The world of motorcycles and motorcycling is certainly a fascinating one. Piloting a two-wheeled machine that defies balance while simultaneously unleashing immense power demands focus and skill from the rider. Even the most seasoned veterans never stop learning.
You see this in the world of competitive racing too. How many times does a seemingly unbeatable top rider take inspiration from another? Perhaps even from a very young novice who has discovered new lines, suggested a new style, or conceived a new motorcycle set-up.
Indeed, every detail is crucial for improving one's riding. And if even the professionals, the best riders in the world, do it, then anyone can – not just beginners, but also motorcyclists with extensive experience who might consider themselves seasoned experts.
So, the next time you hop on your bike, these tips might prove useful:
1- Follow a better rider
Even if you consider yourself a skilled rider with years of experience, it would be short-sighted to think there isn't someone even more accomplished out there. Perhaps it's someone you already know or who usually participates in group rides. All that's left to do is follow them – not to challenge them, since you're riding on public roads – but to observe the nuances of their riding: where they brake, how they brake, which lines they choose, when they accelerate, and how they accelerate. By concentrating, you can try to imitate them or, more simply, just follow their lead. The human body is amazing; it has the ability to replicate the movements of others, and it does so automatically.
However, be mindful of your choice. Just think of any other activity: for example, playing tennis with less skilled athletes might lead to a deterioration in your style because you're playing with less effort and following less effective examples. On the other hand, if you were offered the opportunity to interact with the best, your commitment and concentration would surely sky-rocket because you would have excellent masters as your role models.
2- Use your vision
Often, riders focus only a few metres ahead of their front wheel – this is a bad habit. You don't need to scrutinise every centimetre of asphalt passing beneath your bike; instead, it's crucial to have a comprehensive view of the road. Therefore, you need to lift your chin and look ahead, you must look "through" the curve, not just at its entrance.
Adopting this habit of broadening your gaze offers two significant advantages: it prepares you for riding in advance, so if, for example, you encounter an obstacle on the road, you have time to avoid it; and it allows you to set the best trajectory, one that's suitable not only for the current curve but also for the one that follows. What's more, it allows you to assess the road surface conditions in advance, for example, noticing if it's wet or dirty further ahead.
3- Adopt the correct riding posture
Your position on the saddle is crucial for riding. Although your range of movement is somewhat limited due to the fixed position of the foot-pegs, seat, and handlebars, there are certain details that can be helpful.
First and foremost, you need to adjust the controls. Often, the levers on the handlebars are slightly angled upwards (curious, but true), whereas they should be within easy reach (in line with your arm, so your hand doesn't have to rotate to grasp them). The foot controls should also be comfortable; in particular, the brake pedal should be positioned for the most natural and quickest access.
It's then important to grip the bike with your legs to better direct it during manoeuvres and also to stay firmly anchored in the saddle if there's a jolt, for example, from a pothole. Obviously, you can't squeeze the bike as if you were participating in a rodeo, otherwise you'd tire out after a few minutes, but you should always keep your legs in contact with the tank so you're ready to grip when necessary.
4- Ride harmoniously
In natural road riding, the motorcycle should be guided with balance and rhythm, not with forceful actions. You must achieve perfect symbiosis with your machine and move in harmony, like in a dance, without straining on the handlebars or adopting extreme positions.
It's important to listen carefully with your body to what the bike is doing, to perceive the work of the suspension, the load on the tyres, and the grip on the asphalt. You need to tune in to the dynamics of the bike, follow the chosen line, modify it, and correct it if necessary with a harmonious action.
When riding in the rain, the awareness of low grip makes you concentrate more intensely on all the actions that you might take for granted in easier weather conditions: the use of the throttle, the brakes, the steering, the lean angle, and the braking itself. In this situation, the connection with the bike must be absolute.
5- Learn to brake effectively
Today, ABS offers significant assistance during braking by preventing wheel lock-up. However, even if your motorcycle is equipped with a cornering ABS system, which also operates while leaning in a curve, enhancing safety, it's wise to become comfortable with emergency braking.
This is not only because electronics cannot eliminate the risk of falling in all situations, but also because aggressive braking affects the bike's dynamics, influencing the trajectory and balance.
Therefore, it's wise to practice braking progressively, testing the power of the system and the responsiveness of the controls. This is particularly important when riding a new motorcycle to evaluate the braking system's feedback. What's more, you should practice using both brakes, always modulating the pressure on the front and rear.
