One of the most dreaded ways to fall off your bike, especially in the middle of a busy roadway, is the infamous tip over.
Many riders have experienced a tip-over or have almost tipped a bike at least once. However, in certain circumstances, this event can lead to nasty injuries for the rider. Having knowledge about safe motorcycle riding practices can help you avoid this possibly devastating occurrence.
Here are a few tips on how to prevent a motorcycle tip-over:
1. Keep a Steady Speed
Operating a motorcycle is very different from driving an automobile and more like riding a bike. Because motorbikes have only two wheels, they tend to sway one way or another when they come to a stop. A moving bike is influenced by gyroscopic forces that are exclusive to two-wheeled vehicles (like bicycles, motorbikes, dirt bikes, etc.).
As the bike starts to slow down, these forces start to weaken until they disappear altogether once the machine stops. Balance is key here. New motorcyclists should learn how to slow down, take turns, and stop while balancing on their bikes before they go out onto the roads.
2. Learn How to Ride at a Slower Speed
Just a little practice could go a long way. As your bike slows down, a rider loses the advantage of inertia keeping the balance for him. The slower the motorbike goes, the larger role the driver plays in maintaining gravity tipping the bike over.
To accomplish that, you should continuously regulate your center of gravity. Know how much weight to put on each side of you and how this helps regulate where your bike goes.
3. Lean With Your Bike
Keeping your torso limber and keeping a looser grip on the handlebars will assist with maintaining balance. When making turns, you should position your bodyweight on the outer side foot peg to allow the bike to lean.
If you keep some weight on the foot pegs, it will allow you to lean the motorcycle however you need. In that case, as well, you will be capable of shifting your bodyweight speedily, turning the handlebars, or leaning the motorbike in one direction or another to reclaim balance.
4. Keep Your Eyes Up
Most people might normally keep their eyes down when they are riding along at a slower speed, as it might be human nature to do so. However, keeping your eyes up will help you avoid a motorcycle tip-over. Not only does it help you keep better balance, but you will be able to see possible dangers on the road much ahead of you.
5. Favor the Rear Brake
Each motorcycle is built with front and rear brakes, and the front brakes are normally more powerful. Having more powerful front brakes allows a driver to have better balance and control when driving at higher speeds. Powerful front brakes also allow a motorcyclist to slow down easier at higher speeds.
However, at lower speeds, it can be easy to use the front brake too suddenly, which could result in the bike coming to a quick and sudden stop before you are able to straighten the bike. Therefore, keep a toe-touch on the rear brake if you know you will be coming to a stop soon.
While riding a motorcycle can be an exhilarating experience, make sure to take the precautions necessary to avoid accidents and injuries on the road.
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