Riding Safely on your Motorcycle

Motorcycles signify independence, freedom, and a thirst for power on the street. No other motorist is more in tune with the road than a Harley-Davidson® rider, as operating a bike requires much more skill and focus than any other street-legal vehicle out there. However, because it’s such a difficult vehicle to master, the first thing any rider must learn to account for is safety. You won’t be able to get very far without making sure you’re safe, so this guide gives a few recommendations for how to protect yourself from accidents and the potential harm you could experience in a crash. Remember that this article is not meant to replace a motorcycle training certification, but it still gives you some great tools to be prepared mentally. Apparel is one of the things we’ll talk about in here, so if you want to get some good gear for staying safe, come into biggs Harley-Davidson® near San Diego, Carlsbad, Oceanside, and Encinitas, CA.

Inspections

A bike’s not going to do a very good job keeping you protected on the road if it’s not in good, working condition, so you’ll need to learn to inspect it regularly. In fact, before every ride, you should give it a quick look to check for anything that could potentially cause a hazard. Leaks, damaged or loose parts and tire pressure are all biggies that can’t be ignored. If you notice these right away, you might be able to fix them right away before they become a problem. You should also look for any debris that’s stuck in the engine, as this could cause damage on a long trip. Also, make sure to check your lights! It’s not only illegal to ride without functioning lights, but also improves your visibility to other drivers. They already have a tough time seeing motorcycles, so don’t make yourself even less visible by riding with busted headlights, brake lamps, or turn signals.

Safety Gear

You’re just as likely to get in an accident on a motorcycle as on a car, but because you’re not surrounded by walls, held in place by a seat belt, or secured behind a crumple zone, even a small accident could hurt you badly. In order to guard against potential injuries in small accidents, make sure you are equipped with proper gear. The first and undoubtedly most important accessory is a helmet. It doesn’t necessarily matter what style of helmet you use, as long as you wear one that fits snug on your head and will protect you if you take a spill. You’ll also need to make sure you’re wearing long sleeves and long pants. We recommend getting some padded riding gear, as this sort of apparel is textured to guard against road rash and other scrapes.

Stay Alert!

We mentioned it before: motorcycles can be hard to see on the road. Yes, other drivers could pay more attention, but getting frustrated with them unfortunately won’t fix the problem. To stay safe on the road, you’ll have to take matters into your own hands and drive defensively. This means yielding to people who don’t notice you, paying attention to cars merging into your lane on the highway, and keeping your head on a swivel when someone’s pulling out of a parking lot. If someone else sideswipes you, you’ll have a lot bigger problems than just a scraped up bike. We don’t want that to happen to anybody, so please stay alert when you’re around other cars.

Remember that motorcycle accidents are just as common as car accidents, only they can be far more harmful if you’re unprepared. Make sure you inspect your bike regularly, wear the right gear, and stay alert in traffic. If you have any more questions, or would like to check out our selection of Harley-Davidson® apparel, come speak to one of our representatives at Biggs Harley-Davidson®, serving the areas of Poway, Rancho Santa Fe, and San Luis Rey, California.