Every rider makes mistakes unknowingly whether the rider is old or a beginner. The biggest task of buying a motorcycle is to ride and maintain it properly. When I was a beginner I made so many mistakes like most of the riders did. Here are some common mistakes that most of the riders make.
1. Do not care about regular maintenance
Most motorcyclists neglect the regular maintenance process of their motorcycles. Such as tire pressure, brakes, fluids, lubrications, batteries, lights, and other electrical components. An ideal rider should have to check at least once a week or every 15 days whether the tire pressure is on point, the Tires are in good condition and perfectly aligned with the rim, the Brakes are working properly and the brake pads are not worn out, brake fluid, engine oil and coolant in the sufficient amount and are in the good condition, moving parts of your motorcycle like brake, clutch and throttle cables, chain, pivot points, and engine components are lubricated properly, the battery is charging properly, lights are flashing and horn is honking properly, wires are not damaged and other electrical components are functioning properly.
2. Not wearing proper riding gear
While riding gear plays the biggest role in safety, many motorcyclists are there who avoid wearing riding gear out of negligence or due to misconception. For maintaining safety you have to wear safety gear such as a certified helmet, gloves, boots, a good quality jacket, and elbow and knee guards. Wear your gear according to the season, riding zone, and weather. For example: You need to increase your visibility more than the regular days when you are riding in winter or foggy weather, monsoon, or in the dark. You have to wear radiant/reflective or light color gear that is easily visible to other drivers on the road. In the very beginning, I also avoided wearing safety gear but after a few accidents, I understood the value of riding gear.
3. Inadequate riding technique
Just knowing to ride a motorcycle is not enough until you are ensuring the proper safety of yourself and others on the road. To be a good rider you have to be confident but being overconfident can bring danger. Learn the correct riding technique from an experienced person or take a training course and practice regularly. When you are learning under a professional you will get the proper guidance in a sitting position, throttle control, focusing, controlling, speed, and braking. Do not move too much while riding. Sit in a straight line for well-balancing. Look forward and be focused on the road. While cornering, avoid entering the corner too fast. Slow down your motorcycle so that you can measure the turn, keep your throttle steady, and lean according to the corner. Overleaning and more speed than needed can make you fall off. Practice more and more to improve your braking skills. Avoid sudden braking and the habit of applying only rare or front brakes individually. For maximum stopping power apply both brakes simultaneously. For emergency braking apply both brakes equally without pulling the clutch lever. Keep your speed to such a level that you can easily control your motorcycle.
4. Avoiding road and weather conditions
Most motorcyclists don’t know or even want to follow the road and weather conditions. They also don’t even care about it, which results in fatal accidents. Avoid riding in adverse weather. If you are going for a long ride check the weather before going out. When you are riding in rain or snow, increase your visibility and run your motorcycle at less speed than regular speed. Be more careful when applying brakes otherwise, your motorcycle will lose traction. Do not ignore the road surface like gravel, oil spills, potholes, and debris.
5. Ignoring road rules
Not knowing and ignoring the road rules is a common problem for riders. Road rules refer to knowing appropriately the traffic and driving rules on the highway. Before putting your motorcycle on the highway, study very well about your state road or traffic laws. Use your motorcycle lights and horn according to the need. If it is foggy, rainy weather, put your headlights on low beam. For extra attention, you can use the headlight upper dipper as a flash. Keep in mind that you are not riding too close to other vehicles. Maintain a safe distance from the other vehicle on the road so that you can get enough time to suddenly react if needed. Use your turn signal with indicators and also use your hands in heavy or low light conditions. Avoid using your mobile during the ride.
At the very beginning of my motorcycle riding I wasn’t concerned or didn’t even care much about these things. But I learned everything over time when I faced problems. Hope these steps can make an impact on beginners and even old riders who are still making these mistakes unknowingly. Follow these steps for a hassle-free ride.