According to the UK government, 2020 saw no less than 285 motorcyclists killed, around 4,429 injured, and almost 8,890 slightly injured in motorcycle accidents. It's, therefore, crucial to pay serious attention to your safety on the road, if you have this hobby.
Choosing the perfect motorcycle and going on the first ride are some of the most overwhelming moments in a rider's life. You're aware of the risk this beautiful passion implies, and this is a factor that raises your heartbeat only when thinking of turning the motor on and riding away.
You're most likely a person of adventure since you're reading this article. Know that no professional rider was born a rider. But they sure had the perseverance to learn, work hard and pursue their dream.
Additionally, they take all the precautionary measures to enjoy safe rides and minimise the risk of getting involved in road accidents. They remove every distraction and only focus on what's in front of them.
If you find bikes, trikes, and the like vehicles attractive but are afraid to give them a shot, this article might clear some of the most common and essential questions you have.
What to ask when you choose a motorcycle
If you've ever searched on Google what’s the best motorcycle, you’ve probably been blown away by the multitude of images and ads. Surfing through all those pages just to end up being more confused and overwhelmed by the variety isn't quite the key to buying the perfect motor vehicle.
What you must do, instead, is find the answer to some crucial questions. For example, start by deciding what functionality your acquisition will have and what type of motorcycle you want, whether it is a sports, street or adventure bike or a cruiser.
What should I do if I get involved in a motorcycle accident?
Getting into a road accident is everyone's nightmare, and that is why many still avoid wheeling or riding. However, if you're brave and confident enough to be independent on the road, you must also know how to act in the event of a misfortunate accident.
Most likely, you can claim motorcycle accident compensation if you ever experience this unfortunate event. It's a complex and tricky process, and it can be hard to get through without specialised help.
Luckily, there are motorcycle accident compensation solicitors that can get you through this process. They usually work under a No Win No Fee agreement, meaning they're only compensated for their job if they win your case.
Whatsoever, you can do some things to ease their work and increase the chances for maximum compensation. Here is what experts from a claim company in the UK recommend you to do if you're involved in a motorcycle accident:
⮚ Take pics and obtain CCTV footage.
⮚ Take witness contact so they can give statements later.
⮚ Keep medical receipt bills to be reimbursed for medical spending.
What's the best motorcycle for me?
There are many motorcycles, and you should pick the best one to suit your needs and experience. You can choose from a sport bike to a cruiser; the differences between the motor vehicles lie in their functionality, weight etc. Here are three of the most common types of motors explained:
✔Sports bike. Motorcycle sports are designed for agility and are typically lighter motorcycles made of lightweight materials such as aluminium. As a result, the primary distinction between this and other bikes is their weight. Thanks to the seat’s height, this type of cycle can lean without scraping foot pegs. It is recommended to ride a motor that has enough power to do everything and can be transformed into a comfortable weekend sport-touring motorcycle..
✔Touring. This is a good option for comfortable, long and low-speed rides and works for commuting, street riding or long-distance touring. This type of motorcycle is meant to have the amenities for cross-country touring. They have plenty of storage and easy ergonomics to help you ride for hours. To keep up with highway speeds, engine sizes in touring bikes are usually huge.
✔Cruiser. The cruiser, or chopper, was built for cruising, thus the name. It's usually an excellent "cruising" around-town motorcycle thanks to its lower seat height. The engine sizes range from a small displacement engine to 1,000cc or more. It is recommended to purchase a bike with many accessories which can travel long distances to make it an excellent bike for a quick trip or a fun weekend out on the road.
How will I protect myself from motorcycle accidents?
You must follow some crucial tips to stay safe on the road while riding the motorcycle. For example, it's recommended to wear sleeves made of protective and thick material, boosts to cover ankles, eye protection, gloves and long pants. There's a wide variety of styles for leather motorcycle costumes which make you look smashing, too.
Here's a list of other essential safety practices all motorcyclists take before rides, and which you should follow, too:
➢ Ensure you're easily observed on the road. Wear bright, eye-catching colours and attach reflective elements to your motorcycle and costume. Honk if you're unsure whether another motorcyclist sees you or not.
➢ Never drink alcohol before riding. All drivers around the world should follow this tip. Almost half the number of fatal motorcycle accidents are the aftermath of drunk riding.
➢ Check the weather. Never jump headfirst on the bike because not-so-motorcycle-friendly weather conditions like wind or rain bring about many dangers.
➢ Beware intersections. Half of motorcycle accidents happen in intersections and cause when a rider turns left when they are the most subject to a crash.
➢ Take a motorcycle safety course. It's especially important to get schooled if you're a newbie to bikes.
All in all, riding a motorcycle can be the most thrilling experience in one's life. It's not uncommon for beginners to fall in love immediately with their acquisition, and if you happen to be among them, never neglect the tips you've just read.
