5 Simple Tips For Spring Motorcycle Riding

We are well on our way to summer, folks! Many of us up in the Northeast are still getting our bikes out of our garages and back onto the road. In this post we will discuss some fairly basic, often overlooked principles and mindsets to think about when you’re getting your motorcycle back on the road. Even if you’ve been riding for 35 years and never dropped a bike, it’s never a bad time to prepare before, during, and after you ride. These 5 simple tips make come as a no-brainer to most of you but we believe that you're never too old to get back to the basics!

1. Gear

Always make sure that the gear you wear is appropriate for the ride; most importantly, your helmet. Helmet manufacturers recommend that a helmet be replaced every 5 years. They also recommend that a helmet be replaced after a crash or significant blow or if the helmet was dropped from a height that’s above your waist. Make sure your helmet and other riding gear properly fits you. Being uncomfortable, or worse, having the wrong size gear, is a surefire way to ruin a great ride or cause a potentially dangerous situation for you and others on the road.

2. Tire Pressure & Maintenance

As with your car or truck, routine maintenance is obviously of the utmost importance with your motorcycle. The beginning of the season is a great time to catch up on any deferred maintenance. Check the tire pressure, brakes, fluids, steering stem bearings and drive (whether it be a belt or chain). Check and inflate your tires to the manufacturers suggested pressure before every ride. You only have two contact patches on a motorcycle and they are very small. Also inspect the tires for any cuts, gouges, blisters and dry rot.

3. Stay Visible

Motorcycles are everywhere and motorists are less likely to notice a motorcycle than a car. Stay visible with bright colors. These colors can be on your helmet or your clothing. Flashing lights also work for increased visibility, both front and rear. You just need to make certain flashing lights are legal in the state in which you are riding. Some may also argue that loud exhaust helps increase the chance of you being ‘seen’ but that’s a lengthy conversation for another blog post.

4. Take It Slow

No need to hot-rod it the first time out; save the wheelies, stoppies and burnouts for at least the second ride. Both you and your bike have been in storage for some time now. Take it slow the first time out of the season. Be mindful of road hazards. There could be cinders that remain from the winter season. Grass clippings can be extremely slippery with legislation even being proposed in Pennsylvania to keep clippings off of roads. If you encounter one of these situations, slowly roll off the throttle, grip the bike with your legs and don't over apply the brakes. Take it easy out there and keep the shiny side up!

5. Look Ahead

Object fixation is one of the most difficult obstacles to overcome. Make this riding season the year you overcome it. 

People have a tendency to look where they are headed, especially when they are headed for an obstacle. This can be problematic on a motorcycle since you tend to go where you look. Look as far ahead as possible when riding all while scanning the terrain/road in front of you. While in a turn, look at the exit of the turn and not at the road that is right in front of your fender.

While in traffic, look in front of the car that is in front of you. This will give you more time if you need to come to an abrupt stop. If you are headed for an obstacle, look where you want to go and not at the obstacle. This isn't easy to do, but it does work. Take your time and practice; it will make you a better rider. 

At the end of the day, we can only do so much to control the situation when we're out on the road. We are always subject to the other people on the road as well as the conditions at the time. This list could go on and on if you talk to enough people. However, I feel that you're putting yourself in a great position to have a safe and happy ride if you adhere to the listed advice above. Thanks for reading!