5 Safety Tips for Riding a Motorcycle This Spring
Mar 06, 2023
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While winter’s not over, it won’t be long before spring arrives. If you prefer riding on two wheels over driving on four, you might be anxious to get your motorcycle out of storage.It’s essential to stay safe when operating a vehicle on the road. But it’s all the more vital for motorcyclists to exercise caution since they’re no match for cars if there’s a collision. Whether you’re getting ready to ride a motorcycle for the first time or an experienced rider, brushing up on some tips to stay safe on the road won't hurt.
Here’s a look at five things to keep in mind.
1. Sign Up for a Skills Refresher Course
It won’t hurt to enroll in a skills refresher course. That’s especially true if you haven’t operated a motorcycle in a while. If you do some digging online, you’ll likely find some service providers who offer skills refresher courses led by experienced motorcycle riders.
You’ll learn how to handle situations like loss of traction and obstacles. A skills refresher course will also provide defensive driving skills and make you a better motorcyclist.
2. Scan Your Environment
When on the road, you need to scan your environment. Check your mirrors often. What you don’t want is to be surprised by anything. If you habitually scan your environment regularly, you’ll know what’s happening around you. You’ll find avoiding problems easier and stay safer on the road.
3. Don’t Exceed Your Skill Level
When out riding your motorcycle, stay within your skill level. That’s one reason you should ensure you can properly operate the model of the motorcycle you ride.
If your motorcycle can reach higher levels of speed than you’re comfortable with, restrict how fast you go. You’ll eventually become more skilled and capable of exploring and appreciating the full capabilities of your motorcycle. But don’t do too much too soon.
4. Ride Defensively
The safest type of riding is defensive riding. It’ll help keep you, your passenger, other motorists, and pedestrians safe. When you drive defensively, you’ll be proactive rather than reactive. You’ll be able to spot potential issues and steer clear of them. You definitely won’t be one of those motorcyclists who darts in and out of traffic like a madman or mad woman.
Sometimes it’s the motorist rather than the motorcyclist who drives erratically and causes issues. If you get into a collision with a motorist, you must contact a motorcycle accident lawyer to get the help you need for yourself and your damaged motorcycle.
5. Practice Makes Perfect
Are you feeling a little bit rusty after not having driven your motorcycle for a while? In the spring, take your motorcycle to an empty parking lot and practice defensive driving best practices. You’ll get more comfortable and go from the parking lot to the road soon.
6. Dress for Safety
It's essential to dress properly if you're riding a motorcycle. Get an appropriate helmet, gloves, eye protection, jacket, boots, and pants. If you’re ever involved in a collision, you’ll want to be wearing the appropriate gear. Ensure you invest in quality safety gear. Shopping for safety gear isn’t the time to count your pennies. Get the highest quality stuff you can afford. You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg, but getting the proper protection is worth the investment.
Motorcycle riding season is upon us. If you remember the aforementioned tips, you’ll enjoy a safe riding season. A lot of the tips are a matter of common sense. But they can make a massive difference if you plan to enjoy some motorcycling when the weather warms up.