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Motorcycle riding tips for beginners Whether you are a newbie in riding or you are a seasoned rider, the rules of safety remain the same.
Motorcycle Riding Tips For Beginners
Brace yourself to a newer height of understanding as you get yourself informed about several ways to improve your skills in riding motorcycles while maximizing safety.
Motorcycle Braking Techniques
Braking is an essential skill in riding a motorcycle but only a few are completely adept with the proper measures. Hence, in this article, you will get to know the essential pointer in braking to maximize your safety for every ride.
Know the most effective brake
Just in case you are not aware, the front brake is the most effective brake rendering between sixty and eighty percent of the motorcycle’s stopping power especially during hard stops.
What is the reason behind this?
This is because the weight of the rider and the bike mostly transfer forward to the front wheel particularly when brakes are being applied.
Control the rear wheel skid
When it comes to these safe braking tips, don’t worry because doing the trick is very easy. All you have to do is to keep your eyes on the horizon and be on the lookout of the location that you intend to go to.
The next thing that you will know is that your bike will skid in a controllable way along with a minimized fishtailing.
Keep in mind that braking is not a natural skill
You would surely go wrong if you are framed with the idea that braking is a natural skill. Just like with any motorcycle riding skill, braking is a learned skill. This means that there is a need for you to practice the right skills to come up with an instinctive reaction. This way, you would be able to do the right thing in case of an emergency.
Be adept with staged braking
If you take enough practice time, staged braking is not that difficult to learn and master. The most ideal way of learning this skill is to get started with a 4-stage application of the bike’s front brake. Later on, you can increase the stages to improve your skills more.
Learn how to brake on slippery and loose surfaces
Do it with a double leap of care but without timid. The real trick to good braking on such surfaces is observation. If you are completely aware of what is under the wheels, you would be able to cater to the proper braking bases on the surface. Hence, it is advised that you always keep an eye on the surface.
Practice emergency braking.
If you are a seasoned motorcycle rider, you are likely capable of pulling the situation off in case of emergency stops. The real secrets are by exerting pressure on the front brake to get your wheel turning on without actually letting the brake off. In connection to this, you must observe a newer height of sensitivity and the only way is to spend extra time for practice.
Braking needs time and patience to be learned and mastered. Luckily, there are lots of ways that a novice rider can do to improve your braking skill. At the end of the day, do keep in mind that the main purpose of observing proper skills is for safety.
Motorcycle Cornering Techniques
Cornering is considered as a very rewarding experience for motorcycle riders. To pull off properly, there are lots of things that one has to keep in mind. Do take note that the most significant factor when cornering is to center at the right speed. This is only made possible if your bike has been set up properly before entering a corner.
How to ride through a corner?
Tightening corners
Unluckily, you cannot always judge a certain corner before you enter it. A corner is said to be nasty if there is a decreasing radius. Furthermore, riders are not always lucky because not all the time there are warning signs.
Vanishing point
For a rule of thumb, you have to be on the lookout of the vanishing point. In case you notice that the vanishing points are getting bigger, fret not because it only means that the corner widens up. On the other hand, if you observe that the vanishing points keep getting closer, you have to bear in mind that the corner is getting tighter. This way, you will still have ample time to streamline your speed.
There are some cases where riders tend to forget the vanishing points? In times like this, what are the safety rules of thumb?
- Push the bike to the inside with the use of your outside knee. Also, you can push against the steering handle so long as you have a psychological barrier. With that being said, the former is still recommended.
- Apply the rear brake slowly. In situations like this, you do not only decrease the speed as the bike will also turn a little bit around the rear wheel. Hence, you will turn more do the corner- and this is what you supposed to do. Just forget about the word “panic” because it will just steer you away from the right thing to do.
Right-hand corners
Get started wide, slow down, and then keep on the left part until you are certain that the road is crystal clear. It is a great idea to come up with a safe buzzer zone that is away from the oncoming traffic
Left-hand corners
Get started wide with better vision and then pull it off in tight. Again, create a safe buzzer zone.
Obstacles
Motorcycle sport is quite challenging to the extent that riders anticipate events. You may hear about hill climbs, freestyle motor cross, speedway, track racing, rally, and other related terms. Whatever activity you are going to venture, there is a need to ensure safety. Life is always more important than the appeal of your motorcycle. Everybody will have a fun-filled experience if no accident will take place.
With your expensive and creatively designed motorcycle, you may forget that the entire ride is full of surprises. Without knowing it, a big branch of a tree may just fall in the road. What will you do? Is it possible to overcome the obstacle? A beginner will simply take a glance at the hazard and run. On the other hand, a trained rider is equipped with an effective tactic. He will do counter-steering around the big branch. Being knowledgeable will save you from accidents.
Safety tips against obstacles
Lane management does not give a guarantee that a ride will be hazard-free. Being able to cross a small obstacle is something to be mastered. The success of avoiding a hazard is a manifestation of someone’s expertise in riding a motorcycle. In the same way, large obstacles like logs, sudden drops, ditches, and terrains would be self-fulfilling too.
Here are the important points you need to consider when crossing any obstacle.
- Determine the potential hazard early. If you already viewed an object along your way, you should slow down.
- Observe an angle of 90° and line your motorcycle accordingly. This will help in avoiding the possibility of jolting off the front wheel to the object.
- If you are approaching near the hazard, make sure that the seat would be lifted slightly. This action is possible through standing on footpegs. It will result in the knee’s absorption of shock.
- With a firm grip, control your vehicle before encountering an impact. Make sure that the brake or clutch is not covered.
- Before the front tire reaches the hazard, there is a need to make the throttle roll slightly. The acceleration will cause the shift of weight towards the motorcycle’s rear part. On the other hand, the front wheel would successfully cross the obstacle.
- Once the front wheel had crossed the object, it is the time to roll off your throttle. Then, simply allow the rear wheel to coast. If one will be overwhelmed with the throttle, there is a tendency for the rear wheel to slip.
- There must be an allotted time for stabilizing the motorcycle before the rider positions in the seat.
- Throughout, the rider must avoid preoccupying the hazard on your way. Open your eyes to see the potential hazards and traffic modification.
Motorcycle Slow Speed Control
Riding a motorcycle requires someone to be extra careful. When it comes to this kind of sport, it is not always applicable to have high speed. If your goal is to impress other people with your complicated stunts, you will only end up miserable. You may acquire injuries for striving to be a fast rider. Furthermore, you are putting your life at risk. Do you think about your safety too? It should be yes! Observing the right speed is the key. If you are new to motorcycle sport, equipping yourself will help a lot.
Here are the techniques you need to follow before making slow speeds:
- Body positioning. If a rider shifts his body weight, the gravity of the rider and bike is combined over the contact patches. Through a loose grip and limber torso on handlebars, balance will be successfully maintained.
- In case of creating right turns, one should place his weight on the exterior footpeg for allowing a motorcycle lean. One should make sure that he keeps weight on his footpegs for independently leaning the vehicle. This action will result in an immediate shifting of body weight.
- Drive control. Throttle control is a primary skill that must be learned by a rider. The execution of the forward drive needs to be done smoothly. Having inadequate background about this skill may cause your motorcycle to fall. Making a U-turn is indeed difficult, especially if the bike lurches sharply from the on-and-off throttle application.
- Brake control. If you position your feet on the footpegs, it would be easy to have a rear brake pressure. With the help of the rear brake, stability will be increased. It is necessary to observe a steady drive while dragging the rear brake to take control of the speed. The tension will assist o making the driving force steady. Moreover, it would help pivot the vehicle around when making U-turns.
Easy steps for your slow speed turn:
- Make sure that the speed is just enough. Ideally, a rider should learn how to slow into the proper speed.
- After observing a slow speed, it is the perfect time to release the brake.
- Try to lean the motorcycle and turn its handlebars.
- In a halfway manner ease out your clutch.
- Make a throttle roll slightly to pull the vehicle around a particular turn.
- Drag the bike’s rear brake. Then, make sure that the clutch slipped for the speed control.
Motorcycle Weather Condition
Do you love to ride your motorcycle in reaching various destinations? Before going out of your home, you must check whether the sun is there or not. Riding your bike on the wet road will surely bring you to accidents. You can never replace life with material possessions, right? Then, you should always keep in mind that there is a perfect time to pursue your motorcycle sport when the weather is ideal for making turns and crossing the obstacles.
If you encountered unexpected heavy rains or very hot weather, you may feel the urgency to come home. Instead of rushing and worrying, an experienced driver knows how to survive. Negative thinking will just make the situation worse.
Here are some tips for Safe Motorcycle riding on different weather conditions:
- Take a break. It is not bad to stop your ride after two hours and more. Extreme fatigue will be a factor in a possible motor accident.
- Once you observed that there is poor visibility, it is better to slow down. If you think that you can’t resist the weather, make sure that you are riding at a suitable speed. You may have other concerns, but maintaining your safety is still more essential. Let’s say that you are late to your desired location. However, coming to this area without facing danger is also a great privilege.
- On a long trip, it is helpful to rent a hotel room if the rain shows no sign of stopping.
When rain comes
Because the motorcycle is an open vehicle, the rider will be subject to sickness. The road is slippery, causing serious accidents.
- Always prefer smooth control over speedy driving. You may want to reach home immediately to have some rest. You will be safe if you gently handle the throttle and brakes. One should also pay close attention to balancing his grip. Turns must be completed accordingly before accelerating.
- Be watchful with the obstacles that may interrupt your way. Be careful about crossing over railroad tracks, oil spills, puddles, concrete surfaces, potholes, manhole covers, and branches of trees.
- Amidst wet weather, a rider must be able to adjust to the chance of handling the brake. You can use engine braking to overcome junctions and corners.
- Do not buy motorcycle tires with the label of “long-lasting”. These products are less tacky, leaving your vehicle with insufficient traction.
- For cold weather, it is a great idea to wear durable motorcycle boots and gloves.
- Make sure that the torso is warmed.
During Hot Weather
Just like heavy rains, riding under the excessive heat of the sun is also dangerous.
- Keep yourself hydrated. Don’t forget to have water breaks. Avoid those sweet drinks and caffeine to prevent dehydration.
- Wear comfortable apparel. Getaway with simple shirts and shorts. A rider’s body should be covered properly.
- Open the helmet’s vents to absorb enough airflow. By doing so, you will be saved from heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and even heat stroke.
Conclusion
According to statistics, there is a higher death rate for a motorcycle accident than other vehicles. Is it about the quality of the bike? There is a claim that the reason lies at the age of riders. Most motorcycle riders are young men. At an early age, risk awareness is not yet fully realized.
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