Tips For Bikers

Biking Safety

Before you decide to take a trip out on your bike, there are a few things that you should consider.
Firstly make sure that your tyres are free from foreign objects and cuts. Always check tyre pressure is within stipulated tyre limits. Try to avoid gauges at petrol stations as these may not always be correct. If you are unsure of what pressure your tyres should be, then consult your motorcycle handbook.
Do a quick double check that all lights are in good working order. Make sure that you check the indicator lights and break lights.
Make sure that your oil is topped up and fuel level is ok so you don’t run out mid trip. When you have checked these things, take a look to see that the side stand or the centre stand is folded up correctly and not hanging down. Get on the bike and before setting off have a quick check to make sure that the brakes are working properly.

Biking Gear – Clothing to keep you safe

First and foremost make sure that you wear a helmet, the helmet should contain a sticker on it which says ‘Department of Transportation’. This sticker indicates that it meets basic impact standards. Your helmet should not have any cracks in it, or impair your vision or hearing in any way. Your helmet should fit you securely, with your cheeks pressed into the helmet so that your helmet isn’t loose.
It’s always important to wear some kind of eye protection, in case you decide to open the visor. So a pair of goggles or something similar is a good idea. Whatever eye wear you opt to wear you should always check this for any cracks or scratches as this can often impair your vision and create glare. Stay away from wearing tinted glasses if you think you may be riding into the night.
Your jacket should be made of a good, tough, sturdy material like leather or nylon. Your pants should also be made of thick materials like leather. Wearing something like a pair of jeans is not going to do you any favours as if you come off your bike these will rip within seconds of hitting the ground.
Wear a pair of gloves to protect your hands and make sure that they are a perfect fit.
If you expect rain on your ride then you’ll have to wear waterproof clothing. This makes riding in the rain that little bit easier. Wear some strong leather ankle boots with rubber soles for easy grip.
Remember to wear high visibility clothing so that you can be seen during the day and at night, especially if you are riding at night. There are reflective strips you can buy to add to your clothing to make you more visible.

Daniel James shares his interest on bike clothing, writing on behalf of The Biker Store.

Tags: driving safety, guest post, Helmet, Motorcycle, Road Safety