Important Skills for Motorcycle Riding

Every rider should learn how to ride a motorcycle properly and must develop the important skills for motorcycle riding. Many riders learn how to ride through family and friends but it is still best to get formal motorcycle training. Through a motorcycle riding course you will learn about the important skills a rider should develop in order to stay safe while riding.

All riders must learn about the following riding skills:

1.       Braking – This is one of the most important riding skills or action a rider must learn. A rider must execute proper braking when he needs to slow down quickly or to stop before hitting something or someone in the road. It is important to remember that the front brake of the bike provide 70 to 100% of the stopping power of a motorcycle. Because of this, you must practice braking using the front brake more than the rear.

2.       Cornering – Most motorcycle accidents are caused by wrong cornering. A motorcycle rider who take a corner too fast may in up in the ditch or in the hospital.  Cornering should be done in a proper speed – not so fast or too slow. You will only start to accelerate when you see the exit to the turn, then use counter-steering to initiate the lean into the corner. You must maintain pressure until you get into the right lean angle. Remember that cornering should be done in a fluid line, using the correct speed and the proper gear.

3.       Avoiding obstacles – One of the most common things you need to be aware of when riding is the sudden appearance of obstacles. Once an unexpected obstacle shows up, you can either break to stop or you can swerve and go around it. However, stopping is impossible once the object materialized right in front of you and you must make a split-second decision. The best way in order to avoid obstacles when riding in a fast speed is to swerve.

4.       Lane Placement – This is one of the most important skills a rider must learn and perform especially during the night. Proper lane placement will help other riders especially car drivers to differentiate you among other motorists on the road. Aside from getting seen by other drivers, lane placement can also improve your view of the situation ahead.

These are the important skills for motorcycle riding every rider must learn and perform well. Developing these skills is very important to ensure your safety while riding. Getting into accidents is easy if you can’t perform the proper braking, cornering, lane placements and avoiding obstacles.