Motorcycle Riding Tips Every Beginning Rider Should Know

Motorcycles are a fun way to cruise around town. However, if you don’t follow the basic motorcycle riding tips every beginner should know, the ride could turn deadly. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), motorcyclists are thirty times more likely to die in a crash than those riding in a motor vehicle. To reduce your risk of this happening, continue reading to learn some valuable information.

Only ride what you can handle

When purchasing a motorcycle, ensure your feet can rest flat on the ground when seated. Then reach for the handlebars and controls to ensure they are easily accessible.

Antilock brakes

Get a motorcycle with antilock brakes. Although not available on every model, these features do help save lives. Motorcycles with antilock brakes are 37% less likely to be in an accident than motorcycles that do not have them, according to the IIHS. Some insurance companies offer a discount if your bike has this feature.

Wear a helmet

Some riders resist wearing a helmet, but those who don’t are 40% more likely to suffer a fatal head injury in a crash and three times more likely to suffer a brain injury than riders who wear a helmet. A properly fitting helmet will be snug.

Wear proper gear

For the best protection, wear a leather jacket, full-length pants, and footwear that reaches above your ankles. For eyewear, use a helmet or goggles. Wearing the proper clothing will protect you from bugs, debris, wind, and, if you fall, road rash.

Take a riding course

Not only can taking a course make you eligible for an insurance discount, but it can also improve your skills so you stay safe on the road. During the course, you’ll learn both basic and advanced techniques, including evasive emergency maneuvers.

Don’t ride in bad weather

When conditions are slippery, your margin of error is reduced. Rain diminishes your visibility and reduces the grip your tires have on the road. If you do ride in the rain, keep in mind that the most dangerous time is right after the rain begins. That is because the water causes the oil residue to rise to the surface.

Road hazards

Be cautious of bumps, potholes, pebbles, and wet leaves, as they can easily cause a crash. If it is impossible to avoid a hazard, slow down and steer with minimal input. To reduce your chance of skidding, approach the hazard and railroad tracks as close to a right angle as possible.

Do a pre-ride check

Even if you ride year-round, it is essential to give your bike a check before heading out on the town. Some questions you should ask yourself are:

• Are the wheels straight?
• Is the chain properly lubricated?
• Is the engine leaking coolant or oil?
• Are the axle nuts properly tightened?

Winter Motorcycle Riding Tips

You probably know how to ride a motorcycle in the spring, summer, and fall, but winter is a different story. You need to learn some winter motorcycle riding tips so you can be as safe as possible. These tips will help you prevent a motorcycle accident.

Put Heat in the Tires

Cold weather makes your tires cold. Cold tires don’t get excellent traction, which can cause a motorcycle accident. Driving your motorcycle will heat the tires up, but they will quickly cool back down every time you stop. You can heat them back up in no time at all by accelerating and decelerating quickly. Do this several times after a stop to heat the tires back up.

Get the Right Accessories

If you’re riding at 65 mph in 45-degree weather, your wind chill could be as low as 25 degrees. That means you can expect to have cold hands, even if you are wearing gloves. If your hands are cold, you might lose focus and end up in a motorcycle accident. Avoid this problem with heated motorcycle grips. Unlike most motorcycle riding tips, this won’t just make you safer, but it will make you more comfortable as well.

Use Thinner Oil

If your owner’s manual states that you can use different weights of oil, go with a lighter weight during the cold winter months. This will improve your bike’s performance so you can get more out of your rides. Then, once the weather warms up, switch back to a heavier oil.

Make Sure You Can See

Most motorcycle riding tips overlook crucial details about helmets and visors, a significant oversight, especially in winter. If you don’t do anything to prevent fog during the winter, you won’t be able to see out of your visor. You can get into a motorcycle accident if you can’t see, so this is very dangerous. You can purchase products that will keep the visor from fogging up. Products include Fog Tech, Pinlock, and the Respro Foggy Mask.

Be sure to follow these motorcycle riding tips so you don’t end up in an accident this winter. If you follow these tips, you should be able to extend your riding season and have fun all year long. That is excellent news for people who don’t want to have to park their bikes just because it’s a bit chilly outside.