How to Practice on a Motorcycle
It is important to practice in order to build the necessary skills to ride a motorcycle. Skills learned include braking as well as turning.
Practice your turns in a parking area or on a road that's not heavily used. You should aim for a precise, slow-speed turn where you can clearly see the entrance, apex, and exit. This will help you to understand the limitations of your bike and how to safely ride.
Turning
Turning is one of the most crucial techniques for motorcycles for beginners to master. If you don't have a clear method of turning, a bike can be a heavy machine. The weight of the bike with gravity could easily cause it to sway. Learning to counterweight the bike by balancing it on your body in a turn is crucial to staying upright.
Many new motorcyclists have a hard understanding how a bike turns when it's moving at higher speeds. When you reach 10 mph the standard steering changes to "counter-steering," in which the bike turns by leaning to the left. The bike will lean the same way if push the bars in the direction you intend to turn. If you are looking to turn right, for example, you will have to pull your right hand away from you.
As you are getting closer to the turn move your weight backwards in order to put your lower body in the cornering position (this could require braking if your bike isn't properly set up). As you move toward the corner, apply steady pressure to the grip in the direction of the turn. This will cause the bike to lean in the same direction and let you ride through the corner without difficulty.
Once you've reached the point in the turn that you have to increase your throttle, press on the throttle for the entire turn to stand the bike up and come out of the turn looking like a pro. Repeat this process until it becomes second-nature. You can then concentrate on more complex riding techniques, like changing lanes, and passing other vehicles.
Braking
Braking is a vital riding skill that requires regular practice to build muscle memory and control. A rider can cause accident on the road by putting too much pressure to the brakes and skidding out. The best riders are able to sense the quality of road surface and adjust their braking force to increase the traction.
It is essential to practice this skill in a safe space in a quiet area, away from traffic, where you can stop at a low speed. Begin by releasing the lever gently, and then increase the speed until you are at ease. Once you are at ease with this technique, stop the bike as fast as possible by releasing the lever with ease and absorbing any friction.
It is not enough to learn how to brake, but also know your motorcycle's handling characteristics. This will help you to better know how it reacts to various road conditions. For instance, a damaged front tire will require more brake force to wash off speed than a brand new one. In the rainy season the stopping distances are longer due to mud and water that can cause tires to lose grip.
Another important aspect of braking is knowing when to make use of the rear brake and when to make use of the front. In an ordinary braking situation, about 70 percent of the deceleration must be derived from the front brake and 30% from the rear. In an emergency this reversed. In such situations the rider should rely primarily on the rear brake for maximum stability and quick escape from the situation. The most experienced riders can use both brakes at the same time to slow down the bike, and then quickly change to using only the rear brake once the bike has stopped.
Change of Lanes
Motorcyclists should avoid changing lanes. It is important to plan ahead and always be aware of the road and traffic conditions prior to making a change. It's essential to practice in various situations to get a sense of when it is safe to change lanes.
Try judging distance with your mirrors, and also a visual examination of your shoulder. Many motorcycles have rounded (convex) mirrors that offer more of an image than flat mirrors. Make use of them to spot cars that are in your blind spots and learn to judge distances by observing the reflections of cars parked either on the rear or side of your bike.
Never assume that a vehicle approaching from behind will yield to your car. It's possible that the driver may not have seen you, especially in the event that they are distracted or looking at their phone. Before entering another lane make sure you look ahead and give a signal to allow other drivers to react.
Lane splitting is most effective when traffic is moving at less than 30 mph and there is enough gaps between vehicles. Be aware that larger trucks have a bigger blind spot and are more likely to hit a rider when changing lanes.
When you're riding on an icy surface it's a good idea to lean the motorcycle. This will help you maintain a straight posture, absorb the shock with your knees and elbows, and help you avoid being thrown off of the bike. It's also helpful to roll on the throttle to help lighten the front of the bike and improve the traction.
Avoiding Collisions with Animals
Cars and animals are the cause for many motorcycle collisions. Deer are particularly dangerous because they often appear sudden and require drivers to react swiftly. By taking a few simple steps, you will greatly reduce the chance of striking an animal and sustaining a serious injury.
When riding in rural areas be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife, including deer. Be praktyka na motocyklu at night, as deer tend to be more active. Use high beams if possible to see animals more quickly.
Avoiding sudden moves by other drivers is important as well. Drivers who fail to signal before changing lanes, make a left turn at the last second or speed up unexpectedly could cause a motorcycle's wheels to slide or be rear-ended. Motorcyclists should be prepared to stop at any moment in these circumstances, so it is recommended to maintain an adequate distance between yourself and other vehicles, especially when approaching an intersection or getting ready to turn.
Be on the lookout for slippery surfaces, too. Avoid patches of ice salt, or sand since they could negatively impact the performance of your bike. If you are forced to travel on a slick surface be sure to keep your speed down and your feet on the pedals.
Never take on an animal of any size, even if it appears to be frightened of you. A dog or a smaller animal is likely to flee however a mountain lion, moose or elk may take on a fight to defend its territory. Don't try to scare or keep the animal from escaping by flailing your legs or arms, as this could actually increase its danger to you by drawing its attention to the scene of the crash.
Avoiding collisions with cars
Many people can reduce their chance of being involved in a collision. Techniques such as stopping, steering clear of danger slowing down speed, and using the horn all help to prevent collisions or make the consequences less severe in the event that they do occur.
Another method of reducing the risk of crashing is by taking a soft approach. According to the E-Permit Test website if drivers can't avoid hitting an object they should drive their vehicles towards an area with soft surfaces instead of a hard one. This technique can reduce the impact force and limit the damage to the vehicle, as well as any injuries.
Keep an appropriate distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you. This will assist you in avoiding rear-end collisions. The driver should be sure to leave some time between their vehicle and the vehicle in front of them. This can give them time to react should the vehicle in the front suddenly stops.
Avoid distractions, like shaving, applying make-up or changing your clothes while driving. These activities can reduce the concentration and brain power required to drive safely. This could lead to an accident. It's a good idea also to slow down as you come to a bend and steer smoothly.