It’s not surprising that so many people love to own a motorcycle. They can go on trips with their friends, and even record the journey and post it on Youtube. It can be thrilling to ride a bike that’s a great piece of technology and to save on fuel bills compared to owning a car. Added to that is the thrill of the open road, and the chance to avoid being delayed by long traffic queues.

Alongside this goes the vulnerability of traveling by bike. People need to wear the right clothes and to understand the law. The world of biking is something that needs to be entered into with your eyes wide open. We will now talk about six things you need to be aware of.

1. Specialist Internet Sites Can Support You

We live in the information age. This means that you don’t have to just buy books or magazines to learn about motorbiking – you can also go online. The internet can be a great resource for motorcycle enthusiasts who want to access buyers’ guides on anything from helmets and alarms to jackets and heated gloves. People are keen to read reviews on such things as helmet cameras, intercoms, sunglasses, and earplugs.

2. You Take A Risk Every Time You Ride

It makes for uncomfortable reading, but motorbikes provide far less protection than cars. The NHTSA says people are 29 times more likely to have an accident if they travel by motorcycle. Most people who are killed are male, and over half of the female mortalities are passengers.

Whilst such things as road conditions and the weather aren’t major factors, drunken driving can be. Rather than occurring on motorways at high speed, most accidents happen at the beginning of short journeys. Nearly half of the deaths are recorded on weekends.

3. Training Is Essential

Whilst you are on the same road, it’s not the same riding a bike as it is driving a car. That’s why people go on training courses and often need to gain motorbike licenses. These things are an essential part of biking, both for your sake and for other peoples’.

It’s been said that motorcycle riders only have two seconds to avoid a collision. This reinforces the need for people to learn to ride in a safe and controlled environment. In addition, the trainers can also instruct you on the local and national motorbike laws.

4. You Need To Understand Your Bike

No one wants to be broken down in the middle of nowhere or to suddenly discover they are out of fuel. That’s why it’s highly advantageous to know your bike and how it works. Pre-ride inspections will be far more profitable when you know where to look for leaking fluids, or how to assess your chain and belt.

It’s important to know how to accelerate and shift gears correctly, and to remember to turn the choke off. You should also know not to touch the chrome as it quickly heats up.

5. Your Tires Are The Only Thing Between You And The Road

This is even more relevant for you than for car drivers. Always check the tread for wear, and search each wheel for such things as nails or glass. Whilst you may not have a flat tire, you could be at risk of having a slow puncture. Worse still, you could experience a blowout whilst traveling at speed.

The other thing you need to stay on top of is the tire pressure. This is because it will directly influence your ability to handle the road correctly.

6. Adequate Clothing Is Paramount

Wear two layers when you go out (or keep some spares with you) no matter how warm it is. When the temperature drops (for instance during a long journey) there’s no doubt that you will need it. Special goggles or sunglasses can protect your eyes from insects and debris, and help you maintain visibility if the sun is low in the sky. Remember to bring sun protection with you as well, as certain parts of your body may be exposed for sustained periods of time.

Never save money by buying poor-quality clothing. Armored pants will protect your knees and hips. Purchase a decent jacket and some boots with a good grip on them. Last and certainly not least, get a decent helmet to protect your head and neck.

The key message here is for you to continue to love motorcycling, but to also stay safe. Do all that is in your power to ride responsibly, and you will have many years of happy motorbiking.