Essential motorcycle riding tips…….Okay, I’m just gonna say it:
Whether you’re a total newbie or you’ve got bugs on your helmet older than some TikTok riders… we all need a little refresher on the essential motorcycle riding tips that keep us alive, upright, and looking somewhat cool.
Like, just because you’ve clocked 20,000 miles doesn’t mean you’re immune to low-siding on gravel or totally blowing a turn because you were distracted by a hot dog stand (don’t ask).
So yeah, I’m gonna share what I’ve picked up over the years—some learned the hard way, some yelled at me by older riders, and some discovered in awkward parking lot moments I swore no one saw.
(They saw.)
🏍️ Tip #1: Look Where You Wanna Go… Not Where You Don’t
I know, I know. Everyone says it.
But it took me literally locking eyes with a ditch to fully get it.
If your eyes are locked on that pothole, guess where your bike’s gonna go? Yep. Right in it. Like it’s magnetized or something.
Focus on the exit, Focus on the turn. Focus on the freedom.
And maybe not on the squirrel sprinting across the road in front of you—he’s living his own chaotic life.
💡 Tip #2: Ride Like Everyone’s Actively Trying to Hit You
Because… some of them are. Or at least, that’s what it feels like during rush hour.
You have to be so freaking aware, it’s almost ridiculous:
- Assume every car will turn left in front of you.
- Expect every minivan to drift into your lane while the driver argues with their kid about goldfish crackers.
- Keep escape routes in your back pocket (not literally, but you know what I mean).
It’s not “paranoid.” It’s “survival with a side of sarcasm.”
✋ Tip #3: Braking Isn’t a Panic Button
Once upon a time—I think I was 19—I slammed both brakes in a freakout moment when a pigeon (yes, a pigeon) flew straight at me like it had a vendetta.
Front tire locked up, rear started dancing. I stayed up, but barely.
Lesson: Smooth braking is everything.
Use that front brake with respect—it’s powerful. But it’s not an on/off switch.
Practice braking in a straight line. Then practice while leaned slightly. Then really test yourself (preferably in a parking lot, not mid-traffic near a waffle house).
🛠️ Tip #4: Do a Quick Bike Check—Every Time
I call it the “I-hope-nothing-falls-off” check.
Look, I’m not saying tear down your engine before every ride. But at least:
- Check your tires.
- Squeeze the levers.
- Glance at your oil.
- Wiggle stuff and see if it falls off (seriously).
I once rode 40 miles with a rear axle that wasn’t torqued down properly. Learned that one from a guy at a gas station who asked, “You know your wheel’s basically about to quit on you?”
Did not know.
🧭 Tip #5: Ride Your Ride (Ignore the Instagram Bros)
You ever see those guys on YouTube flying down a canyon road, knee-dragging like they’re racing Valentino Rossi’s ghost?
Cool for them. But that’s not the bar.
Whether you’re just figuring out how to take a roundabout without screaming internally—or you’re already doing trail braking on mountain passes—do what feels right for your skill level.
Ride your pace. Ride your way.
And yes, sometimes that means pulling over to let the hotshots zoom ahead while you vibe to your road trip playlist and enjoy the view.
🧢 Tip #6: Your Helmet Should Fit Like a Slightly Annoyed Hug
Too loose and it’s useless. Too tight and your brain feels like it’s being marinated in pressure.
I wore a loaner helmet once (rookie mistake) that was a size too big. Wind buffeted so hard it felt like my head was trying to leave my body.
Fit matters. And so does keeping the visor clean.
Bug guts aren’t a fashion statement.
🧤 Tip #7: Gear Up, Even When It’s Hotter Than Satan’s Armpit
Yes, mesh gear exists.
Yes, you can find breathable jackets that don’t make you feel like a roast chicken.
No, you should not ride in gym shorts and sandals.
I once saw a dude in flip-flops on a cruiser in 90-degree weather. And all I could think was, “Buddy, your toes are one pothole away from being street pizza.”
ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time). Or at least… most of the gear most of the time. I’m not the motorcycle police—but your skin will thank you later.
🧭 Tip #8: Learn to Read the Road Like It’s a Mood Ring
- Shiny? Could be oil.
- Gravel? Say goodbye to traction.
- Tar snakes? Satan’s spaghetti.
- Puddles? Lies. They are never what they seem.
Riding isn’t just steering and throttle—it’s reading what’s ahead like a wizard scanning tea leaves.
😵 Tip #9: Don’t Skip Breaks on Long Rides
Your brain and body have limits. And your butt? Definitely has limits.
I used to think stopping every 50–60 miles was for wimps. Then I nearly fell asleep on a straight stretch of highway in Kansas (which, in my defense, is really flat and hypnotizing).
Now? I stop, stretch, snack, hydrate.
Ride long, but ride smart.
Also: beef jerky hits different when you’re leaned against your bike at a gas station in the middle of nowhere.
🧠 Tip #10: Never Stop Learning (Seriously)
I don’t care if you’ve ridden cross-country five times or you’ve just nailed your first tight U-turn without crying—
Keep learning.
Take a course. Watch some MotoJitsu videos. Ask the older guy at the diner about his Goldwing.
Every rider has stories. Every ride has lessons.
And the moment you think you “know it all”? That’s usually the moment something humbles you. Fast.
🎤 Quick Side Tangents about essential motorcycle riding tips
- Don’t trust your gas gauge on an older bike. Ask me how I know.
- Check the weather before heading out. That cloud? Not just “vibes.” It’s probably rage and lightning.
- Tell someone where you’re going. Or at least drop a pin. Even if it’s just so they know where to send snacks.
Wanna dig into even more riding chaos and wisdom?
- RideApart.com Beginner’s Corner – great reads with actual humor
- FortNine YouTube Channel – Ryan’s sarcasm is next-level
