Avoid These 4 Mistakes When Riding a Motorcycle

Whether you are a novice rider or have years of experience riding a bike, you will want to prioritize safety on the road. Sticking to the posted limits, signaling your maneuvers, and avoiding changing lanes too much are a few things you will need to keep in mind when riding your motorcycle.

As a one-stop destination for all your motorsports vehicle needs, we at Biggs Harley-Davidson® know what it is to act like a responsible rider on the road. Our experts have created this guide to highlight a few common mistakes to avoid when enjoying your ride—so keep reading to learn more. If you have more questions, contact our team in San Marcos, CA. We are happy to welcome our patrons from San Diego and Oceanside, so reach out today.

1. Riding on Bad Tires

As you may know, your motorcycle tires go a long way in keeping you safe on your rides. They help maintain traction on the road, regulate your bike’s fuel efficiency, and keep up your riding experience. Avoid riding your two-wheeler on bad tires and make it a point to adjust the air pressure to your manufacturer’s suggestion, examine the tread depth, and check on general wear and tear before each ride.

2. Overloading Your Bike

Another mistake you will want to avoid when riding your motorcycle is overloading your bike. Typically, most motorcycles aren’t designed to haul a lot of weight. If you try to overburden your model, the excess weight can cause it to become unbalanced and tip. This can jeopardize your safety and the safety of others around you.

If you intend to bring along more than a few pieces of gear on your rides, you might want to get a motorcycle with a higher hauling capacity. However, you will still want to restrict your items to a minimum and use saddlebags for a safer riding experience.

3. Rushing Corners

You will want to be extremely cautious and slow down your bike when approaching a corner or bend, let alone rush into one. Speeding up around a turn can cause you to tilt your motorcycle and slide out. This can get more serious if there is oncoming traffic. Ensure you are vigilant of on-road hazards like sand, gravel, or water around a turn.

4. Wearing Insufficient Gear

No matter your experience level and riding style, you will want to wear proper gear when riding your motorcycle. Make sure you invest in a good quality riding suit or riding pants and a jacket and protective eyewear to keep you safe and comfortable on the road. You will also want to get a well-fitting DOT-approved helmet, riding boots, and a pair of gloves with a firm grip for your rides.

We hope you can avoid these common mistakes that many riders make when riding a motorcycle. If you need more advice or want to upgrade your bike to the latest model, visit Biggs Harley-Davidson®. Our dealership is in San Marcos, CA, and we proudly serve San Diego and Oceanside, so stop by today.