The internet is filled with all sorts of tips, tricks, and hacks for motorcycling. Some are actually pretty good, some are neither here nor there, and then there are others that might actually put some less experienced riders in danger. Some authoritative figures have also been guilty of peddling advice in the name of selling something.
To be clear, this is not a list of tips, hacks, or tricks. Riding is inherently dangerous. That is part of the reason why we ride, after all, but the safer we can make it, the better for everyone. These are just some habits more experienced riders form over time, all of which help make longer rides safer and more enjoyable.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Safe Driving For Life. Whereas, the opinions are our own.
Wear The Appropriate Safety Gear
The commitment of some riders to wear “all the gear all the time” is admirable, but impractical. If you are just going down to the convenience store, some shoes and a helmet will suffice. If the convenience store happens to be in another state, that’s different.
Generally speaking, boots and jeans are a must. Better riding jeans are great, but not always necessary. An appropriate riding jacket, on the other hand, is essential. If it’s warm where you live – and where you are going – a mesh jacket is a good option. You can always add a couple layers under it if you run into some unexpected weather. Some riders get frustrated with the cost involved, but your gear is as essential as the bike itself, and you need to buy the right gear for where you ride.
Pack A First Aid Kit
Whenever people say “first aid kit”, the first thing that often comes to mind is a big bag or box of medical supplies. For a motorcycle, that is both impractical and unnecessary.
Ideally, you need something compact enough to fit under your seat, but some bikes simply don’t have enough space for that! You can find small, affordable kits at a pharmacy or online, or you can just build your own kit. If your bike doesn’t have enough space under the seat, just leave it in the bag you use the most.
The tool kits that come with bikes are designed to be compact and to save the manufacturer as much money as possible. Suffice it to say, they are not at all comprehensive.
For all those budding mechanics out there, it is also important not to overdo it; space is valuable, and it is important to strike the right balance. The key is to make sure all the tools you pack make it easier to work on your bike, or your buddy’s bike, when you find yourself in a jam. Being in a position to help others is also rewarding.
Pre-Flight Inspection
Before any longer ride, it is critical that you check your bike. At the very least, you need to check the state of your tires – although we would assume you know they are ok – and tire pressure.
Francesc Montero via KTM
Other essential checks include the state of your chain if you have one, the oil level, and the coolant level. Most modern motorcycles have a fuel gauge, but if your bike doesn’t, be sure to fill up and keep an eye on that from time to time, depending on how far you are riding.
Obey Road Rules
When you are younger, it might seem fun to push boundaries, but on a motorcycle that just adds unnecessary problems to your life. This is something that should be common sense, but with many influencers making light of this, it is quite understandable that newer riders get the wrong idea.
Experienced riders will obey road rules more often than not. While it might seem fun to test your bike in a built-up area, it is not a smart move.
Always Choose Visibility Over Style
Motorcycles are basically invisible to people driving cars. Doing anything to make yourself more visible is a huge help. Wearing one of those high-vis jackets sits at the extreme end of the scale.
But simply wearing something with a bit of color improves your chances of somebody seeing you. Even if bright colors are not your style, simply getting a white helmet as opposed to a darker color will do the trick.
Keeping Your Distance
As a rule, you need to leave a gap of at least two seconds between yourself and the vehicle ahead. That is, if the weather conditions are good. If you are riding at night or in poor weather, that gap should be doubled.
This is especially important when you are riding in a group. All too often, you will see riders quite literally riding in a group, and while this might be acceptable during a parade or event, under any other conditions, it is a dangerous practice.
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Covering Your Front Brake
There is a common misconception that you should always be covering your front brake. This is quite simply not the case.
The only time you need to cover your brake is when you are on high alert. If you are riding through a busy city, or riding on a stretch of road you are unfamiliar with, for example. Doing it all the time is both impractical and unnecessary.
Planning The Route Carefully
If you don’t get this part right, you might end up having the wrong kind of adventure. Although we live in an age where GPS is free, people still get lost, and run out of gas.
Cellphone reception is still hit-and-miss in certain parts of the world, so relying solely on an online map is not a good idea. On longer rides, it is important to map out your stops, not only for gas, but also to generally take in your surroundings. It should be more about the journey than the destination.
Stop Overthinking Everything, And Have Fun
All of these things are basically common sense. The worst thing you can do is take everything too seriously, because that will suck all the joy out of the ride.
As you get more experienced, all this stuff comes naturally. There is no need to overthink it, because the moment it’s no longer fun, you have indeed missed the point.