Motorcycle Riding Tips for the City
When you’re looking for the perfect way to enjoy the pure excitement that comes with being on the open road, you’ll have the time of your life on a motorcycle. However, bikes can be quite dangerous if they’re not ridden responsibly and safely, especially when you’re trying to find your way through the busy city streets.
City riding presents unique challenges, which is why it’s important to know a few tips to ensure a safe experience for you and those around you. Here at BMW Motorcycles of Burbank, we take your safety very seriously, so we’ve provided some great ways to help you navigate the urban roads. Feel free to give us a call or stop by our dealership if you have any questions or you simply want to check out our selection of motorcycles for sale in southern California.
Eyes on the Road
One of the main components of successfully riding your motorcycle is being able to adapt to the road conditions at hand. Depending on where you’re riding, you might be on well-paved, smooth asphalt roads, or the surface might not be in a good condition. If you’re regularly riding on roads with a lot of potholes, you’ll have to do your best to avoid riding directly into them. Riding into a pothole is extremely dangerous as you can’t necessarily see how deep it is, and if you’re not paying attention, you can easily lose control of your bike.
Improve Your Visibility
It’s not enough that you’ll be able to see the obstacles around you on the road. You also need to be seen by other drivers. You can improve your visibility with reflective riding gear. Start with choosing brightly colored pieces of clothing, like fluorescent or neon shades. Another option is to add a bright safety vest to your outfit or apply some reflective tape to your helmet and bike to ensure that others on the street can see you clearly.
Adjust Your Riding
When you’re riding your bike, that’s the only thing you should be focused on. Be aware of your surroundings at all times because motorcycles don’t offer the same type of protection as cars. You’re vulnerable and exposed when you’re on your bike. When paying attention to the road, keep an eye on the cars around you as well. You should be prepared to anticipate the movement of other motorists and be ready to swerve out of the way. Keep your distance from any driver who is clearly under the influence of substances or otherwise distracted. Take any turns and lane changes with care, signaling in advance and looking to make sure that other drivers can see you.
Surface Conditions
When you hit the road on your bike in inclement weather, there are certain hazards to look out for, such as low-traction obstacles. Steel plates in construction areas can be very tricky when wet. There will be hardly any traction, so don’t make a quick change in speed or direction while riding across steel plates. Another hazard to watch out for is intersections. When cars idle, they often drip oil. Mixed with the rain, this can be a deadly combination for motorcyclists. If you have no choice but to ride over a low-traction obstacle, use extreme caution, slow speed, and stay focused.
We hope that you found this guide useful! For new riders in search of the perfect bike, BMW Motorcycles of Burbank is the place to go. Our dealership is based in Burbank, CA, and we carry a wide selection of motorcycles for all riders, whether you’re just learning to ride or you’re upgrading to a new bike. We proudly serve all our patrons visiting us from Pasadena and Glendale, so stop by today!