How to Practice on a Motorcycle
Practice is essential to developing the riding skills required to control the motorcycle. The skills taught include turning, braking, and turning.
Try practicing your turns in a parking lot or on a road that is lightly traveled. Aim for precise, slow-speed turns where you can see the turn's entrance and exit clearly. This will help you understand your limits of your bike and help you learn to ride safely.
Turning
Turning is one of the most important motorcycle techniques for beginners to master. More Support is very heavy and its weight, when combined with gravity's pull could easily cause it to fall over during a turn if your turning strategy isn't precise. It is important to learn how to counterweight your bike using your body when turning.
Many new motorcyclists are confused about how a motorcycle turns at higher speeds. Once your speed approaches 10 mph, conventional steering fades into "counter-steering," where the bike turns by leaning. If you pull the handlebar in the direction of the turn you wish to make the bike will lean in the same direction. For example, if you're turning right, you'll need to push the right handgrip away from you.
As you approach turning, bring your lower body into a position of cornering by shifting your weight a bit backwards (this could require stopping if the bike isn't in the correct gear). As you move toward the corner, apply steady pressure to the handgrip in the direction of the turn. This will cause the bike to lean in the same direction and let you ride through the corner without difficulty.
Once you've reached the point that you have to increase the throttle, you can roll on the throttle the entire turn to raise the bike and exit the turn looking like a pro. Repeat this process repeatedly to ensure that it becomes automatic when you're on the road. You can then concentrate on more intricate riding techniques, like changing lanes, and passing other vehicles.
Braking
Braking is a vital riding skill that requires consistent practice to build muscle memory and control. Many motorcycle accidents are caused by a rider applying too much pressure on the brakes, and then slipping out of control. The most skilled riders can gauge the quality of the road surface and adjust their braking force to ensure maximum traction.
When starting to learn this skill, it is crucial to find a secure open space without traffic so that you can practice braking at low speeds. Start with a gentle squeeze and gradually increase the speed until you are at ease. When you are confident in this technique, try to stop the bike at the shortest amount of time by smoothly releasing the lever and absorbing any remaining friction.
In addition to mastering the art of braking, it is important to also become familiar with the characteristics of your motorcycle's handling and how it responds to different road conditions. For example, a bald front tire will require more brake force to remove speed than a new one. In wet weather, your stopping distance will be much longer because the water and mud could cause the tires to lose their traction.
Another essential aspect of braking is knowing when to use the rear brake and when to use the front. Ideally, in a normal braking situation around 70 percent of the deceleration should come from the front brake and 30 percent from the rear. In an emergency situation this should be reversed. In these situations the rider should rely primarily on the rear brake to ensure maximum stability and quick exit from the situation. Most experienced riders can use both brakes at the same time to slow down the bike, and then quickly switch to using only the rear brake when the bike has stopped.
Changing Lanes
The lane change is a risky maneuver for motorcyclists. It is important to plan ahead and examine the road and traffic conditions prior to switching lanes. Train by riding through a variety of traffic situations to develop a feel for when it's safe and necessary to move into another lane.
Make sure you are judging distances using your mirrors and a mental check on the shoulder. Many motorcycles come with rounded (convex) mirrors that provide more of a view than flat mirrors. Use them to spot cars in your blind spots and also learn to determine the distance between vehicles parked by observing their reflections on the sides of your helmet, or on the rear of the bike.
Don't think that a vehicle approaching from behind will stop to yield to your vehicle. It's possible that the driver may not have noticed you, particularly if they are distracted or looking at their mobile phone. Always be alert and look ahead before crossing the lane to give other drivers a chance to react quickly.
Lane splitting is most effective when traffic is moving at less than 30 mph and there is enough gaps between vehicles. Be aware that trucks with large blind spots are more likely than smaller vehicles to crash into an individual driver in the course of changing lanes.
If you're riding on a slippery surface it's recommended to lean the motorcycle. This will help you keep a straight posture, absorb the shock with your elbows and knees, and prevent you from being thrown off of the bike. It's also helpful to turn on the throttle to help lighten the front end of the motorcycle and increase the traction.
Avoiding collisions with Animals
Many motorbike accidents are caused by animals and cars. Deer are particularly dangerous because they often appear sudden and require drivers to react swiftly. Simple precautions can reduce the risk of hitting a wild animal and sustaining serious injuries.
Be on the lookout for deer and other wildlife when riding in rural areas. Be extra vigilant during the night, as deer are more active. If possible you can use high beams to see animals sooner.
It is also crucial to avoid sudden movements by other drivers. If drivers do not signal when they change lanes or turn left, or suddenly slow down, they may cause a motorcycle skid or even be rear-ended. Motorcyclists need to be ready to brake at a moment's notice in these situations, which is why it is recommended to keep a safe distance and other vehicles, especially when approaching an intersection or making a turn.
Keep an eye out for slippery surfaces, too. Patches of ice, sand, or salt can affect your bike's performance, so it is best to avoid them completely when you can. If you must travel on slippery surfaces, keep an incline of speed and keep your feet on the pegs to remain in control.
Do not challenge the large animal, even if it appears be afraid of you. A dog or a smaller animal is likely to flee but a mountain lion, moose, or elk may strike to defend its territory. The way you move your legs and arms won't frighten or distract the animal. This could increase the risk for you since it will be focused on the accident scene.
Avoiding collisions with Cars
Many people can decrease their chances of getting into a collision. Techniques like stopping, steering away from danger, reducing speed and using the horn can all help to prevent collisions, or make the consequences less severe should they occur.
Another method to lessen the risk of crashing is to take a soft approach. According to the E Permit Test website if drivers are unable to avoid hitting an object, they should steer their vehicle towards the soft surface instead of a hard one. This can lessen the impact force and reduce the damage to the vehicle and any injuries.
It is also essential to maintain an appropriate distance from the vehicle in front of you and help avoid rear-end collisions. Drivers should try to leave a couple of seconds between their car and the vehicle in front of them. This will give them the time to react if the vehicle in front suddenly brakes.
Avoid distractions like shaving, putting on makeup, or changing clothes, while driving. These activities can take away the concentration and brain power needed to safely drive, which could lead to the possibility of a collision. It's also a good idea to slow down when you come to a bend and steer smoothly.