Top Motorcycle Safety Tips for Riders Everywhere

Motorcycle safety tips

Riding a motorcycle isn’t just a form of transportation; it’s a way of life. Anyone who rides a bike will tell you that they’ve made adjustments to their wardrobe (“can I ride my bike wearing this?”), they’ve formed new friendships, and they pay attention to the weather more than the average human.

With this lifestyle, there’s also an element of danger to consider. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that mile for mile, motorcyclists face a 29x higher likelihood of being involved in a fatal accident.

The good news is that, while we can’t guarantee you’ll never have a wreck, you can greatly increase your chances of a thrilling ride that ends with you arriving safely at your destination if you follow these five safety tips.

Tip 1: Wear the Right Gear

We can’t tell you how many times we’ve seen a dude with shorts and flip-flops riding with a similarly dressed passenger on the back. No matter how skilled you are on a bike, accidents happen, and we can’t control how other drivers behave.

First and foremost, you should be wearing a helmet. You already know that’s the right move, even if your state doesn’t have laws requiring it. In addition, make sure you have eye protection – glasses or goggles (if your helmet is open-faced). A leather jacket, boots that cover your ankles, and gloves are also helpful.   

Tip 2: Inspect Your Bike Before You Ride

Before you hit the open road, you should always take a careful look at your bike to ensure that it’s road ready. We’ve prepared a helpful checklist of everything you should be looking for here.

If you don’t have time to check out that article, the basics are to do a 360 walk-around of your bike to ensure your tires are inflated with adequate tread, your frame is free from cracks or damage, your lights are in working order, your hoses are attached and free from cracks, and your battery is in good shape.

Even if you’re in a hurry to get going, take a couple of minutes to inspect your bike. It could save your life.

Tip 3: Make Sure You’re Visible

One of the biggest problems for drivers of passenger vehicles is that they don’t see motorcycles. Not only are they not accustomed to looking out for motorcycles, but drivers can have a harder time seeing them due to their smaller size.

You can enhance your chances of always being seen by staying out of a driver’s blind spot. You should also keep your headlight on, even during the day. Wearing bright clothing with reflective badges can help, as can always using signals when you turn. Stay on the side of caution and use both hand and turn signals.

Tip 4: Keep Your Eyes on the Road

This tip might seem glaringly obvious, but it’s important to remember that you have to look out not only for distracted or reckless drivers, but also road hazards. Potholes, obstructions, oil, sand, debris, railroad tracks, and more can conspire to make your bike lose control or traction.

And, we know this probably goes without saying, but make sure you have hands-free capability if you plan on taking or making phone calls or using a GPS navigation system.

Tip 5: Take Safety and Riding Courses Regularly

You’ve probably already taken a safety course (if you haven’t, do that pronto), but have you considered taking a more advanced riding course? Once you’ve mastered the basics, an advanced class can better equip you to drive defensively. From maneuvering and braking techniques to collision avoidance techniques, the skills you learn here can upgrade and enhance your experience.

If it’s been awhile since your last class, consider a refresher to keep your skills and knowledge up to date.

Safety Should Be Your Top Priority

No matter how much fun riding a motorcycle is, you can’t do it if you’re seriously injured (or worse). Following these safety tips can better prepare you for anything the road throws at you. At Law Tigers, we are a team of dedicated motorcycle riders here to support you. Contact us or visit our website to learn more. Give us a call at 1-888-863-7216 if you or a loved one have been injured in a motorcycle accident. We’re here for you 24/7/365.