Defense is the best offense when riding your motorcycle. To help riders avoid accidents, we’ve identified six vital defensive motorcycle riding tips to increase your safety and the safety of those you share the road with.

Top Defensive Motorcycle Riding Tips

1. Make Sure You Are Properly Prepared
You should always wear protective gear like a helmet, goggles, gloves, boots, and pants. You also want to make sure your bike is maintained properly. Low fluid levels, loose parts or bald tires can create just as dangerous of a situation as intoxicated driving.

2. Maximize Your Visibility at All Times
No matter the weather, lighting or traffic conditions, always make your bike as noticeable as possible. Many accidents occur because drivers are not paying attention to the motorcyclists around them. Wear brightly colored gear, use your high beams, avoid blind spots, and maintain a reasonable distance between you and other vehicles.

3. Learn How to Ride Over an Object
If there’s an object blocking the path ahead, you may not have time or room to avoid it, especially on busy highways. By learning how to ride over a small road hazard as safely as possible, you can potentially avoid damaging or crashing your bike. Las Vegas Harley-Davidson offers riding courses that will teach you basic defensive motorcycle riding tips and safety best practices, how to anticipate hazards while riding and how to avoid crashes.

4. Use Extra Caution on Curves or Turns
Too wide of a turn can take you off-road, while too narrow of a curve can cause you to undercut the corner. Make sure you approach turns and curves with caution, so you can slowly and safely execute the change of direction.

5. Minimize Your Distractions 
While today’s bikes feature amazing technology and connectivity, don’t let them become distractions that prevent you from driving safely. Don’t use your phone or fiddle with the radio while you ride. Also, be aware of environmental distractions that could cause you to lose focus. If you find it difficult to concentrate on the road due to anxiety about heavy traffic, turbulence caused by inclement weather or uncertainty about your route, pull over and wait until you feel confident and comfortable enough to ride safely. The worst thing you can do while riding is panic.

6. Be Mindful of Other Motorcyclists Around You
Although more bikers on the road together increase visibility, it can also increase potential accidents. Acknowledge not all bikers will have your same skill level and some will choose to drive offensively instead of defensively. Don’t share a single lane and make sure to stagger your formation to increase the room each of you has.

If you’re ready to put these defensive motorcycle riding tips into action, reserve your spot at one of our riding courses today! You can also browse our inventory of riding gear to ensure you have what you need to stay safe on the road. For more information, contact us at 888-218-0744.