How to Prevent Getting a Headache after a Motorcycle Ride

If you are not used to riding a motorcycle or are a novice rider, getting a headache after a motorcycle ride is common. Motorcycle riding can be a form of light exercise since it involves working almost every muscle in your body. However, riding a motorcycle can sometimes give you a headache if you ride continuously for hours. Other causes of headaches due to motorcycle riding include wearing a helmet, noise pollution, and dehydration. If you are a regular motorcycle rider or love to go on long-distance rides, getting a headache can be a serious problem. Read this article to learn how to prevent getting a headache after a motorcycle ride.

1. Reasons Why You Get a Headache after a Motorcycle Ride

Reasons Why You Get a Headache after a Motorcycle Ride

Several reasons why you get a headache after a motorcycle ride include:

Dehydration
Noise pollution
Riding continuously for hours
Bad riding posture
Weak eyesight
Wearing a helmet
Wearing the wrong-sized helmet
Migraines
Riding in hot weather
Riding in the rain
Riding on an empty stomach
Poor diet

Also Read: 10 TIPS TO AVOID BECOMING FATIGUED ON LONG MOTORCYCLE RIDES

1.1 Dehydration

It is recommended you drink water regularly in intervals while on a motorcycle trip, especially in hot weather. If you become dehydrated, the body starts struggling to balance internal fluid levels, and the stress results in a headache. When the body becomes dehydrated, the blood vessels become squeezed, resulting in improper blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain. If the body stays dehydrated for a long time, your headache may become worse. Moving your head even a little will result in a sharp pain.

1.2 Noise Pollution

Noise pollution can also be a cause of headaches due to the increasing number of vehicles on the road and modern motorcycles producing louder sounds.

1.3 Riding Continuously for Hours

Riding a motorcycle continuously can cause fatigue due to needing to stay upright for hours and not stopping to drink water to keep yourself hydrated. Riding to the point of exhaustion and dehydration could result in more severe headaches.

1.4 Bad Riding Posture

Riding your motorcycle in an uncomfortable riding posture for a long time can cause pain in the upper spine and severe headaches. Most modern motorcycles and sports bikes are uncomfortable on long-distance rides due to having an aggressive riding style.

1.5 Weak Eyesight

Riders with weak eyesight must stay alert at all times and strain their eyes when focusing on the road. Putting too much strain on your eye muscles when trying to focus on the road and traffic can result in severe headaches.

1.6 Wearing an Incorrectly-Sized Helmet

Wearing the wrong-sized helmet can result in wind entering the helmet, causing excessive vibrations, and pushing your head backward. A helmet that is too tight can result in your head being squeezed by constant pressure. You may not experience a headache if you go on a short ride while wearing an incorrectly-sized helmet. However, going on a long ride while wearing an incorrectly-sized helmet may cause severe headaches due to the blood flow and oxygen supply being cut off to your brain.

1.7 Migraines

Riders who constantly suffer from migraine are more likely to get a headache after a motorcycle ride. Motorcycle riding, traffic, noise, exertion, and fatigue can cause headaches in riders who suffer from migraines.

1.8 Riding in Hot Weather

Riding in hot weather and being exposed to too much direct sunlight can cause dehydration. The rider can feel fatigued more quickly even after riding a short distance in hot weather.

1.9 Riding in the Rain

Riding in the rain can result in riders catching a cold. Unlike cars, motorcycles are not covered and are not ideal for riding in the rain. Riding with wet clothes can result in your body temperature being lowered, causing severe headaches and fatigue.

1.10 Riding on an Empty Stomach

If you are lacking nutrition due to having an empty stomach, you may feel dizzy while riding a motorcycle. Make sure to eat a hearty meal before you get on your ride to give your body enough energy. Otherwise, it may be harder to stay awake and focused on the road.

1.11 Poor Diet

Eating a heavy meal or following a poor diet plan before going on a motorcycle ride can result in headaches and nausea.

2. How to Prevent Getting a Headache after a Motorcycle Ride

2.1 Stay Hydrated

Carry drinking water
Take regular stops to drink water

2.2 Block Out Loud Noises

Wear ear plugs or ear pods with a noise-cancellation feature
Install windshield
Avoid riding at high speeds
Wear a modular or quiet helmet

Also Read: CAN RIDING A MOTORCYCLE DAMAGE YOUR HEARING?

2.3 Take Regular Stops

Do not ride continuously for hours
Stop regularly to relax
Do some stretches when taking a break

Also Read: HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU STOP WHEN RIDING A MOTORCYCLE?

2.4 Improve Riding Posture

Sit in an upright back position
Try to stay relaxed
Do not keep your body stiff
Keep your head and neck straight
Do not go on long-distance rides on a sports bike

Also Read: A DETAILED GUIDE TO MOTORCYCLE RIDING POSITIONS

2.5 Get Your Eyesight Checked

Consult an eye doctor
Wear glasses or contact lenses
Take medicines and eye drops prescribed by a doctor

2.6 Get a Better Helmet

Buy a helmet with proper ventilation
Get a helmet that fits the size of your head
Use a helmet with soft internal padding
Use a helmet that does not put excessive pressure on your head

2.7 Migraines

Get treatment
Use medications for migraine prescribed by a doctor
Avoid going on long rides if you often have migraines
Do not ride continuously
Take measures to prevent triggers of migraines

2.8 Avoid Riding in Hot Weather

Take regular stops while riding in hot weather
Stay hydrated
Wear breathable textile riding gear
Avoid excessive exposure to sunlight
Cover your neck
Wear an evaporative cooling vest
Wear a light-colored helmet
Wear a helmet with proper ventilation
Avoid riding during the hottest time of the day

Also Read: WHAT TO WEAR WHEN RIDING A MOTORCYCLE IN HOT WEATHER

2.9 Avoid Riding in the Rain

Check the weather forecast before going on a motorcycle ride
Avoid riding a motorcycle while it is raining
Find a shaded area to stop if it starts to rain during a ride
Carry a raincoat
Dry yourself as soon as possible

2.10 Do Not Ride on an Empty Stomach

Carry snacks with you
Carry chocolates and sweets to keep your sugar levels balanced

2.11 Avoid Riding a Motorcycle Immediately After Eating

Do not go for a motorcycle ride immediately after eating a meal
Give a break of at least an hour to go for a ride after eating
If you are having an upset stomach, do not go for a ride

Also Read: HOW TO AVOID BACK PAIN WHILE RIDING A MOTORCYCLE

3. Takeaway

Getting a headache after a motorcycle ride can be frustrating. A headache can be due to migraines which are triggered due to exertion, traffic noise, and bad riding posture. There are other reasons why riders get headaches after a motorcycle ride, including riding in hot weather, wearing an incorrectly-sized helmet, following a poor diet, riding on an empty stomach, and having weak eyesight. If you do not want to get a headache after a motorcycle ride, follow the tips covered in this article.

You can make your motorcycle more comfortable to ride and reduce the risk of getting a headache after a motorcycle ride by customizing it. Viking Bags has several aftermarket handlebars, seats, backrests, sissy bars, and crash bars. To help you carry snacks, drinking water, and other belongings on long-distance rides, Viking Bags offers several motorcycle luggage bags, including motorcycle trunk bags, saddlebags, and sissy bar bags.