Motorcycle Riding Safety Tips

Motorcycle ride – an adventure and excitement! But there is something more than that. Riding a bike is dangerous and nerve-wracking too.

According to a report released by the U.S Department of Transportation (DOT), motorcyclists are 28% more prone to fatal accidents than people driving cars. In 2016 alone, almost 5,000 motorcyclists died in traffic accidents. But we do not want to scare or discourage you. This ultimate safety guideline will help you in avoiding potentially dangerous situations. You must care for your safety and take the safety of others as your top priority.

The three essential steps for a safe motorcycle riding experience are:

• Preparing yourself for the ride
• Knowing what to look for once you are on your motorcycle
• Using your riding skills to handle dangerous situations

Here are our safety tips for motorcycle riders that will help you minimize hazardous situations. Only then can you enjoy your ride on the motorcycle.

Invest in a motorcycle that is best for you

The greatest decision is choosing the right motorcycle for your needs, experience level, and riding skills. Ask yourself why you are buying the motorcycle? Do you need it to commute to work, or are you passionate about motorcycle racing?

You must invest in a motorcycle that fulfills your needs. If you are just in the learning phase, search for the safest motorcycles available in the market. Your motorcycle must fit your lifestyle and physique.

Today there are different types of motorcycles available in the market. Understanding the features of every one of them help you in identifying the one that is just for you. According to Rev Corner, you will find the following types of motorcycles in the market.

• Standard
• Cruiser
• Sports bike
• Tourer
• Sports-tourer
• Dual-sport
• Scooter
• Moped

To choose the right motorcycle, you can take help from experienced riders, knowledgeable showroom staff, and reliable motorcycle websites. You can also learn how to get a motorcycle license in Illinois if you are living in this state.

Take a safety training

Taking formal safety training will ensure that you learn the road safety rules in an organized manner. It also helps you in learning better control over your vehicle during unexpected occurrences. It enables you to take the most appropriate steps when confronted with any unpredictable riding challenges. For developing all these skills, you will require a professional safety training course.

Take a riding course

These courses are designed for adventure seekers who love showcasing their riding skills. You will learn interesting braking techniques, advanced turning methods, collision avoidance maneuvers, and many other essential tips and tricks for controlling a motorcycle.

Don’t forget to check the weather

Motorcycles do not provide the safety of an enclosed vehicle. Riders are directly exposed to elements when they are on a motorcycle. Rain, snow, and ice make motorcycle riding more challenging by creating a great number of hazards. As a biker, you may prefer avoiding hazardous weather conditions for your safety. However, if it is inevitable to ride in severe weather conditions, you have to drive more consciously.

Wear motorcycle gear

Going out for a ride without motorcycle gear means exposing yourself to dirt, elements, and road rash. Before you leave home, you must put the most obvious things: a DOT-approved helmet, a leather jacket, goggles, leather pants, non-slip gloves, and ankle boots.

Inspect the motorcycle before you leave

Make sure that your motorcycle is perfect in every respect before you start your ride. Inspect everything, including your taillights, headlights, turn signals, fuel, brakes, oil, mirrors, tire pressure, horn, and handlebars.

Respect the traffic rules

It is essential to follow the traffic rules, especially those that are related to the speed limits. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported that in 2009 48% of motorcyclists encountered fatal accidents due to high-speed motorcycle riding.

Remain visible to others

Most of the accidents occur because the motorcycles become invisible to other drivers. To prevent coming into a drivers’ blind spot, always keep your headlights on. Don’t forget to use hand signals and turn signals. And most important of all, wear bright and attractive clothing.

Be vigilant

While you are on the road, it is essential to remain vigilant and watch for any hazards that may lead to accidents. Carelessly riding over bumps and depressions may lead to falls and unnecessary injuries. Similarly, you should avoid riding over oil and gravel for a smooth riding experience.

Maintain a safe distance

Avoid tailgating and maintain a distance of at least four seconds with other vehicles to avoid a collision. Remaining at a safe distance will allow you to stop instantly in case of any unexpected situation.

Carry a first-aid kit

A basic first-aid kit should include bandages, disinfecting wipes, gauze, hand sanitizer, Band-Aids, and adhesive tapes. Keeping all these in a small box in your motorcycle will help your treat minor cuts and injuries at the right time.

Carry a passenger with caution

Carrying someone on your motorcycle means adding extra load that you must know how to handle while riding. It means you will adjust your rear suspension spring preload, tire pressure, mirror, and headlights accordingly. You also need to ride at a slower speed than you do when you are alone.

Meanwhile, the passenger sitting with you should hold the motorcycle or your waist securely. Both of their feet should rest on the footpegs all the time, even when you stop the motorcycle. The passenger should sit far forward and stay right behind the rider, leaning when the rider leans. It is not advisable for the rider and the passenger to engage in conversation as it may cause a distraction to the rider.

Conclusion

Most young Americans love riding motorcycles for fun and convenience. However, this fun-filled adventure may turn out into a tragedy on even the tiniest mistake. Numerous reasons cause motorcycle accidents to lead to serious injuries and deaths. Some of them are attributed to negligence and careless behavior on the part of a motorcycle ride. However, a lot of them happen because other drivers on the road may not notice the motorcycle.

Motorcycles are smaller in size, and they often become invisible to the vehicle drivers who are sitting at a height. That is why intersections are the most common spots that witness collisions. Therefore motorcycle drivers need to maintain a safe distance and follow other precautions to avoid unnecessary trouble.