I just bought a bike couple of weeks ago. Can anyone share their experience, so i can be a safe rider?

Question

I have taken an MSF course too. Have a 600CC bike? Just started driving on freeways. Please share your experience for safe bike riding, how many years you have been driving and what do you think prevented you so far from any accidents. Your experience and guidance will make me more cautious?
Appreciate your time to read this question.

Answer 1

1) Pay attention.

2) Ever wonder why all them old lookin' bikers always ride slow and deliberately? That's how they get to be old bikers. Speed kills.

3) Pay attention.

4) In a game of tag between you and any other vehicle, you lose.
Don't get in to a game of road rage with other vehicles.

5) Pay attention.

6) When it's hot out, drink lots of water constantly, even when you don't feel thirsty. Heat stroke on a bike is very dangerous.

7) Pay attention.

8) Never ride faster than your comfort level. Always do a brain check by asking yourself, "what if something suddenly got in my way?"

9) Pay attention.

10) The driver of that car to your right, which is waiting to turn left, does NOT see you, even though it appears that the driver is looking directly at you. They ARE about to turn in front of you.

11) Pay Attention.

12) Look where you are going, not where you are at or where you have been.

13) Pay Attention.

14) The first few moments of rain sits on TOP of the oil on the road, it does not wash it away. It IS slippery.

15) Pay ATTention.

16) NOONE sees you.

17) PAY ATTention.

18) Helmets do no good at 70mph.

19) PAY ATTENtion.

20) If you want to show off for a girl on the back of your bike, get her home in one piece. Wheelies and other stupid stunts are for when you are alone on your bike.

21) PAY ATTENTION!

Answer 2

Surprised to see that no one told you to always provide yourself with an escape route!

This is easily maintained on the freeway via lane position. Be smart about where you ride inside a lane. You may notice more experienced riders tend to stick to one side or the other of the lane, and there is a reason... If youre in the fast lane (far left) you want to drive on the far right hand side of the lane. Reason: 1) people in the next lane wil more likely see you in their side mirror. 2) IF someone makes a sudden lane change into your lane, you can still swerve to the left and either gas it or brake hard - either way, youve avoided gettting nailed to the median, which would happen if you were riding up against it in the first place. Always choose your lane position according to what lane you are in. Middle lane can be dangerous - cars can come from either direction. Ive always felt safest in the fast lane....only have to watch from the right side....
Also, take your bike out and get familiar with her! Learn how she behaves when you get hard on the brakes while having to initiate a turn or something. These skills will come in handy when you need it most!

Oh yeah, PAY ATTENTION! Car drivers are NOT paying attention. You are as good as invisible to them. Remember that, and you'll live long!

Answer 3

Lots of valuable advice here. Watch how you use your brakes, never use the front brake i n a cornering situation... Remember, as someone else already mentioned, the first few minutes of a rain are very dangerous as the pavement gets VERY slick until it rains enough to wash the accumulation of road grime away... Also be wary of the painted lines on blacktop, they are slicker than the rest of the road in rain, and fallen leaves on the road, in fall, are very slippery and should be avoided.Never split lanes of traffic, or let attitude affect your better judgement, that puts you in danger and gives us all a black eye. I have been riding for 38 years, and have fallen down only 1 time, but that one time made a real impression on me. Have respect for your bike. Anticipate where you would ditch if the guy rolling up to the stop sign looks as if he may roll on through, as he well may, and it will be up to you to save your skin... Ride slow and purposeful, enjoy the scenery... Seek two lane routes instead of Interstating it, the ride will be more relaxed and you will get a lot more enjoyment out of it. Lastly, good luck to you. Riding is a real privilege, feeling the warm and cool air pockets at night, feeling really connected to the outdoors. I wish you a lifetime of happy riding memories.....

Answer 4

As soon as you can... take the "advanced" rider course. I've been riding 17 years and still take it every other year or so to stay sharp.

With freeeway riding, the biggest thing in my experience is to learn to anticipate what the driver in front of you is going to do by looking at their head. You can tell when they're gonna change lanes by seeing them look in the rear-view mirror and then the side mirror.

Also, learn to stay out of peoples blind spots.

This all comes from experience...so it won't happen over night. Just always have a health respect for your bike...where a helmet ALWAYS, and have fun!

Answer 5

Some people think the first 6 months are the most dangerous since you are a new rider but I think the second 6 months is the time you are most likely to have an accident.

Why?

Well you'll become more comfortable and that's usually when it happens.

Don't follow too close, pay attention, speed kills and against a car or SUV you will always lose.

Answer 6

I am 44 and have been riding 40 years. Street Dirt and track. If you ride at some time you will go down accept that or dont ride. Cars/ trucks are what will kill you. Assume they do not see you. Make yourself seen /heard. Loud pipes do save lives. Move around ,do not cruise quietly in a blind spot. Your better to ride hard and fast and be alert than to ride like a granny. be safe keep the rubber side down.

Answer 7

PAY ATTENTION TO ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING AROUND YOU AND WHERE YOURE HEADING.

ANTICIPATE WHAT YOURE SURE COULDN'T OR WOULDN'T HAPPEN AND BE PREPARED WHEN IT DOES. YOUR LIFE WILL ALMOST SURELY DEPEND ON IT.

DON'T BE COCKY AND THINK THAT YOU ARE INVINCIBLE. YOU ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE PERSON ON THE ROAD. NOBODY THINKS YOU ARE "COOL" WHEN YOU RIDE LIKE A MANIAC AND EVERYBODY WILL THINK YOU ARE AN A$$ AS THEY SCRAPE YOU AND YOUR BIKE OUT OF A DITCH. The saying is "Never ride faster than your Guardian Angel can fly"

KNOW YOUR BIKE. FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH EVERY CONTROL SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO LOOK FOR IT WHILE YOURE RIDING. CHECK YOUR BIKE OFTEN AND MAINTAIN IT PROPERLY ( change the oil, check your fasteners on schedule, replace your brakes and tires when they are needed NOT when you can afford it, check your lights EVERY time you ride and fix burned out lights ) IF YOU DON'T ALREADY HAVE ONE, SPEND THE EXTRA $50 AND GET A SERVICE MANUAL FOR YOUR BIKE .... THIS IS YOUR BIKE'S BIBLE.

Answer 8

Take the local MSF course in your area, it is worth the money you will pay. Remember motorcycles seem to be invisible to cagers (car drivers) and you HAVE to watch out for them. Your fault or not in an accident, you WILL get hurt.

Also never ride when you are angry or in a hurry. Getting on a motorcycle should and riding should never be a hurried experience. The chance you take can end your life.

Answer 9

In 20 some years of riding I would say to you ,dont be afraid to turn your head when switching lanes ,never rely on youir mirrors , And just because some one has made eye contact with you dosnt mean they saw you , and wave to other bikes on the road , God bless and Happy riding !

Answer 10

when turning or making curves, don't look at the ground. plus, don't get too cocky, but don't be afraid to test your limits, it'll only strengthen you skills in the long run. oh and be take it easy with your front brake. also when you make a u-turn, lean deep so it'll be tighter.but not too far, lol. but most importantly, wear a helmet and don't worry about the danger of being on two wheels, but the danger of all those yahoos on four, lol.