Whether you are new to riding a motorcycle or have been riding for years, there are certain safety precautions you can take that will reduce the chance of an accident. Not only will you will reduce the chances of serious injury to yourself and others, but you will avoid needing to file an insurance claim. This will help to keep your motorcycle insurance affordable.
Most of the basic safety precautions are obvious. Making sure you always wear a helmet and wear protective clothing. Always ride safely and obey all the traffic laws, but there are a few good pointers beyond the obvious that can be of help.
One of the most common types of accidents with a motorcycle are those that involve no other vehicle than the motorcycle. There are several reasons for this, but the most common involve the road surface. A motorcycle can easily slide or skid along the road because of a slippery surface.
Any time it has rained, even slightly, reduce your speed. This is especially important when making turns. In places a rider is familiar with, the surface can change dramatically with a little water. Turns are not the only problem. When stopping, begin to brake early. You may find yourself sliding when the tires hit a slippery spot and you can easily dumped the bike hurting yourself and damaging your motorcycle. Accelerate slowly. If your tire cannot get enough traction, you can fish tail and drop the bike.
Problems with road surfaces are not necessarily due to weather. Traveling on a poorly maintained road can give a rider many problems. Some roads have no pavement and the uneven terrain can cause a rider to lose control. Gravel, too, can be a big problem.
No matter how good a rider you are, poor road conditions can create an accident. The chances of having an accident with no other vehicle is better than you think. Serious injury can occur and not be the fault of another driver. Even in cases where you get into a solo accident and are not hurt, it doesn’t take much damage to your bike to create a large repair bill. Always stay alert to the road conditions as you would to other drivers on the road.
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