3 Mistakes New Riders Make On The Highway

🎯 MotoJitsu's Affiliate Links:

💯 Ride at your own risk. MotoJitsu® disclaims any liability incurred in connection with the use of the concepts outlined on this channel/app/books/videos, etc. You alone are responsible for your own safety.

[scottvessey]

"Nobody ever says I didn't hear the bike, people always say I didn't see the bike" - such a good way to think, pretend you're invisible.

[organichotdog]

On the 3rd point, my goal is to stay away from cars whenever and however possible. Sometimes it means going slightly faster than other vehicles. Sometimes it's going slower and letting others pass me. Other times I will go the same speed as traffic as long as I have a clearing, or plenty of distance in front and behind me from other vehicles. Going faster than other vehicles isn't always the safest option. It all depends on traffic and road conditions, day or night, weather, etc.

[wraithk]

I’m a beginner and getting ready to take the safety course. I’ve been riding a slow speeds just around my local neighborhood, which is in the country, so I don’t “have to worry” as much about people. Every intersection is visible (I’m in the flat parts of Texas) so I can see them coming. Im trying to soak of as much advice as I can, watching instructional videos, and trying to low speed maneuvers to prepare for the motorcycle safety course.

Your 3 main points, I already do while I’m in my car. I do use the mirrors to a certain degree (even my dmv instructor said to use the mirrors a little more), but I usually rely on turning to see if a lane is clear and where everyone is. I try to be active in watching traffic and watch the traffic ahead of the car in front of me. Saved me numerous times doing that.

[robertmeyers]

Great video for beginners, thanks! I would add that the shoulder check you did is tough and dangerous for most beginners. Mastering, not swerving when you twist and turn your head, let go of bar, is a challenge for them. I recommend blindspot mirrors too. Practising a quick peak over the shoulder and back, without letting go of the bar, is good for beginners.

[Puttj]

You can also "slow out" of bunch traffic or speed up to stay ahead of clumps. Ride for placement in the gaps because all freeway traffic has a pulse.

[RyanMackle]

In the uk looking over your shoulder is called a lifesaver for a if you don't do these during your test you aren't passing your test

[rondidonato]

You are so right! I used to have 100 mile daily commute on my Street Triple, all highway. In order to get out of a trucks blind spot and slipstream one day I passed him. The truck was going 90 mph, remaining highway traffic about 80. Open bed pickup lost a metal switch box out the back that went flying past my full face helmet about 6 inches to my left at eye level. Highway riding is just another wonderful challenge. Good to have you back!

[BadgerMcblasty]

I literally head check anytime I change lanes, merge, turn, I also try to stay in peoples mirrors. My bike is a DR650, going 75 miles an hour is the absolute limit for that bike while still handling well, so I generally avoid highways anyway.

[bajaadventurerider]

Great tips! I would add lane positioning, always ride 3/4 to the left or to the right of the lane, first off there’s usually dirt oil fluids and debris un the center of the lanes, second there could be an object cars are going over and you won’t notice until you hit it and third it will make you more visible for the vehicles riding y that lane and the ones on the closest lane you’re in.
Ride safe!

[wiadroman]

One small hint on that topic, when changing lanes, open throttle a bit. Keeping throttle steady while switching lanes makes you actually slow down a bit, no bueno if there is a car close enough behind you.

[ProjectPurity]

For the exact reasons given in this video and several other recent videos, i've always instinctively driven about 3-5mph faster than flow. Car, truck, minivan, motorcycle, whatever; It solves so many potential problems.

[cjoor]

My old driving instructor taught me to assess the traffic on the highway BEFORE entering, so while still in the curve entering the merge lane. Advantage being you only have to look slighty to the left (not all the way behind you) to get a feel for the situation and there's still time to adjust before even beginning to merge. The turning your head before actually switching lanes still applies of course.

[jakeRrr]

Lol seems like you're really enjoying the new bike man. I feel like this bike rejuvenated you and your content :) I really liked your point about always being slightly faster than the flow of traffic. How it perfectly balances your goals of the ride + safety and visibility. I feel safest on an open highway, going however fast I please. It's when traffic backs up, and you're not taking new ground, everyone is going the speed limit on the dot and everyone is getting closer...closer...closer to each other and frustrated... and here you are in the mix of it. In Arizona we are finally legally allowed to filter/split (whichever one) at the red light, so long as the road is 45mph or less. So in town. HUGE help for safety. I don't have to deal with all that anymore, I just zoom up away from everyone from the get-go. I really hope motorcyclists in my state behave and this goes well overall and it gets opened up further to be like California. It's the only thing I wan't from CA lol (politically... you guys got some amazing roads around San Diego though!)... It would be amazing to not be paranoid to cut traffic on the highway.

[andrewbloniarz]

No BS straight to the point and makes sense. Thanks

[wobblysauce]

Biggest thing for me, if you are just going with the flow, sit in a position that you can see them in their own mirror.

Works on group rides also

[aps-pictures]

A) it’s perfectly fine to stick to the speed limit, simply be aware of other drivers wanting to pass you faster and stay in the appropriate lane. Not all bikes are litre bikes…. Try taking a 250 on a highway uphill lol.
B) Loud pipes are highly useful when filtering or lane splitting at lower speeds, it helps ‘announce’ your presence and drivers generally move to give you room (not talking decat loud, just baffle).
C) I always always always check my blind spot. Even if I’ve watched the mirror the last 10 miles and nobody has been there. It’s building muscle memory more than anything else, and it only takes one time… The biggest risk? Other bikers flying up into your blind spot - it happens fast.

[motocatz]

I do all three! Yay! I started riding a year and six months ago. I used to be scared to drive on the freeway, but now I prefer it way more than the streets. 😊

[lostinspace]

You are absolutely right, but about loud pipes... in my opinion not so much. Of course, when everyone is driving fast, no one can hear you, but when you are standing at the intersection, they can. More than once I have seen people turn their heads and look for me because they suddenly realize that they hear my bike. And that's good.

[flippy]

Point 3 is really good, I'm not sure it's about speed necessarily, but I make it my business to be noticed by everyone. I ride where people can see me, I don't hide at the end of the road, I own my lane and my place on the road.
I don't know if loud pipes save lives, but I just got a louder pipe fitted and my wife was following me in the car to and from the workshop, and after fitting she said she could suddenly hear that there was a motorcycle around. I'm happy to increase people's awareness of me even a little.

[Bristecom]

Totally agree with all the points here! Even in a car, I think one of the reasons I've never had a crash in my 20 years of driving is because I always try to remain visible by driving a bright car and going a bit faster than others so as not to be in their blind spots. I get speeding tickets sometimes because of it but it's worth it for safety. The claim that "speed kills" is the dumbest myth. Almost any speed can kill but speed alone is not the culprit and going slower than everyone else can be downright dangerous! It's drivers not paying attention, being stupid or reckless, and not having an escape route that causes accidents.