How to Practice on a Motorcycle
Training is vital to develop the riding skills needed to maneuver the motorcycle. The skills learned include turning, braking, and turning.
Practice your turns in a parking space or on a road that's not heavily traveled. Try to make precise, slow-speed turns in which you can clearly see the turn's entrance and exit clearly. This will help you understand the limitations of your bike and help learn to ride safely.
Turning
Turning is a crucial motorcycle technique that new riders must master. If you don't have a clear method of turning, a motorcycle can be a heavy machine. The weight of the bike combined with gravity could easily cause it to fall over. Making sure you counterbalance the bike using your own body when you turn is essential to ensuring that you stay upright.
Many new motorcyclists have a difficult understanding how a motorcycle turns when it is traveling at higher speeds. When you reach 10 MPH the standard steering changes to "counter-steering," in which the bike turns by leaning to the left. The bike will lean in the same way if push the bars in the direction you want to turn. For example when you're turning left then you'll have to push the right handgrip away from you.
As you approach a turn, get your lower body into a cornering position by shifting your weight back a little (this might require some brakes if your bike isn't in the correct gear). As you approach the corner, hold the handgrip steadily towards the direction of your turn. This will cause the motorcycle to tilt in the same direction which allows you to cruise through the turn with ease.
Roll on the throttle throughout the turn. This will allow you stand up the bike and appear like an expert when you come out of the corner. Repeat this procedure until it becomes routine. You can then focus on more advanced riding skills, such as changing lanes and passing other vehicles.
Braking
Braking is an essential riding skill that requires consistent practice to build muscle memory and control. A rider can cause accident on the road by applying too much pressure on the brakes and slipping out. The best riders can detect the quality of the road surface and adjust the force of braking to increase traction.
It is crucial to practice this skill in a secure space far from traffic, and where you can brake at a slower speed. Begin with a gentle squeeze and gradually increase the speed to your desired level of comfort. Once you feel confident with this method, you can stop the bike in the shortest distance possible by gently releasing the lever and absorbing any friction.
You shouldn't just learn to brake, but also understand your motorcycle's handling characteristics. This will allow you to better know how it reacts to various road conditions. A balding front tire, for example will require more force to brake to reduce speed than a brand new one. In rainy weather, stopping distances will be longer due to the fact that mud and water can cause tires to lose the traction.
Highly recommended Reading of braking is knowing when to make use of the rear brake and when to use the front brake. In normal braking situations, around 70% of deceleration comes from the front brake. The remaining 30 percent should be coming from the rear. In an emergency, this ratio should be reversed. In these instances, a rider should rely mostly on the rear brake to ensure maximum stability and quick exit from the situation. The most experienced riders can use both brakes at once to slow down the bike, and then change to using only the rear brake after the bike has stopped.
Changing Lanes
The lane change is a risky maneuver for motorcyclists. It is crucial to evaluate the traffic and road conditions prior to making lane changes and to prepare ahead to give yourself enough time to complete the transition safely. It is important to practice in various traffic situations so you can determine the safest time to make a lane change.
Use your mirrors to gauge distance and check the shoulder. A lot of motorcycles have rounded (convexed) mirrors, which give a better view than flat mirrors. Make use of them to spot vehicles that are in your blind spots. Also, learn to judge distances by observing the reflections of cars parked on the rear or side of your bike.
If you see a vehicle approaching from the rear do not believe that it will stop to let you in. It is possible that the driver didn't see you, especially when they were distracted by their phone. Always look and signal before entering another lane to give other drivers a chance to react in a timely manner.
It is recommended to split lane only when the traffic is moving at a speed of 30 mph or less, and there are adequate gaps between vehicles. Be aware that larger trucks have a larger blind area and are more likely to accidentally hit a driver when they change lanes.
Leaning the bike is a good idea when riding on a slippery surface. This will help you maintain a straight body position and absorb shock using your elbows and knees, and prevent being bounced off the bike. Rolling on the throttle will also assist in reducing the weight of the front of the motorcycle, increasing traction.
Avoiding Collisions With Animals
Cars and animals are both responsible for many motorcycle collisions. Deer are particularly dangerous because they are often seen suddenly and require a driver to react swiftly. A few simple precautions can greatly reduce your risk of hitting an animal and suffering a serious injury.
If you are riding in areas that are rural, make sure to watch for deer and other wildlife. Be extra cautious at night, when deer are usually more active. Utilize high beams, if you can, to spot animals faster.
Beware of sudden movements by other drivers is crucial as well. When drivers don't signal when changing lanes or turning left, or abruptly slow down, they may cause a motorcycle skid or to be rear-ended. In these situations motorcyclists should be prepared to stop at any time. It is best to maintain an appropriate distance from other vehicles when approaching an intersection, or while planning to turn.
Also, keep an eye out for areas that are slippery. Avoid patches of ice salt, or sand since they can adversely affect the performance of your bike. If you must travel on slippery surfaces, keep an incline of speed and keep your feet on the pegs to remain in control.
Never challenge a large animal, even if it appears to be frightened of you. A dog or any other small animal will likely escape from you, whereas a moose, elk, bear or mountain lion might strike to defend itself and its territory. Do not try to scare or keep the animal from escaping by flailing your arms or legs, since this could increase the risk to you by drawing attention to the scene of the crash.
Avoiding collisions with cars
Many people can lower the chance of being involved in a collision. Reducing speed, stopping, avoiding danger and using the horn are all ways to avoid collisions, or at the very least reduce the severity of them.
Another method of reducing the chance of crashing is by taking a soft approach. According to the E Permit Test website if drivers cannot avoid hitting an object they should steer their vehicle towards an area with soft surfaces instead of a hard one. This technique can significantly reduce the force of the impact and, consequently, reduce the amount of damage to the vehicle as well as any injuries.
Keep a safe distance between your car and the vehicle in front. This will help you avoid rear-end collisions. The driver should be sure to leave just a few seconds between their car and the vehicle in front of them. This will allow them time for a reaction if the vehicle in front suddenly brakes.
Avoid distractions like shaving, putting on makeup, or changing clothes, while driving. These actions can reduce the concentration and brain power required to drive safely, which could lead to the possibility of a collision. It's also a good idea to slow down before getting on a slippery road, and to maintain a steady steering style when you come to curves, since jerking the wheel can cause an accident.