Motorcycle Riding
Nowadays, it is impossible to imagine everyday life without a motorcycle.. Parcel services and couriers are the first common uses that come to mind. Then, when special users are added, which we call "other" users, their share in the traffic increases significantly. Well, are the motorcycles that we often hear "very dangerous," "do not ride them," or "an invention of the devil" really dangerous?
Let’s take a look together.
Is the motorcycle dangerous?
Some get on the motorcycle out of curiosity, some out of love, and some for business reasons. Let us summarize the dangerous part of the job as follows. No motorcycle is inherently dangerous, regardless of make or model. It is the rider that makes the motorcycle dangerous!
There are four main risks for a rider while using it:
- Road conditions
- Other road users
- Your vehicle
- Inexperience
These four main categories also branch out into themselves. If you are aware of these risks, you will know how to avoid them. You can never drive with "zero" risk. There is always a risk. However, in our country, drivers are extremely self-confident and commit almost all the mistakes that should not be committed on the road.
If it is necessary to open these four points;
1.Road conditions: Your motorcycle may slip and go out of control, for example, due to rainy weather (slippery ground, such as wet ground), rough asphalt (pebbles, dust accumulation on the side of the road, not properly repaired ground due to work by the municipality, destruction by heavy vehicles).
2.Other drivers: The driver who plays with the phone, the driver who tries to take a selfie in the mirror, the driver who just got his license and did not have much experience on the road, and the driver who is most afraid of rash drivers. We can give examples of these drivers who can endanger motorcyclists. What should we do? We should practice as much as possible and be as careful as possible when passing between vehicles on the right and left, and we must make ourselves noticed by "honking" during the transition.
3.Your vehicle: Motorcycles that are not maintained are as dangerous as any other driver is! Maintenance must be done in authorized workshops and with original parts.
4.Inexperience: Experience is very important in motorcycling in any profession. It takes an even more important place when it comes to our lives. Before going into traffic, we should practice and train in a traffic-free area.
So what should we do to reduce the dangers?
"Reducing Dangers"
There are some small details to pay attention to reduce the hazards. Tire pressure is one of them. Things change from cornering to braking if the air pressure is not within the prescribed measurements. This factor puts you at risk because it affects control, such as cornering, longer braking distances, or a more difficult grip on the handlebars.
Another issue is the chain. Unmaintained chains are overloaded when you suddenly step on the gas, putting you at risk for a break. If your chain breaks while riding or cornering, it may be too late to lubricate it. For this reason, you should not neglect chain maintenance. Road conditions, on the other hand, are another dimension. They can pose a risk to you, such as microclimates, bumps, and oily and slippery surfaces. Although other drivers are often the risk group to watch out for, they are the risk group that is most ignored. We often see drivers get caught up in "I am right" arguments, both in person and in videos posted on the Internet.
What should be done?
Being a good driver is not just about being in control of the vehicle he or she is driving. Being a good driver also means being "tolerant and respectful." In addition, nervousness and stress have a negative effect on your motorcycle riding. It would help if you tried to remain calm throughout your ride. For example, you have the right of way if you see a motorist coming out of an alley while riding on the main road. But if the driver is on his way to you, whether he sees it or not (which is usually not the case), it is common to wait until the last moment, brake, and argue.
However, this can cost both you and the other party a lot of time and sometimes much more. You need to slow down and let it go in such a situation. This will cost you 10 seconds at most. Otherwise, you may lose more, and this scenario is not worth it. We often see/observe motorcycles getting stuck while changing lanes. If the vehicle is trying to change to the same lane while 1 meter ahead in the other lane, for some reason, many riders try to ride side by side with the throttle and horn turned up... What is the point? If you turn off the gas, you will never experience this stress, this danger.
Training condition
Riding a motorcycle is not something you can learn from relatives, friends, or buddies and then ride off with what they say. You should know how to learn from the accidents and stories of others. The best way to do this job properly is to get training from certified institutions. Because, as Anton Chekhov said, "You cannot become a saint by the sins of others."
Drive safe, and stay healthy
