The roar of the engine, the speed, the gust of wind, and the view stretching beside you that’s what motorcycling is all about.
Taking out your favorite ride on a sunny day and clear roads is the best feeling, especially if you are a seasoned rider. However, no matter how fun and adrenaline-driven the ride is, motorcyclists should put their safety before anything.
It’s a cruel truth that motorcyclists sustain fatal injuries the most in case of a road accident. That’s why we’ve gathered together a list of ways through which bikers can make their every ride more enjoyable and safer at the same time.
- Prioritize your safety and comfort:
Did you know that motorcyclists are 30 times more likely to sustain fatal injuries than those driving cars during an accident?
The number is even more alarming for older riders. That’s why it’s always safer to stay in your comfort zone and prioritize your safety instead of reaching the destination on time.
Unfortunately, if you happen to be in an accident, don’t forget that you have equal rights under the law. Injured motorcyclists are often denied fair compensation. So, suppose you aren’t getting the help you deserve. In that case, you can always resort to motorcycle advocacy and push your case through legal channels.
But most importantly, it’s best to know your limits while riding, whether it’s your amateur riding skills or mishandling of the vehicle.
- Inspect your bike every time:
In everyone’s best interest, especially the biker, they give their motorcycle a good look before taking it out on the road.
You have fun when you feel comfortable, and the best way to do so is always to ensure that your vehicle is in good condition.
Therefore, make it a habit of checking the lights, the tire pressure, mirrors, and motorcycle gear before heading out for a ride.
Apart from routine inspection, if you’ve discovered a potential mechanical fault, you shouldn’t delay getting it fixed.
Ensure that you take your bike for regular maintenance such as oil change, inspecting brake pad, suspension adjustment, etc.
- Learn and practice hard braking:
Bike riding becomes enjoyable when you have ample handling of the vehicle. As an experienced rider, you must know how great it feels to have absolute control of your vehicle, making the ride even more fun.
So, as someone just in the amateur face, one of the best ways to take your motorcycling skills up a notch is to work on your hard braking technique.
The technique will help you learn just how fast your bike can stop. That would help on the road, especially if you ride at varying speeds.
You can practice hard braking on an open road or empty and safe. The exercise will help you find out your bike’s limit and familiarize yourself with how to modulate the lever for better braking at different speeds.
- Don’t ignore the gear:
We mean motorcycle gear which is the safety equipment you should always wear before riding. Sometimes preparedness is the key to surviving accidents on the road rather than just relying on your riding skills.
Safety gear such as helmets, gloves, boots, eye protection, and motorcycle jacket offers you not only road safety but peace of mind as well so that you can focus on enjoying the ride.
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 2,089 motorcyclists lost their lives in 2016 by not wearing a helmet. The equipment may feel a tad bit uncomfortable at first, but you’ll get used to it. Nothing comes first before your safety. It’ll be a chance to rock the leather jacket biker look, and you can even come up with your signature riding suit.
- Ride with a group:
Riding with your buddies is a unique experience, especially if you are part of a sea of bikers gliding along the road. There’s no denying that when you ride with a group, the energy is phenomenal, and it’s truly a sight to behold.
Even though solo riding has perks of its own such as going whenever and wherever you want, group riding has a thrill. Riding with buddies can also teach you about riding in a staggered formation.
Having experienced riders alongside you can help you polish your skills. Besides being fun, riding with a group could be relatively safer if you run out of gas or encounter a mechanical problem.
- Do your maintenance:
How would doing your maintenance make riding more fun and safer? For starters, doing your maintenance will familiarize you with the basics so that you can catch potential problems on your own.
It’ll be safer too if you are on your own because you’ll know how to inspect your bike before taking it out. Besides, it looks cool when people work on their bikes, just like they do in the movies.
Finally, when you take your bike for repair or maintenance, you’ll know what’s going on and figure it out on your own next time.
Conclusion:
Though riding a bike is not everyone’s cup of tea, it can be entertaining and exhilarating if you give it a try. Riding a motorcycle can offer many people some rush and thrill, but it’s also important to keep yourself safe.
As established before, bikers are likely to sustain fatal injuries in accidents; it’s important to keep a few tips in mind to ensure you have the best riding experience.
