CORNERING
• Always be able to stop within the distance you can see to be clear. (If you lose your view, lose your speed!)
• Good observation/planning is essential so take into account the road surface, warning signs, observational clues and any cross-views.
• Position for an early view allowing a safety margin.
• The line you take must always be secondary to safety.
• If you enter a left-hand bend too fast, the bike will drift into oncoming/opposing traffic on exit.
• If you enter a right-hand bend too fast, the bike will drift into the pavement, walls, hedge, junction, parked vehicles on exit.
• Ask yourself, ‘What is around the corner?’ The road is not a race circuit with racing lines and flag marshals warning of danger. Equally, there are no paramedics, run-offs and tyre walls.
• A high proportion of single bike crashes are caused by trying to corner too fast.
OVERTAKING
• If in doubt, hold back – no matter how quick or agile you think your bike is, or how good a pilot you think you are- no overtake is worth dying for.
COMMON OVERTAKING MISTAKES
• Failing to anticipate what the driver in front might do- for example, turn right into a junction, driveway or layby just when you are about to overtake.
• Too much speed approaching the vehicle to be overtaken.
• Riding too close – no clear view of oncoming vehicles.
• Riding too close – which can upset/ unnerve the driver in front.
• Overtaking at junctions, driveways and laybys- or anywhere a vehicle might turn right across your path.
OVERTAKING TIPS & ADVICE
• Use your bike’s advantages – i.e. acceleration and agility -as well as the ability to move around in your lane. Why not have a look up the inside of the vehicle in front for any driveways, junctions or hazards before committing to your overtake? (providing of course that moving to the left does not invite another vehicle behind to move up and box you in!).
• Plan your overtake well in advance.
• THINK: Distance, Speed & Gear BEFORE the overtake.
• Choose an appropriate gear that will give maximum acceleration for the overtake.
• Before you begin to overtake, know where it is you are going to finish.
• Make decisions on what you can see, what you cannot see and what you reasonably expect to develop in the next 5 – 10 seconds.
JUNCTIONS
• When rding your motorcycle, it’s not smart to have a false hope that everyone else will do the right thing – be proactive not reactive.
• Don’t overtake at junctions. Consider what direction an emerging driver will look before turning left.
• Consider position and speed on approach to a junction.
CLOTHING
• Don’t scrimp on the things that could save your life… acquire the best protection you can afford. Make sure it fits like a glove and use it every time you ride your motorcycle.
• Ensure you helmet carries the CE22-05 or BS6658 Kitemark.
• Don’t ride in a T-shirt, shorts, jeans/ trainers or even bare hands- even for the shortest journey.
SECURITY AND MAINTENANCE
• Have your bike serviced regularly, making sure the lights, brakes are in top-class order and that your tyres have adequate tread and correct pressure.
• Keep the bike clean, lubricated and properly adjusted for the roads.
• Keep the bike safe from thieves… protect it with an approved safety device.
Invariably, when motorcyclists are involved in collisions, regardless of blame, we are ones likely to end up in hospital.
For more information and booking an assessed ride visit:
http://www.bikesafe.co.uk/Bikesafe/Bikesafe2000/NorthernIreland/info.html
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