Motorcycle Safety Tips
1. Riding With a Passenger
When riding with a passenger, make sure your rider stays relaxed and mimic the driver's movements. For example, if the driver looks left through a curve, the passenger should look left through the curve. If the driver is leaning into the curve, the passenger should lean into the curve with the driver. The passengers body should always work with the driver and not against the driver.
Passengers that squeeze their knees against the driver tend to offer support without encumbering the driver's movements. When possible, your passenger should attend training with the driver.
2. Pre-ride Safety Check
If you bike has sat unused for an extended period of time, be sure that you perform a detailed check for each of the following.
- * Tire integrity (look for cracks, gouges, dry rot, etc)
- * Air pressure
- * Throttle, brake and clutch levers are responsive
- * All lights are working properly (including: head light, tail light, signal lights)
- * Check oil and other fluids (including: brake fluid, cooling fluid, gas)
- * Check the chain or belt to make sure it is adjusted to the correct tolerance and is in good working order
- * Shocks should be responsive (flowing up and down, not sticky or leaking)
3. Reread Your Owner's Manual
Reread your MOM! Your motorcycle owner's manual has important and useful information. It is easy to forget some of the nuanced recommendations for your bike. Periodically rereading your manual does not take long but assures that you are aware of your motorcycle's operation.
4. Get Advanced Training!
The best riders train regularly. Try to take a course once a year to advance your skill level. Courses are available for on-road and off-road training. (Bikesafe is on-road only.)
Everybody benefits from regular training. The single best improvement you can make to your motorcycle is to improve the skill of its rider.
