5 Common Mistakes That New Harley Riders Make
A Harley-Davidson fan from Australia shares five things to avoid to keep the shiny side up when riding in traffic.
When it comes to defining a new Harley-Davidson rider, there’s really no hard and fast timeframe. A beginning rider may have just obtained their motorcycle endorsement or perhaps they’ve been riding for several months. Yet another scenario involves previously experienced riders who’ve taken a break from the hobby for a few years — or decades.
In any case, Australian Harley-Davidson fan Aymen Fares, who operates the YouTube channel OldNotDead, shares a few tips with new riders on what not to do to stay safe while navigating potentially intimidating traffic.
1. Riding Slower than Surrounding Traffic
There’s definitely some irony in the fact that the first safety recommendation encourages newer riders to speed, yet here we are. Of course, this advice doesn’t suggest riding excessively fast to the point of receiving a speeding ticket or exceeding your abilities, but fast enough to overtake and thereby distance yourself from riding amongst clusters of other vehicles sharing the road. Per Fares, “The safest spot in traffic is as far away from the cars and trucks as possible.”
2.Not Splitting Lanes at Intersections
Another somewhat controversial suggestion, the video advises newer riders to practice splitting lanes in order to position themselves at the front of an intersection. While lane splitting certainly isn’t without risks, such as a car or truck abruptly changing lanes or even a car door opening into the path of a rider, OldNotDead still maintains that the benefits outweigh the risks.
Similar to the tip about riding fast enough to overtake traffic buildups, lane splitting your way to the front of an intersection positions a rider out in front of densely packed cars. It also stands to reason that riders will have a buffer zone behind them in the event of a chain reaction resulting from a rear-end collision. Initially, riders will want to practice with larger gaps to avoid clipping the side mirrors of cars and trucks.
3. Incorrect Lane Positioning
Riding in the center of a lane may be a natural tendency, but it’s seldom the best option. That’s because oil leaks often deposit at the center. Plus it’s a further distance to escape the confines of the lane if danger lurks ahead.
Instead, ride closer toward the edge of the lane, typically the left edge of the lane for countries like the U.S. that drive on the right hand side. That’ll also allow for a better viewpoint for passing slower traffic and may have fewer potholes than the center. However, in cases where there’s a wide shoulder on the right hand side of the lane, skewing to the right can also be a viable option. As Fares puts simply, “You want to be positioned in your lane where you can escape any potential hazards.”
4. Getting Distracted
Everyone knows that texting while driving is taboo, but would you believe that some bikers also text while riding? That’s an obvious no-no but you might not realize that similarly dangerous distractions can happen unintentionally from being physically or mentally fatigued. Ditto for being cold or overly warm.
To prevent fatigue, don’t be afraid to take frequent breaks, even if that means doing so in between fuel stops. If you’re riding in a group that frowns on taking breaks, don’t hesitate to stop as you feel comfortable and catch up with the group later. Don’t let peer pressure goad you into having an accident.
As far as regulating temperature, don’t skimp on purchasing appropriate clothing. In particular, Fares notes that all-black gear, while popular with Harley fans, also attracts heat. Additionally, it’s recommended to ride at a warmer or cooler time of day, depending on what you’re trying to accomplish. For example, riding in the morning or late afternoons during very hot weather, which avoids the peak sun.
5. Assuming Other Motorists Will Obey Rules
Putting faith in other drivers to follow traffic rules can be a dangerous assumption. A worse case scenario could be a driver who runs a stop sign or red traffic signal. However, less severe infractions such as pulling out of a cross-street without looking can also be highly dangerous — or even fatal — to Harley riders.
Approaching intersections can be a particularly hazardous environment, so riders are well advised to slow down slightly and cover their brakes in preparation for rapidly emergency stopping, if necessary. “From as far back as possible, you should be scanning for any potential situations or hazards that might come up,” says Fares.
Images: OldNotDead/Youtube
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