Posted on Aug 14, 2019

Lesser-Known Tricks Every Rider Should Know

Whether you’re a new motorcycle rider just starting out or a seasoned veteran rolling into their 25th year of riding, we can all find ways to improve our riding skills and abilities. It’s important for riders of every skill level to challenge themselves to improve the way they ride and hone their skills because having a high riding IQ can help keep you and those around you safe.

We at Hupy and Abraham want everyone to stay safe behind the handlebars so we’ve compiled a list of some lesser-known tips and tricks that can help you ride safer, smoother, and better:

  • Drag your back brake in traffic: Weaving through traffic can often be especially difficult for motorcycle riders. If you don’t maintain an adequate speed, your bike may lose balance and start to tip over. However, applying slight pressure to your rear brake can help you maintain your balance at lower speeds and help prepare you should you need to make an emergency stop.  
  • Look where you want to go: Whether your trying to avoid an inattentive driver, swerve around debris in the road, or maneuver through a tight corner, it’s important to remember to look where you want to be. Shifting your focus from the obstacle onto your goal will allow your body and bike to easily follow suit as not doing so can often give way to hesitation and confusion that can get you hurt.
  • Brake into corners: This may sound a bit obvious, but many people could use a refresher on how to most effectively brake into a corner. Applying your front brake a bit later into a corner – around the apex - can help you navigate them quicker and safer as front braking compresses your suspension and increasing your front tire’s patch of grip on the road improving handling.
  • Keep the weight off your hands: This is something that you may have heard before, but it is important to remember. Gripping your bike’s gas tank firmly with your knees and relaxing your upper body will allow you to take a great deal of weight and pressure off your hands, especially in heavy braking. This prevents your hands from becoming sore and takes unnecessary pressure off the handlebars allowing for better control.
  • Be gentle with your front brakes: Many riders might see this as a no brainer but ensuring that you are smooth and progressive with your front brakes is a must. Starting out with light pressure and carefully applying more and more will allow you to slow down smoothly and not jolt you out of the seat.

These are just a few of the many ways that riders can hone their skills and keep safe behind the handlebars. For more news, tips, and safety guides relevant to riders, check out our Current News for Riders page on hupy.com.

Jason F. Abraham
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Helping car accident and personal injury victims throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa since 1993.