7 Motorcycle Safety Tips All Riders Need To Swear By

Every motorcycle rider starts somewhere, and that is usually as a beginner. In most circumstances, riders are either scared to death or overly confident (there is very little in-between). Inexperienced riders don’t know their limits, and they often overestimate the motorcycle’s limits. Fair assumption?

Most new riders are urged to take a beginning motorcycle riding course to prepare them for what to do in an emergency, how to handle the motorcycle, and all the other scenarios they might face. Not every rider will do this, making the inexperienced rider on the road even more dangerous.

Alcohol and drugs in the system (in excess) can bring a false sense of confidence in some people. Fatigue is just as worse, too. We already know that drinking, drugged and fatigue driving is not safe in a car – why would reducing the frame and wheel number make it any safer?

Impaired motorcycle riders create dangerous situations on the roadways for themselves and other vehicles around them. New and veteran riders can fall into this trap – there is no group of riders safe from this type of accident statistic.

Slow down, Speed Racer! Where do you need to get to so fast?

We are all guilty of speeding when we are in a hurry. It is an instinct that if we press down on the accelerator a little harder, we will get there a little quicker. The science is there – go faster, take less time. The part that doesn’t necessarily get thrown in there is Newton’s Third Law of Motion - “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.”

Let that sink in. The faster you go, the less time it will take, but the more likely you will be to put yourself (or someone else) in danger. You have seen fast riders on the road and thought to yourself, “they are going to cause an accident.” Then you are much more aware. Speeding is part of the ability factor of riding a motorcycle.

Much like in automobiles, impaired driving is a significant safety hazard. Even prescription medications pose a risk of impairing driving, so know what medicines do to you. If the drugs you take make you drowsy or impair your reaction time, you may want to forego the motorcycle.

If you haven’t had much sleep, the effects can be as intoxicating as drinking alcohol or using drugs. Motor function severely suffers, and the ability to even stay awake behind the handlebars creates significant potential for danger.

ATGATT, which means “all the gear, all the time,” is a mnemonic device used to remember to suit up when getting on your motorcycle. Even if helmets are not a requirement in your state, the NHTSA states that wearing helmets are 29% effective in preventing fatal injuries and 67% effective in preventing serious brain injury.

Anytime you get on a motorcycle, you should have gear that protects your body and skin. You aren’t surrounded by a large metal frame like in a car, so the more proactive you are with gear, the more likely you will remain safe.

Know where you are, what you are doing, and what every vehicle around you is doing. Have you ever heard someone say that you need to know what someone two cars ahead of you will do? It is all about anticipation and making sure you understand the potential hazards that may end up in your path.

Make sure you know the area you are in, too. New locales can end up providing a new list of hazards you were not prepared for. Know the weather, too. Weather can play a significant role in accidents. Hydroplaning on a motorcycle can be deadly. Keep your eyes open.

Speeding has already been mentioned once, and now we are repeating it? Maybe there is something to it? Motorcycle riders don’t think about how fast they are going, especially on the open road. Stop and reaction times are different for the motorcycle rider, so if something jumps out in front of you, you might be able to stop. Still, the car behind you needs more space to stop – unfortunately, you are in the way.

More can happen on a motorcycle in the blink of an eye than in an automobile. Slow it down if you are going to ride.

If you are riding around on a motorcycle on its last leg (so to speak), you are likely to be in more danger than if you were riding around on a brand new model. It seems legitimate, right? Motorcycles that do not undergo the necessary maintenance and upkeep can be a ticking time bomb on the roadway. The same applies with automobiles on the road – proper maintenance is essential for safety.

Every season has its own hazards. Depending on your climate and location, you need to be extremely cautious and aware of them.

• Spring: Spring is an inconsistent season. Sometimes it can be hot, cold, warm, snowing, raining – basically a mix of any weather pattern you can think of. Depending on where you live, you could have 70-degree weather one day and an inch of snow on the ground the next. Know what you will be opening the door to in the morning before getting on your bike.
• Summer: For the most part, summer can be hot. Depending on where you live, it can be hot enough to melt asphalt. More people are also out on bicycles, walking, and (you guessed it) motorcycles. Be more aware of where the other people on the road are during this time.
• Fall: It is doubtful that pumpkin spice will be the demise of your motorcycle riding, but one thing that does happen in the fall are the leaves falling. You might not think much of it any other time, but wet leaves can equal catastrophe when you are on a motorcycle. Not only that, but these leaves can also cover smaller objects that could cause your bike to overturn or you to be ejected.
• Winter: Snow, ice, and blizzard-like conditions. If you don’t have to ride your motorcycle during this time, you are better off to garage it. If you have to ride it, use extreme caution and pay attention to the snow and ice. Make sure you are wearing the gear that will keep you warm.

Taking a class doesn’t have to be lame. In fact, taking a class can be the difference between being safe or being naïve on the road. Do you know what to do if you are in an accident? What are the dangers of wearing short shorts on a motorcycle during an accident? How vital are helmets?

You might have general knowledge about some of this stuff. Still, a class prepares you for situations. It gives you the basic knowledge you need to be a road-worthy motorcycle rider.