Tips For Riding A Motorcycle With Your Dog

If you love your dog, you probably feel awful every time you step out with your Harley-Davidson® motorcycle for a joyride and are met with whines and puppy dog eyes that leave you feeling guilty. Maybe you’d like to make your dog a part of your experiences knowing how much they would enjoy the great outdoors and the wind in their face. And as a matter of fact you can take your dog with you on your next ride by making a few simple and affordable adjustments to your beloved H-D motorcycle. Come to Biggs Harley-Davidson in San Marcos, California to find the right bike and the right parts for you and your best friend.

Tail Bags Or Tanks

If your dog weighs 25 pounds or less, this set-up is perfect for you. Tails bags or tanks are attached securely to the passenger backrest or your Harley® bike to ensure that there is no slipping around while you drive. Your dog will enjoy the wind against their face if you let the cover down. There are now a variety of additional options like built-in windows, ventilation panels, and extra padding to give your dog a comfortable yet exciting ride.

Backpack

This option is good for those who have lightweight dogs or dogs that get nervous in new situations. This is not a regular backpack but a specially made one that uses a fitted harness. You can strap this backpack to your chest or back depending on what is most comfortable for you and your dog. This option is great for those dogs who might feel isolated in a tail bag or tank and find it reassuring to be in physical contact with their owners. Just strap it securely or your pet my try to hop out to get more head scratches and nose kisses (not ideal while you’re on the road).

Dog Seat

The first two options don’t work for medium-sized and bigger dogs because they don’t offer as much room as your pet requires. Fortunately, there are custom-made dog seats that you can attach to your Harley-Davidson® motorcycle. When using a dog seat, your dog will sit with its paws on your back. For added safety of your dog, we recommend that you use a harness.

Sidecar

If you have a big dog the above options probably won’t work out for you. Having your dog strapped to you or trying to fit them into a small bag/tank is not a realistic solution. Don’t worry! You can still take your pet with you by attaching a sidecar to your Harley® bike. This is the most expensive out of all the options but worth it if you want your dog to share your journey with you. And motorcycle sidecars can be very useful in a variety of other ways including carrying human passengers or extra cargo.

Comfort Measures

While you might be used to cruising around on your Harley® motorcycle, it’ll be a new experience for your dog. They won’t be prepared for sudden turns, stops, or potholes. Your dog could end up sliding around or getting jostled badly. Try to drive as smoothly as possible. You can also invest in grip pads to give more friction while riding. Carry a leash with you so you can give your dog a break when they need one.

We hope you found our suggestions helpful! If you’d like to know more or see the options available to you and your dog, call or visit Biggs Harley-Davidson in San Marcos, California. We proudly serve our friends in San Diego, Oceanside, Poway and San Marcos, California too.