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Staying Safe on Your Harley-Davidson® Softail® Motorcycle

Jun. 18 2020 Safety By ___

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You count on your Harley-Davidson Softail motorcycle to give you awesome performance and an excellent ride each time you rev the engine. After all, Softail bikes are a favorite among Harley enthusiasts, and riders in general. But there are some things your Softail is counting on you to do to ensure you continue to enjoy many rides to come.

Riding a motorcycle can be dangerous, but being aware of the dangers is the first step to safer riding. Understanding the risks can allow you to implement safety measures to prevent a serious accident. To help you get started, Wisconsin Harley-Davidson has provided some tips to make you a more protected rider. If you’d like more tips or help choosing a Softail motorcycle, contact our location in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, serving Madison and Milwaukee. 

Before You Ride

Before you even hit the road, there are some ways you can create a safer ride for you and the commuters around you.

Check the Weather

No matter how skilled you are at riding and navigating traffic, there are some weather forecasts that don’t bode well for a motorcycle rider. Heavy rain, snow, ice, high winds, and other forms of stormy weather can create treacherous roads.

Sometimes, it’s simply too hot and you might want to avoid exposing yourself to the sun. Or, if it’s recently rained after a dry spell, there might be more slick spots as the rain water mixes with oil dropped from vehicles. Remember that smart riding choices aren’t always about how skilled you are. Sometimes, they’re about evading other drivers who aren’t making good choices or don’t know what they’re doing.  

Pre-Ride Inspection

Get in the habit of inspecting your motorcycle before each ride. Some simple checks can go a long way in preventing a breakdown or an accident. Consider incorporating the following checks in your inspection:

  • Are your tires properly inflated and free of damage?
  • Are the fluid levels appropriately filled and fresh?
  • Do all your lights work, including brake lights and turn signals?
  • Do your brakes engage properly?
  • Does your clutch shift smoothly?
  • Does your Softail look and sound like it’s running in peak condition?

Wearing the Right Gear

Of course, never head out without wearing the right safety gear. Whether you use Harley-Davidson MotorClothes® and accessories or not, the goal is to be covered and protected. For more information, check out our article on motorcycle riding gear. 

Practice Makes Perfect

The only way to get better and more confident at riding your motorcycle is to practice. Practicing is particularly important for new riders, but it can also be helpful for experienced riders who might be looking to hone their skills. 

Look for a large, empty parking lot to relearn some of the basics, from starting and stopping the bike, to parking to turning and more. If you’d like the support and guidance of a trained instructor, check out our very own installation of the Harley-Davidson Riding Academy, designed to help you improve your skills. 

On the Road

There are also plenty of safety tips that are essential for all riders once they hit the road.

Defensive Riding

You likely learned about defensive driving when you first got your license. Now you need to apply that basic idea when riding your Softail motorcycle. It’s more important than ever to approach every riding scenario with caution. Accidents create a bigger threat for you, as a motorcycle isn’t necessarily designed to protect you from a car, truck, or SUV.

The most important consideration is to simply maintain awareness of everything around you. Other commuters can easily lose you in their blind spots, even if they’re trying to be careful. Be aware of where the other vehicles are and identify possible escape routes should a car cut you off. 

Other key defensive riding tactics include:

  • Give yourself plenty of space between you and the other vehicles on the road.
  • Try to be aware of cars coming up fast next to you that might create a problematic draft.
  • Avoid jerky or sudden turns and lane changes and always look behind you before making such changes.
  • Keep an eye out for hazardous riding conditions, like slick roads and potholes, that you’ll want to ride around or proceed cautiously through.

And these are just some of the most basic tips we can offer. Safety is of the utmost importance. Ask more experienced riders for some of their tips, and learn from your own experiences so you can not only have a safer ride, but a more enjoyable one. If you still need the right H-D Softail motorcycle to get you started, stop by Wisconsin Harley-Davidson for a complete tour of available options. We’re happy to help all those from Oconomowoc, Madison, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.