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The message is: you're on your own and you've got to be the master of all the things you can control.
Here are some quick tips for tackling the means streets safely.
Be prepared
Preparation is essential.
First you've got to check over your bike. The condition of your machine is one factor you can control, so take some time to do this.
Tyres: make sure they're inflated to the right pressure and aren't bald or damaged.
Brakes and controls: check they're working before hitting the road. Check clutch, throttle and brake cables for kinks or broken strands.
Lights: keep ‘em clean and make sure they're working.
Horn: make sure it's working.
Chain: it needs to be oiled and adjusted properly. Your owner's manual will tell you how to do this.
Mirrors: adjust them and clean them if necessary before you begin your ride.
Petrol and oil: make sure they are both topped up. Running out of oil could cause your engine to seize (which can lock up your rear wheel). You don't want to run out of petrol when you need throttle fast.
Once your bike's ready, make sure you're mentally prepared for the road. Like a Zen master trying to smash a concrete block with his head, you've got to put all thoughts of anger, frustration and worry out of your mind. When you're riding, all your thoughts have to be focused on riding.
Be seen
The brighter your clothes, the easier it will be for other people to see you. Use reflective stripes or tape, particularly at night or in poor weather.
Be protected
You need to wear protective clothing for every journey (click here for an experienced motorcyclist's take on protective clothing THIS WILL LINK TO THE “BELT SANDER" ARTICLE).
A well-fitting Australian standards helmet is essential and a legal requirement.
Then you need riding gloves, riding boots and purpose-made motorcycle jacket and pants.
If you're wearing ordinary clothes you're likely to feel uncomfortable and if you come off your bike you're almost certain to lose skin - or worse.
Be alert
The best riders see trouble and react before it can hurt them.
In the city, try to look a block or more ahead. This gives you plenty of time to plan your reaction to situations that may arise. Think: scan and plan.
When scanning, look as far ahead as possible then move your vision back towards you. Check continually - don't let your eyes rest for too long on any one thing.
Check your mirrors and look over your shoulders to be sure there is nothing in your blind spots before changing position on the road.
Things to look out for include slippery surfaces, bad bumps, pot holes, loose gravel, wet leaves or other stuff on the road, animals, pedestrians (particularly old people and children), and, of course, other motorists.
Position, position, position
Always assume that other motorists haven't seen you. Think about your position on the road and ask yourself questions like:
- Is this the safest position I can be in?
- Can I see far enough around me for the speed I'm going?
- Can other motorists see me?
Turning on your headlight can increase your visibility and, as a motorcyclist, you can adjust your position in the lane to maximize your visibility.
When riding behind another vehicle, try to make eye contact with the driver in the rear vision mirror.
If you think a driver is about to turn in front of you, slow down and, if safe, move across your lane away from the turning car - this will increase your chances of being seen.
If you're approaching an intersection with a restricted view of a side street, move away from the potential danger area. For example, if the side street is on the left, move to the right side of your lane.
The best way to avoid a crash is keep a safe distance between you and others. The safe following distance in normal conditions is three seconds - you should increase this to six seconds in the wet or other poor conditions.
For heaps more safe riding tips, check the Motorcycle Riders' Handbook.
Difficult surfaces
City streets throw up all sorts of challenges for riders. Any surface that affects your grip will also affect your control.
Watch out for:
- Wet bitumen, particularly just after it starts to rain.
- Gravel roads or where gravel, sand or mud have gathered on a sealed road (near a building site, for example).
- Painted lane markings and steel surfaces such as manhole covers. These can be surprisingly slippery in the wet.
In these conditions slow down, reduce the amount of lean you use on curves and use progressive braking (see the Motorcycle Riders' Handbook for the full rundown on progressive braking).
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