The road can be an unsafe place for all drivers, but motorcyclists are left especially vulnerable because of their lack of protection. To stay safe, watch out for these road dangers.

What Motorcyclists Need to Look out for on the Road

As a motorcyclist, you're probably already used to having to ride defensively no matter where you're going. While the road can be dangerous for anyone, motorcyclists are more exposed to road dangers. To help you stay safe, be sure you're always aware of these potential situations so you can avoid them.

Traffic at Intersections

Intersections can be chaotic with all the stopping, going, and turning, especially when unprotected lefthand turns are involved. Unfortunately for motorcyclists, this can be even more dangerous for them. Distracted drivers making unprotected lefthand turns are less likely to see an approaching motorcycle, so be sure to scan the road ahead and be prepared to stop or change lanes quickly. Defensive driving and staying alert will truly pay off in these situations.

Sudden Stops

It's happened to all of us: you're driving at a constant speed with no signs of slowing down when the car in front of you suddenly slams on their brakes. If you're following them quite closely, you may not have enough time or space to stop without hitting them. For drivers, this may result in a small fender bender, but for motorcyclists it can be much worse. Since most motorcycles carry the majority of their stopping power in their front brakes, slamming on the brakes isn't necessarily a good option. Doing so can result in the rider being thrown off their motorcycle. Antilock brakes and experience can help riders prevent these types of situations, but just to stay safe, be sure to always have plenty of space to stop safely.

Debris on the Road

In an ideal world the roads would always be clean, even, and perfectly paved, but that's not the world we live in. While everyone on the road may be negatively affected by debris, potholes, and other hidden road dangers, motorcyclists need to be especially careful. A car may suffer minor slip ups when driving over a gravel road, but for a motorcyclist this can result in slips, skids, and falls. Not only will you be in danger of suffering some injuries, your motorcycle may also get scraped up. To be prepared for the debris you may encounter, scan the road ahead of you and avoid driving over leaves and other objects which may be hiding something more dangerous underneath. Keeping your motorcycle properly maintained will also help keep you out of harm's way. An important part of motorcycle maintenance is keeping up with oil changes. To ensure your engine is properly protected all year round, give your motorcycle a full synthetic oil change. Contact AMSOIL Dealer, Dwight Smith at (702) 561-3706 for the best personalized attention. They can recommend products like AMSOIL's 20W-40 Synthetic V-Twin Motorcycle Oil.

Too Much Speed

Most people enjoy a bit of speed; the adrenaline rush can be quite exciting and very fun. It is important, however, that you stay within the posted speed limit in order to keep yourself and other drivers safe. Maintaining a high speed on straightaways can be fine for the most part, just remember to slow down before riding into a curve. Many new riders make the mistake of thinking they can take on curves at the same speed they use for straightaways. This can result in slips and falls that put them and other drivers in danger. To avoid potential injuries and damage, slow down until you feel safe and in control.

Car Doors

Opening car doors may not be much of a danger on highways, but they can be an issue on city streets. We often hear of bicyclists being taken down by careless drivers who, after parking their car on the street, open the door without checking for oncoming traffic. While this is a danger for bicyclists, motorcyclists aren't exempt. In fact, motorcyclists may fare worse in these situations because they tend to ride at a higher speed than bicyclists. To stay safe, do your best to ride in lanes or spaces where car doors won't pose a threat to your safety.

Drinking and Riding

If you plan on drinking, even if it's just one drink, leave your motorcycle at home. This is quite simple, to stay safe don't drink and ride. Even a small amount of alcohol can slow down your reaction time, impair your judgement, and increase your chances of suffering an accident. If you don't plan on staying sober, there are plenty of ways you can get home that don't involve you getting on your motorcycle.

Synthetic Oil Change in Ann Arbor

If you're getting ready to give your motorcycle an oil change, be sure it's a synthetic oil change in Ann Arbor. To find the best products for your oil change, contact AMSOIL Dealer, Dwight Smith. Call them at (702) 561-3706 to learn more about their AMSOIL Oil products. You can also check out their full range of products by visiting their online shop.