Motorcycle Riding Tips

Full face motorcycle helmet.

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Motorcycle Riding Tips

Driving a motorcycle is a pretty different kettle of fish to driving a car, it’s different to operate for starters, and it’s much narrower making it more difficult for other road users to see, but ultimately the rules of the road apply to all road users. Remember, even if you are the safest, most competent motorcycle rider in the world, it’s the other guy you have to watch out for! In order to safely reach your destination, you not only have to operate your own machine, negotiating turns, traffic lights, hills and dogs running across the road, you also have to be aware of everything that is going on around you.

Motorcycle Riding Tips

These motorcycle riding tips can help to keep your motorbike riding experience a happy, safe one.

  • Be Safe, Be Seen – this slogan has been used on television advertisements over the years, and for a very good reason. Remember that just because you can see a car pulling up to a junction in the driving rain, it doesn’t necessarily follow that he’s seen you and – wham! Lots of motorcycle accidents happen simply because the other driver didn’t see the motorcycle, they are pretty narrow yet can be traveling quite quickly. What can you do about that? It’s a really good idea to wear not only the appropriate safety gear (we’ll talk more about that in a minute), but also something reflective that’s easy to see, you know the sort of thing, like workmen wear whilst they are mending the roads. Bright green, yellow or orange luminous jackets or strips really can help to save your life.
  • Helmets – always wear your motorcycle helmet, whether you are taking a trip around the block or going on a long journey, it’s the law and it’s there for your own protection. You must always fasten your helmet too, it’s no good if it falls off before your head hits the lamp post is it? Wear a full face helmet or extra eye protection too, to afford the best protection for your face and head.
  • Protective Motorcycle Gear – there’s lots of other bits of you which need protection too, so by wearing the appropriate protective gear, if the worst does happen it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the end of the world for you. Leather or padded jackets, pants and gloves, non-skid boots can all save you from nasty injuries if you are involved in some sort of accident.
  • Drive Safely – be aware of the speed limits and stick to them, remember this, the faster you are going the longer it takes to stop. Don’t try to weave your way through stationery cars to get ahead of the pack either, that, along with overtaking on the inside are just asking for trouble.
  • Drive Defensively – okay, you’re wearing your reflective jacket or tape, but you still must drive defensively, don’t just assume that other drivers have seen you, the chances are that they haven’t. Keep your headlights on at all times, keep out of the other driver’s blind spots, if you are going to change direction give plenty of warning and signal in advance, and keep an eye out for turning vehicles. Even if an accident is not the fault of the motorcycle, it’s generally the motorcyclist who comes off worst.
  • Hone Your Driving Skills – don’t imagine that just because you’ve got your drivers license that it’s the end of the need for formal driving education – why not enrol on a course from time to time just to make sure that your street-riding strategies are as sharp as you think they are.
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