Motorcycle Riding With Your Dog
Straddling the seat of your motorcycle and twisting the throttle is always an exciting experience! Sometimes you want to take someone along for the ride. What if that someone was your beloved canine buddy? Dogs love spending time with their owners and can adapt to riding a motorcycle just as they ride in a car.
With some preparations, you’ll be able to bring Fido with you on every motorcycling journey! This guide to motorcycle riding with your dog by your friends here at Loewer Powersports & Equipment in Alexandria, LA, will give you some options that will allow you and your furry friend to enjoy the highways together.
Tail Or Tank Bags
This setup is ideal for dogs that weigh less than 25 lbs. Tail or tank bags are secured around the passenger backrest to let your pup ride safe and sound. Make sure to keep the bag cover open so your dog can enjoy the wind on his face, too! Some of these bags have windows, padding and ventilation panels to increase your canine’s comfort.
Pet Backpack
Not your usual canvas schoolbook hauler, this type of backpack is made specifically for holding animals in a harness. You wear it on your chest or back, depending on how you ride and what seems to work best for you and your pup.
Some dogs grow anxious in a tail or tank bag, but if they’re snuggled against your body, this can help to calm them down. You’ll want to make sure the bag keeps your dog secure so he doesn't try to jump out and lick your face while you’re riding!
Dog Seat Or Sidecar
If you have a small dog, then the above options will work just fine. However, medium or large dogs will not fit in these bags and will need their own seat to occupy. You can get custom-made motorcycle seats for your dog to add to your bike! He’ll have his paws on your back as you ride. It isn’t the most secure setup, however, so an additional harness may be necessary. If you would rather not wear your dog, you could also use this option for smaller dogs.
If your dog is entirely too large for even a seat, then you’ll need to get a sidecar. This is the most expensive choice, but it’ll let you bring your dog with you in his own dedicated space as your ride-along companion!
How To Make Your Dog Comfortable
Your dog’s comfort is a priority while you’re riding with him. Make sure that you’re operating your bike with extra care. Don’t change direction or brake suddenly, as this can jostle them and cause them injury. Keep sudden motions to a minimum if at all possible.
Installing grip pads can help to provide more contact so your dog stays in place and doesn’t slip around. Do whatever you need to so your dog can ride comfortably! You’ll want to make sure you’re stopping often to give him a chance to stretch, relieve himself, get a drink of water and walk around, too. Even if you think you can ride for a long time, your dog will need more frequent pit stops to prevent him from growing restless and anxious, so build this into your itinerary.
We hope you’ve found this guide helpful. Do you still need a bike for you and your puppy to ride? Stop by our dealership in Alexandria, LA, serving Rapides Parish, to see our full selection of new and used motorcycles for sale. Loewer Powersports & Equipment proudly serves the cities of Lafayette, Shreveport and Baton Rouge, LA.
