RIDING TIPS

As we head into the riding season, I just wanted to share some suggestions from your friendly local motorcycle safety instructor:

Slow down a little. That S curve is sharper than you think! You can always speed up once you can see through the turn. Braking while turning is not the most effective way to slow your bike, and takes a great amount of practice to master.
Just because your bike can go 100 mph between two stoplights doesn’t mean you should do it. There are plenty of local racetracks that you can open it up in a controlled environment. There you won’t have to worry about traffic or pedestrians or debris. Every rider should do it at least once. There are classes you can take to really up your skill level.
Maintenance is that un-fun thing you do to keep from walking home! Watching your bike hanging from a tow truck hook is traumatizing, and expensive.
When in doubt, always take a jacket. When not in doubt, still take the jacket. The further you are from the masses of concrete in the city, the lower the temps. It can be as much as 25 degrees cooler out in the country.
It always seems farther back home than it was to your destination. Don’t ride so far that it stops being fun! Every rider is different, as well as the comfort of their bikes. Be realistic when planning a trip, and accommodate the different abilities in your group.
Ride safe! No one wants to attend your funeral and talk about how much you loved bikes. They want to go riding with you and talk about what a great time you had. We all know how dangerous it is out in traffic, don’t double the danger by riding unsafely.
Stop for gas even if you don’t need it. You may wish you had later. Be courteous and gas up full before you meet friends to ride for the day. And top off at every stop, pushing a bike is not a fun day either. And neither is that tow truck again.
Chrome won’t get you as much attention as you think it does, unless you’re already good looking.
WAVE!!!! Even if the rider is on a scooter or a different brand. They just might be saving for their dream bike. You might just make their entire day by making them feel welcome to the sport and recognized as a fellow rider. A simple gesture just to be nice. Why not?
Don’t ride beyond your skill level trying to keep up with the rider in front of you. This is where fear and then very horrible mistakes happen. Just know where you are going to meet up next. A discussion at every stop is helpful to everyone. If they take off from you just get there when you get there. If you are embarrassed, just say you had to stop and tie your boot. This excuse can be used several times on a ride day.
Keep your passenger feeling safe. They’re riding with you because they trust you. Don’t scare them & ruin motorcycling for them. This can be a wonderful bonding experience especially for a couple. Once they are scared you won’t get them back on the bike. Then you will have to hear about it every time you go riding.
Buy quality rain gear. Being wet when it’s warm is tolerable. Being wet when it’s cold is miserable. Once you ride in the rain in nice, warm dry gear you will understand. Leather gets heavy once its wet and soaked socks will make you miserable.
Riding 500 miles a day on the interstate is do-able. Riding 500 miles a day in the mountains is impossible. Allow yourself time to “see the sights”. Most of the time riding is about enjoying the scenery. It’s about the Journey, not the destination. If you have a deadline, take the car.
The larger the group, the longer it takes to get there. Remember to accommodate those that aren’t as experienced as you or those that aren’t familiar with the day’s route.

Most of all you need to remember to have fun and enjoy the ride. This is the reason you bought the bike in the first place right?

Marybeth Sullivan

Reasons to Ride Contributing Writer

Motorcycle Ohio Rider Coach