THE ROAD JOURNAL

You’ve picked your route, checked the weather, and grabbed your helmet. You’re ready to get out and enjoy the road. But before you roll out of the driveway, there’s one small check that deserves your attention: your motorcycle’s tire pressure. It’s easy to look at a tire and think, “That looks fine.” But looking at it doesn’t tell you what a pressure gauge will. As a RiderCoach and retired police motor officer, I want riders to build good habits before those habits become nec

You’re enjoying a good stretch of road when the fuel gauge starts getting your attention. You remember passing a station a few miles back. There’s probably another one ahead. But how far ahead? And will it be open when you get there? That’s a question I’d rather work through before the ride. Planning motorcycle fuel stops gives you more options. It helps you think about your bike’s range, the route, and when you’d prefer to take a break—without building the whole plan around

You’re getting ready for a ride, shopping for your first motorcycle, or trying to remember when you last checked your tires. Having a simple checklist or a place to write things down can make those decisions easier. That’s why I’ve been building a collection of downloadable rider resources here at The Road Taught Me. The Resources page brings these documents together in one place. You’ll find practical checklists, planning worksheets, and reference sheets you can download, pr

You’ve picked a destination, found a few roads you want to ride, and started thinking about where you’ll stop along the way. Then comes the practical question: What’s this motorcycle trip going to cost? It’s tempting to figure the fuel bill, add a hotel or two, and call it a budget. But meals, parking, attractions, and those little purchases at each stop can add up. A change in weather or an extra night away can change the numbers, too. My approach is to work through the main

Picture your motorcycle sitting in the garage, ready for a few days on the road. The route is planned, your reservations are made, and you’re looking forward to getting out of town. Now comes the question: What should I bring? It’s easy to go in either direction. You can pack so much that every stop turns into a search through your luggage, or leave something important behind because you figured you probably wouldn’t need it. My approach is to pack with a purpose. Think about

Before a motorcycle trip, there’s usually a point when the excitement turns into a few practical questions. What should I pack? What’s this ride going to cost? Where should I plan to stop for fuel? Whether you’re heading into the mountains for the day or loading up for a longer adventure, working through those questions before you leave can make the trip more enjoyable. That’s why I’ve added Ride Ready with Coach Dave to The Road Taught Me. It brings together three free motor

You’ve got a couple of hours free. The motorcycle is sitting in the garage, and the weather looks inviting. Then you start thinking: By the time I get ready and get out there, how far can I really go? My answer? Far enough to enjoy it. I love a long motorcycle trip. New roads, small towns, and the anticipation of seeing what’s around the next bend are a big part of why I ride. But I also believe we can get so focused on the next big adventure that we overlook the riding avail

A loose fastener can change your whole ride. It might be a mirror that won’t stay put, a piece of luggage hardware that starts rattling, or an accessory that works its way loose miles from home. None of those problems necessarily calls for a major repair. But without the right tool, even a small adjustment can leave you waiting for help. As a RiderCoach and a long-distance rider, I think of a motorcycle roadside tool kit as part of being prepared. I hope I never need it. I st

Motorcyclists spend plenty of time debating oil, tires and performance upgrades, but we often pay much less attention to what goes into the fuel tank. That is a mistake. Your motorcycle’s fuel quality can affect throttle response, starting, fuel economy, engine temperature and long-term reliability. This is especially important for motorcycles because they have relatively small fuel tanks, frequently sit between rides and often operate in demanding conditions. So, what qualif

There are few things more frustrating than gearing up for a ride, rolling the motorcycle out of the garage, pressing the starter—and hearing nothing but a weak click. Motorcycle batteries have a harder life than many riders realize. They are smaller than most automotive batteries, motorcycles may sit unused for days or weeks, and accessories such as alarms, clocks, radios, and security systems can continue drawing a small amount of power even when the ignition is off. Add col

The road has taught me a lot over the years. It has taught me about freedom, responsibility, perseverance, faith, and the importance of making every mile count. Those lessons became the foundation of The Road Taught Me, and today I’m excited to announce the next step in that journey: the official opening of The Road Taught Me Merch Store. This store is more than a collection of shirts, mugs, and accessories. It’s another way to bring together riders and supporters who believe

Some motorcycle rides are about the road. Some are about the destination. And some are about remembering people who should never be forgotten. On August 20, 2026, I’ll begin one of the most meaningful motorcycle journeys I’ve ever taken as I participate for the first time in America’s 9/11 Ride. Over several days, hundreds of motorcycles will travel together to places forever connected to September 11, 2001—from the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania, to the Pentagon

The cheapest motorcycle insurance policy isn’t always the least expensive one. That sounds contradictory, but there’s an important difference between paying less for insurance and being properly insured. When we shop for motorcycle insurance, it’s easy to focus almost entirely on the premium. We compare quotes, look for discounts, and try to get that monthly payment as low as possible. There’s nothing wrong with saving money. But when you’re riding a motorcycle, the coverage

There are few things better than a long motorcycle ride on a beautiful summer day. Blue skies. Open roads. The rumble of the engine beneath you. But when the temperature starts climbing into the 90s—or even higher—that enjoyable ride can quickly become dangerous if you're not prepared. I've ridden through plenty of hot Georgia summers and across several states where the heat seemed to radiate from every direction. As a retired police motor officer, MSF Rider Coach, and someon

Discover the legend of the Guardian Bell, biker superstitions, and the motorcycle traditions riders have passed down for generations. Read the story and watch the video from The Road Taught Me.

A Rider Coach Review of One of the Most Affordable Motorcycle Safety Accessories You Can Add If there’s one thing years of riding have taught me, it’s this: The smallest details on a motorcycle often make the biggest difference. As riders, we spend a lot of time thinking about helmets, riding gear, route planning, weather conditions, and motorcycle maintenance. But one of the most overlooked safety factors on any motorcycle? Tire pressure. Whether you ride a Harley-Davidson t

There’s something fitting about being on a motorcycle around the Fourth of July. The open road. The wind in your face. The freedom to point the bike toward the horizon and simply go. As riders, we talk a lot about freedom. It’s one of the reasons so many of us fell in love with motorcycles in the first place. But this year feels a little different. As our nation celebrates America 250 — marking 250 years since the birth of the United States — it gives us an opportunity to sto

Because Sometimes the Greatest Lessons in Life Are Learned Between the Handlebars If you’ve found your way here, first of all… welcome. My name is Dave, and motorcycles have shaped a huge part of my life. Over the years, I’ve worn a lot of helmets — literally and figuratively. I’ve been a motorcycle rider coach, a retired police motorcycle officer, an accident investigator, a long-distance rider, and most importantly… someone who has learned that motorcycles teach lessons far