Riding a motorcycle requires absolute concentration. Before contacting the motorcycle importers to acquire my bike, I attended a training course to get licensed. I had grown tired of being a bird in a cage and yearned the freedom to ride on the highways like other bikers.

As soon as my imported machine was delivered, I was on the road catching a grip of my new set of wheels. But riding is not just all about fun and getting to enjoy the dirt or the warmth of the sun, no. It is a great deal of responsibility which you should not engage in if you’re reckless. Here are some of the common fixes done on the road which may be harmful to the rider and other road users.

• Never convert roads to racetracks

Any biker on the road should always bear in mind there is no competition with other road users. I have had the feel of reckless drivers trying to push me off the road, or a bunch of large riders overtake me. But whenever I crave for speed, I always go to the racetrack and never go hardcore on the highway. Lives are at stake.

• Do not change gears when overtaking

This can be a fatal move as it results in time loss which had not been accounted for when planning the manoeuvre.

• Never accelerate around a corner

As mentioned earlier, I went for training to get licensed but I got more than that. Training instils basic knowledge such as decelerating when curving a corner gives minimal centrifugal effect. Also, overtaking on a turn could be fatal as there’s no vision of what’s ahead.

• Avoid distractions

Habits such as using a mobile phone or jamming one between your helmet and ear must be avoided. Also, peeking at your reflection in the store windows when riding could be dangerous as the traffic could suddenly back up. 

• Never force a fall down in a corner

One of the best things I enjoy when riding is the fall-off around a turn. Although it took me a while to grasp the technique and gather confidence, I soon became a pro. Falling off is not something you can force. It must come naturally to avoid losing traction and eventually crushing – which I did when I was a new rider and panic was my second best friend.