Riding efficiency offered by motorcycles make them the undisputed leaders of Indian roads. They are not only convenient and fun to use, but also are fuel-efficient. This makes them an ideal substitute for public vehicles and other modes of personal transport.
But with great convenience comes greater risk. It is essential to be cautious while using a bike. Your ride must be as safe as your bike’s efficiency. Having bike insurance will secure you and your bike from any losses occurring due any accidents. Here are some quick bike hacks to take care of your bike and ensure safety while using it:
1. Keep the right accessory set handy
One of the top bike riding hacks is to keep all the essential accessories handy. It will not only ensure safety but also improve the bike riding experience. Gearing up with the right clothing is equally essential as carrying additional accessories. For instance, when out on a long ride, riding a two-wheeler in t-shirts, shorts and sandals can be uncomfortable as well as unsafe.
You may thus want to switch to clothing options such as reinforced jackets, leathers, boots and pants. Essential accessories can include glasses for open-faced helmets, gloves, and the right helmets to go with for the highest safety reinforcements.
2. Continue bike ride in your comfort zone
Bikers, especially those who have purchased new two-wheelers, often choose to experiment with their riding styles and take unchartered routes. However, an unfamiliar riding route that is out of your comfort zone comes with a set of risks such as skids and badly-timed brakes. If not cautious, these can lead to unfortunate accidents.
Similarly, riding a bike on new routes with unknown bends and turns poses a high degree of risk to the rider as well as the two-wheeler. For example, going for off-road trips with your bike where the riding surface is uneven can result in dysfunctional shock absorbers, loosened brake systems etc. Thus, one of the important bike hacks is to use your bike in familiar territories within your comfort zones only.
3. Inspect before gearing up for your ride
Giving your bike a quick inspection before taking it for a ride can prove to be a life-saver. For instance, checking tyre pressure, mirror placements, and light focus before the ride can help you drive safely on dark roads, uneven surfaces and busy routes.
Going for a quick inspection can also reveal minute misplacements such as loosened bolts, fuel leaks, or any other mechanical hazard that can bear high risks. Staying diligent regarding timely vehicular care and maintenance can prove to be another great bike riding hack that can nip any riding risks in the bud.
4. Combine manual cognizance with mirror check
When riding two-wheelers, we often rely heavily on mirrors to track surrounding traffic. While side mirrors lend essential insight for improved safety during a ride, it is also equally prudent to manually check for nearby vehicles, especially at the road bends. In such situations, mirror views are often limited with defined easy-to-miss blind spots.
5. Be cautious of steep road curves while riding
One of the trickiest bike riding experiences is to tread through sharp turns since steep road curves can be risky if not navigated discreetly. Extra care is needed when the roads are not clear and could have loose gravel or potholes. The most prudent bike riding decision would be to read such road conditions well and drive slow while driving through road bends.