Motorcycle Safety
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento motorcycle accident attorney. It’s 2017 and you’ve bought your new bike, got your license, and now you are ready to hit the open road. Prior to your first road trip, you might want to consider a few things to ensure a safer ride. More often than not, new riders forget about important safety precautions. If you fall and sustain injuries due to your own fault, even motorcycle accident attorneys may have a hard time fighting for you against an insurance company. Read on to learn some excellent riding tips that every beginner should know.
Keep Your Eyes on High Alert
Keep your eyes on the roadway. You want to avoid looking behind you for an extended period of time. This principle is key. It is very similar to driving in your car, but it’s much more important when riding your motorcycle. It’s crucial to realize that you don’t have the same protections that someone driving in a car enjoys. Therefore, you want to keep your eyes set on the roadway and scan far ahead of you. Glance at the side mirrors for just a split second. Biking has a cardinal but very simple rule: you will travel where your eyes are looking.
Importance of Taking a Motorcycle Safety Course
This investment will pay off handsomely. Anyone can learn how to drive a bike. What matters is how educated you desire to become. Every state offers this kind of course. You may want to consider taking this course through Harley-Davidson. If so, simply go to their website for more information.
Adopting the Buddy System
If you are a new rider, find a friend or colleague who owns a bike and then go out and ride together. There is safety in numbers. Allow this person to mentor you. This person can usually explain some of the mistakes he made as a beginner. This will help you gain invaluable experience from someone who has been there. This can also be your go-to person should you encounter a problem or have riding questions. The experienced biker you choose will probably be glad to help you learn how do things like park your bike, ride in the rain and other helpful motorcycle safety tips.
Adorned with the Proper Gear
When motorcycling, more is better so always gear up. You want to utilize a standard issue helmet to reduce the occurrence of a head injury in case of a traffic collision or sudden fall. Choose wisely and do not rush this decision. Be sure you are properly fitted in the helmet. You don’t want it to be too loose. A helmet that does not fit properly will not perform its intended function.
Humble Beginnings
Do not bite off too much too soon. Start riding on a short route. Wait before attempting to drive on along the highway. Get some training first. The high rate of speed is too dangerous for a new bikers. Get some experience on a shorter route first. Be sure that you take the time to get to know your bike really well. This will help to reduce your chances of suffering a traumatic injury in a collision. Once you are comfortable with your bike on a shorter route you can move ahead. It is important to learn how to change gears and how to brake smoothly. Get these things down pat before venturing out on a more lengthy route with a higher rate of speed. Safety and gaining the necessary experience is key for every biker.
Watch Your Surroundings
Be on the lookout for falling debris when you pass through construction zones. While riding a bike, you are virtually unprotected. All you have is the helmet and riding gear. In a car or truck, you have a thick sheet of metal and a strong frame that helps protects your body. On a motorcycle you are extremely vulnerable. Therefore, look around quite often and slow down while approaching intersections. This will help reduce your chances of experiencing a crash resulting in catastrophic injuries.
Learn How to Drive Defensively
After completing a motorcycle safety course, you will want to keep educating yourself on how to drive defensively. Your goal at all times is to protect yourself. Motorcycle accident lawyers have commented that on occasion their clients have not been driving defensively prior to a devastating crash. Bikers should refrain from phone use and other forms of distracted driving.
Proper Motorcycle Maintenance
If you want to enjoy a safe ride, keep current on a bike maintenance schedule. The first and most basic thing you can do is to keep your bike washed. If you wash it regularly, you will be preventing gunk and soot from getting into the engine. It’s is also your duty to inspect the oil just like you would for your car or truck. Keep an eye on the tire pressure each day. Ride with properly inflated tires. Most importantly, be sure the brakes are in good working order.
Riding Curbs Properly
The best technique to get into a curb well is to follow an out-in-out rule. What this means is that as you reach a curb, your motorcycle should be on the outer part of the curb. When you turn, you should be headed towards the inner portion of the curb, and finally you head out again. This is the best approach because it allows you to avoid any obstacle along the inner road, and can prevent an accident.
Do Not Brake While Turning
When getting ready to turn, just reduce speed by slowing down, but never brake. If you brake, you may skid and fall. You should avoid turning while travelling at a very high rate of speed. It is always wise to slow down before starting a turn.
Related Motorcycle Articles by Ed Smith:
- I’ve Been in a Motorcycle Accident – What Should I do First?
- What Factors Affect the Value of my Injury Claim?
- Motorcycle Accidents and Biker Rights
- California Motorcycle Lane Splitting
Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento motorcycle accident attorney. If you’ve been seriously injured in an accident, please call me at (916) 921-6400 for free, friendly advice. Or, contact me toll-free at (800) 404-5400.
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