Motorcycle Riding Tips
Motorcycles are made for thrilling rides through the city or the countryside. Open roads are perfect for adventures, but they also present some risks. It’s not possible to prevent every dangerous scenario, but you can take proactive steps to keep yourself as safe as possible. Read on to learn more about motorcycle riding tips, and when you’re ready to look at some models or you’re looking for more advice, check out Pensacola Motorsports in Pensacola, Florida. We proudly serve Santa Rosa County, Florida and Baldwin County, Alabama.
Prepare for the Ride
The first step in a safe riding experience is ample preparation.
- Dress for a crash: you should gear up as if you are going to get in a wreck. You can’t predict an accident so you want to be ready and protected as possible in the event of an accident
- Take care of your body: your ability to focus will be impaired if you’re hungry, fatigued, or dehydrated. Make sure to get enough sleep, eat a meal, and drink plenty of water before you head out on the road.
- Check the weather: dress appropriately for the forecast. Wear enough layers of clothing if it’s going to be cold out and pack some waterproof outerwear if it could rain.
- Inspect your motorcycle: check your bike’s parts like tires and lights before you start your trip to make sure it’s ready to go.
Continually Scan for Hazards
As you ride your motorcycle, ensure that you’re staying alert for any hazards you might encounter.
- Look far ahead: you should keep your gaze more than 20 feet ahead in order to spot problems and adapt to them before it’s too late.
- Be ready for wildlife: make sure you know what animals may be out in the area you’re riding in. Find out what time of day animals in the area usually come out.
- Scan the road: stay alert and always look out for discarded nails, potholes, and other common road hazards. If a spot looks suspicious, assume it’s slick. You don’t know if it’s oil, ice, or something else that will cause traction problems so slow down and proceed with caution.
Respect Your Limits
Even the most advanced of riders have their limits. Make sure you stay within yours to help avoid unsafe situations.
- Ensure that your motorcycle matches you: avoid choosing a bike that is too heavy for you to control.
- Make sure your route is a good match: just because your motorcycle can handle a difficult route doesn’t mean you can.
- Make sure your riding group matches you: try your best to ride with other motorists who have the same or similar experience. Coordinate a meet-up point in the event that the group gets separate so that nobody feels the pressure to push it in order to keep up.
Interact Safely With Other Motorists
There are a lot of different safety risks that come from other motorists on the road so you need to adopt defensive driving techniques.
- Do not engage with rude drivers: road rage can escalate quickly, and you never know how another motorist’s anger and their vehicle can damage your bike and your body.
- Assume you aren’t visible: the roads are filled with distracted drivers. You should act as if you are invisible and exercise extra caution when changing lanes, turning, and so on.
- Leave plenty of space: always avoid tailgating as this could trigger road rage in another motorist. Additionally, you want to ensure that you have enough room to stop suddenly if the motorist in front of you slams on the brakes.
- Be aware of cars running red lights: approach intersections with caution since a car may be running a red light which can easily lead to a collison.
We hope these motorcycle riding tips have been helpful. If you are interested in buying your own motorcycle or want more information on how to safely head out on your next adventure, contact us at Pensacola Motorsports in Pensacola, Florida. We proudly serve Santa Rosa County, Florida and Baldwin County, Alabama with all their motorcycle needs, so stop by and we will get you on the road with confidence!