Member Article

Motorbike Riding Tips That You May Not Know

It goes without saying that riding a motorbike is one of the most dangerous method of road transport. With no exterior protection coupled with high speed, the chances of a critical accidents are much higher, compared to say, driving a car. A biker will face more hazards on the road so it is vital that they maintain constant awareness while driving. However, certain common situations can be comparatively riskier than others, but sometimes overlooked. The following tips will hopefully enlighten you and increase your safety chances.

Cornering On Country Roads

Riding on a long, winding road on a nice, warm day can be addictive to most bikers. There is a sort of thrill when leaning into those corners that seemingly never end, over and over again. If you maintain an appropriate speed, you can do this safely, provided that of course other vehicles on the road are driven by responsible people, which is unfortunately never guaranteed. But to really increase the safety factor, never overestimate the sharpness of the turn, and only accelerate as the road straightens out. Avoid the mistake of quickly going around a turn and having no time to slow down as the turn tightens. Also use clues on and around the road; for instance, the tree line, the path of the telegraph poles, and road markings can provide you an estimate of the sharpness of the corner.

Uneven Road Surface

Bikers, inexperience or otherwise, can sometimes make the mistake of not riding according to the conditions and the road surface. Everyone has at least encountered a pothole at least once, especially during and after icy cold weathers. Not only that, manhole covers, uneven or loose parts of the road, leaks, and painted road markings can easily affect the smoothness of the ride. It is sometimes unavoidable, but by taking certain precautions, you can reduce the risk of an accident significantly. Firstly, always check your motorbike tyres and make sure that they are inflated at the right pressure, and the tread depth are within legal limits. Getting the correct tyre for the type of riding is also a good measure. Secondly, try limiting the speed you are travelling at when you come across unfamiliar road. This will give you time to react and manoeuvre potential hazards.

Accidents Involving Other Vehicles

No matter how good and cautious you are on the road, even if you follow every single rule in the book, you cannot control the others drivers. Whether you like it or not, you will be involved in an accident, minor or otherwise. But to avoid the chances, you can add the following to your driving skills. Especially if you notice an errant driver, you know, the ones that sort of sway on a straight road, do not travel too closely to that vehicle. Always keep a good distance so you can react or stop in time if something out of the ordinary should occur. This applies whether the vehicle is in front or to the back of you.

In addition, try getting a GoPro to attach on your helmet. You can record your riding experience and it can be extremely helpful in the event of an accident or altercation on the road.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sophia Addison .