Target fixation is a major problem
when you first start riding. The single most important thing you can
learn about piloting that bike is this: you'll go wherever you're
looking. So if you're looking at the ground up ahead, that's where
you're going to go. Look far into the distance and observe what's
going on around you, and you'll keep going that way.
This is an especially important thing to think about when you're
approaching corners. Look through the corner, not down at the ground
somewhere in the middle. Is there a median separating the two
directions of traffic? Are there potholes? Any other road hazards to
avoid, such as pieces of someone's junker that have fallen off in
the road? Small animals, children, or other pedestrians? A huge part
of riding is just looking ahead and anticipating what you'll do in
any given situation. Play "what if?" games with yourself often and
you'll keep the shiny side up to ride another day.
In addition, you can use turning your
head as another signal to drivers around you that you're going to be
moving or turning. Anything that will make other people see or pay
attention to you is a good thing, even it's just as subtle as
turning your helmet to the left.
Ride
more defensively than you drive.
This
might sound slightly over the top (it's really not at all), but when
you ride on the street, you need to pretend everything and everyone
is out to hit you. A lot of people aren't looking for motorcycles on
the road. They'll see your car, but they might not necessarily see
your bike, even if it's flaming metallic orange. We've all been
irritated by those assholes who text or otherwise aren't paying
attention. Keep in mind that what's irritating and possibly damaging
to your car could total your bike, as well as seriously injure or
kill you. The stakes are much higher when you ride. We're not trying
to scare you off. You just need to accept that fact and do what you
can to lessen your risk so you can keep riding long into the future.
You can't do anything about other people on the road, except maybe
tell everyone you know to pay more attention to motorcycles when
they're driving. What you can control is how you ride. Pay absolute
attention before and at every single intersection. We're not just
talking street corners. We also mean alleys, parking lots, drive-thrus,
gas stations, anywhere a vehicle is going to try to enter moving
traffic from a stand-still. Scan ahead with your eyes to note any
possible traffic dangers in your way. Is there a lane merge up
ahead? Construction? A utility truck doing some work? An accident?
Does a cop have someone pulled over? All these possibilities may
lead to someone who wasn't paying attention suddenly deciding that
they have to merge into your lane RIGHTNOWRIGHTNOWRIGHTNOW without
looking first. Just a second's inattention can mean someone
sideswipes you because they didn't see you. By anticipating
potentially dangerous situations up ahead, you'll be ready to move
out of the way or brake as necessary.
Also, don't draft semis and don't ride in anyone's blind spot. Ride
up ahead of them or far enough behind that if they suddenly switch
lanes without signalling, you won't get hit. These are good rules of
thumb to prevent being sideswiped. If you can see yourself in
someone's mirror, they can most likely see you. (You know, as long
as they're actually using their mirrors.)
Don't
forget to turn your choke off.
Also,
don't panic if you forget to turn it off once or twice. Most new
bike owners will do it at least once. You know you need to turn it
on to prime the engine after it's been sitting cold for any length
of time, but turning it off isn't second nature yet. If you leave it
on, you'll be running your bike rich unnecessarily for however long
you leave it on past the initial warmup. Over time, this could cause
problems -- but more immediately, you'll just be wasting gas. With
prices hovering around $4 (and more) per gallon these days, why on
earth would you want to waste gas?
Adjust
your mirrors before you start moving.
Unlike a
car, it's not always possible to adjust motorcycle mirrors without a
wrench. That's why you want to check their positioning before you
start riding. It's simple. Just get on the bike in riding position
and check that the mirrors are where you need them to be able to see
as much as you can around you. If your bike has a center stand, this
is especially easy to do while it's sitting on the center stand. If
not, get on the bike and point it straight ahead. Hold the front
brake lever if you're on a downhill incline. Adjust as necessary.
Do a
pre-ride inspection.
Motorcycles are powered one of three ways: chain-driven,
belt-driven, or shaft-driven. Shaft- and belt-driven bikes require
less frequent maintenance than chain-driven ones. Most cruisers are
belt-driven, while most sport bikes are chain-driven. BMW isn't the
only company that makes shaft-driven bikes, but they're the most
common bikes on which you'll find the system.
Why does this matter? When you're riding a bike, that chain or belt
or shaft is what keeps your bike moving. There isn't a lot to
examine on a shaft-driven bike (if it's broken, you'll know it), but
you should check your chain or belt before you head out. If that
chain or belt is in bad condition, or is improperly adjusted, it can
break. At the least, that means you're walking home. At the most, it
can cause you to have an accident.
To inspect a chain, turn the rear wheel and watch the chain move.
Does it move freely? Do any of the links looked cracked or worn? Is
it really, really dirty? Does it seem really loose or really tight?
A chain in good condition should move freely and should not be super
loose or super tight. (Proper chain adjustment is its own topic)
Chains get dirty as you ride, but it shouldn't be so dirty that the
grime is preventing smooth movement. If a chain gets too dirty, it
can get stiff and not move smoothly like it should. That's why
proper bike maintenance of chain driven bikes includes cleaning and
waxing your chain regularly. If that chain has broken or missing
links, don't ride it until you replace the chain. It's not safe.
To inspect a belt, turn the rear wheel and watch the belt move. Does
it move smoothly? Does it have any weird cracks or tears, or does it
look like it's been chewed at the edges, or along any of the teeth?
If it has any cracks, tears, or jagged edges like it's been chewed,
it's due for replacement. You probably shouldn't ride it until it's
replaced.
Finally, check for any oil or other fluids leaking anywhere on the
bike. Look at the front forks as well, because they have fluid
inside. If the seals on the forks need to be replaced, you may see
some fluid seeping out. If anything is leaking, get your bike
checked out by someone who knows what they're doing. |