Tips for Safely Riding Your Motorcycle on the Road
Riding a motorcycle safely is important to prevent accidents that may be your fault and to keep yourself and other road users safe.
Of course, you can never account for things that are out of your control, like a driver pulling out on you, opening their door on you, or simple problems relating to the surface of the road you are riding on; however, there are some things you can do to improve your safety whilst riding.
ATGATT – All The Gear, All The Time
Wear your gear.
It’s really quite simple, wear all your motorcycle gear all the time, regardless of the heat, temperature, or conditions. The tarmac doesn’t care if the sun’s out and you’re feeling slightly toasty in your jacket; it’ll happily strip the skin off your arms and chest as you slide down the road following an accident.
You see riders constantly wearing T-shirts, shorts, sandals, and the like when they’re out riding in the heat, and although it must be thrilling to have that wind blowing on you and cooling you down, we can’t help but think about how bad it’ll hurt if they crash. Just look at cyclists in their lycra when they hit the deck at 40 mph; it’s not pretty.
Summer gear exists for a reason; this includes perforated jackets, pants, and gloves with ventilation and shorter cuffs to allow more air in, plus there are underlayers made and designed to wick sweat away, keeping you cool whilst riding.
Safety equipment exists for a reason, so use it.
Ride within your limits
Riding within your limits is extremely important for limiting risk to yourself and other road users when riding; this means not riding too fast or attacking corners at speeds you’re not comfortable at.
Here are some tips for riding within your limits:
Start with a smaller bike: Most riders will pass their CBT and ride a 125cc until they’re allowed to step up to an A2 licence, which brings more power and, of course, more responsibility.
You now have a motorcycle that can easily push 100mph and accelerate faster than most things on the road, meaning you as a rider may feel invincible. We are here to tell you that you’re not.
It may sound great to hop on a restricted MT-07, but if you don’t feel comfortable doing so, it may be worth checking out something smaller, like a KTM Duke 390, to get used to the power. You will find a smaller bike has better handling, which will also help you adjust faster.
Know your abilities: As mentioned, you may just want to hoon around and ride like a nutter because you’re on a motorcycle, but it’s essential to be truthful with yourself about your riding capabilities and any restrictions you may have in regard to talent. Never force yourself to go beyond your capabilities; stay within the boundaries of your comfort zone.
Practise makes perfect: If you feel a little rusty, it may be worth investing some time in honing your fundamental riding skills in an atmosphere that is both secure and supervised, such as a car park, or participating in an additional training course. You will improve both your talent and your confidence as a result of doing this.
Stay within the speed limit: As Jeremy Clarkson once said, “’Speed has never killed anyone, suddenly becoming stationary… That’s what gets you.” Speed limits are there for a reason, make sure to abide by the laws and rules of the road. Excessive speed contributed to 2,264 motorcycle accidents between 2016 and 2021.
Keep a safe following distance: Keep a safe following distance between your car and the vehicles ahead of you on the road. This way, you will have more time to react in the event that something unexpected takes place as a result of this. The two-second rule is generally a good rule of thumb; double it in the rain, and times it by 5 in the snow.
Stay alert: Always keep a watchful eye out for potential dangers and be sure to pay attentive attention to your surroundings. As motorcyclists, we have to be more aware of the dangers that are around us and ride defensively to avoid accidents or hazards.
Ensure that you are comfortable
If you do not feel comfortable on a motorcycle, it can severely impact your ability to ride safely. A lack of comfort could stem from the weight of the motorcycle and your ability to manoeuvre it; alternatively, you may find the ergonomics do not feel right for you and are causing aches and pains. This can inhibit your reaction times and potentially cause an accident for yourself.
Do not ride when angry or emotional
Riding a motorcycle takes a great deal of concentration and attention to detail, both of which must be paid to the road and the surrounding traffic circumstances. If you are emotional or angry, it is possible that your mind will not be entirely focused on the job at hand, which increases the likelihood of an accident occurring.
You might also notice that you engage in impulsive behaviour, such as speeding or making rapid, erratic manoeuvres. This not only puts yourself and others in danger but also raises the likelihood that an accident will occur.
Complete regular checks and maintenance on your motorcycle
Regular checks and maintenance on your motorcycle are essential to ensure it is running in tip-top condition at all times and isn’t a complete safety hazard to yourself and everyone around you.
This includes ensuring the brakes have life in them and isn’t just grinding metal on the disk, ensuring that the tyres are above the minimum 1.6mm legal limit, and making regular checks on the chain and sprockets to ensure they are not too worn down.
Ride like half the people can’t see you, and the other half are actively trying to kill you
The single most crucial piece of advice for any rider, but especially a rookie rider just starting out, is to ride as though you are invisible to half the automobiles and the other half are deliberately attempting to kill you.
It’s common knowledge that motorists have a tougher time spotting a motorcycle than they would a car, so bikers should always be ready for the unexpected.
Never assume that other drivers can see you; instead, ride as if they can’t see you and be prepared to take evasive action if necessary.