RIDING TIPS

Protective Clothing
Always wear the proper clothing and equipment. Serious injury can result from using inappropriate kit, such as shorts, jeans or trainers. All motorcycle riders and passengers are legally required to wear an approved helmet. There are two main designs for helmets: full-face and open-face. Although not compulsory, it's advisable to wear proper motorcycling boots and gloves. Leather jackets and trousers are also traditional protective clothing for riders.

Maintenance
Ensure your machine is kept in a roadworthy condition, particularly tyres, chain, brakes and suspension. A badly maintained bike can kill you.

Know Your Limit
Ride within your own abilities, and stick to the speed limit. Avoid using racing lines to cut corners. They are great for a race track, but can be dangerous on the road. Nothing comes the other way on a race track.

Conditions
Vary your speed according to the prevailing road and traffic conditions. You don't have to ride up to the limit. Use your headlights when riding. See and be seen.

Overtaking
Never get too close to the vehicle in front. By increasing your following distance you increase your view. Consider the speed of approaching vehicles as yet unseen, and always be able to get back to the correct side of the road in plenty of time.

Braking
Brake firmly only when travelling in a straight line. Brake in plenty of time and vary the pressure according to the conditions.

Vision
Always be aware of what is going on around you. You may have seen them, but have they seen you? And always adopt the correct road position.

Training
Give yourself 'The Edge' (advanced training endorsed by the motorcycle industry) and get some tuition. It may save your life.

Security
Motorbike theft far outstrips car theft. Three quarters of bike thefts happen outside the owner's home. In most cases, the bikes aren't ridden away, they're just lifted into a van or truck and driven off. But there are things you can do. Choose a model that has an immobiliser fitted, or get one fitted straightaway. You can also buy a variety of locks and chains to help secure your bike. A disc lock through the front brake disc may stop an opportunistic thief from wheeling away your bike. But it's better to use a chain or U-lock to anchor your machine to something solid like a railing.