Safe riding tips
Practical tips from the community. They do not replace a training course or your motorcycle’s manual.
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Before every ride
- Check the front and rear tyre pressure
- Test the front and rear brake
- Check all lights
- Check the engine oil level
- Check the chain: tension and lubrication
- Inspect the wheels and spokes for cracks
- Adjust the mirrors
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Riding technique
- Braking: use both brakes; the front does most of the stopping
- Turns: look through the turn, where you want to go
- Position: sit upright, knees against the tank
- Arms: slightly bent, relaxed on the handlebars
- Counter-steering: learn to start a turn with light pressure on the handlebar
- Throttle in a turn: steady throttle through the turn for stability
- Emergency braking: brake with the motorcycle upright, in a straight line
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For beginners
- Start with a motorcycle whose power and weight you can handle; category A2 is limited to 35 kW
- Take a course at a motorcycle school
- Practise in an empty car park first
- Avoid heavy traffic at first
- Learn to use both brakes
- Ride within your skills
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On the motorway
- Ride with the flow of traffic, within the limit
- The right lane is for driving, the left is for overtaking
- Increase the following distance to 4-5 seconds
- Watch for crosswinds from lorries
- Take a break every 150-200 km
- Watch for objects and debris on the road
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In the city
- Watch for doors opening on parked cars
- Ride where you can be seen in the lane, not at its very edge
- Anticipate pedestrians’ movements
- Take care at junctions, even on green
- Watch for tram rails and manholes
- Avoid riding between lanes
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Maintenance
- Oil: change it as your motorcycle’s manual says (often every 5000-10000 km)
- Chain: clean and lubricate it regularly, every few hundred kilometres
- Tyres: check wear and pressure
- Brakes: replace the pads before they reach the minimum thickness
- Filters: air and oil filter as the service schedule says
- Spark plugs and coolant: as the manufacturer’s service schedule says