My name is Saffy Sprocket from Chester, UK. I've spent the last 12 months becoming a motorcyclist riding about the British Countryside every weekend.
To me, there is no place greater than being on the open road. However, it came with a lot of life lessons. This is what I learnt.
More info: saffysprocket.com
1. Never leave your bike unlocked or unsecured
Leaving your bike unattended with no chain or, at the very least, a disc lock is like hanging a neon sign next to it that says, "steal me." Make your motorcycle less appealing by locking it up. It only takes a second to install a disc lock. Why risk it for the sake of 2 minutes? Don't waste it by losing your bike or at the very least your insurance excess out of sheer laziness
2. Never assume car drivers can see you
Drivers, also known as cagers, are a strange breed. Their brains are built differently from ours, and spending a lifetime in a vehicle has caused them to forget that outside of the cage is like for a biker!-It's always essential to assume that the vehicle at the junction/roundabout/red light hasn't seen you. Wear a high-vis when you can!
3. Never wear the incorrect kit for the conditions
Wet and cold are never pleasant on a bike. Check the weather forecast, dress appropriately, and avoid being too chilly. When you ride a bike, every part of your body is utilized. According to science experts, our bodies react badly to instructions when it's cold. We are bad riders when we are frozen to the core. So make sure you wrap up warm!
4. Never modify your bike without knowing what it will do to it
We aren't talking about putting on a slip-on end or using LED indicators. This is more about performing braking, suspension, and engine modifications without having the knowledge and experience to do it correctly or knowing how the change will impact the bike.
The allure of not having to pay costly garage expenses is strong, but ruining and having to take your bike to a specialist for fixing your cack-handed work will cost you more.
The allure of not having to pay costly garage expenses is strong, but ruining and having to take your bike to a specialist for fixing your cack-handed work will cost you more.
5. Ride out of your comfort zone
Always ride at your own rate and try to push the boundaries of your comfort zone. Some of the most amazing trips and views I've experienced have come from places I've managed to get lost in.
6. Filter, filter, filter!
One of the most appealing aspects of riding a motorcycle is that it allows you to filter. Granted, it must be done correctly and at the proper moment. However, being able to get where you're going 20 minutes sooner than if you were in a car is part of the deal with motorcycles
7. Don't be a show-off
We all have a passion for bikes, but bikers quarrel like children about which one is best or how to improve X, Y, or Z. Nobody likes a show-off, yet they're everywhere. However, if you want to get better, consider listening to other people's opinions before forming your own.
8. Don’t take the road to heart
Some drivers get furious when you pass them while they are stopped in traffic. They don't comprehend that you're operating legally and contributing to road congestion relief. Many will try to block your path with their car or drive in a way that is intended to obstruct you and slow you down. Try not to get upset; that's exactly what they want. Keep calm and carry on. Enjoy your trip and don't take angry drivers to heart