Motorcycle Riding Safety Tips – Ultimate Guide to Motorcycle Safety Gear

Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned veteran, riding a motorcycle is an incredible experience. Apart from being one of the cheapest modes of transport, a bike can take you places no four-wheeler ever can.

On the other hand, parents are deathly afraid of buying their kids motorcycles because of the risk involved. Motorcycles account for over half the accident-related fatalities in India. Don’t be alarmed, though. There are a few steps you can take to make your motorcycle experience a safe one.

 

In this Ultimate Guide to Motorcycle Safety Gear article, we’ll cover:

1. What To Wear
2. How To Ride
3. Do’s and Dont’s

 

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What To Wear:

• Helmet

Every part of your body can be replaced — except your head. Don’t be a miser while buying a helmet. Choose one with ISI, DOT, and ECE ratings. Do not go for roadside vendors. Buy a reputed brand because they put in a lot of time and money testing and validating their products.

 

• Full Trousers/Jeans

Riding with a pair of shorts may be fun. But they offer next to zero protection in a fall. Wear a pair of track pants, or even better — denim. They will offer some protection from bruises.

 

• Shoes

Sandals/Slippers will get damaged if they get caught in the shifter or brake lever. Covered shoes, on the other hand, can protect your toes and ankle in a fall.

 

• Full Shirt/T-Shirt

Riding a motorcycle exposes you to the elements —not fun in the midday sun or the pouring rain. Wearing a shirt or jacket helps a lot.

 

• Sunglasses

Sunglasses, especially yellow-tinted ones look great but also protect your eyes from dust, detritus, and headlight glare. Never ride out without a pair. Some helmets come with inbuilt visors that double up as excellent eyewear.

 

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How To Ride:

• Focus

A motorcycle is a machine that demands 100% rider involvement. You need to keep your eyes on the road, no matter what.

 

• Use the mirrors

Every 10 seconds take a glance at your mirrors. Wipe them clean before you start riding.

 

• Squeeze, don’t grab

This is called progressive braking. Squeezing the brake lever reduces pressure on the finger and the wrist. It also prevents the wheels from locking up.

 

• Roll the throttle

Use the palm of your hand for twisting the throttle. It improves blood circulation to your fingers and prevents them from going numb.

 

• Toe on the brake pedal

Brake levers have at least 2-3 mm play before the pressure kicks in. Use this to rest your toe on the edge of the lever. This reduces braking distance and time

 

• Shoulders relaxed

Relaxing the shoulder muscles automatically eases up the pressure on your wrists. Tense shoulder muscles ache after a while.

 

• Hug the tank

This may take practice, but hugging the tank is the best way to ride a motorcycle. Since most of the hard work is being done by the thigh and calf muscles, the upper body can be used to do more important things — braking, clutching/de-clutching, and steering

 

• Sleep well

Riding can and will tire you —especially in summer and at night. Sleepiness is disastrous for a biker. It is more dangerous than alcohol. To stay awake on a ride, sleep for at least 8 hours before starting one. If you feel sleepy while riding, stop, take a break, do some stretches and then restart.

 

• Do not rage

Road rage is a huge problem on Indian roads. Try and stay away from the point where you lose your temper on the road. Walk away from a confrontation. You have people at home waiting for you.

 

• Paperwork

Keep duplicates of your paperwork (RC, insurance, license) in your pocket/backpack, and in the under-seat storage of your motorcycle. Have digital copies uploaded to MParivahan or Digilocker. Also, remember to check and renew your PUC certificate.

 

Do’s and Dont’s

1. Be ready to fall, but don’t expect to
2. Develop a comfortable riding speed (60-70 kph in urban areas, and up to 80kph on highways)
3. Make way for ambulances and other emergency vehicles
4. Stay away from large vehicles like buses and trucks, especially on bad roads
5. Maintain 2-4 seconds distance between all vehicles
6. Ride as if everyone on the road is deaf and blind
7. Use the indicators as often as you can
8. The horn isn’t a weapon, so do not use it in traffic
9. Spend as much as possible in maintaining your bike
10. Don’t shadow fellow riders —choose your own path instead

 

By no means is this a complete list. A lot of it depends on practical experience. Every kilometre you ride is a new chapter in your motorcycling life. Meeting new riders is great, and you can learn a lot from them. If practised safely, motorcycling can change your life. 

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