The 10 commandments of motorcycling

Cars, buses, bicycles, trams, trains, two feet and a heartbeat – they’re all forms of transport; adequate methods of conveying humans from point A to where they need to be. But motorcycling is something so much more.

Some ride motorbikes to chuckle at traffic jams on their morning commute, or to make parking a breeze (and often free), while others saddle up only for weekend adventures, exploring the best that nature has to offer before parking their bike again for the working week.

But whatever your reasons, all riders should know the 10 Commandments of Motorcycling. Because following them minimises the risk and maximises the fun.

And if you don’t know them already, here they are, for your edification.

One: It's all up to you

When you learn to ride a motorcycle, no one is in the passenger seat to guide you in the finer points. Indeed, by law, no one is allowed on the bike with you at all.

You, the rider, are responsible for your own safety, and so you should seek out the best training and instruction you can find. Beginner riders undergo Roads and Maritime approved pre-Learner training, but even if you’ve got your P's or full licence, continuing to improve those skills is important. Even experienced riders, those who haven’t ridden in a while, or those who don’t ride very often can benefit from some extra training, whether that’s through further defensive riding instruction or simply refreshing your basic skills on quiet streets. Don’t wait till you’re on the open road to find out that you’re not as comfortable with the bike as you used to be.

When you do first head out on the road after getting your licence, don’t do it in a built-up area at 8:30am on a weekday. Find somewhere quiet and build up your confidence before tackling busier and more challenging routes.

Two: You are invisible

Yes, other motorists might see you, most of the time, but you should always assume that they won’t. This is the essence of defensive riding; always be prepared for the worst, and be ready to avoid it.Essentially, this means taking the highest possible level of care. Look out for turning cars at intersections. Plan ahead. Leave a safe buffer from potential hazards, cover your brake and be ready to respond before something happens, because every millisecond counts.

Three: Be as visible as you can

If you’ve driven a car, you know what a blind spot is; that part of the road just over and behind each of your shoulders. If a vehicle – particularly a small one like a motorcycle – is sitting in this spot a car driver is going to struggle to see them. That’s why everyone should do a head-check when changing lanes, but this doesn’t happen every time.

As a rider, you have to make sure you are not sitting in this blind spot. While you should always expect that someone might be about to change lanes into you, you can make this less likely by not sitting in a blind spot.

Four: Look up, and look sharp

Being prepared for what’s about to happen is essential, but it’s also vital to give yourself as much time to react as possible. Despite being heavier, cars can generally out-brake motorcycles, so it is important to leave extra space between you and the vehicle ahead.

The best method is to lift your eyes and look as far ahead as you can. Watch the brake lights of the car a few vehicles in front of you, so that if it starts coming to a stop you have more time to do so yourself.

Five: Location, location, location

Thinking about where in a lane you should position yourself is not something you have to do in a car, because you don’t get many choices, but on a bike you get more options. The ‘best’ lane position for motorcycle riders is not easy to define as this could change throughout your ride depending on the road and traffic environment.

The key things to remember are to position yourself so that other road users can clearly see you and to minimise riding in the blind spot of vehicles. This can mean using the left and right part of your lane depending on what’s around you and up ahead.

Potential hazards to look out for on the left side of the road include parked cars, pedestrians or wildlife. But you also need to consider things like oncoming traffic on the right side – particularly on bends, crests and at intersections.

Also be mindful that riding in the middle of the road is generally slippery for two-wheeled vehicles – particularly if it rains. This is because cars drop oil on the road, and that oil tends to pool in the middle of the lane.

Six: Rain is not your friend

Speaking of rain, it is not your friend. Riding in the rain is not fun on a bike, obviously, because even in the best wet-weather gear invented it’s a bit miserable (and water always seems to sneak in somewhere).

What’s even less fun is losing traction on wet and slippery road surfaces. On a motorcycle, if you lose control of your contact patch (the small piece of rubber connecting you to the road) you’re in big trouble. So take it easy, and give yourself more braking distance. Roughly double what you’d allow yourself in dry weather.

And keep in mind that rain makes a motorbike even harder to spot, so always ride to the conditions and maintain a safe distance from the vehicles around you.

Seven: Why tyres are vital

Good tyres will help maintain grip even in the wettest conditions, by channelling water quickly and efficiently away, and this will help keep you upright. Even in the dry, grip is your friend, which is why you should always buy the best tyres you can afford (no one on a motorcycle buys re-treads, ever), and keep a close eye on their wear levels. Don’t forget to check your tyre pressures regularly and before setting out on longer rides.

A bald spot might be depressing in other areas of life, but on a bike it’s much worse.

Eight: Plan your corners

Taking a bend on a bike is one of life’s greatest joys, because you don’t just turn into it, you lean, committing your whole body in a way that feels both visceral and exciting. It is also one of the more perilous parts of riding, because the potential for error is at its highest when you’re cranked over. For starters, if you’re leaning too far over, the foot peg can impact the ground and destabilise the bike.

As such, it’s hugely important to plan the way you’re going to tackle each corner. Once again, looking up and scanning the road ahead is vital.

You must get all your braking done before you enter the bend; late braking on a machine that is already leaning leads to instability.

Pick your apex, the mid-point of the corner, and make sure your bike is as close to it as possible, without crossing the centre line of the road with any part of the machine or your body.

If you’ve got these two parts right, you’ll be able to exit a bend and find you have plenty of space. Go into a corner too fast and you will run wide, possibly onto the wrong side of the road.

Slow in, fast out is a good rule, but again, planning ahead is the key.

Nine: Gear up

Whether you’re on a bike, in a car or on a bus, crashes can happen. And motorbikes offer less crash protection than their four-wheeled alternatives.

If you are involved in a crash, you don’t want your body protected only by suit pants, a t-shirt, or open-toed shoes, because they’re not really protection at all.

Protective gear, including helmets, leather jackets, protective pants, gloves, and proper boots, isn’t just about looking cool; it can save you from serious injury or worse. Again, it’s important to invest time in finding the best protection you can afford.

In NSW, helmets must comply with either the Australian or European helmet standards. Buying a substandard helmet shows a distinct lack of regard for your own brain. Check out crash.org.au for more information around choosing a safer motorcycle helmet.

Quality clothing will also make winter, and rainy days, easier to handle. And wearing a high-visibility vest over your protective clothing is a good idea in terms of making you easier to see as well.

Ten: On your bike

If you’re on your L’s or P’s, you need to choose a motorcycle that’s approved under the Learner Approved Motorcycle (LAM) Scheme. And once you get your full licence, don’t rush into buying the most extreme motorcycle you can afford. When it comes to bikes, power corrupts, absolutely, and it can get you into trouble.

The right amount of power, and the right bike, however, are truly wonderful things.

The Ride to Live website is a one stop shop for both every day and recreational riders and has everything from riding safety tips to hazard tests.

You can get advice on selecting the right helmet and protective gear and tips on topics like braking distances, or take a hazard test to make sure your skills are up to scratch and you can manage and safely respond to risks in different settings.

There are interactive maps of some of the state’s most popular riding routes with live traffic updates, an explanation of where recent crashes have occurred, and where rest stops, petrol, food and accommodation can be found, ridetolive.com.au