Motorcycle safety tips…..Back when I first started riding, I thought motorcycle safety tips were, like, optional. Y’know—something your uncle in cargo shorts nags you about at family barbecues. I figured as long as I had a decent helmet and vibes, I was basically invincible. Spoiler alert: I was very wrong. Like “almost-skidded-into-a-parking-meter” wrong. I’ve since learned a few lessons (some painful, some embarrassing), and today I’m handing you my top 10 rules for keeping your skin attached to your body.
So yeah, if you’re a fellow two-wheeled daredevil—or just someone who likes your bones unbroken—this one’s for you.
1. Wear the Dang Helmet (No, Not the Cute One)

Let’s start with the obvious one, because apparently we still need to say it in 2025: wear a DOT-approved helmet.
Not a novelty skull one.
Not a stylish half-cap from 1972.
A real helmet that protects your actual brain.
I once thought a half-shell looked cooler until I saw a guy wipe out on a patch of oil doing 20 mph. His face kissed the pavement and let’s just say it wasn’t a love story.
Now? I wear full-face, even if I’m just heading to Taco Bell. (Also because Taco Bell after a crash just hits different. Or so I’ve heard.)
2. Dress Like You Might Crash (Because You Might)
There was a time I rode in shorts. Shorts.
I was 19. My brain wasn’t fully formed.
Here’s the thing: You don’t get to schedule crashes. They just happen—like bad Tinder dates or plumbing issues.
So wear:
- Abrasion-resistant jacket (bonus points if it has armor)
- Motorcycle gloves (I like feeling my fingers, thank you)
- Pants that aren’t jeans (Kevlar > denim)
- Riding boots (not Crocs. Never Crocs.)
Look, you can still look cool in gear. There’s stuff out there that makes you feel like a superhero.
And honestly? I’d rather look like RoboCop than Road Rash Barbie.
3. Check Yo’ Tires, Friend
Quick story: I once ignored a slightly low tire pressure warning and ended up fishtailing on a backroad like I was in a dirtbike competition I didn’t enter.
Not fun.
Tires are like your shoes. If they’re bald, cracked, or under-inflated, you’re just asking for chaos.
Check them before each ride. Doesn’t take long. Just a quick look and a pressure check. Your tires should feel firm, not floppy like an old pool noodle.
4. Be Paranoid at Intersections (Seriously)
Here’s a stat that makes me clench: over 50% of motorcycle accidents happen at intersections. Most of the time, a car turns left right into a rider’s path.
So now? I slow down at every intersection. Every single one. Even when I have the green light. I treat every car like they don’t see me (because… they usually don’t).
And yeah, sometimes the driver waves apologetically after almost merging into me—like that fixes it? I usually just nod, but inside I’m like: Ma’am, you almost sent me to the ER over a playlist change.
5. Keep Your Head on a Swivel (Not Literally)
You ever watch those spy movies where the guy’s constantly scanning every exit and threat? That’s how I ride.
Mirrors help, but they’re not gospel. Use your shoulder checks like your life depends on them. Because it kinda does.
I once nearly collided with a Prius that was sneaking up in my blind spot like a ninja. Quietest near-death experience of my life.
6. Ride Defensively, Not Like a Main Character

I get it. You feel cool. You are cool. But the road doesn’t care.
Ride like every driver is texting, eating spaghetti, and blindfolded.
Leave space.
Don’t lane split (unless it’s legal in your state and you really know what you’re doing).
And for the love of all things rubber, don’t tailgate. Especially trucks. That back wheel isn’t gonna win a fight with 18 wheels of steel.
7. Stay Sober—or Stay Home
Quick one: Don’t ride drunk. Don’t ride high. Don’t ride sleepy.
That’s it. That’s the tip.
I once rode after a double espresso on an empty stomach and thought I was being chased by ghosts. Turns out it was my own jacket flapping in the wind.
So yeah. Clear mind = better survival odds.
8. Rain? Rethink That Ride
I know some people love riding in the rain. And yeah, the aesthetic is cool, very “moody indie film”—but wet roads are basically slip-and-slides for motorcycles.
Brake distances get longer. Visibility drops. Traction? Bye.
If you must ride in the rain:
- Use smooth inputs (throttle, brakes, turns)
- Give yourself extra space
- Avoid painted lines (they’re like ice)
- Dry your gear like it owes you money when you get home
9. Keep Your Bike Happy (So It Doesn’t Betray You)
Ever ignored a weird rattle and hoped it’d just stop? Yeah. That’s called foreshadowing in biker horror stories.
Maintenance isn’t glamorous, but it will keep you alive.
Oil changes. Brake checks. Chain tension. All the boring stuff you swear you’ll do next weekend.
I keep a checklist now. And yes, it makes me feel 87 years old, but my throttle doesn’t stick anymore, soooo.
10. Take a Safety Course—Even If You’ve Been Riding Since the Dinosaurs
Real talk: I thought safety courses were for beginners or boomers. Then I took one.
They taught me emergency braking techniques that I legit didn’t know (and I’d been riding for 4 years). Also learned how to swerve like a ninja without dumping the bike. Felt like I leveled up.
Plus, you might get insurance discounts, which means more money for mods or tacos.
So, What’s the Point of All This about motorcycle safety tips
To scare you? Nah. To prep you. Riding is amazing—wind in your face, engine under you, that feeling like you’re part of the road itself. But it’s also not forgiving.
These motorcycle safety tips aren’t “just in case” stuff. They’re everyday survival skills.
If this sounded like a lecture—oops. Blame it on the scar I’ve got on my elbow from ignoring half this list.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a helmet to clean, gear to air out, and a short evening ride to prep for.
And yeah—I’m wearing pants this time.
Got any tips you swear by? Or a close call that taught you something?
Drop it in the comments—I promise not to judge (unless you were riding in flip-flops. Then we’ll talk).