I have been riding my bike for just over 18 months, in this time I have learnt a hell of a lot! I have had the back slip out many times due to using the back brake far too much for the situation, I have had the back tire go flat while I was riding down a dual carriageway which was really fun, I have ridden to and from North Wales which is 330 miles from where I live.
I would like to pass on some of the knowledge I have gained to you so hopefully to reduce the risks of you having the same problems I have, and to make everyone a little safer. The first and biggest problem I have ever had has been when it is wet or greasy on an A-road, when riding in these conditions extreme care must be taken when entering into a corner. The worst time I have had on a motorbike was entering into a corner as I would in the dry expecting the exit to be clear, luckily I was only doing 30 but the car in front of me did an emergency stop, I applied the brakes firmly, with too much on the rear brake which caused the back to slide. To this day I don't know how I managed to keep the bike upright! I remember releasing the back brake and bringing the bike over to the far left side of the road and going past the car but it was the closest miss I would ever want to have. After this experience I always approach corners expecting the car in front to stop, so allow lot s of room and keep good visibility ahead.
If the front tyre goes flat there is no way you will be able to keep the bike up. If it happens to go down while you're riding do not touch the brakes just coast into the side of the road, keeping the bike upright without any sudden movements.
If the rear tyre goes down then you have a chance to stay up, while I was riding to work the bike started feeling very strange, a very strong vibration at the back, I realised very quickly that I must have had a nail which had punctured the rear tyre and it was going down. Knowing that I was not very far from a tire shop I tried to continue (I do not recommend doing this in any circumstances!). I slowed right down keeping the bike upright and not touching the brakes.I was flashed by a car who wanted to pull me over. So we both pulled over and he told me my back tire was flat which he realised quickly that I knew all about! He very kindly offered to follow me at a distance to keep people off of my back wheel so if I came off i would not be run over. About five minutes of very careful riding we got to the tire shop where my rear tyre was so hot it stank the entire carpark out. If I had stopped I would be have been able to repair my rear tyre but because I had ridden on it fo r those few miles I had to spend 120 on a new one. which was entirely avoidable! I know I was bloody stupid for so many reasons!
Now every time I check my bike I spin the back wheel and check it thoroughly for nails and I found one a few months ago, this time I removed the back wheel puts it in the boot of my car and drove to the garage where it was repaired for 10 and it is still holding now. So I am in pocket and have a safe tyre to ride on, you can buy these kits from any bike shop.
The last thing I'm going to talk to you about now is long rides, I ride regularly to North Wales which is 330 miles from my home. This is a very long way on a motorbike without brakes in the car I can do the same trip with one-stop, on the bike I have to start at least three times usually five. It is very important that you know the range of your bike i.e. fuel and also how often you need to stop yourself. It is very important also that you secure all of your luggage on the back of the bike securely I personally use a top box that this, it cost me 150 but it is the best 150 I have ever spent on my bike, it keeps everything dry including my laptop and is easily removable so you can take in if you stop, is also a good place to keep your helmet if you stop for a short while the example when you go to work. When on a long ride it is very easy to get bored and cold or even too hot, any of these will affect how you ride your bike and thus your safety, make sure that you have the correct armour for the time of year so some armour for summer and armour for winter, in winter it is particularly important to buy good gloves which will keep you warm, and I also recommend mits which go over your handlebars I have used these every time I ride up to North Wales and they keep my hands out of the wind and rain. With boredom it's a little harder to control on a motorbike legally you cannot have headphones in your ear to listen to music but what you can do is buy speakers to your bike. But I personally entertain myself by varying my route and concentrating on what cars are doing so I can predict how they're going to act, it sounds boring but if you're doing long motorway trips it's very entertaining.
I hope this is helps you either need brushed up on very very basic things, if you would like to learn more about how to ride more safely I suggest that you join in an advanced motorcycle club, they will guide you through your advanced motorbike licence and give you general hints and tips on how to ride safely.
I hope you have enjoyed reading this.
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