Motorcycle Safety Tips — Part I

There’s nothing quite as exhilarating as taking your bike out on the open road. Whether you’ve just purchased your first bike or you’ve been riding for decades, we know that you bought your motorcycle because you enjoy the sense of freedom and adventure that comes from riding on a bright and sunny day. As a supplier of custom motorcycle wheels and custom exhaust pipes, our mission is to help you create a bike that is both safe and jaw-dropping. In part one of this ongoing series, we’ll provide you with a few tips that will help you stay safe whenever you take your bike on the road.

When you’ve finished reading this post, be sure to check out our catalog of custom motorcycle wheels and motorcycle exhausts! We carry everything you need to create a truly one-of-a-kind bike, and we’re always happy to answer any questions you have about our products.

Tips for Safe Riding

Make Yourself Known

While your bike is probably loud enough to let everyone know that you’re riding through a residential neighborhood, your bike may not cut through the noise of a busy street or highway. You’re arguable the least-visible vehicle on the road, and it’s easy for bikers to be missed by other drivers due to blind spots and distracted driving.

Neon vests and tape lines certainly aren’t as attractive as black leather, but they can help you make your presence known to other drivers during the night and in other low-visibility conditions. When you’re riding on the highway, be sure to always stay ahead of or behind other vehicles to avoid being missed in a blind spot. If you have to pass another vehicle, do it quickly and give yourself plenty of time to change lanes.

Outside, Inside, Outside 

It’s not particularly difficult to ride your bike on a straight, open road, but riding through the mountains and other areas with curved roads can be more of a challenge. Whenever you’re riding on a curved road, position yourself on the outside portion of your lane before the curve begins. Slowly move to the inside of your lane when you’re actually in the curve, and then return to the outside portion as the curve finishes. This method delivers a smooth turn that reduces your risk of crashing while turning, but you should practice in a parking lot or another safe area before trying it out on the open road.

Your tires play a critical role in your ability to turn smoothly and safely, and a great way to improve your bike’s curve performance is to invest in a set of new custom motorcycle wheels that deliver exceptional traction.

Leave Room for an Exit

With smartphones in the hands of nearly everyone in our society, distracted driving is more prevalent than ever. Always watch your mirrors when you’re stopped in traffic, as the drivers behind you may not be paying attention. Plan an escape route you can take in the event that a driver behind you doesn’t stop — a few seconds of planning at each stop light might just save your life.

Avoid Semi-Trucks

Semis and other large trucks create large gusts of wind that can be difficult to ride through, and the rocks and dust kicked up by a semi could easily hit you and throw you off balance. Always stay further behind semi-trucks than other vehicles, and do your best to ensure that you’re visible in the driver’s mirrors if you absolutely must pass them.

We hope that this post will help you to stay safe while you’re riding this summer and throughout the year. Stay tuned for future posts in which we’ll continue to provide you with motorcycle safety tips. If you’re looking for high-quality aftermarket motorcycle parts for your bike, then head over to the RC Components shop and take a look at our catalog! We carry everything from custom motorcycle wheels to custom motorcycle exhausts, and we would love to help you create the bike of your dreams. Get in touch with one of our experts today if you have any questions about our products!