Motorcycle Safety Tips

Riding motorcycles is a thrilling experience, but it does come with some risks. With some proactivity, you can help remove or reduce the safety threats. We gathered up our favorite tips below. If you are looking to buy new or pre-owned motorcycles, visit The Cycle Exchange. We proudly serve those in New York City, New York.

Pre-Ride Inspection

Before you hit the road, you want to make sure your motorcycle is able to handle the journey. Even the highest quality motorcycles will wear down over time. Used motorcycles can experience this wear-down faster since they've already been conquering the streets for longer. A pre-ride inspection helps you catch issues in the safety of your home, rather than at high speeds on the highway!

You'll want to check a few things. Are your tires inflated to the proper level? Do they have enough tread to give you the necessary traction on the road? Do you need to top off any fluid levels, such as brake fluids or coolant? Are all your lights bright and working? Do your brakes work smoothly and your clutch function well? If you can answer yes to all these questions, you're ready to hit the road.

Get the Right Gear

To safely ride motorcycles, you'll need the proper gear. The road poses some hazards, between the weather and other motorists. The right supplies keep you safe and comfortable. 

First, you'll need to protect your head. You need more than a helmet, though. You need a properly fitting helmet. You actually get better protection from a cheap, well-fitting helmet than an expensive, ill-fitting one. Opt for a full-face helmet to get the best protection. While it's fine buying used motorcycles, you don't want to buy used helmets. You want a helmet in its prime condition to offer the best protection.

Second, you'll need to protect your hands. They are crucial for controlling motorcycles, but their grip can get compromised. The rain makes them slippery, the cold makes them shiver, and so on. Riding gloves shield your hands from weather (and kicked-up debris) so you can maintain the proper grip.

Third, you'll need to protect your skin from weather and debris. Full-length clothing is ideal (and waterproof outerwear is beneficial to have just in case). Choose brightly colored clothing to help improve your visibility on the road. 

Check the Weather

The weather plays a role in the safety of your ride. Don't head out in extreme weather conditions such as a storm or hail. Be cautious about riding in the rain, since the road can get very slick. Pre-owned motorcycles may not be able to handle compromised road conditions as well as new ones, so keep that in mind if you ride used motorcycles.

Sometimes the weather won't keep you from riding, but it does require you to adjust your approach. If it's going to be bone-chilling cold, you'll want to pack on the layers. If it's going to be scorching hot, layer on the sunscreen and chug plenty of water.

Keep Focused

It takes focus to safely drive motorcycles. You may need to quickly react to a sudden obstacle, such as an impending pothole or a distracted driver who just veered into your lane. Avoid riding your motorcycle when you're very tired or upset since both will hurt your ability to operate it safely. Check that any prescription medications won't hurt your focus. Take plenty of brakes throughout your ride. With some proactivity, you'll enjoy a fun and safe ride.

For everything related to motorcycles, visit The Cycle Exchange. We carry a selection of new and used motorcycles for sale. We proudly serve those in New York City, New York as well as Morristown, New Jersey and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.