Ride high,ride safe

Ensure that the tyres are not worn out or weak at any spot,especially along the rim. A tyre burst at high speeds can prove fatal. During summers,the air pressure in the tube tends to fluctuate frequently. Ensure adequate tyre pressure at frequent intervals.

SPARES
Carry a proper toolkit. Always carry a spare tube and a cold vulcanising type puncture repair kit. It is always advisable to carry a footpump set for you never know when you might get a nasty flat tyre.
Carry a spare spark plug,clutch cable and accelerator wire and whatever essentials you might require.
Refer to the user manual for any additional info regarding your bike.

EQUIPMENT AND CASH
Properly tie your luggage with bungee cords. If possible use plastic sheets to cover the baggage.
Carry one-third of your money in cash. Try to use plastic money wherever possible,at petrol pumps,eating joints,and other such places. Once you hit the wilderness,only cash will work. So save it for the unforeseen circumstances. You will require hard cash in case of a breakdown which requires you to tow your bike to the nearest service station or back home.
Also keep a battery operated electric lantern and torch handy. Never use a matchstick to see vehicle parts in the dark.
If you plan to stay in the open,carry proper camping gear.

RIDING ETIQUETTES
If you are travelling in a group,do not try to race with your fellow riders.
Do not try to accelerate with intermittent bursts of speed. Hard braking can result in a skid. Besides,the extra drag will increase fuel consumption and cause unnecessary stress on the chain drive.
Try to maintain a constant cruising speed so that you really enjoy the ride.
Always maintain a safe distance from the traffic ahead and behind you.
Use the headlight flasher before overtaking and if a heavy vehicle doesn’t give you the right of way,do not swear at him.
Always remember that highways are meant for trucks and other heavy vehicles. Always give the right of way to high-speed vehicles. Remember that a loaded truck or tanker travelling at even 60 kmph will never come to a standstill at an instant.

IMPORTANT TIPS
If possible,get prior information about the route,road conditions and weather from persons who have been on the trip earlier.
Always try to ride in groups,and avoid travelling alone wherever possible. Always remember that safety lies in numbers. If you are travelling alone,avoid night stay in the open. Inform all your friends of your itinerary in advance and keep them updated about your locations frequently. Always keep emergency phone numbers handy and your mobile fully activated and charged.
Make sure you are fully awake and in your proper senses before hitting the road. Stop the vehicle immediately at the first signs of drowsiness.
Avoid travelling at night unless absolutely necessary (even in a group). If you have to travel at night,don’t try to blaze your way through the highway traffic.
Once you hit the hills,be more than attentive. Always try to ride in low gears. The engine itself acts as a brake,preventing the bike from picking up speed beyond a certain limit.
You are also likely to come across several streams and snow-covered stretches on the hills.

Before crossing any stream,gauge the depth and carefully observe how heavy vehicles and four-wheelers negotiate the stretch. Always try to keep the engine at a high rev in low gear to generate adequate torque.
When crossing a snow-covered path,deflate the tyres a little to increase the surface area of contact. Snow is soft and moist,which makes it very slippery. Never rev your engine hard. The rear wheel will spin rapidly and loose traction,resulting in an uncontrollable skid.