Five Bad Riding Habits and How to Fix Them
Bad riding habits often sneak up on us like an unexpected pothole, and most riders, if they realized they were doing something wrong, would eagerly make changes. In this blog post, we're diving into five bad riding habits and how you can fix them.
If you're new here, welcome! I'm Kevin, a motorcycle instructor in North Texas, and I release weekly training videos on my YouTube channel, MCrider. Become a Member“>Member of MCrider and get access to ad-free videos, a free print Field Guide, and more. All the details of Membership are here.
Habit One: Not Looking Far Enough Down the Road
Did you know that at highway speeds, you're traveling over a hundred feet per second? If you're only looking a hundred feet ahead, you've got about one second to react to anything that pops up. Many riders are guilty of “riding in a bubble,” focusing only on their immediate surroundings and missing the bigger picture.
The fix for this one is simple: keep your head and eyes up. As the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) recommends, your gaze should be focused about 12 seconds ahead. This way, you can anticipate and adjust to what's coming, rather than reacting at the last moment.
Why Keeping Your Head Up Matters
1. Enhances Situational Awareness: Keeping your head up ensures you're constantly aware of your surroundings. This awareness is critical for identifying potential threats and planning your next move.
2. Improves Balance and Control: Your body follows your eyes. When you keep your head up and eyes forward, it naturally helps you maintain better balance and control over your motorcycle.
3. Reduces Reaction Time: By focusing on the road ahead, you'll notice changes and obstacles sooner. This reduces the time it takes to react, allowing for safer maneuvering.
4. Boosts Confidence: When you know what's coming, you're less likely to be caught off guard. This predictability can boost your confidence, making you a more assertive and safe rider.
Practical Tips for Keeping Your Eyes Up
– Practice Regularly: Like any skill, keeping your eyes up takes practice. Set aside time to consciously focus on your gaze during every ride.
– Use Landmarks: Identify landmarks or points in the distance to help train your eyes to look further ahead.
– Stay Relaxed: Tension can cause you to fixate on the immediate road in front of you. Keep your grip relaxed and your posture natural.
– Regularly Check Mirrors: While your focus should be ahead, don't forget to periodically check your mirrors. This keeps you aware of what's happening behind you without losing sight of the road ahead.
By integrating these practices into your riding routine, you're not only enhancing your own safety but also setting an example for others in the motorcycle community. Remember, every ride is an opportunity to improve your skills and become a more proficient rider. Keep your head and eyes up, and ride safely!
Habit Two: Improper Foot Placement on the Foot Pegs
This is a habit I often catch myself slipping into. Many riders position the middle or heel of their foot on the foot pegs. You might ask, “Why's that a problem?” Well, imagine leaning a motorcycle over and catching your toe on the ground. It's a heart-stopping moment! Once, the pavement grabbed my foot and threw it off the peg, leading to a minor accident with some painted panniers.
The fix? Ride with the balls of your feet, or just behind your toes, on the foot pegs. This position keeps your feet off the ground when you lean into a corner.
Habit Three: Overestimating Your Riding Abilities
Let's get real. I teach basic and intermediate classes here in DFW, and I often meet riders who boast of their extensive experience. Yet, these same riders struggle with basic core techniques. Riding fast in a straight line doesn't mean you're in control.
The fix: Never stop learning. Enroll in local classes, whether basic or advanced, to hone your skills. Become a Patron at MCrider and access the field guide for training exercises to practice independently. This isn't just advice for you; it's something I practice too. I recently spent a Sunday in an advanced class in Oklahoma City to keep growing my skills.
Habit Four: Not Looking Far Enough Through a Curve
Entering a curve blind to what's at the apex or beyond is risky. It's harder to stop quickly once a motorcycle is leaned over. So why gamble?
The fix: Look. In our cornering series at MCrider, we stress “slow, look, press, and roll.” By looking before you lean, you can spot obstacles in your path. Your motorcycle tends to go where you look, so practice moving your head and pointing your nose in the direction you want to go. You'll find your cornering smoother and more controlled.
Habit Five: Riding at the Limits
Pushing your skills, traction, and motorcycle to their extremes on the streets is a recipe for disaster. There's no trophy for taking risks, and you should always have traction in reserve. It only takes one unexpected event to change everything.
The fix is to ride within your limits. Always ride with more skill and traction than you need. On a motorcycle, you might not get a second chance to correct a mistake, so always keep some skill and traction in reserve.
Until next week, this is Kevin with MCrider, and we'll see you on the road!
