Although most riders can quickly adapt to changing motorcycle dynamics, environment and abrupt mistakes of other drivers, newbie bikers must know how external factors can quickly change and the need to adapt and not rely on others for their safety. There are riders who are at the mercy of other drivers to correct their own driving to accommodate the rider's mistakes. But a day will come when the rider's luck may run out. Here are some factors that every rider should be keep in mind while riding.
1. Crosswind matters
With time, everybody learns to balance a motorcycle on two wheels. But, some with superior motor skills do it quickly than the rest. The sense of balance is really important in a rider's ability to maintain the bike's line and navigate through traffic without riding too erratic.
The sense of balance or 'vestibular sense' as it scientifically called impacts how well a person is able to balance himself/herself while standing or moving. When a person's sense of balance is in good shape, it reflects in the riding style too, the rider will be able to move and turn the motorcycle smoothly. When a rider rides with a lot of jerkiness and makes frequent course corrections, know that the sense of balance is not among the best out there.
Even if a rider has a great sense of balance, the roads are filled with potholes and uneven bumps throwing a rider off balance. The situation is even worse when there is strong crosswind, especially when the wind hits a rider perpendicular from either sides. Powerful crosswinds not only move a motorcycle to either sides, they affect a rider's sense of balance momentarily creating confusion and affecting rider abilities.
Crosswind also impacts our sense of speed. When we ride through strong wind, we might be going faster than we actually feel or vice versa. The wind affects our ability to sense the actual speed. The wind throws our senses off-balance by a bit. Just today, I was doing 120 kmph on a road but I felt like I was only doing 80-90 kmph before checking the odometer.
The lesson to learn here: Whenever you sense strong crosswind while riding, know that your senses and sense of balance will be less efficient and effective. So, reduce the speed and keep a large buffer between you and other riders/vehicles. Do not get too close to other vehicles and make sharp turns as your calculation may not be accurate with crosswind.
2. Motorcycle load matters
Riding a motorcycle with additional weight in the form of a heavy backpack, luggage mounted on the rear seat or in top box/saddle bags makes a huge difference to riding dynamics.
If there is too much weight in the back, the bike becomes difficult to lean and turn at speed. A rider needs a longer turning radius, especially on curvy roads. Heavy load also impacts the braking severely as the brakes have to overwork to stop the added mass. So, you will need greater distance to stop and earlier application of brakes than you would normally. And, if you are riding on a hill or mountain road then your problems get multiplied manifold. This issue gets amplified on tall motorcycles with a very high centre of gravity (CG).
The lesson to learn here: If your motorcycle has added weight in the form of luggage, backpack or a pillion rider, the bike's performance drops. From acceleration, braking to turning, everything gets impacted. Do not ride the usual way. Adjust your riding accordingly.
3. Two minds are always at work to keep you safe
Just because you have not had an accident in a long time doesn't mean that you must be a good rider. It could also be possible that others are compensating for your poor riding by consciously and constantly adjusting their driving around you.
It is the same situation when you spot a car driver suddenly slowing down ahead of you to turn or check his/her phone and you make quick adjustments to prevent a collision. For a moment, you really get frustrated and mad at the driver and start cursing. Somehow, your action compensated for the stupidity and carelessness of the driver in front of you. Likewise, others could be compensating for your poor riding or driving, and you may not even be aware of it.
There are so many permutations and combinations in play that prevent accidents, mostly. Self-awareness is very important to be a good rider. Despite having decades of experience riding fast, I still make mild miscalculations at times for which other drivers or riders compensate and we both reach home alive. Two minds are always at work to keep you safe.
The lesson to learn here: You cannot rely on others always to save your a** (rear) from landing on a hospital bed. You must have enough self-awareness of your riding style and capabilities. Always assess your own shortcomings and improve on them by staying alert at all times. Two minds should always be at work on the road to prevent collisions.
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