Bikers. We’re one of a kind, and generally awesome.
But that doesn’t mean we’re exempt from making mistakes. In fact, as we all know, when bikers make mistakes, we can end up paying a very high price.
Judith Scott, Chief Instructor at Two Wheel Training, gives us her “Top Three Mistakes That Bikers Make”. Take heed:
Kit:
“Wearing the correct kit when riding your motorcycle can make the difference between going home for your dinner, or, in the event of an off, a visit to the local District General Hospital. Remember forever these numbers: in a slide, motorcycle leathers will protect you for 6 seconds, motorcycle textiles for 4 seconds and jeans…maybe 1 second. That says it all really. Many injuries can be prevented by wearing the correct kit. Yes, you could still not walk away unscathed even wearing the best kit in the world, but imagine how much worse things would be without it! “It’s too expensive” is the oft heard cry; well, so is time off work, not to mention the pain factor. Buy some kit, the best you can afford, and wrap it round your body regardless if you are off to the coast for a bag of chips, or round the corner to see your mate.”
Planning Ahead, Anticipation and Accident Avoidance
“This cannot be understated. See it before it happens. See it before it hits you around the Shoei. The clues to an accident are almost always evident prior to impact. Bikers have to see these clues and act upon them. Early recognition of hazards makes them easier to deal with. Assume nothing. Plan for the unexpected. Remember the old saying “expect the unexpected”? Well, a far better expression for bikers is “expect the expected”, and be ready to take avoidance and/or corrective action.”
Road Riding vs Track Riding
“Statistically, an unacceptably high number of motorcycle accidents involve competitive riding on the road, often associated with rapid speeds. Add in a few bends taken too quickly and you have a recipe for disaster. Competitive riding should be confined to the race track, with an ambulance on every corner, a super clean and clear slab of tarmac, plus no 44 tonne Scania coming the other way. The race track has the edge every time. If you hanker speedy thrills and knee down action then track days and race days tick these boxes. On the other hand, road riding requires a whole different set of skills and bikers need to rise to the challenge of getting home safely every time.”
Have Fun and Stay Safe Always!