City Riding | Motorcycle Tips
Harley Tips Episode 10
Welcome back as Motovan presents the Experience I’m Dave Hatch.. and now that we’ve got you all fired up to go for a ride.. we’ll wrap up our show with chief riding instructor at Georgian College … Jenn Martin.
Dave
So Jenn, we’re up at Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada and they’ve asked us to take a close look at this new street model, The Street. Uh this is the five hundred, there’s also a seven fifty and it’s pretty cool because this is a motorcycle that was designed, when they started out designing this bike they were thinking about the urban environment, right. So I started thinking, let’s talk about more that environment. For instance, one of the great things about riding a motorcycle in the city is you can park them virtually anywhere, right?
Jenn
Yeah, that’s the beauty… I love riding the motorcycle specifically for that because there’s certain areas that are designated for motorcycle parking, you don’t have to pay in certain areas as well so it’s a definitely plus.
Dave
Right. But you still have to think about things like the security of your motorcycle.
Jenn
Yeah. For sure.
Dave
Any tips about that?
Jenn
Yeah you know, I mean, obviously if you’re going to be staying in the city for overnight or something like that you want to find a well-lit area because, I mean, I want to return to my motorcycle.
Dave
What about locks, and there’s all sorts of safety equipment in terms of equipment you can buy for keeping your bike even more safe.
Jenn
Yeah there’s after market alarm systems and I’ve certainly seen motorcycles locked up for sure.
Dave
Yeah yeah Um so we know it’s a great place, it’s a great way to go in terms of getting into the city and riding through the city. Um, one of the things that’s really improved over the years is there are so many options now in terms of just tackling the city with luggage, right?
Jenn
Yeah I mean, I was talking with you before, I prefer having something like this, like a tank bag, I don’t like carrying anything on me so I mean tank bags for me are great and it’s a great added accessory for the street and I can store all my stuff in there and fold it up there and have it in there.
Dave
Yeah but I’m all about the back pack.
Jenn
I know you are.
Dave
Right. I love this because I can stuff my laptop in there, I can even take a change of clothes if I do have a business meeting and I’m not attaching, affixing anything to the motorcycle, I don’t have… I’m always a last minute person so you know the idea of actually getting something… this I just throw on my back and go.
Jenn
Right, yeah.
Dave
And if I’m touring around a city I can take everything with me as well.
Jenn
Yeah and for me if I needed extra stuff too there’s attachments for the motorcycle as well. You can put a rack on the back and if you needed stuff you could probably bungee cord it or…
Dave
Right.
Jenn
… put some tie downs.
Dave
I think if you’re purchasing a motorcycle you may want to consider something, if you’re in an urban environment you may want to consider something like the street because you know it’s going to live there.
Jenn
Yeah.
Dave
But some folks like to tour… I guess you can also consider convertible options, motorcycles that have things that come off and bolt on.
Jenn
Yeah the bags will come off so it will give you a narrower profile when you’re in the city but then you can put them back on for your touring for sure.
Dave
So Harley-Davidson and I think the industry in general has made it really easy to ride in the city.
Jenn
For sure.
Dave
Great stuff, thanks Jenn.
RIDE GUIDE TO GASPÉ, QUEBEC
Gaspe is one place, as a motorcyclist you want to see, it’s a motorcycle mecca, it’s all about the ride. There’s a lot of history here as well but this one is all about the ride. You’re on the coast of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, you’re on the coast of Baie des Chaleur. You can go in and out of the Gaspe peninsula on these various roads and you’re going to get changing scenery continuously so it’s a real cool place to go as a Motorcyclist.
TECH, GEAR & INNOVATION WITH HARLEY-DAVIDSON
Over the twelve part article Dave Hatch talks to Harley-Davidson about how to shop and fit a bike, get the right gear, suit up for the season and pick the right accessories for your ride. These riding tips will keep you safe and prepared but more than anything get the most out of your ride.
THE ART OF TOURING
Season 26’s “Winging It” was all about the art of touring and celebration of Honda’s iconic touring machine the Gold Wing’s 40th anniversiry. Ken Edick a veteran touring biker and owner of a Honda Gold Wing shares his best tips on touring. The tips include everything from the proper riding gear to take along on a long tour, the equipment, the additional tools and things to take along just to make sure that you keep moving and enjoying your experience.
PROUD SUPPORTER OF
The mission of the TELUS Ride For Dad is to raise funds to save men’s lives by supporting prostate cancer research and raising public awareness of the disease. Our goal is for men to continue to be there for their families and friends for years to come. The parade of vehicles grabs the attention of the masses and the media on ride day, the research helps find hope for the future and the awareness has the potential of saving men’s lives today.