Safety Tips For Motorcycle Riding

Your motorcycle represents freedom, speed, and power, but you should never get so caught up in the rush that you forget to ride safely. We here at Nielsen Enterprises know how easy it can be to lose yourself in the roar of the engine and wind, so we’ve put together some basic safety tips for riding your motorcycle. If you want to know more, or you’re looking for a motorcycle to try these with, contact our store in Lake Villa, Illinois, today!

Pre-Ride Inspections

Before mounting up, take a moment to give your bike a thorough inspection. This will help you catch potential issues while you’re safely moving at 0-1 miles per hour rather than at 40-80. Start by making sure your tires have the proper inflation and tread level, as recommended in your owner’s manual. 

Next, check your fluid levels to make sure you have enough brake fluid, oil, coolant, and fuel. Top off anything that’s low to make sure you’ve got more than enough of all fluids to handle whatever the day throws at you. 

Finally, test your basic functions. Make sure your lights are visible and bright, your brakes are working smoothly, and your clutch is functioning properly. If you see any warning signs, bring your bike in for a service visit at a trusted maintenance department. Come on by Nielsen Enterprises and have our technicians sort things out!

Weather Avoidance

Weather is a road hazard in the best of times for the sturdiest vehicles. Your bike, with its open-air seating and relatively few wheels, is especially susceptible to high winds or slick roads. Check the weather before heading out to make sure you can get to and from your destination safely. Avoid all precipitation when possible, and extreme temperatures will require changes to your gear. Cold weather will require more insulation, while hot weather means you’ll dehydrate and overheat quickly.

Drive Defensively

As tempting as it can be to weave through traffic and pop wheelies, driving defensively is your best bet for making it to your destination in one piece. You have significantly less mass and protection than most vehicles around you, and you’re more prone to slide outs and flipping. 

Make sure to pay close attention to your surroundings. If the roads are damp, minor obstacles like steel plates in construction sites become frictionless traps that you’ll need to drive over slowly and in a straight line. Watch for potholes, loose gravel, erratic drivers, or debris on the road.

We hope we’ve helped you and your bike stay a bit safer! If you have any questions, or you want to see the motorcycles we have for sale, contact us at Nielsen Enterprises. We proudly serve the people of Chicago, Illinois, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin—let us serve you today!