4 Tips for Improving Your Motorcycle Skills

Riding a motorcycle involves a great deal of skill. Whether you're navigating stop-and-go traffic or riding around a tight curve, there's always a way to improve. If you're looking to improve your abilities, we've collected a few great places to start. For more information, contact us at SoCal Honda Powersports or visit our location in Carson, California, serving Los Angeles and Long Beach.

Choose a Safe Pre-Cornering Speed

If you've ever turned into a corner while driving too fast, you know that high speeds can make it difficult to stay in control. If you struggle to maintain a straight line, try slowing down as you approach the corner; choose a speed that's comfortable and easy to control. Then, accelerate gently as you ride out of the curve.

Master Safe Braking

When you're in traffic, driving in traffic requires extreme vigilance — especially when it comes to braking. To avoid dangerous hard stops, increase your following distance. If you need to brake suddenly, you'll have more clearance. It's also a good idea to cover the brake, especially at intersections and in heavy traffic; it can help you react faster in an emergency.

Look Where You Want to Go

Have you ever heard of target fixation? It's a fancy way of saying that your motorcycle will travel directly where you look. If you're staring at an obstacle in the road, you'll ride right toward it. Any time you want to avoid something, look for a safe route around it. Do you struggle with this skill? Practice looking and driving around objects rather than toward them in an empty parking lot.

Accelerate to Safety

Your motorcycle is usually one of the smallest vehicles on the road. When traffic is busy, braking can increase your risk of getting rear-ended. Instead, you might need to accelerate to get to a safer area. This type of acceleration must be tightly controlled — you can practice it on an empty stretch of road, making sure to be aware of everything around you. When you need to pull the same maneuver in traffic, you'll be able to do it without losing control.

The more you ride your motorcycle, the more skilled you'll become. By practicing these common skills early on, you can shorten the learning curve and feel more confident on the road in less time. If you're considering a motorcycle purchase, get in touch with our team at SoCal Honda Powersports to find the best option for your needs and riding style. Alternatively, visit us in Carson, California, to see what's in store; we're pleased to serve customers from both Los Angeles and Long Beach.