Law Tigers Motorcycle Safety Tips: Your Guide To Riding Safer

If you’re reading this, we can safely assume you’re already well acquainted with the many joys of motorcycling – the sense of freedom, the thrill of speed, the feeling of the machine being an extension of your body, being at one with nature, and on and on.

You’re also hopefully well aware of the serious risks associated with the two-wheeled lifestyle and are already taking concerted steps to mitigate those risks so that you’ll be able to enjoy your motorcycling adventures for decades to come. 

But it never hurts to review to make sure that you’re at the top of your game. 

Gear Up

High-quality safety gear is a basic necessity for any motorcyclist. That starts with head and eye protection. While a DOT certified helmet is a good start, it’s not enough alone. The helmet needs to fit properly and be designed for the type of riding you do, whether that’s on the street, on the track, or in the dirt. Construction and material types also matter, so do your research.

It’s a good idea to armor up the rest of your body as well, with a jacket, gloves, pants, and boots that will keep you safe. There’s no shortage of options of riding gear specifically designed to keep you protected while riding, which means there’s little excuse to skip this step.

There’s also no shortage of styles to choose from, and while many motorcyclists see riding as a way to express themselves, it’s best to do so in a way that makes you most visible. Bright colors, vivid designs, and reflected elements may second as a fashion statement, but their primary purpose is to draw the attention of fellow motorists, who have a disturbing tendency to otherwise not see motorcycles. More on that in a bit.

Hone Your Technique

Your skill and riding technique play a huge role in keeping you safe. Relax and breathe – be smooth, calm, and loose on the bike.

Be predictable with your actions and take precautions such as flashing your brake lights ahead of slowing to warn anyone behind of your impending movements.

Techniques such as a two-finger grip on the clutch and front brakes help you better maintain control of the bars, while riding on the balls of your feet grants improved balance and the ability to more easily move your weight on the motorcycle.

And keep your head up – look down the road at where you plan to go, not in front of you or where the bike is aimed at that moment.

D-Fence!

As stated above, many accidents occur when the driver of a car simply fails to see a motorcyclist despite the rider following all the rules of the road.

Essentially, defensive riding is based around expecting the worst from other vehicles and taking all precautions with those assumptions in mind. Give yourself space to maneuver, plan escape routes on the fly, and employ the “SEE” (search-evaluate-execute) method of riding.

Over time, you’ll learn to instinctively anticipate and predict the behavior of other vehicles across a range of conditions and situations.

The Bike Matters

Make sure your motorcycle is a match for your size, experience, style, and skill level.

Even with that all set, further tweaks can be made to the motorcycle (clutch and suspension adjustments, etc.) to really make the motorcycle your own.

And obviously, proper maintenance and regular inspections are required to ensure your ride remains a safe one over the long haul.

Seat Time+

You can expect your ability to improve and your confidence to build quite naturally the more you ride.

But that’s not enough. You should proactively work on the types of techniques and skills that are taught in motorcycle riding courses and beyond.

Practice evasive maneuvers – hard braking, right- and left-hand cornering, etc. – so muscle memory takes over in the moment of an emergency.

Understand your limits and then ride well within them.

And stay sharp – the saying “it’s like riding a bike” doesn’t always apply. These are depreciable skills to some degree that need to be practiced to keep you riding like a pro.

The Battleground

Know the rules of the road wherever you ride. 

Take the weather and road conditions into consideration.

Understand traffic patterns and use correct lane positioning.

It also helps to ride on familiar roads to eliminate as many surprises as possible, allowing you to keep your focus on what’s most important.

So stay safe out there – and have fun.

The Law Tigers are Committed to Protecting Riders

Sign up for the Law Tigers FREE Rider Benefit Kit and immediately enjoy information on motorcycle matters, no-recovery, no-fee motorcycle accident representation, and other important benefits.