How To Prevent a Motorcycle Crash

Every motorcyclist has probably had a nightmare or two about wrecking their bike. Even if you’re the safest rider in the world, you’re still vulnerable to the whims of other drivers as well as the capricious nature of animals and unpredictability of the weather. 

You can’t ensure your ride will be accident-free, but you can be proactive in how you ride so that you minimize your risk of getting in an accident. Your local motorcycle dealer is Indian Motorcycle® of Orange County, located in Westminster, California. We want all of our customers to stay safe out there on the highway, so we’ve provided this guide to help you prevent a motorcycle crash, no matter what the conditions are.

1. Remain Visible

First, you need to make sure that other drivers and riders on the road are able to see you. An all-black ensemble may look cool, but it’s very hard to see, especially in the dark or against grey asphalt. Bright-colored clothing is best, and if you don’t have it, add reflective tape or a safety vest in blaze orange so that you’re visible at all times. If you really want to be seen, ride with others! A group of motorcycles is going to be very hard to miss compared to a single bike.

2. Stay Sharp

You never want to ride your bike when you’re tired, angry, upset or otherwise compromised. We hope we don’t have to tell you to never ride while drunk or under the influence of drugs, but we’ll say it again anyway. Ride only when you’re alert, focused and able to be patient. Vigilance is key, so make sure you’re always scanning the road ahead and aware of everything around you.

If you’re not confident in your riding skills, you can always locate a class that will teach you how to ride more defensively. You can learn new strategies for riding that will keep you safe and help you to react quickly to sudden changes in traffic or weather.

3. Let There Be Light

It’s going to be difficult to keep yourself safe if you can’t see the way ahead. In cloudy or foggy weather or at night, you’ll want the benefit of bright headlamps to see the path before you, as well as any obstacles and other vehicles on the road. LED headlights are bright and will ensure you can see everything you need to see.

If your bike has a windshield, make sure that it’s adjusted to the right height and that it’s free of gunk and debris. This goes for your goggles and/or face shield as well. You may want to invest in a shield or goggles that have an anti-fog coating to prevent condensation, which can happen in humid weather.

4. Maintain Control

You’ll want to make sure that you’re able to maintain the control of your bike, particularly in adverse conditions, since even a temporary loss of control can result in a slide-out or collision very quickly. Wearing riding gloves with a good grip will help you to keep hold of the throttle and brake and manipulate the controls, especially in wet weather. Adjust your bike to suit your riding posture and your height; you want your feet to plant firmly on the ground when you stop for safety. Brake with care and increase your following distance to give yourself more time to come to a complete stop.

5. Perform Regular Maintenance

Finally, it’s important to stay on top of your upkeep tasks. You don’t want to ride a bike that’s in disrepair, because that’s a surefire way to get yourself in trouble. Check tire pressure and condition, get regular oil changes, check signals and lights, test brakes and keep an eye on your battery. You can also contact the service department here at Indian Motorcycle® of Orange County if your motorcycle could use some professional love and care before your next ride.

Searching for Indian® motorcycles in the Inland Empire? Visit our Westminster dealership today to see our current stock of new and used motorcycles for sale, including Indian® motorcycles in many styles. Indian Motorcycle® of Orange County is proud to serve greater Los Angeles, California.