What's the big problem when it's raining? Simple. You have less traction. What's the big problem with the wind? Simple. You have to make adjustments to the controls to deal with the bike wanting to move without you having asked it to. In these conditons a bike wants to move around more, meaning you have to make corrections to it (which may include having to 'lean' the bike over just to keep going straight!). Each of these corrections places some force on the patch where to tyre contacts the road. What this means is that you have to make more corrections to deal with the wind, placing more force on the tyre, and the tyre has less traction with the road surface because of the rain. "Sure sounds uncomfortable don't it?!..." (Note: To be read in a 'deep south' American accent...)

Braking habits - applying the benefits of experience

The training you get while going for your motorcycle licence is designed to teach you as much as possible about riding, and riding safely. However, there is something training can never provide and which only experience can give you.

It’s like a kind of sixth sense that tells you when things are going well on a ride, and more importantly when they’re not. To acquire it, what you have to do is ride with your eyes open and your mind on the job. It adds another layer to your training.

Unfortunately experience can also be a two-edged sword. Not all the habits you pick up to make that extra layer are good ones. An occasional refresher can therefore be a good idea to keep your riding skills sharp and help you break bad habits.

To help with this the RTA has developed a riding guide 'Braking habits' which is available from bike shops, rider training centres and RTA motor registries.  

More control, more enjoyment

When a rider crashes in competition, people often say: 'Looks like he just ran out of talent.'

Accident figures suggest that many motorcyclists run out of talent when they’re riding alone out on country roads.

While road and weather conditions contribute to single vehicle accidents, they are part of the environment that motorcyclists should be assessing as they ride.

Scanning and constantly checking your riding environment is vital to identify problems early.

Which type of rider are you?

There are two types of riders on the road. Riders who enter corners at a speed based on what they can see, and riders who enter corners hoping the road ahead is clear.

Scan for hazards.
If you can’t see, slow down.
Leave something in reserve.

Remember, if you ride with something in reserve, you will get maximum enjoyment from any ride. There’s definitely no fun in sliding down the road behind your bike!

St John DRABC action plan

When you come across an accident follow the St John DRABC action plan to effectively manage casualties and the accident scene. The first thing to do is to direct someone to call 000 for an ambulance.

D: Danger
Check to see if it is safe to approach the injured person?
R: Response
Check if the person is conscious or unconscious. Shake them lightly and shout to them. If they don’t respond they are unconscious.
A: Airway
The airway must be protected, roll them onto their side, being aware that their neck may be injured and needs to be stabilised whilst they are being rolled.
B: Breathing
Once on their side check that the mouth is clear of any obstructions such as blood or vomit and make sure that they are breathing.
C: Circulation
Stop any bleeding by applying direct pressure with bandages or clothing. If possible, elevate the bleeding part above the level of the chest. Keep the injured person as still as possible by packing clothing and equipment around them to prevent movement to the spine and any broken bones.

NSW St John Ambulance also conducts motorcycle training and provides first aid training with specialised first aid kits available for motorcyclists.

Cornering tips

Every time you come around a blind corner you are at risk. Nine out of ten rider fatalities occur when the motorcycle crosses into the oncoming lane or runs off the road. That's a warning sign for all of us to slow down and not become a statistic.

Road conditions can change instantly. Just consider the effect a smear of diesel fuel will have on the grip of your tyres. Good riders can deal with poor surfaces, but only once they have the experience to deal with them. Conditions change on every road. The road surface is part of your riding environment, just like the weather or the traffic density, and you need to give it attention.

The simple reality is that you will inevitably encounter difficult road surfaces, and for your own sake you need to be ready for them. The discipline of good observation helps you to see, assess and then deal with these kinds of risks.