Riding a motorcycle is not a joke and can be one of the most dangerous things you can do. You are on a high-speed vehicle that is going down roads without much protection for the sides, top, and back. This is why you need to take extra precautions to counteract the added risks associated with the vehicle. It’s also worth noting that these precautions can add to the experience rather than take away from it.
Driving a motorcycle comes with certain expectations, after all, many of which have to do with the equipment and accessories. Goggles, helmets, scarves, gloves, and many more are considered to be iconic and symbolize roaring, high-performance hogs of pure power. With that being the case, they can function as much as fashion statements as they can be about protection. In many cases, they are so sought after that people don’t even need to have motorcycles to want to wear them.
Always Wear a Helmet
This cannot be said enough times, but when you are riding a motorcycle, always wear the right protective gear. More often than not, this means a helmet and there are many different kinds for you to choose from. This is one point that pretty much all serious bikers agree on, even hardened groups like biker gangs. Wearing helmets is part of traffic laws in most areas too, even if it is not seriously enforced in some.
With this being the case, it would be worth remembering that you can get various types of helmet designs. They can be cute, aggressive, weird, or novel depending on the form, color, decals, and so on of your choosing. Regardless of how great the design might be, though, you need to remember what its main function should be. This is a tool that is meant to keep your head from getting banged up to the point of serious injury.
Ride With Goggles When Needed
Biking goggles might not be as prevalent as they were in the past, but they are still quite iconic. When seeing one, people know what they are for in an instant and they require no explanation. These days, it would be safer to say that using a motorcycle goggle is more about function than fashion. This still does not remove the space they occupy in the minds of riding enthusiasts or even those who are not.
Having pointed that out, it would be best if you make sure that the goggles fit your needs. A regular riding goggle seller could do the job, but you can have them custom-made as well if you want. You could conveniently approach a ski goggles company to have it done if they offer such services. Doing this will ensure that the eyewear will protect your vision and still be comfortable to wear for long rides.
Shoes or Boots Only
You might be tempted at times to ride on your motorcycle while wearing sandals or slippers or even go barefoot. This is not advised at all since it could lead to so many things going wrong and injuries happening. This is why, if you are going to ride a motorcycle, you had best do so while wearing footwear. Closed shoes would do the trick most of the time, but it would be better to wear boots instead.
Boots with steel toes would be ideal since they offer a significant amount of protection against possible injuries and accidents. There is also the matter of changing gears with manual clutch models, which are often easier when you are wearing boots. The tough materials will make the gears respond faster and will also keep your skin from getting damaged. Wearing boots or shoes will also reduce the severity of your foot injury if you get into an accident.
Never Neglect Pre-riding Checkups
Your motorcycle is a complex piece of machinery with a lot of moving parts that you need to keep track of. With that being the case, you have to make sure that everything works before going out on a drive. This is intended to make sure that you can avoid an inconvenience later or worse, an accident while driving. You don’t need to do an extensive check, though, since that will take forever but a cursory one will do.
Among the systems that you need to check are the breaks, the clutch, the lights, the chain, the tires, the rim, and the tank. You can take a look at the engine too if you have the time with a sound and smell. If it sounds fine and doesn’t smell of anything it shouldn’t then your motorcycle is good to go. If anything feels off and you can’t fix it yourself, then you need to take it to a mechanic right away.
Always Assume You Can’t Be Seen
Riding a motorcycle might be fun, with the sense of freedom and speed you get being a big part of this. With that said, it also comes with the problem of making you into a small traveler on the road. That’s why it always pays to remember that you are speeding alongside larger vehicles that could crush you.
By remembering this, you won’t take unnecessary risks. It also helps mitigate bad habits like trying to overtake from the wrong side. This is a particularly important point where large trucks are concerned.
Conclusion
Riding a motorcycle as a hobby or as a main means of transportation can be fun, but dangerous. With the right precautions, though, much of the risks can be mitigated. You shouldn’t sacrifice your safety for a few hours of fun. So be sure to take the necessary steps to protect yourself.