You have always been a massive fan of bikes and even dreamt of buying one for your use. Being one of the excellent motorcycle riders is not that difficult, but there are some safety tips you need to venture into first.
Motorcycle safety tips are essential no matter what level of experience you have riding a bike. So whether you’re new to the sport or an experienced rider, there are certain things that you need to know to stay safe on the road.
Remember that motorcycles are heavy vehicles and require significant attention when driving them around town or along twisty roads – be sure not to take your eye off the wheel!
List of 9 Motorcycle Safety Tips for Riders
1. MSF New Rider Course
The new rider course perfectly blended classroom instruction and range riding. This course is here to deliver all the basics of motorbike operation for the bikes out there.
- The motorcycle riders will learn from the certified instructors from Motorcycle Safety Foundation® (MSF).
- These classes’ relaxed and supportive environments are perfect for future motorcycle riders.
- The class sizes are smaller, with around 12 or fewer students, and everyone will get proper attention from the instructors to help learn the courses in detail.
- Once you have passed the riding skills and written exams, you will receive the much-awaited Course Completion Card.
- You can take this card from the riding academy to any DMV to procure your cycle endorsement along with your MSF completion card to get you qualified for discounts on some insurance plans.
- It will be a 3-day course with mandatory online classes straight from the house of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. It needs to be completed before your scheduled class.
2. MSF Skilled Rider Course
The skilled rider course is another one of the modules that you need to venture into to learn more about the safety tips to follow on the road.
- This is an 8-hour course, which is held on the range for over one day and then designed to take your ride to the next upcoming level.
- Here, the instructors will use the proven curriculum of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Experienced Rider Course with some developments made by none other than bike enthusiasts.
- Here, the motorcycle riders will use their bikes to follow some skills such as multiple curve maneuvers, surmounting objects, stopping and swerving quickly, stopping quickly at a curve, cornering judgment, limited space maneuvering, risk management, controlling low speeds, and more.
- After you have completed the course with flying colors, you will earn the much-needed “Skilled Rider Course” pin and patch set.
- Apart from that, you will have a completion card straight from MSF that will help you get probable discounts on the insurance plans.
3. Ride a Motorcycle that you can Handle
To ride a motorcycle effectively, finding the right bike for your personal riding style is essential. This includes seat height, weight distribution, engine power and torque, and more. When choosing the right motorcycle for you, your experience will be one of the most critical factors. However, select a bike you can handle well – this will ensure a safe ride and an enjoyable journey.
Motorcycle brands come in all shapes and sizes, so choosing the one that best suits your needs is essential. You’ll want something comfortable and easy to handle and durable enough for long-term use. And, of course, you’ll need a bike that looks great too! There are many factors to consider when selecting a motorcycle, such as engine type (v8 or v6), frame type (steel or aluminum), weight class restrictions, price range, fuel efficiency, and more.
4. Why Riding Gears are Important for a Biker?
Riding gears are important for a biker because they balance comfort and performance perfectly.
Comfort is vital when it comes to safety while riding, and garments like jeans or chinos can get uncomfortably tight if you’re not correctly fitted. Tight clothing can also cause friction where it matters most – on your skin – leading to problems such as saddle sores and abrasions.
A good pair of riding gear will allow you to move freely without restrictive clothing, letting you breathe easily in hot weather conditions or pedal harder during windy rides. And, since these clothes are made specifically for cycling, they resist dirt and mud better than regular apparel items.
When riding your motorcycle, you must wear an adequately fitted helmet that meets the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) standards. This will help protect your head from injuries in a crash.
Wearing a helmet is one of the most critical safety measures when riding a motorcycle. Motorcycle helmets certified by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) meet or exceed all applicable federal and state safety standards, including those for impact protection and ventilation.
Wearing a helmet protects your head from severe injuries in an accident. 78% of all motorcyclist fatalities occur during non-head-on collisions, so wearing a properly fitted helmet can significantly reduce your risk of being killed or seriously injured. Not to mention, it’s required by law in many states for riders!
The must-gears include full–face or flip–up helmets, sunglasses, protective jackets, gloves, elbow, knee pads, and riding boots.
5. Avoid Driving Impaired
Drinking and driving are never advisable, no matter what vehicle you operate. Motorcycle riders are particularly at risk due to their lack of visibility and the fact that they often reach high speeds on narrow roads. In addition, motorcycles are not built with safety in mind when it comes to drinking and driving. This is because alcohol can quickly incapacitate a motorcyclist, leading to an accident or even resulting in death.
In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over half of all motorcycle fatalities occur as a result of driver intoxication.
If you drink while riding your motorcycle, there is a good chance that you will end up crashing into another vehicle or injuring yourself seriously. Not only will this be dangerous for you personally, but it could also lead to criminal charges if someone else gets injured due to your intoxication. So please don’t let impaired driving endanger others – stay safe by abstaining from drinking while biking!
6. Motorcycle Safety and Riding in Bad Weather
Weather can significantly affect how safe you feel while riding your motorcycle. For instance, consider conditions such as rain or snow on the road. These roads are much more slippery and dangerous when wet and also challenging to see in bad weather conditions. In addition, certain types of weather may increase the likelihood of an accident by decreasing your visibility or interfering with your hearing.
Therefore, it is essential to check the forecast before you head out for a ride to know what to expect and whether or not you need to bring any extra supplies (such as headlights) or wear seatbelts. And if there’s anything specific that concerns you – even if it’s just a chance of heavy thunderstorms – make sure to tell someone where you’re going and when you will be back!
- Your bike’s wheels have higher chances of slipping than the car’s.
- Not just the rain, but even the high wind will blow you off the course.
- Even too hot of a temperature can increase your chances of suffering from a heatstroke.
Even if you are bound to ride in adverse weather conditions, you must knock yourself with the safety gears accordingly. Protecting is a requirement, especially if the weather is not in your favor. So, try to focus on these points before even planning to take the bike out of its stand for the day!
7. Do not Ignore Maintenance of the Bike
Regular maintenance is one of the most critical components of keeping your bike in good condition. This includes oiling and lubricating the moving parts to checking for and addressing any broken or jammed gears. When you do this regularly, not only will your bike function better, but it will also last longer. In addition, it might save you from some severe accidents.
Aside from routine maintenance, there are times when more serious repairs need to be made. In these cases, getting professional help as soon as possible is essential to save time and money on repairs that cannot be fixed. In addition, by staying informed about current trends in bicycle technology and mechanics, you can make educated decisions regarding ensuring proper bike care.
A healthy bike is always required if you plan a safe journey moving forward. Operating any motorbike that is damaged or consists of compromised parts will lead to unwanted breakdowns in the middle of the traffic! It can also make you vulnerable to harmful accidents, which can even be fatal!
8. Be sensible when following other motorists
Motorcycles are agile vehicles requiring significantly less room than cars when driving in a lane; as such, they’re prone to getting “stuck” between smaller vehicles and fixed objects like poles or bridge railings while turning corners or making sudden moves into traffic lanes.
Keep an eye out for cars, pedestrians, animals, and other motorcycles when riding. Scan your surrounding area before making any sudden moves or turning corners.
9. Follow the law
Don’t ride without a helmet, obey all traffic laws governing stoplights and turn signals, and wear appropriate clothing, including reflective gear, when riding after dark. Even if you’re not charged with an offense now – potential penalties can include fines plus possible jail time on subsequent violations, even if no physical damage occurs.
