How to Practice on a Motorcycle
Practice is essential to developing the riding skills needed to maneuver a motorcycle. The techniques learned include turning, braking, and shifting.
Practice your turns in a parking area or on a route that is not heavily used. You should aim for a precise slow-speed turns where you can clearly see the entry of the turn, its apex, and exit. This will help you understand your bike's limits and help you learn to ride safely.
Turning
Turning is one of the most crucial techniques for motorcycles for novice riders to master. A motorcycle can be very heavy and its weight coupled with the pull of gravity can cause it to tip over in a turn in the event that your technique for turning isn't precise. It is essential to be able to balance your bike using your body while turning.
Many new motorcyclists have a hard understanding how a motorcycle turns when it's moving at higher speeds. Once you reach 10 MPH, the conventional steering becomes "counter-steering," in which the bike is able to turn by leaning. The bike will lean the same way if you press the bars in the direction you want to turn. If you wish to turn left, for instance, you will need to push your right hand away from you.
As you are getting closer to the turn, shift your weight backwards until you get your lower body into the cornering position (this may require braking if your bike isn't set up properly). As you progress towards 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 allow you to navigate the corner without difficulty.
The throttle should be pushed all the way through the turn. This will help you to stand up the bike and look like an expert when you come out of the corner. Repeat this procedure until it becomes second-nature. You can then concentrate on more advanced riding skills, such as changing lanes, and passing other vehicles.
Braking
Braking is an essential riding skill. It requires constant practice to build muscle memory and control. Many motorcycle accidents result from a rider applying too much pressure to the brakes and then skidding out of control. The best riders can sense the quality of the road surface and adjust their braking force to increase their traction.
It is important to practice this skill in a safe space in a quiet area, away from traffic, so that you can stop at a low speed. Start with a gentle squeeze, and then increase the speed until you feel comfortable. Once you are at ease with this technique, stop the bike as quickly as you can by releasing your lever smoothly and absorb any friction.
It is not enough to learn how to brake, but also understand the characteristics of your motorcycle's handling. This will allow you to better comprehend how it reacts to different road conditions. For instance, a damaged front tire will require more brake force to scrub off speed than a brand-new one. In rainy weather, stopping distances will be longer because water and mud can cause tires to lose the traction.
Knowing when to apply your rear brake is also a crucial part of braking. In the normal braking scenario, around 70 percent of the deceleration must come from the front brake and 30 percent from the rear. In an emergency this reversed. In these instances the rider should rely on the rear brake to ensure maximum stability and a quick exit from the situation. Most experienced riders can use both brakes at the same time to slow the bike, and then quickly change to using only the rear brake once the bike has stopped.
Changing Lanes
Motorcyclists should avoid changing lanes. It's important to be able to assess the traffic and road conditions prior to changing lanes, and to prepare ahead to give yourself enough time to make the lane change safely. It's important to practice in a variety of traffic situations so you can be aware of when it is safe to make a lane change.
Practice judging distance using your mirrors and a mental look at your shoulder. Many motorcycles have round (convexed) mirrors, which give a better view than flat mirrors. Use them to spot cars that are in your blind spots. You can also learn to judge distances by watching the reflections of vehicles parked either on the rear or side of your bike.
Don't think that a vehicle approaching from behind will yield to your vehicle. It's possible that the driver may not have noticed you, especially if they are distracted or looking at their mobile phone. Always look and signal when you enter another lane in order to give other drivers the chance to react in a timely manner.
Lane splitting is most effective when traffic is moving at less than 30 mph and there are sufficient gaps between vehicles. Be aware that large trucks have a larger blind area and are more likely to accidentally hit a rider when changing lanes.
If you're riding on a slippery surface it's a good idea to lean the bike. This will help you maintain an upright posture, take the shock with your elbows and knees, and keep you from falling off the bike. It's also helpful to roll on the throttle to reduce the front of the bike and increase the traction.
Avoiding Collisions with Animals
Cars and animals are the cause for many motorbike accidents. Deer are particularly dangerous because they can appear sudden and require drivers to react swiftly. Simple precautions can decrease the risk of hitting a wild animal and sustaining serious injuries.
When you're riding in rural areas be sure to keep an eye out for deer and other wildlife. At the night, deer are more active. Utilize high beams, if you can, to detect animals more quickly.
Avoiding sudden moves by other drivers is crucial also. If drivers do not signal when they are changing lanes or turning left, or abruptly slow down, they could cause a motorcycle skid or be rear-ended. Motorcyclists must be prepared to stop at any moment in these situations, which is why it is recommended to maintain an adequate distance between yourself and other vehicles, particularly when you are approaching an intersection or getting ready to turn.
Be aware of slippery surfaces, too. Patches of ice, sand or salt can impact the performance of your bike, so it is better to avoid them entirely when you can. If you must ride on a slippery surface, maintain an incline of speed and keep your feet on the pegs so that you stay in control.
Never challenge the large animal even if it appears be frightened of you. A dog or other small animal will likely run away, but a mountain lion, moose or elk may attack to defend its territory. Don't try to scare or distract the animal by flailing your legs or arms because this could increase the risk to you by drawing its attention to the scene of the crash.
Avoiding collisions with Cars
While it's not possible to avoid all collisions, many people can be taught to reduce their chances of being involved in one. Techniques such as stopping, steering away from danger slowing down speed, and using the horn can all help to prevent collisions, or make the consequences less severe if they do occur.
A soft approach is a different way to reduce the chance of crashing. According to the E Permit Test website if drivers cannot avoid hitting an object and are unable to avoid hitting it, they should steer their vehicle towards a soft surface instead of a hard one. This method can help reduce the impact force and reduce the damage to the vehicle and any injuries.
It's also crucial to keep an appropriate distance from the vehicle in front of you which will help avoid rear-end collisions. The driver should be sure to leave a few second between their car and the vehicle ahead of them. This will allow them time for a reaction if the vehicle in front of them suddenly stops.
Avoid secret info like shaving, applying make-up or changing clothes while driving. These activities can affect the concentration and brain power required to drive safely. This could lead to an accident. It is a good idea to slow down as you approach a curve and to steer with ease.