Motorcycle Safety Tips
It’s difficult to beat a long motorcycle ride when it comes to an adrenaline rush. The freedom you feel on your bike as you move through traffic and hug curves in the road is exhilarating, to say the least. However, motorcycle rides require some preparation to ensure they go off without a hitch. You want to be adequately geared up and in the right frame of mind to ride your motorcycle safely, after all. Your local motorcycle dealer is Roseville Motorsports, and we’re happy to provide you with this list of motorcycle safety tips to help you ride smart no matter the weather or road conditions!
Inspect Before You Ride
You should get in the habit of thoroughly inspecting your motorcycle before each ride, if you don’t already do this. Taking a little time to ensure that everything is in good working order could save you from having to be towed when you’re on the highway and suffer a tire blowout or breakdown. Check your tire pressure and inflate your tires to the manufacturer’s recommended levels. Make sure there are no objects embedded in your tires and that there are no tears or worn treads.
Top up brake fluid, coolant and oil in your engine and check your oil’s color and consistency regularly. Stick to the oil change schedule listed in your owner’s manual. Make sure that your lights and signals work. If you find anything wrong with your motorcycle that you can’t address yourself, give the Roseville Motorsports service department a call so we can fix you up!
Get The Right Gear
Next, make sure that you’re wearing and carrying all the correct gear for your ride. You’re exposed to the elements on a motorcycle, meaning that rain, wind and sun can batter you down if you aren’t prepared to face them. Also, any accident means you’ll likely hit the pavement, so you want to protect your body as much as you can for that.
A DOT-rated motorcycle helmet with full face mask is your most essential piece of equipment. Make sure that it fits snugly and is comfortable to wear. Cover your arms and legs with long sleeves and pants, wear gloves with good grip to protect your hands and sturdy boots to protect your feet. You can get waterproof boots and gear or an all-in-one riding suit to protect your clothes if you so choose.
Carry a first aid kit with medications and bandages to address illnesses and injuries you might suffer on the road, a way to contact others, whether it’s an emergency radio or your phone, a repair kit with tire patches to fix up your bike, a flashlight, a map of the region in case your GPS or phone fails and anything else you think you might need on your ride to stay safe.
Check The Weather Forecast
Before you set out on your ride, it makes sense to check the weather for the route you plan to use. Your stability, visibility and reaction time will all be hampered by adverse weather conditions. Riding in light rain or snow might be acceptable, but if conditions worsen significantly or involve high winds, you may want to cancel your ride and find another way to get where you’re going.
Cold weather conditions mean that you need insulating gear that’s layered in order to keep you warm. Invest in lined gloves and boots with good traction. Since your tires will be more inclined to hydroplane in ice or snow, you will want to look ahead for black ice patches or deep puddles.
Hot weather increases your risk of suffering dehydration and heat exhaustion. Drink plenty of water and take breaks often in the shade or indoors to give yourself a chance to rest and cool down. Wear breathable and ventilated riding gear and apply sunscreen to any exposed skin.
Keep Your Focus Sharp
Whenever operating any motorized vehicle, it’s vital that your focus remains sharp. Poor road conditions, erratic drivers, traffic changes and sudden obstacles all present threats to the motorcyclist, so you need to be at your most alert, ready to react to anything. Don’t ride while you’re tired or emotionally distraught, as these states of mind will affect your attention and slow you down. Don’t ever drink alcohol or use recreational drugs before you ride.
If you take prescription medicine or have a health condition that could impede your ability to operate heavy machinery, check with your physician before you ride. As you’re riding, move your eyes frequently to prevent yourself from getting tunnel vision from staring straight ahead for too long. Be aware of things in your peripheral vision and stay on top of your surroundings.
Now that you’ve prepared yourself mentally and physically for a ride, you might be seeking out a new motorcycle for your next adventure. Visit our Roseville location to see our full selection of motorcycles for sale. Roseville Motorsports proudly serves the cities of Sacramento and Stockton, California.