Whether you are a new rider or a seasoned motorcyclist, knowing the essential bike riding skills can make every journey smoother, safer and more enjoyable. Riding a bike is not just about balance and throttle, it is about being alert, responsive and confident on the road. In India, where traffic can be unpredictable, honing your riding skills is even more critical.
It is vital to master some other essential bike riding techniques other than basic ones to ensure a smooth and safe ride. So, what are these bike riding tips that further elevate your experience? Let’s find out.
Basic bike riding skills
Every rider should begin their journey by mastering the core skills that lay the foundation for safe and responsible biking. Here are some basic bike riding skills to focus on:
Balancing your motorcycle is the first thing you need to get right. Practice slow riding and controlled stops to develop stability and composure in traffic or tight spaces.
- Clutch, throttle and braking coordination
Learn to smoothly coordinate the clutch and throttle to avoid jerks and stalling. Similarly, understand how to use both front and rear brakes effectively without skidding.
Sit in a good posture and keep a proper grip on the bike handles. This not only enhances control but also reduces fatigue during long rides.
Start with wide turns and gradually progress to sharper cornering. Maintain a steady speed and look in the direction of the turn to guide the bike naturally.
Understanding traffic signals, hand gestures, and lane discipline is crucial. Being aware of your surroundings is just as important as handling the bike itself.
- Use of mirrors and indicators
Always use mirrors and indicators to check and indicate your intentions while riding. This ensures safety for you and fellow riders on the road.
Mastering these basics also lowers the risk of accidents, something that is not only good for your safety but also helps in keeping two wheeler insurance premiums low due to a good riding history.
Advanced bike riding skills
Apart from basic skills, you must know the art of advanced braking, taking sharp turns and reading the hand signals.
- Advanced braking techniques
Before riding a bike, you were probably instructed to wrap all four fingers across the throttle and apply only the front brakes when the throttle was closed. While this is fine when you are just learning to ride or are in a parking lot, the situation is vastly different on roads.
While riding a bike on a busy road, you must have observed how difficult it is to cover the front brake with all the four fingers when the situation demands applying them soon. In such a scenario, you need to master the art of applying brakes with only two fingers, allowing you to shorten the reaction time, should the need arise for the same.
Advanced braking techniques also entail applying brakes when you roll off the throttle. You need to practise the art of blipping the throttle for downshifts while maintaining consistent pressure on the brakes. It is also essential to note that learning advanced braking techniques while riding a bike is not only limited to the front brake. It also includes learning the deft art of using the rear brake with prudence.
Situational awareness means being alert while riding and constantly looking out for potential hazards. These may include animals or humans or other vehicles coming across unexpectedly, sudden change of traffic light to red and even the road itself.
Often while riding bikes, people use mobile phones or talk with the pillion rider. All such activities affect concentration and can lead to an accident. Thus, while riding, make sure to keep a hawk’s eye on the road. It will not only make your journey safe but also prevent loss of life and property to a great extent.
- Mastering the art of turning at sharp turns
This is one of the most essential bike riding tips that’s often ignored. Turning your bike at sharp turns requires skill and the challenge compounds multi-fold if the space is small. Often while riding a bike on hilly terrains, riders encounter sharp turns too often. If you don’t practice well-enough, it can lead to a mishap.
Note that while turning, you also have to manage the accelerator and keep it smooth. While taking such turns, ensure you turn your bike at a 90-degree angle and look ahead. Often most riders make the mistake of looking down while turning, which is an absolute no.
While doing so, extend the elbow away from your body. This prevents the elbow from cramping and gives you more space to take a turn.
Though every two-wheeler is equipped with headlight, taillight and indicators, among others, that help you to communicate while riding, it may not always attract the type of attention you seek. You must know their limitations and must be adept at reading hand signals that are often used to communicate.
Proper communication through hand signals also aids other motorists to read and recognise your intentions more accurately. It not only increases your visibility but also enhances safety and confidence while riding.
Conclusion
Apart from mastering these skills, before hitting the road, ensure that you have all the required papers at your disposal. Most importantly, you must have a valid driving license and a third-party two-wheeler insurance cover mandated by the law, failing which can attract a stiff penalty.
Also, it is important to have a comprehensive bike insurance policy that provides a 360-degree coverage against financial losses arising due to natural and man-made calamities, including floods, earthquakes, theft, riots, etc. Once you have all of them in place, you can be sure of riding safely and happily!
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