Traveling To Americade? 4 Reasons To Haul Your Motorcycle Instead Of Drive It There
As the first week of June draws near, thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts are getting ready to take their bikes to the biggest touring motorcycle rally in the world -- Americade. If you'll be among the masses attending the event, you're probably wondering if you should ride your motorcycle the whole way there, or if you'd be better off transporting your bike to the festivities in an enclosed motorcycle trailer. Check out these four facts that support using an enclosed trailer.
It's A Family Event
Some motorcycle rallies focus on who has the biggest, baddest bike with the most chrome and the loudest muffler. Americade is not one of these rallies. Instead, the event is family-oriented with plenty of fun and entertainment for people of all ages and interests to enjoy. Even though Lake George, New York hosts tens of thousands of visitors for the rally each year, the crime rate in this city is still 28 percent below the national average. It's a safe place with plenty to do, so it's a great idea to bring the whole family along -- even those who aren't avid motorcycle enthusiasts. Instead of hopping on your bike and having at it alone, tow your motorcycle with a vehicle big enough to fit the family. Once you're there, you can unload your bike and participate in the parade and tours while the non-motorcycle-riding members of your family check out the attractions on the beautiful waterfront.
The Nights Can Get Cold
The average temperature in Lake George in June is 66 degrees Fahrenheit, but the weather in this area can fluctuate madly over the course of a day. Daytime highs can reach 95 degrees Fahrenheit, while nighttime temperatures can drop as low as 32 degrees. Furthermore, Lake George typically sees around 4.8 inches of precipitation in June. With the event lasting an entire week, there's a good chance that you'll encounter at least some cold and/or rainy weather. And when you do, you're going to want some form of transportation that can shelter you (and your bike) from the elements. By towing your motorcycle to Americade in an enclosed trailer rather than riding it there, you'll always have the option to ride with the wind in your hair or get out of dodge if the weather takes a turn for the worst.
You'll Be Less Of A Target For Tickets
While many view the practice as discriminatory, New York police officers are well-known for enacting motorcycle-only checkpoints in the days leading up to the Americade event. At these checkpoints, cars and trucks are permitted to drive right by, while all motorcyclists are stopped and scrutinized. Tickets are issued for everything from lack of registration, inspection, and insurance compliance, to breaking helmet laws and having exhausts that are too loud. You and your bike may be perfectly legal, but that doesn't change the fact that getting pulled over is a nuisance and a waste of time you could be using to enjoy your trip.
Those targeted are usually drivers headed to and from the rally -- not those who are already there in attendance. Save yourself the hassle and transport your bike to the event on a trailer, and don't take the bike off the trailer until you're past the checkpoints and at the event.
You May Need Room For New Toys
If you already have a motorcycle trailer, and that trailer fits just your bike, it may be a good idea to shop for a bigger one before you head to the rally. Why? Because there's a possibility that you'll be traveling home with more belongings than you arrived at the event with. More than 200 vendors gather at the trade show expo to show off the latest gadgets and machines in the motorcycle industry. With so many products to browse, there's a good chance you'll find a must-have item. Furthermore, there are usually over $30,000 in prizes given out during the event. Having a trailer with plenty of room means you won't have to limit your purchases or winnings to what you can fit on your bike.
The Americade motorcycle rally is great fun, but you'll find yourself very limited while you're there if you choose to travel by bike alone. If you don't already have an enclosed motorcycle trailer, contact your local trailer dealer to discuss a unit that will work well for you and your bike.