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 Dehydration
This is similar to running out of gas, but for the body
rather the motorcycle.
We're the first to admit that riding a motorcycle at legal
speeds isn't as exhausting as say, riding a bicycle. Come to
think of it, this could be why your average biker doesn't
look like Lance Armstrong. Sure, there are other reasons,
but we digress.
Riding may not be as physically demanding as an active sport
but between being in the sun for the duration of the ride,
sweating under protective gear and the wind whipping past, a
rider can get dehydrated before they know it.
This can cause fatigue, headaches and the general lack of
focus, none of which are good for riding a motorcycle.
What's worse than the bikers who don't realize they're
losing liquids are the ones that avoid drinking too much as
not to interrupt the ride with bathroom stops.
Firstly, the liquids replacing those lost by the body and
are quickly absorbed. Depending on what's being drunk, being
correctly hydrated shouldn't mean more pee pee breaks.
Secondly, breaks are good, helping you refocus as
well chat with the rest of your group.
Most experts agree that drinking one bottle of water for
every two hours of riding time is a healthy ratio, drinking
more if thirsty or while travelling through hotter climates.
 Riding
into exhaustion
Getting a motorcycle is an exciting time usually with months
of anticipation leading up to a sleepless night before you
pick it up the next day.
It's understandable that the new rider wants to squeeze in
as many miles in a day as is humanly possible. Unfortunately
this enthusiasm will lead to both physical as well as mental
fatigue, opening up the rider to mistakes which could be
deadly.
Also this optimistic approach to how far can be ridden in a
day can leave a new biker miles from, feeling tired and not
only a little nervous, but also dreading the ride back.
You can still enjoy your new toy and ride in moderation. Be
conservative will the miles ridden and instead spend extra
time washing down the bike when you home. Okay, there's more
schoolboy admiration going on instead of washing, but you'll
still have the opportunity to know your bike better and
certainly more intimately.
 Misjudging
corners
Probably the number one reason for a majority of early
riding accidents. This category would include riding wide,
going into the curve too quickly or at too high of a gear.
Out of all the motorcycle fatality statistics, single
vehicle accidents are growing the quickest. For those that
can't quite understand 'stat-speak' single vehicle
terminology infers there were no other vehicles involved,
meaning the rider drove off the road or hit an immobile
object.
This is caused by not only a lack of riding experience, but
also the following common mistake.
 Not
taking a motorcycle safety course
Whether from youthful ignorance or older over confidence,
too many riders are taking to the road without professional
instructions.
Clutch and Chrome has observed the fiscal irony that would
be bikers will spend a small fortune on a motorcycle,
accessories and fashionable apparel but feel a couple of
hundred dollars and two days for a recognized safety course
is simply too much.
Getting beyond fragile ego's and misplaced confidence from
experience gained on quieter roads, smaller engines and
sharper reaction times a recognized motorcycle safety course
should be an absolute given.
Even bikers who consider themselves seasoned riders will
acknowledge they either learned something new or polished
some rusty skills. With prices ranging from free to a few
hundred dollars its an inexpensive way to gain life-saving
tips.
The price is further lessened when potential insurance
savings are realized.
 Finding
new things to do on a motorcycle
Frustrated boredom can quickly replace overwhelming
enthusiasm after riding the same routes, stopping at
familiar bars and hearing the same old biker stories.
Every new rider has faced the seemingly endless world
without limits closing in on them. Soon other real-life
issues or maybe newer interests take over leaving the
motorcycle unused and feeling abandoned.
Riding can be a demanding mistress and although she gives
much, will expect some effort in return.
Only bikers who look for excuses to ride, places to go and
far-fetched reasons to jump in the saddle can keep the
passion.
Although they may feel as though they've just arrived on the
scene, new riders have already come so far it would be a
shame to lose what they've gained from simple boredom.
So there you have it, the
ten most common mistakes made by the newest members of our
always growing riding family. Will a new rider make all the
mistakes? Absolutely not. Some riders will burn up the roads
without any self-made mishaps.
Even if you're not a new
rider yourself, reading and making a mental note of the
information in this article can help if ever have the chance
to ride with one and help them avoid any of the mistakes.
After completing the
article, a few in the Clutch and Chrome office decided to
pull together a helpful series for the new rider, which
should be appearing in these pages in the next month.
If you have any
suggestions to include with this article, email the
editor, we'd love to hear
them. |
Not
reading the road
Running
out of gas