Once again another great article giving some good advise when out riding. Corning is so important and at least knowing what can be expected could save you from that OMG freaking out moment. Nothing is a guarantee but awareness is priceless. Even on ADV bikes this can happen.
by Jeff Cobb
Wearing really good gear can help in a down pour. Preparing for the worst and hope for the best is our motto. We wear Gore Tex suits and Gore Tex gloves in the rains we hit where we live and on the road. We ride all year, rain or shine so we know a thing or two about staying safe in climate weather. Personally, we both feel that rain should not be a deterrent but a reminder to take extra care and be respectful of Mother Nature. Never over do it, be alert and you can still have fun. Also, bringing heated gear is always a good plan even in the summer months.
Riding roads you have been on before also take on a whole different feel in the rain. Rain can be beautiful even though you might not have too many views. 😉
Continue reading “Riding in the Rain and Wind”
As it is, some riders avoid the night because unless extra steps are taken, it is usually harder to see and be seen. What’s more, in many regions splattering bugs can be an issue, as can deer or other nocturnal animals. And if you crash in the middle of nowhere, well, that could be a bad scenario, no doubt.
But this said, many commuters wind up riding in the dark of the early morning or after the sun has gone down, or both. And many others may finish a day of riding after sundown. So, if you expect to ride in the dark, you’d be well advised to assess your equipment and decide whether it is really all you need it to be.
And even once you are satisfied with your setup, you will still want to ride within limits. Continue reading “Night Riding”
Whether you have decades of experience or are a newbie, it pays to realistically size up this activity called “riding a motorcycle,” and to look at yourself as a lifelong learner.
There are approximately 2,500 skills required to ride a motorcycle. If you have not been riding for a while, it’s important to ease into it – reacquainting yourself with your bike, the road, traffic, and how they all work together.
And even if you have been riding lately, no one is ever so good that they can never make a mistake, especially with conditions as they are today.
American motorcycle and scooter riders must now mix it up with more drivers on the road than ever. And too often these motorists are busy, distracted, and typically driving bigger, heavier cars.
A light-colored helmet makes you more visible to drivers. Continue reading “Rider Education, Injuries and Fatalities”Please feel free to post how well you did or not on this quiz….we are curious 😉
Riding a motorcycle safely and in control means not just better bike handling; it also means judging road conditions.
No matter what your experience level, riding on busy roads – which often have poor surfaces – can challenge any rider.
According to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and other instructors, the best attitude to adopt is to become a “life long learner.” Enrolling in a rider’s class from time to time, as well as proactive self-learning are healthy continuing education habits to get into.
With experience, riders learn the importance of scanning the road, and they develop greater awareness of conditions as they ride, including ability to estimate traction, which has been described as “reading” types of pavement. Continue reading “Road Conditions Quiz”
As the average age of motorcyclists rises, the industry is scrambling to find a way to attract new riders to the street. How do you turn curious bystanders into devoted consumers?
Honda thinks it has the answer. In addition to the recent launch of the new shift-free CTX700s, Honda has now pulled the wraps off of two of its new trio of 500cc middleweight motorcycles: the naked CB500F and the sporty CBR500R. The adventurish CB500X is dragging its tail over from Japan; expect it by summer.
The CB500s fill a mid-size chasm in an industry too long enamored of flash, power and dash, hoping to strike it rich with high-dollar product rather than build a customer base using reliable and fun transportation that’s also economical and attractive. Those elements are all hallmarks of the Honda brand, so these new entry-level motorcycles should strike a chord with an eco-minded younger generation that’s also image-aware and price-conscious.
 Each of the Honda CB500s has its own look and personality. Despite their distinct characteristics, the bikes (along with the new X version) share the same basic chassis, including the frame, fuel tank and engine. This helped Honda reduce development and production costs, and results in a remarkably low price point. |
ECONOMICAL: Affordable Riding in the New Year Continue reading “Awesome Entry Level Bikes by Honda”
Motorcycles can be a great way to commute, transport smaller stuff from point A to B, or travel, sightsee and tour.
Depending on how much you carry, however, added weight can affect wear and tear on the whole bike, including suspension, tires, drive train, and brakes. It can also affect how well you can brake, corner, and of course, accelerate.
The more you pile on, the more you need to pay attention to where you place heavier items, how you attach them, and what the added ballast placed in various spots on your bike does to handling and control.
Following are some pointers to keep in mind, whether you are carrying the least or the most:
Keeping It Light
Taking a certified motorcycle safety course is an important first step when learning to ride, but then what? Our 10 tips are things the MO staff has learned from our years of riding.
Motorcycling is a fun and exciting endeavor, but it has its dangers. From inattentive drivers to a little dirt in the road, there are countless scenarios that can present hazards, especially to less-experienced riders. As a new rider, possibly fresh out of the MSF course with a fresh motorcycle endorsement on your license, you should know the real world poses challenges you simply don’t experience in an empty parking lot.
The Motorcycle.com staff is full of highly experienced riders, but we were all beginners at some point. Over the years we have learned many tips and tricks that have helped us stay safe when we’re riding a motorcycle, so we decided to put together a list of things to keep in mind when you’re out riding. Most any rider will find kernels of wisdom here, but we’re focusing in on the “noob” segment to teach tactics that will help short-cut the learning process.
Notice the phrase “riding tips.” We’ll focus on things you can try while actually riding your motorcycle and assume you’re already wearing the best helmet and gear you can afford. Now, here are 10 riding tips we wish we knew when we were starting out.
The most important riding tip we can give you is to never, ever ride faster than your comfort limits, especially on public roads. Far too often we hear stories of lesser-experienced riders crashing while trying to keep pace with their faster buddies.
If you want to be able to ride faster, just creep up on your limits and pay attention to what your bike is telling you. Most likely it will say “I can go faster,” but you’ll want to avoid the surprise of when it says it can’t. Continue reading “Top 10 Riding Tips for Noobs | By: Troy Siahaan”
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