5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Riding a Motorcycle
Avoid these five common mistakes many riders make while riding their bikes and stay safe on the road. These lapses can not only put you at risk of being in an accident, but they can also jeopardize the safety of others around you. We here at Willamette Valley Indian Motorcycle® care for your on-road safety. That's why we’ve created this guide for you. Read on to learn more, then visit us for more safety tips!
1. Wearing Insufficient Gear
Regardless of your bike riding skill and experience level, you must wear proper gear while riding your motorcycle. Ideally, wear a well-fitting DOT-approved helmet, a riding suit or riding pants and a jacket, close-toed boots, protective eyewear, and gloves with a firm grip.
2. Riding on Bad Tires
Next, you want to avoid riding your motorcycle on bad tires—not even around just a few blocks in your neighborhood. Bad tires can affect your bike’s fuel efficiency and result in poor traction on the road, leading to an accident.
As a safety measure, inspect your tires regularly and replace them promptly if you notice they are starting to skid. You must watch your tire pressure and check the treads often to see if they have bald patches. You also want to look closely to find any embedded objects and see if your tires have too many punctures or cuts.
3. Rushing Corners
Corners can be dangerous, especially if you are taking one too hard. You may slide out due to tilting your bike or collide with oncoming traffic. To avoid this, slow down your bike ahead of a corner and maintain a constant speed. You should also be vigilant around a bend and look for hazards, such as sand, gravel, or water, which can affect your riding experience and put your safety at risk.
4. Overloading Your Bike
Another mistake you must avoid making at all costs is overloading your bike with cargo. This can create an imbalance and put you at the risk of an accident. We often recommend our customers use saddlebags to keep their items safe. However, you still should avoid exceeding your motorcycle’s capacity.
5. Weaving Through Traffic
The smaller size of bikes allows them to fit into narrow spaces, such as the gaps between other vehicles on the road. However, this is risky, and you should avoid this at all costs. If a car or a truck suddenly changes lanes, you may collide with it, jeopardizing your safety and the safety of others around you. So, no matter how tempted you may be to weave through traffic, resist the urge and stay safe.
We hope you find these tips handy when riding your motorcycle. If you need more safety advice or are still searching for your dream Indian Motorcycle®, visit Willamette Valley Indian Motorcycle®. We are in Eugene, OR, and proud to serve those from Corvallis!