Hot Biking Tips
Added on Wednesday, March 12th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor
Hot Biking Tips
If you’re new to the world of biking, then welcome aboard, you’ve made the right decision. Owning a motorbike is one of the most rewarding and thrilling purchases you can ever make, but don’t worry if you still need to learn the ropes. Here at Insidebikes we’ll bring you the lowdown on getting started, whether you have just bought a modern bike, or you’re looking to purchase that classic bike you’ve dreamed about for years!
Insidebikes Hot Tips
1. Bought yourself a modern, hi-tech bike? Don’t kid yourself into thinking you can tinker if anything goes wrong – a tool roll isn’t going to be much use unless you’re a bike mechanic comfortable with fixing fuel injections or CAN line electoral systems. If you’ve got space on your new Honda or Suzuki motorbike for example, it’s worth carrying a small can of tyre sealant on your bike; it might just see you home one day!
2. One of the reasons you bought a bike is to avoid the traffic right? Making your way through a jam isn’t illegal, but don’t start weaving your way through the smallest gaps as fast as you can, you don’t want to hurt yourself or increase your bike insurance premium. Make sure you only filter a few miles an hour faster than the traffic is moving and always give yourself time to react and brake – you’ll invariably come across other motorists changing lanes suddenly. Patience is the key here; keep calm if a driver blocks you, bide your time, then slowly ride around the obstacle. If you’ve come a cropper with filtering before, make sure you take out a good bike insurance policy!
3. Fancy getting out and about in the countryside. You won’t regret it – riding through some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe is always fun, but always be aware of tractors, combine harvesters and other slow-moving vehicles. Look out for blind corners too – a good tip is to keep looking above hedges, fences etc… so you can see what’s ahead of you.
4. Just bought a new motorbike? Nice one! It’s always important when you’ve bought a new bike to give yourself time to adapt to its braking, handling and speed – especially if you’ve ridden something very different in the past. Motorbike insurance companies claim that many bikers have an accident within the first month of buying a new machine, so it pays to ‘break it in’ sensibly. That means avoiding the temptation to show off your new purchase to your mates. Take your time to learn how the bike feels and get comfortable with it on the road before you use the performance.
5. Come in from the cold! Winter and colder whether can damage your bike, even if you think it’s safe and sound in the garage. After you’ve been for a ride in the colder months (just about all of them these days!), spend a few minutes checking that your battery is still holding its charge and inspecting your brake callipers to make sure they haven’t seized up. Don’t forget to put fresh fuel in the tank and check your tyres too. You don’t want to be stuck in the cold without a working motorbike, especially if you don’t have breakdown cover on your bike insurance.
6. Using your motorbike in the urban jungle? You’ll need to keep your wits about you! Make sure you keep looking three or four vehicles ahead so that you can spot potential hazards and react accordingly and safely. Make sure you keep an eye out for any motorists using their mobile phones, changing CDs etc…Look for ways to avoid collisions if another motorist suddenly decides to turn without indication or brake.
7. Diesel on the road is a hazard, but if you hit any don’t panic. You may come across patches from lorries or buses on roundabouts or sharp corners near to petrol stations. The key is to keep calm and try to keep your bike as upright as possible. Don’t brake, instead shift your bodyweight and counter steer if you feel the bike sliding. Again, it’s another hazard that you can avoid by keeping your eyes peeled!
8. Steer clear of jetwashers, you don’t want any old chemicals stripping the paint off your brand new sports bike do you! It won’t affect your bike insurance premium, but certainly the value of your bike. Washing your bike should be a labour of love, so take your time, use a soft cloth and warm soapy water. Keep that paintwork and your alloys in top shape for longer. Washing your motorbike regularly will also let you become familiar with the body work, so you’re more likely to notice dents, scratches or any other blemishes on your pride and joy.
9. Your bike will handle differently when you have pillion passengers, so get used to riding with them, especially if it’s going to be a regular occurrence on a commute to work for example. At the end of the day, you and your passenger need to be singing from the same hymn sheet because your machine will handle differently when there are two of you on board. Depending on your bike, you may need up to 50% more road when braking, and this is magnified in wet weather. Make your partner feel relaxed.
10. Biking needs your full attention, so switch off all your gadgets and just enjoy the ride. Stick your mobile in your pocket, the iPod in a luggage pack and spend your time enjoying the exhilarating experience. There’s nothing quite like biking, so you don’t want anything to spoil it!
