Riding safely: 8 most important motorcycle safety tips

Normally considered as the more dangerous form of transportation, motorcycle earns its popularity due to its fuel efficiency, affordability, broader eco-friendly options, commuting and time-saving benefits for the city riders, the pure riding thrill and joy every single motorcyclist won’t ever give up for the car’s convenience.

You don’t have to be a crazy cool person for riding a motorcycle. This vehicle can be a rather practical choice, as well as the main/additional vehicle for busy people valuing their time and money, students who need to get around the town, people who love to feel connected with the surrounding environment while driving/riding, etc.

Quick trips to the grocery store, an enjoyable ride to clear your mind, a less frustrating way to beat the traffic and get to work on time without getting up too early in the morning, a less expensive way to implement energy efficient driving or electricity-powered vehicles into your life, a better mood and money saving bonus are the reasons even people, who’re not too crazy about the bikes, get into the motorcycle riding.

At the same time, there’s no doubt that riding a motorcycle is way more dangerous than driving a car, and the chance to get into the terrible accident get higher for people who like getting around on their bikes than for people who prefer to stick to their safety-tech equipped cars.

With that being said, it’s totally possible to avoid crashes and other road dangers while riding a motorcycle. If you stick to the basic rules, remember about the required safety measures, keep the speed within the reasonable frames, maintain your bike in a great working condition and always remain extremely watchful on the road, you won’t get into the troubles and enjoy the benefits your motorcycle is able to offer without risking your life/health and the safety of other people on the road.

These are the most important tips that will help you improve your motorcycle safety game. Every single responsible rider must know and use these. So, get educated if you’re about to transition to the two wheels and join the bike riding gang or recall the rules you probably already follow if you’ve been a regular motorcycle rider for a while.

Motorcycle riding safety tips one has to follow

1. Purchase a motorcycle you’re able to handle

The last thing you want is to get a vehicle you can hardly control. You might be tempted to get a powerful fast beast to take you around the city with the wind’s speed. But do you really need it? Are you able to control such a vehicle safely? Do you actually need a Harley-style vehicle for your everyday commutes? Know your limits, skills and riding experience to get a model that meets your needs and is as safe for you to ride as possible.

Get fitted to the motorcycle in the salon to make sure that the position you sit on it is safe for driving, that it’s not too heavy for you and not difficult to get on/off and which has all the controls within your easy reach. And, take the driving school seriously.

2. Conduct a quick motorcycle check prior to each ride

Are your tires inflated properly? Do the brakes and lights work fine? Are the mirrors positioned correctly? Does the motorcycle sound right in general? Did you have any struggles starting it? Are there any noticeable leaks? Generally, make sure that your bike looks and works great before embarking on the road.

For that matter, provide good care and maintenance for it as well. Just as you would take a car for a regular check-up, take your 2-wheeled vehicle to the motorcycle repair’s every once in a while to eliminate the mechanical issues and carry out the required maintenance routine. For instance, a motorcycle needs to get regular oil changes, brake pad and tire replacement, chain adjustment, etc.

Therefore, find a trustworthy motorcycle repair shop/tech in your local area or leave a corresponding request on HireRush.com to get fitted to a great pro fast.

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3. Wear proper gear when riding (no exceptions allowed!)

It’s so easy to slip off the gear wearing rule when going for a quick ride to the nearest store or when willing to finally feel the wind hitting your face and messing up your hair. But, terrible things might happen even during the shortest ride.

So, never neglect your protective gear and get equipped with a properly fitted DOT-approved helmet (get a spear for a possible passenger if your bike is designed to be able to ride in a duo), a protective jacket, gloves and always wear long pants to minimize the injuries if you (God forbid) happen to fall down.

4. Practice the brakes

Sharp and sudden stops often result in terrible consequences for the rider. Not only the perfectly working brakes that immediately respond the rider are crucial, but also the ability of the rider to evaluate the road situation and react to it on time.

Thus, know your stopping distance at different speed, learn to stop gradually, practice slowing in and leaning while taking turns or changing lines not to mess everything up. Be aware of what the front and rear brakes are for. Oh, and a bonus rule – never hit the front brake first. Just never.

5. Check the weather forecast

You don’t have the windshield wipers on your helmet and your bike doesn’t have the stability and the traction of a car, does it? Thus, make sure that the weather conditions won’t deteriorate the safety of the bike ride (traction, visibility, etc.) and avoid taking your motorcycle for a ride if the forecast is unfavorable.

6. Don’t rely on mirrors only

Watch the road carefully and remember to turn your head here and there to be aware of the road situation, especially when taking the turns or making your way through the heavy traffic and changing the lanes.

Also, take the advice of the experienced motorcyclists and ride as if other drivers/riders have no mirrors. Sometimes it’s hard for car drivers and even bike riders to notice the motorcycles on the road, so check twice and remain at a safe distance to prevent the unfortunate accidents other drivers’ inattentiveness might cause.

7. Speed attracts danger and equals fewer options

The higher your riding speed is, the less time you have to react to the road situations, the longer your stopping distance gets and the fewer things you’re able to notice on the road. When riding a bike, one has to leave himself a load of stopping options not to become a victim of a collision or other kind of accident.

8. Know and mind the road

The actual condition of the road’s surface influences motorcycles a lot more than cars. It’s not only a slippery road or frequent bumps that make riding more dangerous. On top of that, motorcyclists have to watch out for sand, gravel, and different debris on the road and avoid it if possible not to deteriorate the bike’s traction, which is already weaker than the car’s. Keep your motorcycle upright and slow down to go through the sand/gravel obstacle when you can’t go round it.

Get acquainted with the route to remember the turns and be able to focus on riding. Check for the possible blind corners, steep technical turns, bridges, etc. to make sure that the road you’re about to take your motorcycle on is something you and your vehicle are able to handle without undermining the safety. Think if there’re any special hazards you need to watch for when riding your vehicle. For example, beginning motorcyclists sometimes don’t think about the fact that corn fields or trees may conceal moving animals, which, when you hit them, will cause an awful collision.

Stay safe and enjoy every single ride!