It’s not difficult to fall in love with the idea of riding a motorcycle, that’s for sure. However, as romantic as the thoughts of riding down the highway can be, and how cool the whole aesthetic of motorcycles is, the truth is that they come with some safety considerations that not even practiced drivers might be overly familiar with. Here, we’re going to look at some of the most crucial elements of rider safety that you have to stay aware of at all times.
They require a lot of practice
“Like riding a bike” is a phrase often used to describe something that comes naturally to you after a while of doing it and, while it is true that a lot motorcyclists can feel this way about it, it’s something that should be done regularly if it’s done at all. Motorcycles handle differently from all of the other vehicles on the road, and you can have difficulty handling it if you haven’t been on it in a while. As such, if you haven’t been on your motorcycle, then you might want to look at some additional lessons to help you acclimate to it again.
Good gear is vital
Your protective gear is essential for your safety, in addition to your riding skills. While we may hope to never need it, we should ensure it’s present when required. To achieve this, prioritize substance over style when selecting your knee pads, gloves, and helmet, ensuring that they offer adequate protection. Before each ride, examine your safety gear thoroughly to avoid riding with faulty equipment. It’s critical to prioritize safety over appearance. As you might have heard, you need to drive for the slide, not for the ride. Gear that can protect you from the friction if you topple off the bike is vital.
You’re more susceptible, so you need to pay more attention
In a just world, it’s those who are capable of causing more harm on the road that should pay more attention to it. However, as it is, you’re at risk of getting much more seriously hurt if you get into a collision with a car, as shown by these motorcycle deaths vs car deaths facts. Since bikers are a lot more susceptible, you need to maintain your focus and practice defensive driving when possible to make sure you don’t slip into blindsides or get too close to other vehicles.
They’re going to require maintenance
Just like every vehicle, motorcycles need some love and care to make sure that they’re able to face the road safely. However, rather than having to waste all of your money on mechanics, you can learn a lot of DIY motorcycle maintenance yourself. Of course, you should make sure that you get the pros involved if your bike starts showing any issues that you’re familiar with or equipped to take care of yourself, too.
Motorcycles can be a ton of fun, there’s no denying that, but it’s your number one priority to keep safety in mind if you decide to hop on.
