Handling Threats on the Road While Riding Your Motorcycle

When you ride a motorcycle, you’re more at risk from threats on the road than a car or truck driver is. You’re exposed to the open air, for one thing, so you can easily be thrown from your motorcycle in a crash or slide-out, and you’re also on a much smaller vehicle that can be hard to see. You’ll have to watch for these threats on the road and be prepared to react to them so that you can stay safe.

Distracted Drivers

Many people are careless while driving their cars and trucks, and they can easily become distracted from the task at hand. Drivers may be eating, applying makeup, texting or performing any number of other activities while trying to drive. 

They may also be under the influence of recreational drugs or alcohol, or they might simply be extremely tired and unable to focus.

Whatever the cause is, the results are similar: swerving vehicles that can’t stay in their lane, especially slow or fast speeds, not using turn signals, and failing to heed traffic signals. If you notice a driver doing any of these things, give them an extremely wide berth and put lots of distance between you and the driver.

Animals

Interstates and highways often cut through areas where wildlife lives, which means that deer, elk, moose, rabbits, squirrels, and all sorts of other animals could cross the road in front of you at any time. You definitely do not want to smack into one of these creatures, even the small ones, as they can cause your bike to slide out.

Look for signage that indicates that animals may be nearby and pay more attention to the sides of the road. Be prepared to react by swerving out of the way and keeping your front brake ready to press. If you’ve practiced quick stops on your motorcycle, you can do them without losing traction or sending yourself flying, but only attempt them if you know you can do it.

At night, nocturnal animals are awake and they’re more likely to cross the road. Keep your headlights on bright so you can see these animals as far in advance as possible. It doesn’t hurt to slow down, as well, so you can give yourself more time to react if an animal does end up crossing your path.

Stop by our dealership in Westminster, CA, to check out our stock of used motorcycles for sale. Talk to our staff if you’d like assistance with motorcycle financing. Indian Motorcycle® of Orange County is proud to serve all of Orange County and the Los Angeles metropolitan area.