No motorcycle rider likes to consider the possibility of an accident, but unfortunately they do happen. And since they are going to happen, even to the most experienced rider, it is best to be prepared. Here are a few tips to make sure you are prepared in the event of a motorcycle accident.

Wear the Right Gear

In this case, the right gear means gear that can protect you. Because you are exposed from head to foot when you ride, your gear must likewise protect you from head to foot, including:

• An approved helmet: One out of every five motorcycle crashes results in head or neck injuries, and these account for the majority of fatalities among riders. Also most of these crashes happen on short trips, often just minutes after starting out, so don’t avoid putting your helmet on because you’re just taking a short trip. Most crashes occur at speeds of less than 30 mph, when helmets are most effective. A study of motorcycle crashes showed that in none of the cases studied did a helmet prevent a motorcyclist from spotting danger.
• Protective clothing: To avoid dehydration while riding and serious injury in an accident, you should wear a jacket and pants that cover your arms completely. The jacket should be made of a durable material and fit snug, but still permit freedom of movement.

• Gloves: Gloves give you better grip and control of your motorcycle and protect your hands in the event of a crash. Make sure they’re of durable, non-slip material.

• Boots or shoes should be high and sturdy. They should cover your ankles for protection and give them support. The soles should be made of a sturdy, non-slip material.

Know Your Bike

Make sure your motorcycle is the right size for you. Your feet should touch the ground when you are seated. You should read the owner’s manual and be familiar with the controls. You should also check the bike before every ride, and maintain it properly between rides. Modifications, though cool, can sometimes make your bike harder to handle and should be kept to a minimum. Even if you are an experienced rider, use special caution when riding a bike unfamiliar to you.

Ride Responsibly

Most accidents on the road are preventable if everyone is paying attention and driving with adequate caution. Normally when a motor vehicle accident occurs it is the fault of not just one person, but both people. Avoid being a party to your accident and do everything you can to avoid accidents. If you do the following, you will greatly reduce your chance of an accident:

• Be visible: most accidents occur when automobile drivers do not see motorcyclists. Wear bright clothing, drive visibly, use your lights, and avoid maneuvers which cause you to crop up on motorists unseen.

• Communicate with other drivers by using your signals and making sure your brake lights are in working order.

• Maintain good spacing with cars, trucks, and other motorcycles in all directions at all times.

• Keep alert to hazards: scan at least 12 seconds ahead in your direction of travel. Identify multiple hazards and separate the action necessary to deal with all of them. Finally, be prepared to act appropriately.

Nothing could ruin your day more when you’re driving in the countryside and then in the middle of nowhere, your Honda CBR motorcycle breaks down. All that because you never checked anything before you went out thinking, “I’ve checked that yesterday so there shouldn’t be any problem.”

It’s important to check your motorcycle before you go for a ride. Maybe it would be too much for you to do it everyday but you have to do it at least before you go out especially for a very long ride. This ride can’t just be hauled and you’ll be spending hundreds of dollars because you missed one thing that led to another problem. So here are some of the things that you should check before going out, full throttle.

Tires – the most important of them all. Check the tires of your Honda motorcycle and make sure they are inflated properly. Under-inflated tires will take in heat faster than regular tires. With too much heat, the tire will blow up unexpectedly, and you’ll be lucky if you don’t have an accident because of blown tires. To make sure you have the digits correct, purchase a portable gauge to know the psi of your tires.

Brakes – most of the accidents come from the fact that brakes don’t work. So before you go out and take the long ride, check your brakes. Make sure the break fluid in your motorcycle is enough. It’s even better if it’s. Check the front and back break fluids of your motorcycle. Check the break pads when you’re at it. Thin break pads should be changed immediately. You don’t want to realize that you don’t have any break when you are already on the road and more than 60mph on your motorcycle.

Chains – It will not really cause major accidents but it will cripple your motorcycle to a halt. Before you go out and do a major road trip on your motorcycle, lubricate them before you even go out. You really don’t need to do it everyday but at least do it every time you visit the gas station. This will ensure your chains will complement your rear tires and will not contrast to it. The last thing that you need in your motorcycle is a busted chain especially on a road trip since chains maybe the last thing you’ll think will break.

Fuel and Oil – probably the most important for a smooth ride. You Honda CBR 600 will naturally stop if you don’t have enough gas. For long rides, oil should be checked especially the oils in your break fluids.

Battery – You’ll know you need one when you can’t start anything electronically. Every light and signal that you’ll need for your trip should be there. If it needs refill, do not use tap water. There’s specific water for batteries and they are deionized water. Distilled water could also be an option.

These are the things that you should check before you go out even for a short ride. This will also ensure that your motorcycle will also last longer.