10 rider rituals that turn ordinary rides into real adventures

The internet is full of all kinds of motorcycle riding tips, tricks and hacks. Some are actually quite good, some are neither here nor there, and there are others that might endanger less experienced riders. Some authoritative figures have also been guilty of peddling advice under the guise of selling something.

To be clear, this is not a list of tips, hacks, or tricks. Driving is by definition dangerous. After all, that’s part of the reason we ride, but the safer we can make it, the better for everyone. These are just a few of the habits that more experienced riders develop over time, all of which help make longer rides safer and more enjoyable.

In order to provide you with the most current and accurate information, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Safe driving for life. While the opinions are ours.

Wear proper safety equipment

Some riders’ commitment to “wearing all gear at all times” is admirable, but impractical. If you’re just going to the grocery store, some shoes and a helmet will suffice. If the grocery store is in another state, that’s different.

In general, boots and jeans are a must. Better riding jeans are great, but not always necessary. A suitable riding jacket, on the other hand, is essential. If it’s warm where you live – and where you’re going – a mesh jacket is a good option. You can always add a few coats underneath if you encounter unexpected weather. Some riders get frustrated with the costs involved, but your equipment is as essential as the bike itself, and you need to buy the right equipment for where you ride.

Pack a first aid kit

When people say “first aid kit,” the first thing that often comes to mind is a large bag or box of medical supplies. For a motorcycle, this is both impractical and unnecessary.

Ideally you need something compact enough to fit under your saddle, but some bikes simply don’t have enough room for that! You can find small, affordable kits at a pharmacy or online, or you can simply put together your own kit. If your bike doesn’t have enough space under the seat, you can simply leave it in the bag you use most.

The tool kits that come with bicycles are designed to be compact to save the manufacturer as much money as possible. Suffice to say, they are not at all comprehensive.

For all those novice mechanics, it is also important not to overdo it; space is valuable and it is important to find the right balance. The key is to make sure that whatever tools you bring make it easier to work on your bike or your friend’s bike when you’re stuck in traffic. It is also a reward to be able to help others.

Pre-flight inspection

Before going on a longer ride, it is crucial that you check your bike. At the very least, you should check the condition of your tires (although we assume you know they are fine) and the tire pressure.

Other essential checks include the condition of your chain if you have one, the oil level and the coolant level. Most modern motorcycles have a fuel gauge, but if your motorcycle doesn’t, make sure you fill up and keep an eye on it occasionally depending on how far you ride.

Obey the traffic rules

When you’re younger it may seem fun to push boundaries, but on a motorcycle it just adds unnecessary problems to your life. This is something that should be common sense, but with many influencers making light of this, it’s very understandable that newer riders get the wrong idea.

Experienced drivers will more often than not obey the rules of the road. Although it may seem fun to test your bike in built-up areas, it is not a smart move.

Always choose visibility over style

Motorcycles are basically invisible to people driving cars. Doing everything you can to make yourself more visible helps enormously. Wearing one of those safety jackets is at the extreme end of the scale.

But simply wearing something with a bit of color increases the chances of someone seeing you. Even if bright colors are not your style, simply buying a white helmet instead of a darker color will do the trick.

Keep your distance

As a rule, you should leave a distance of at least two seconds between yourself and the vehicle in front. That is, if the weather conditions are good. If you drive at night or in bad weather, that gap should be doubled.

This is especially important if you are cycling in a group. All too often you will see riders literally riding in a group, and while this may be acceptable during a parade or event, it is a dangerous practice in any other circumstance.

Covering your front brake

There is a common misconception that you should always cover your front brake. This is simply not the case.

The only time you need to cover your brakes is when you are on high alert. For example, if you are driving through a busy city, or on a stretch of road that you are unfamiliar with. It is both impractical and unnecessary to do this all the time.

Plan the route carefully

If you don’t get this part right, you may end up having the wrong kind of adventure. Even though we live in an age where GPS is free, people still get lost and run out of gas.

Cell phone reception is still spotty in certain parts of the world, so relying solely on an online map is not a good idea. On longer journeys, it’s important to map out your stops, not just for refueling, but also to generally take in your surroundings. It should be more about the journey than the destination.

Stop overthinking everything and have fun

All of these things are basically common sense. The worst thing you can do is take everything too seriously, because that sucks all the joy out of the ride.

As you get more experience, all these things will come naturally. You don’t have to think about it because once it stops being fun, you have indeed missed the point.