Showing Tag: "motorcycle riding" (Show all posts)

Night Motorcycle Riding

Posted by Spartan Motorcycle Couriers on Friday, July 30, 2021, In : Motorbike Riding Tips

Riding in the dark can be much harder than riding in good light conditions. Even motorcyclists who have been riding for years can struggle once the sun goes down. However, it is not always possible to avoid riding at night. If you do need to ride at night, for whatever reason, you should try to follow these safety tips to help to keep you safe.

Adjusting your Headlights

Before riding in the dark, you must make sure that your headlight is set up properly. The way that your weight sits on a bike ...

City Motorbike Riding

Posted by Spartan Motorcycle Couriers on Thursday, July 29, 2021, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Riding a motorcycle in the city centre can vary hugely to riding on motorways and open roads in the countryside, however if you choose to commute to work in a city coping with built-up traffic is part of everyday riding and the benefits can be vast.

Those who choose two wheels to commute to work every day may cut costs, time and pollution, which is great for bank balances and the environment, so here’s a few tips to ensure that you stay safe while saving:

Slow down

Often when riding in a city ...

Safe Motorcycle Riding

Posted by Howard Trott on Sunday, April 14, 2019, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Riding a motorcycle is an enjoyable and relaxing pastime. In order to enjoy it fully and safely your motorcycle should be in good order. A regular check of your motorcycle is a must. I use mine everyday for deliveries, so I always check it first thing in the morning. So you don't miss anything do the same motorcycle check routine.

Firstly make sure your bike is on level firm ground, it sounds obvious but I've known people put their motorbikes on grass, next minute it's on it's side. I always ...
Continue reading ...

Building motorcycle skills

Posted by Mike James on Friday, March 8, 2019, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

To be competent in any endeavor requires the development of specific skills, and motorcycle riding is no different. Of course, a lot of the skills needed for competent motorcycle riding can simply be obtained through conscientious practice. However, the skills needed to become proficient in motorcycle racing may require professional help. There are a number of areas that a motorcycle rider should develop skill whether they are doing it on their own or with a trainer.

Crucial motorcycle skills ...

Your first motorcycle

Posted by Tim Jones on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, In : Guest Motorcycle Articles

Have you been smitten by the motorcycling bug? Have you seen that shiny new GSXRNINJACBRR1 going by in a blur and wished that was you? Thinking about buying your first motorcycle? There are lots of considerations to take into account.

A very important aspect of buying your first bike is the price. Many new motorcycles cost well over $10,000.00. Some premium models such as Ducati's and Harley-Davidsons can fetch over $20,000.00. Even if money is not a problem for you, it's probably not such a g...

Safety tips for motorcycle riding

Posted by Jenny Carson on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, In : Motorcycle Safety

Although many find motorcycles appealing, there are also those who fear it. This is because of the danger associated with riding the machine. Just like riding a bike, learning how to control it can be very tough. Although it becomes easier as you find your balance, it can still cause scratches and minor injuries.

Danger is not only exclusive for new riders. There are several accidents involving experienced riders. Accidents on the road happen because of various reasons. One is the lack of visi...

Safe Motorcycle Riding

Posted by Helen Jones on Saturday, October 27, 2018, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Never drive if you are not a licensed motorcycle driver. This is first, and foremost in my list of safe motorcycle riding practices. You see, when you are a licensed driver, one way or the other, you must have gone through the necessary trainings and tests to ensure that you are qualified to drive a motorcycle.

Here's a rundown of my motorcycle-riding safety tips:

1. No license, no driving.

2. Wear a motorcycle helmet every time you ride a motorcycle, either as the driver or as the passenger.

3. ...

Riding your motorcycle at night

Posted by Howard Trott on Sunday, February 25, 2018, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

When riding your motorcycle during the day, all the rider needs to use are the indicator or signal lights to show where he or she is turning, whether to the left or to the right. It is only when it gets dark, then the rider will have to switch on the headlight and tail light in order that the rider can see properly and also be seen by other road users.

An responsible rider should regularly check to make sure that all these lights are working for own safety and also for the safety of other road...

Group motorbike riding

Posted by Howard Trott on Friday, January 12, 2018, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

While group motorbike ride-outs can be a fun leisure activity, safety should always be the rider’s first priority.

Passing

Before passing a vehicle, ensure there is ample space and visibility. Keep an eye out for debris in the road, excessive wind, and other vehicles’ mirrors to avoid hitting them. Motorcyclists should always pass in the centre of the lane to avoid other vehicles’ blind spots.

Appoint a Road Captain

This person should direct the group of bikers and organise the trip. They ...

Some petrol saving tips

Posted by Howard Trott on Saturday, November 18, 2017, In : Motorcycle Petrol Saving Tips

One of the simplest things to do and something that is often overlooked is to ensure your tyre pressures are correct and in line with the manufacturers guidelines. As a positive consequence this also improves the bikes handling characteristics and makes you feel happier and more comfortable on the bike.

Ensuring your bike is regularly serviced and well maintained can make quite a difference to the economic properties of the motorcycle. A poorly set up machine will certainly use more fuel.

Smoot...

Riding your motorcycle in the rain

Posted by Howard Trott on Wednesday, October 4, 2017, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Unfortunately, rain is unavoidable and while you’ll probably never relish the opportunity to go out on your bike when it’s hammering down, it’s not something you should be scared of.

And if you are fearful of it, it’s something that you should really work on because, as we mentioned, you’re going to have to do it at some point – that’s one of the downsides of riding a motorbike in the UK. The good news is that it’s not difficult; in fact it’s not even that different from ridi...

Riding your motorcycle downhill

Posted by Howard Trott on Tuesday, October 3, 2017, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Here are a few safety tips to help you stay in control of your motorcycle while riding downhill.

Distribute your weight

As you approach the top of the hill, slide back on the seat to place more of your weight at the back of the bike. This will help you maintain balance and lessen the weight on the handlebars, which will improve your steering. Reduce your speed. Just as when you are riding in a car, the force of gravity will increase your speed on the back end of a slope, meaning you won’t nee...

Riding your motorcycle after your first crash

Posted by Howard Trott on Saturday, September 30, 2017, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

There comes a time in the life of every motorcyclist when he/she lost confidence after the first crash.

So what if you fell off from your motorcycle in front of other people. We all make mistakes. There is nothing to be embarrassed and most importantly, you don’t need to be afraid of riding again. You have been doing this for a long time, you can’t just give up, all because you fell off.

It is not right. You need to gain your self-confidence once again and get back on two wheels as soon as ...

Dealing with road rage

Posted by Howard Trott on Saturday, September 30, 2017, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

We’ve all seen videos and heard stories from riders about a road-rage incident that ended up in the rider’s favour, with the wayward car driver getting well-deserved karma in some nasty form. But the reality is that those outcomes are by far the exception rather than the rule. Any road-rage incident you get into on your motorcycle against another vehicle is much more likely to turn out not in your favour. Here I have some common-sense techniques to help you reduce the chances of getting i...

Riding your motorcycle in a group

Posted by Howard Trott on Friday, September 29, 2017, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Riding with a group of friends gives you a chance to explore new routes, gain experience and make new friends. Before you head out on the road there are a few things you should think about to make sure your trip is as enjoyable and safe as possible.

Organising the group

It’s unlikely that everyone in your group will have the same level of experience and ability. Danger tends to arise when less experienced riders feel they have to ride faster or above their ability to keep up with the group, s...

Starting your motorcycle uphill

Posted by Howard Trott on Tuesday, September 26, 2017, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Stopping on an uphill slope and then getting going again can be tricky, particularly for riders with insufficient inseam length to make solid contact with the ground. Here are some tips to help you handle these situations.

Evaluate your options

When you see that you must stop on a hill, identify an approach that is clear of significant debris or surface contamination that may cause your foot or tires to slip. Avoid vehicle drippings, sand, gravel and slick surfaces. You also want to stop so yo...

Off-road motorbike riding

Posted by Howard Trott on Tuesday, September 5, 2017, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

A key skill every Adventure Rider should acquire is the ability to ride confidently off-road. Large Adventure Motorcycles can be difficult to manage in the dirt because of their weight and bulk. You can get away with a lack of dirt riding skills on small dirt bikes, but an Adventure Bike can hurt you if you don’t know what you are doing.

Often times, riders try to learn on their own with only a few dirt riding tips from a friend. This kind of trial and error approach can cause a lot of anxie...

Motorbike clothing

Posted by Howard Trott on Tuesday, September 5, 2017, In : Motorcycle Accessories

If you’re travelling at any kind of normal road speed when you come off your motorcycle, you’re likely to skid along the road surface and suffer from road rash. Road surfaces will shred through jeans and normal clothes on impact so it’s vital that your riding clothes can withstand abrasions and skids as well as impact.

What material?

There is a reason so many bikers wear leather, and it’s not just for the typical biker look. Leather is robust and copes well in motorbike accidents becaus...

Riding your motorbike at night

Posted by Howard Trott on Tuesday, September 5, 2017, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Riding your motorcycle at night is completely different than riding it during the day. Some motorcyclists enjoy the isolation of riding at night. Others hate it for the loss of visibility and vision, and will avoid it at all costs. Sooner or later, you’re bound to find yourself on your bike during the night time, so its important to know what unique hazards you must deal with when the sun goes down.

Riding a motorcycle after dark can be an great experience for some. You can focus on the ride...

Riding your motorcycle on country roads

Posted by Howard Trott on Saturday, August 26, 2017, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

There’s a great deal of satisfaction to be gained from riding your motorcycle skilfully on country lanes. There are other benefits too – there’s usually less traffic, fewer 30 mph speed limits, and some great scenery on offer, too.

But it’s as well to remember that rural roads account for around three quarters of all fatal road collisions. There are many reasons why driving on these sorts of roads can be so hazardous.

Speed limits

Country lanes normally have a speed limit of 60 mph for c...

Riding your motorcycle in large cities

Posted by Howard Trott on Tuesday, July 18, 2017, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Checking your skills are ready for city roads

The good news is BikeSafe holds regular rider skills days in some UK cities for motorbikes above 125cc which will give you an assessment on your current abilities and provide advice to help make your riding safer and more enjoyable.

To help new riders of smaller engined motorbikes, BikeSafe also runs ScooterSafe courses, especially aimed at moped and scooter riders.

Make sure your bike matches your needs and your ability

Motorbikes vary in design and ...

Tips for first-time motorcycle riders (part three)

Posted by Howard Trott on Saturday, July 1, 2017, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

When you put your feet down at a stop, you want to be sure that whatever shoes you're wearing will grip the road securely, not slip and slide and make you feel like you're going to drop the bike. That's another reason why we recommend motorcycle-specific boots, but any good non-slip shoe is better than a slippery-bottomed (but sick-looking) trainer. Before you get mad, keep in mind that not all shoes have equal grip on all surfaces. Some shoes might be perfect for a polished wood gym floor, b...

Tips for first-time motorcycle riders (part two)

Posted by Howard Trott on Saturday, July 1, 2017, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Motorcycles are powered one of three ways: chain-driven, belt-driven, or shaft-driven. Shaft- and belt-driven bikes require less frequent maintenance than chain-driven ones. Most cruisers are belt-driven, while most sport bikes are chain-driven. BMW isn't the only company that makes shaft-driven bikes, but they're the most common bikes on which you'll find the system.

Why does this matter? When you're riding a bike, that chain or belt or shaft is what keeps your bike moving. There isn't a lot ...

Tips for first-time motorcycle riders (part one)

Posted by Howard Trott on Saturday, July 1, 2017, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Nothing feels quite like finding the perfect bike. As the weather continues to warm up (in between these nasty storms), more people are choosing to ride a motorcycle for the first time. This is great, but when you’re a new rider, there’s a lot of information to take in. In order to help keep you, and everybody else on the road who you're riding around, we’ve compiled a list of the basic things you need to keep in mind before you twist the throttle for the first time. Above all, we hope ...

Advanced Motorcycle Riding Course

Posted by Howard Trott on Thursday, June 15, 2017, In : Advanced Motorcycle Riding Course

It is amazing the amount of money that is spent on motorcycles making them look better, go faster and stop quicker. Doing an Advanced Motorcycle Training course will help you achieve all of these and will cost you a lot less whilst gaining up to 17% discount from all the leading bike insurers in the UK.

The Enhanced Rider Scheme (ERS) is all about getting the most from your riding and your machine. With advanced motorcycle training you will:

Increase your riding skills and abilities
Learn to avo...

Motorcycle riding tips for women

Posted by Howard Trott on Thursday, April 13, 2017, In : Motorcycle Riding Tips For Women

Ride Comfortably – Whatever motorbike you choose, it’s imperative that you’re comfortable on it. This sounds easy enough, but a lot of women ignore this advice and think that they will be OK even though they may feel a little awkward on the motorbike they’ve chosen. Having the right fitting motorbike will give you the confidence that you need to go anywhere. If you’re at all out of sorts and not feeling comfortable on your ride, you’re far more likely to make bad judgement calls. ...

Riding your motorcycle in bad weather ( part three )

Posted by Howard Trott on Sunday, November 27, 2016, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Riding on wet roads

Wet roads reduce tyre grip. Give yourself plenty of time and room for slowing down and stopping. Keep well back from other vehicles. On a wet road, you should allow at least double the braking distance for a dry road.

After a spell of dry weather, rain on the road can make the surface even more slippery. Take extra care, especially when cornering. Be aware that different road surfaces might affect the grip of your tyres.

Brakes

As well as reducing tyre grip water can also redu...
Continue reading ...

Riding your motorcycle in bad weather ( part two )

Posted by Howard Trott on Saturday, November 19, 2016, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Keep your battery in good condition. In cold weather an electric starter places big demands on the battery.

Lights

Always keep your lights and indicators clean and check for faulty bulbs. Dirty lights can seriously reduce - how far you can see - how well other people can see you and your signals.

Weather and vision

The biggest single danger to any rider is being unable to see properly. You won't be able to make the right decisions if you can't see the road clearly.

Rain

Heavy rain on your visor or ...
Continue reading ...

Riding your motorcycle in bad weather ( part one )

Posted by Howard Trott on Monday, October 24, 2016, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

The weather in the British Isles is varied and uncertain. You can expect to encounter virtually all weather conditions at some time. The weather presents particular hazards for the motorcyclist.

You need to think about how you're going to - protect yourself from the elements - adapt your riding to suit the conditions.

Your motorcycle

Whatever the weather, make sure your motorcycle is in good condition and regularly checked and serviced. Contending with the elements can be difficult but having to...
Continue reading ...

Riding a motorcycle on motorways ( part four )

Posted by Howard Trott on Tuesday, September 6, 2016, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Overtaking

Leave a safe distance between you and the vehicle you intend to overtake. Use the appropriate parts of the OSM/PSL routine. For example: Observation - Check behind you to verify the speed, course and position of the following traffic. Position - Position yourself so that you can see well past the vehicle in front. Speed - Make sure you're going fast enough or can accelerate quickly enough to overtake without blocking any vehicle coming up behind you. Look - Look ahead and behind to ...
Continue reading ...

Riding a motorcycle on motorways (part three)

Posted by Howard Trott on Thursday, August 18, 2016, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

On the motorway

Continually reassess the movement of the vehicles - directly ahead (in the near and far distance) - alongside you - behind you. At high speeds, situations change rapidly. Effective observation helps you prepare for any sudden developments.

For example, an increase in the number of vehicles ahead could mean that traffic is slowing down and bunching, or a flashing breakdown light will warn you to slow down until you're sure of what's happening. If you see serious congestion ahead,...
Continue reading ...

Riding a motorcycle on motorways ( part two )

Posted by Howard Trott on Tuesday, August 2, 2016, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Speed limit signs

Signs which display a speed limit within a red ring indicate mandatory maximum speed limits. You must obey these signs, if you don't you risk prosecution. Black and white rectangular signs recommend maximum speed limits which you should observe.

Signals

Signals will warn of dangers ahead, such as - accidents - fog - icy roads.

Flashing amber lights

Look out for flashing amber lights and signs, either on the central reservation or overhead. These warn you of - lane closures - road...
Continue reading ...

Defensive motorcycle riding ( part two )

Posted by Howard Trott on Wednesday, May 25, 2016, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Approaching green traffic lights

Ask yourself - how long have they been on green ? - are there many vehicles already waiting at either side of the junction ? ( if there's a queue, the lights are probably about to change ) - do I have time to stop ? - can the vehicle behind me stop ? - if it's a large goods vehicle, it might need a greater distance to pull up.

Don't

Try to beat the traffic signals by accelerating or leave it until the last moment to brake - harsh braking causes skids.

Remember

Anot...
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Motorcycle Helmets

Posted by Howard Trott on Thursday, January 16, 2014, In : Motorcycle Riding Gear

A motorcycle helmet is the single most important piece of motorcycle clothing you will buy and not just because they are a legal requirement. The right motorcycle helmet fitted correctly could save your life in an accident. If you ever have to put a motorcycle helmet to the test and I hope you never do you'll be glad your wearing a good one.

There is no need to spend a fortune to get a motorcycle helmet that will provide an adequate level of protection. All motorcycle helmets sold in the UK h...
Continue reading ...

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Showing Tag: "motorcycle riding" (Show all posts)

Night Motorcycle Riding

City Motorbike Riding

Safe Motorcycle Riding

Building motorcycle skills

Your first motorcycle

Safety tips for motorcycle riding

Safe Motorcycle Riding

Riding your motorcycle at night

Group motorbike riding

Some petrol saving tips

Riding your motorcycle in the rain

Riding your motorcycle downhill

Riding your motorcycle after your first crash

Dealing with road rage

Riding your motorcycle in a group

Starting your motorcycle uphill

Off-road motorbike riding

Motorbike clothing

Riding your motorbike at night

Riding your motorcycle on country roads

Riding your motorcycle in large cities

Tips for first-time motorcycle riders (part three)

Tips for first-time motorcycle riders (part two)

Tips for first-time motorcycle riders (part one)

Advanced Motorcycle Riding Course

Motorcycle riding tips for women

Riding your motorcycle in bad weather ( part three )

Riding your motorcycle in bad weather ( part two )

Riding your motorcycle in bad weather ( part one )

Riding a motorcycle on motorways ( part four )

Riding a motorcycle on motorways (part three)

Riding a motorcycle on motorways ( part two )

Defensive motorcycle riding ( part two )

Motorcycle Helmets

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