Riding Your Motorcycle the Safest Way Possible

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

By John Daniele

There are many different ways to ride a motorcycle safely, however, overcoming several of the key points in riding, all at the same time, can be difficult for some people. Braking, cornering, stopping, riding in inclement weather are just a few of the motorcycle safety problems a rider can run into at any given moment.

Braking –

Normally, one would think of braking a motorcycle with, well, the brakes, but there is a combination, in a certain sequence to braking a motorcycle.

• When braking, one is tempted to over look snapping off the throttle or changing to a lower gear, both of which have an impact on the rear wheel just long enough for them to lock up the real wheel and cause it to slide, especially when leaning into a curve. For that reason, safe, positive braking is not a straightforward skill but mandates training and practice in addition to watching the road conditions.
• They do most of the work, so use the front brakes. Braking progressively, confidently and tough on the front brake is a learned skill and ought to be practiced on a customary basis under safe driving conditions. If you have a passenger, the additional weight affects your stopping space, so try practicing with a passenger and without one to gage the difference.
• Heavy, hard braking is prepared when the motorcycle is straight and wandering in a straight line. When braking, do not stiffen your arms; instead, grip the bike with your legs, leaving your arms relaxed and free.
• By no means grab the front brake since this will give reasons for it to lock up. Only apply the first force effortlessly for the first second, allowing the front of the bike to dip onto the front suspension as the weight of the bike moves forward into the front wheel. The added downward pressure means you can now brake harder and this means little chance of locking up.
• Always keep your head up and watch the road conditions while going through the braking process. Try to maintain the front tire on a clean, dry, hard surface and avoid discolored spots in the road, if you find this difficult, simplicity back on the front brake and apply the back brake, change to the lower gear and slow down gradually. Release the clutch out slowly to help with this process. Jumping out the clutch can momentarily lock up the rear wheels and causing you to slide. Diesel spills on the road from semi trucks can cause a motorcyclist to loose control, so be on the look out for them.
• While driving in metropolitan traffic, always keep at least two fingers on the front brake, there is no time to be fumbling for the brake when cars are stopping and starting at such a fast pace.

Road conditions –

Every road you travel will no doubt have a different surface and condition to it. Sand and loose gravel are the two major obstacles besides regular pavement you might find yourself traveling on.

• As a rider of motorcycles, you must develop an ‘eagles eye’ when it comes to road conditions. A sense of predictions is also a good thing to have.
• All riders are encouraged to ride ‘off-road’ a few times a year to prepare themselves for whatever might happen on the roads in town and the highways. This does great things for your ability to constantly read and react to various surfaces and studies have shown that people who ride off road, have few accidents on road than those who never drive off road.

About the Author
John Daniele is an expert on motorcycle helmets. For information or to purchase a handcrafted, light-weight, fiberglass novelty motorcycle helmets see www.helmetsrus.com


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