Top 10 Things To Do in the Motorcycle Off Season!
Winter has arrived in the Hoosier state and though some of us are excited for the colder weather, it’s a sad time as we hang up the leathers and put away the bike. No need to fret, think of this winter season as a time to finally catch up on all the maintenance you’ve been meaning to do and to plan next year’s big trip(s)! We have compiled all our favorite things to keep our minds and hands busy while we wait for spring.
- Maintenance
You finally have time to clean off last year’s grime, change the oil and perform other mile specific maintenance for your bike without the worry of interfering with ride time. Our own Jeff Stokes, BMVC Deputy Director, spends his winter months working on antique motorcycles. “I have a barn full of antique motorcycles that I spend a lot of time searching the internet and motorcycle shows and swap meets for parts and pieces. When I find these parts and pieces, I spend most of my free time in my motorcycle room repairing, rebuilding, and restoring these old motorcycles.”
- Read
Who doesn’t love getting cozy with a good book? There is a lot that motorcycles can teach us both on and off the roads. Take a look at our book suggestions:
- Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values by Robert M. Pirsig
- Jupiter’s Travels by Ted Simon
- In Search of Greener Grass by Graham Field
- Long Way Round: Chasing Shadows Across the World by Ewan McGregor, Charley Boorman, and Robert Uhlig (there’s also a TV show adaptation)
- Perfect Vehicle by Melissa Holbrook Pierson
- One Day at a Time 2017: A husband and wife’s 87-day road trip through 22 states in the US on two Harley Softails by Hollie Bell-Schinzing
- Watch a movie
Not a reader? No worries, there are plenty of cinematic tales geared toward motorcycles. So, grab the popcorn and check out a few of our recommendations.
- The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)
- On Any Sunday (1971)
- One Week (2008)
- Easy Rider (1969)
- Riding Solo to the Top of the World (2006)
- Why We Ride (2013)
- Research & plan your next trip
A lot goes into planning a ride, both long and short. Think of where you want to go and with whom. Jeff Stokes enjoys traveling down to Alabama with his wife for the Barber Vintage Festival in Birmingham Alabama every October. “The three-day festival brings together about 50,000 motorcycle fanatics for vintage motorcycle shows, vintage racing, new parts vendors, and the largest and best swap meet.” Jeff said.
- Window shop
Technology has brought the world to our fingertips. The off season is a great time to check out what’s new in apparel and bike gear. Whether you’re browsing Amazon for new boots or checking out a local dealer for saddlebags it’s fun to see what is new and what has improved. Also take this time to explore Swap Meets and other events, you never know when you’ll find a treasure.
- Ride vicariously through another person
Just because it’s winter here doesn’t mean it’s winter everywhere. Follow travelers around the world on YouTube or Instagram. A great one to check out is Itchy Boots on YouTube. Itchy Boots is the travel diary of Noraly, a solo rider, as she travels all over the globe on her trusty bike Alaska, a Honda CRF300L Rally.
- Watch Dakar
The 12-day Dakar race covers over 6,000 miles in Saudi Arabia. It’s an amazing race of endurance, strategy, and sheer willpower. This year the race runs from January 1st to 15th but replays and recaps can be found online. A documentary to check out is Race to Dakar. It follows Charley Boorman as he enters the race.
- Learn a new skill
Want to become more familiar with your bike? Or maybe someone you know is interested in riding? Now is a great time to read and research new skills as well as learn more about the classes that RSI provides around the state. From 3 Wheels to Bike Bonding classes, our trainers will guide you through each step. Learn more here: https://www.in.gov/rsi/rsi-providers-and-skills-exam-locations/ - Find a bike podcast
We know the world is full of podcasts but tuning in to tune out will prep you for next season’s rides. Pop in your earbuds and give these a try:
- Cleveland Moto
- Law Abiding Biker
- Adventure Rider Radio
- Motorcycles & Misfits
- Noco Moto Podcast
- See what others are saying on forums
The internet is an amazing place that allows people from all over the world communicate. Check out some bike forums like The Tool Thread on the Adventure Rider Ride the World website. These forums are filled with insight on gear, routes, and tools