make their bikes appear as original as possible.

Today nothing has changed. Although typical motorcycle owner do not design or fabricate custom accessories, today’s biker still wants his bike to have that rebel edge. Aftermarket motorcycle parts and accessories have become a multi-million dollar industry creating parts to make even the most plain machine appear to a custom chopper.

One of the accessories that has stood the test of time are ape hanger handle bars. From the early 1960s to today, these handlebars are the hallmark of rebel bikers and nothing gives a motorcycle a more extreme look.

What are ape hangers handle bars? These are handle bars that extend vertically upward from the bike. Although there are no exact specifications for the length of ape hangers, they tend to be greater than 12 inches tall.  The name “ape hanger’ was given to this new motorcycle accessory because they made bikers’ arms appear exaggeratedly long.

This look was popularized in the early 1960s as bikers tried new and innovative ways to customize their bikes. As the ape hanger look grew in popularity, bikers kept pushing the envelope to make their ape hangers progressively taller. Most commercially produced ape hanger handle bars do not exceed 18 inches.

From the 1960s to today, rebel bikers pushed the ape hanger limits and now custom ape hangers are in excess of 20 inches high. While this look is extreme, it is also illegal. It is illegal to install handlebars on a motorcycle that extend above the shoulders of the rider. That’s why rebel bikers love ape hangers. It is another way they can defy the law.

Ape hanger handlebars are great accessories but not for every rider. While the look is great, controlling a motorcycle with ape hanger handle bars requires advanced motorcycle riding skill. For experienced riders who want an extreme look, ape hangers still make a loud and clear statement.

There are aftermarket parts to make motorcycles more comfortable and two of the best are Floorboards and Forward Controls. Both accessories help the biker gain comfort by alleviating pressure on the feet and giving more leg room. These are especially great attributes for taller riders.

Comfort on a motorcycle is very important for rider enjoyment and safety. Motorcycles that are not comfortable make riding a hassle. Much like a tall person in a very small car, too little leg room makes the car ride miserable. Motorcycles that are comfortable and size appropriate for the rider also adds to biker confidence and control. It’s much easier to control a motorcycle that works together with the biker’s size.

Floorboards are flat panels large enough for a biker to place his feet on them like they were on the ground. These boards take pressure off the feet that would normally rest on a peg; which can sometimes cause foot irritation. Also, floorboards allow the legs to rest because they allow the rider to relax their legs. Coupled with a heel/toe shifter, floorboards make a motorcycle as close to an armchair as possible.

Forward controls are particularly great for taller riders. Forward controls move the foot brake and the shifter forward 4-6 inches allowing the rider to extend his legs forward in a more relaxed position. While forward controls have pegs for foot rests, extending the legs can be great comfort to tall riders.

Floorboards and forward controls are both fairly expensive motorcycle accessories and can cost as much as $500-700 installed. It’s important to consider the fit of the bike you want before purchasing so you can factor in the cost of accessories to make the bike as comfortable as possible.

Motorcycle comfort is all about feel. There is no exact science to what makes a bike comfortable other than the preference of the rider. Both floorboard and forward controls require adjustments from the traditional riding positions which can make the ride of a motorcycle seem awkward at first. If possible, test ride a bike with forward controls or floorboards to determine if they are right for you.

Other surprises are even less pleasant. Bikers have to deal with mechanical issues like engine failure, transmission problems, broken parts, fluid leaks, and flat tires.

Just like with cars, it is only a matter of time before a nail, sharp piece of metal, or screw gets lodged in your motorcycle tire. In some cases, you may get lucky and still be able to drive the bike to the closest repair shop. In some cases, the tire will be flat to the ground in minutes.

First off, if a tire starts to quickly deflate while riding make sure to slowly and smoothly decelerate as quickly as possible while getting off of the road. Blow outs, though rare, are extremely dangerous and can cause a biker to lose control. If the deflation is the result of a puncture and the leak is relatively slow then there are a few options.

Here’s the bad news. If a puncture is on the side wall of the motorcycle tire or is star shaped, then there is no way to accomplish a roadside repair. If the bike has tube style tires, then in most cases there is nothing that can be done other than calling for help. Removing the outer tire is needed to properly repair the inner tube and in most cases, that is not possible while on the road.

For tubeless tires, there are excellent motorcycle tire repair kits available that can temporarily repair the tire and either get a biker home, to a safe location, or to the closest motorcycle repair shop. These kits use plugs and/or sealant to fill the hole and either CO2 or engine powered air compression to fill the tire. The type of kit to purchase is largely determined by the tires on the bike and the amount of storage the bike has.

Make sure that once the temporary tire repair is in place to go to the nearest service station to inflate the tires to the proper PSI level; which should be clearly labeled on the side wall of the tires. It is important to remember that temporarily repaired tires need to be replaced immediately.

If you want to be ready for a rainy day, there are three things to consider; gear, traction, and visibility.

Motorcycle Rain Gear comes in a very large assortment to accommodate January rain in Washington State to the summer rain of South Florida. Rain suits, waterproof boots, and gloves will keep you stay bone dry as you power through the rain storm on your sport bike or Harley Davidson. Make sure to pick gear that has reflective material so other motorist can see you in the rain. If you have storage on your bike, a rain suit should be among its contents.

Traction is a major concern in the rain. Not only does the water pose a threat but the fluids from vehicles also make the road very slick. Well maintained motorcycle tires with good wet traction will help you stay in control. Make sure that you research tires best suited for your needs based on your riding style and the climate. Also make sure your tires are properly inflated. Poorly inflated tires can cause a loss of traction.

Visibility in the rain is probably the most important issue because without clear sight, a biker cannot anticipate potential hazards in the road with enough time to avoid them. Whether you wear a DOT helmet or biker goggles, treating the lens with Rain-X will help the water run off the surface quickly. This will allow the biker’s sight to be impaired the least. Make sure all the lights on your bike are working properly and consider using brighter lights like HID motorcycle headlights. These lights can be seen at greater distances and will help motorists see you.

When riding in the rain, make sure to adjust your speed and maintain as much space as possible. Even with the best gear, traction, and visibility possible, having more time to react is lifesaver.

If you’ve been injured by a negligent driver while riding your bike in Massachusetts, motorcycle enthusiast and personal injury lawyer, Tom Kiley, can help. Contact Tom Kiley’s law office for a free consultation.

While riding in a multi-lane street, its best to ride in the left portion of the right lane. This position helps the biker avoid left turning motorists, provides room to maneuver to avoid right turning motorist or road obstructions, and gives the biker the best view of traffic ahead.

On the highway, the opposite is the best position. Bikers should ride in the right portion of the left lane. Riding in the left lane helps bikers avoid on/off ramp congestion, motorist changing lanes to the right, provides room for maneuvering, and the best forward view.

In both street and highway situations, maintaining proper speed and distance from other motorist will also help to keep bikers safe.

Before entering the corner, consider your speed, the weather, and road conditions. Rain, morning dew, debris, or vehicle fluids can be a major hazard. Make sure you quickly assess the road conditions and adjust your speed accordingly. When entering the turn, pick a line where you can maintain your speed. Remember to give yourself some margin for error so you have room to maneuver if necessary. If you have to make an emergency stop while cornering, make sure to straighten the bike. Hard braking while the bike is leaning will result in a fall.

When cornering, significantly less of the motorcycle tires are in contact with the road. As a result, the bike has less ability to maneuver or stop. By considering a few tips, you can avoid potential pitfalls before they happen.

Most bikers look at their motorcycle tires but very few check their tires with the same level of inspection as they do other systems on their motorcycle. This is a huge omission as motorcycle tires could be the most important part of a bike. Acceleration, braking, cornering, and handling require tires able to meet the challenges of varying road and weather conditions. Tires can be very stylish as well and everyone can appreciate a 300 series tire on a custom cruiser. Style however must be tempered with the right levels of performance.

Before your next ride, take a few moments and do the following steps:

• View your front and rear tires completely under good lighting
• Check to make sure your tires are properly inflated with a tire pressure gauge
• Check your tires for tears, rips, bulging, dry rot, punctures, or other defects
• Check your tire treads for uneven wear and worn treads
• Do the Quarter Test

If you need to add air to your tires, make sure to inflate them within the recommended PSI levels clearly marked on the sidewalls of your tires. Tire pressure increases with heat and motion so after your ride, check your tires again to see how your tire pressure changes. If necessary, remove some air so that your tires are not overly inflated. Overly inflated tires can cause handling, comfort, and traction problems.

If you need to replace your tires, make sure to refer to your motorcycle owner manual to insure you purchase the right size tires for your bike. It is always best to talk to a professional about tire options providing the characteristics you want; like performance, comfortable, noise, wet traction, and tread life. Remember to make sure your tires have been properly balanced each time a new tire is installed on your bike.