The 10 most common mistakes street motorcyclists make

The 10 most common mistakes street motorcyclists make

The 10 most common mistakes street motorcyclists make

Don't wear full gear

"It's too hot."

"I can not afford it."

“I'm only going a short distance.”

These are just some of the excuses motorcyclists tell themselves and others to justify not wearing full gear. Regardless of temperature, price or distance, the consequences of wearing a t-shirt and jeans will be much worse if you go down. The weather should not dictate your safety. If you can't afford the full equipment, you really can't afford the hospital bills. You can get into an accident at the first stop sign on your block or at an intersection 100 miles away; no matter what, wear full gear.

I don't train

I know riders who have been riding for 30 years but are still at a beginner's level in terms of skill and understanding. Riding is not practicing. Practice is focused attention on a specific skill in order to gain an experiential understanding of how or why something works. I often ask riders before a group ride around hairpin bends, “When was the last time you practiced emergency braking?” Nine times out of 10 the answer is “I don't train”. you're not riding behind me.” How can anyone expect to improve in any technique they learn if they don't practice it? Track braking, line selection, low speed turning, body position, vision, throttle control, braking, etc.? Make time to practice weekly.

While at a stoplight, you notice that the car behind you doesn't seem to slow down fast enough. Are you ready to act? Putting the bike in neutral is just laziness. Multiple times since I started driving in August 2013, I've had to get out of the way to avoid being rear-ended by someone who wasn't paying attention. You won't have time to pull in the clutch, downshift to first gear, find an escape route, then move quickly if necessary. Whatever reason cyclists give for doing this, it's not worth getting hit from behind. Keep the motorcycle in gear, look at the mirrors and think of an escape plan, always remaining aware of your surroundings.

Don't anticipate cross traffic

As I approach a green light, I see too many cyclists not checking to their left and right to make sure the path is clear before crossing the intersection. Three times I noticed a car not slowing down, only to run a red light completely in front of me. If he hadn't checked and slowed down, I probably wouldn't be alive today. Check and recheck both directions for every intersection and be prepared to respond.

Do not use turn signals

You want to be predictable in traffic. Others should know your intentions and expect you to behave as you would like others to behave. When cyclists change lanes without using their blinkers, it increases stress and risk for everyone around. Now you are unpredictable. Violations of the right of way of others are exactly what happens when the traffic around you cannot reasonably predict what you will do. And no matter who is to blame, you are vulnerable.

Driving in blind spots

I hear it over and over again: “This car just cut me off.” “This truck cut me off the other day.”

Look in the mirror before blaming others. Many times I see drivers in the blind spots of cars. They then blame the car driver for not seeing them. We are the smallest vehicles in traffic. We need to make ourselves visible, and I'm not talking about wearing a bright yellow banana dress to get attention. Be more intentional about where you're driving, position yourself so you're not hidden in traffic, and give everyone around you the best opportunity to notice you're there.

Not looking far enough while turning

When you're out riding the hairpin bends, your eyes should always be well ahead of your bike. This way, if you see a danger, you have time to think about what you will do and react. Too many cyclists often look only 20 feet ahead of their front tire. Keeping your eyes up and looking through the curve to where you want to go is the goal. Use your peripheral vision to manage lane position.

It's not enough to move your eyes. Imagine poking out your own eye and gluing it to the chin of your helmet. Point your chin where you want to go. This is a head turner. This allows the pupils to remain in the center of the head, causes less fatigue and offers a wider perspective.

Getting too close to the yellow or white lines

During left turns, too many cyclists get too close to the yellow line. If a car comes from the other direction and you have to change lines, you are too close. Your body or your motorcycle should never cross that line.

There is only one circumstance in which it is acceptable to get very close to the line and use all available pavement to your advantage: when there is no oncoming traffic and it is an open corner. Since this is very rare on your favorite twisty road, a new way of thinking about line selection is needed. Out-half-out makes more sense. Start on the outside of the turn as you normally would, but only go to the center of the lane instead of the inside. By middle I don't mean dead center, but somewhere in the three-foot margin of the middle third of the lane is where your tires should be. This way, even while leaning into a curve, your head or your bike will never go beyond the yellow or white line. Plus, with this approach, you'll have more options mid-turn in case something happens. You will be able to slow down, speed up, steer left or steer right. If you are completely inside, you are limiting your options and therefore adding risk.

Not understanding countersteering

Ask 10 motorcyclists what countersteering is and you'll probably get 10 different answers, along with some who don't even believe it's real or relevant. If you want to go right push forward on the right grip and the bike will tilt to the right, therefore going right. Same thing with the left. Pushing down is a myth. The more parallel your forearms are to the ground, the more efficient you will be in turns. You will continue to push until you have reached the lean angle needed to turn based on your speed and radius.

This is not something you have to believe on the basis of faith or authority. Go try it and see for yourself.

Furthermore, the two handles are connected, so pulling on the left handle is exactly the same as pushing on the right. Many times going right I pull left instead of pushing right because my right hand is already managing the accelerator and brakes and I don't want to overload it by also having to do the steering.

Drive faster than your ability or comfort level

When I drive a group of friends on winding roads, I tell everyone before the journey begins that the goal is to get to the gas station at the end of this road. It will take you 45 minutes to an hour to get there. Your goal is to make it. No one will get a trophy for getting there the fastest. If I want to take the corner at 40 mph and you're behind me and you want to take it at 30 mph, go 30 mph. You are responsible for your own safety and only you should dictate your pace.

Trying to keep up with other riders comes down to ego. Trying to prove something to others or to yourself. Trying to fit in. Be one of the guys. Show others that you are a good driver, etc. None of these attitudes have positive results. “Ride your own ride” is a good old saying for a reason.

Speed ​​comes naturally with better technique. Keep up the higher level of training, practice what you've been taught, and you'll naturally be able to take turns with a little more speed without adding much risk.

Shipping times are approximately 7 working days , shipping is via negotiable express shipping.

Our international couriers may experience slight delays due to the current situation, in any case our assistance team will always be at your complete disposal for any eventuality

• EMAIL ➡️ Digitalnowinternational@gmail.com