Handling Road Threats On Your Ducati

When you’re out enjoying a ride on your motorcycle, there are two threats you always have to watch out for: other people and animals. Either of these can lead to collisions and accidents. You can’t avoid them entirely, but you can take proactive steps to reduce your chances of getting into an accident and make an encounter safer.

To help you stay safe when riding your Ducati bike, we at Abernathy’s Harley-Davidson have rounded up these tips. For additional help or to check out some Ducati motorcycles for sale, visit our dealerships in Metuchen and Hasbrouck Heights, NJ. We welcome all our friends from New Jersey and New York.

Distracted Driving

Unfortunately, a lot of people choose to drive around while their judgement and focus are impaired. They might be under the influence of substances or trying to multitask (such as eating or texting while driving). It could also be because they’re sleepy.  Whatever their situation, it results in lowered focus which increases safety threats. There are a few ways you can manage this risk while you ride:

Notice the Signs

If you notice a distracted driver, try to steer clear of them. You can change lanes, pass them or slow down to put plenty of distance between yourself and their vehicle. A distracted driver can end up hitting you or braking so suddenly that you end up colliding with them. Watch out for some of these signs of a distracted driver:

• unable to drive straight, drifting out of their lane repeatedly or driving slower than the others on the road
• not using turn signals (this can indicate that they might have one hand on the wheel but the other is likely holding their phone)
• waiting unnecessarily at a green light can mean that they’re not paying attention to what’s happening on the road
• if the driver’s head is angled down, it means they’re not even trying to be aware of their surroundings

Defensive Driving

If you notice that other drivers aren’t really paying attention to the road, it’s time for you to increase your awareness. This is when defensive driving will help you out. If you leave plenty of space between your motorcycle and other commuters, even if they suddenly slam the brakes or lose control of their vehicle, you’ll have time to come to stop without colliding into them. Try to remain aware of others’ blind spots and steer clear as much as possible. A distracted driver could all too easily not notice you are there and veer into you.

You should also try to remain aware of the flow of traffic. For example, on the freeway, you’ll often see cars cross several lanes to make the exit they didn’t realize was coming up. When you’re close to upcoming exits, try to position your motorcycle away from the hurried exit paths of other commuters. The goal is to try to predict where cars will be headed so you can steer clear of them.

Keep Your Cool

When we’re faced with sudden and unexpected situations, sometimes we let our emotions get the best of us. Indulging in road rage against a distracted driver only compromises your judgment and puts you and others at risk. Focus on your own driving and try to get your bike away from the distracted driver. It’s easy to give in to anger or frustration, but rarely does it lead to good results.

Animals

Unfortunately, other people aren’t the only threat you face on the road. Sometimes animals can rush out of nowhere and cause great damage to you or your motorcycle. There are some ways to avoid such situations.

Know the High-Risk Times

If you know the times when certain animals are more likely to be active, you’ll automatically be alert when driving your bike during those times. For example, deer are on the move the most in October, November and December. Deer spend most of their days hiding from predators, so they’re most likely to move around between dusk and midnight. Find out which animals live along your routes and learn their habits to figure out when they’re most likely to pose a problem to you. Also, remember to keep an eye out for animal crossing signs and be cautious in those areas.

Herd Animals

When you’re out driving your motorcycle and spot a solo animal, it’s easy to avoid it and move on. However, there are many prey animals that travel in herds, such as deer. For these creatures, there’s safety in numbers, but this can also affect your safety. When you spot a herd animal on the road, stay alert. There are likely others waiting in the bushes nearby and they might dart onto the road if something spooks them.

Defensive Driving

This type of driving is helpful not only against rash human drivers but also animals. Ride your motorcycle as if you’re sure you’ll come across an animal. Always cover the front brake as you ride so that you can be ready to stop your motorcycle at a moment’s notice. Practice quick stopping so that you can get a feel for it and be better able to respond when you’re in the moment.

As you ride, play the “What would I do?” game. Ask yourself, “What would I do right now if an animal came into my path?” to come up with responses to that scenario. Use high beams whenever you can to improve your ability to spot an animal. Drive more slowly, too. It’s better to hit an animal at a lower speed than a higher one. Do what you can to stay alert and ready at all times.

We hope these tips help you drive safely! For more information or to check out some awesome Ducati motorcycles for sale, visit Abernathy’s Harley-Davidson. We serve everyone coming from New Jersey and New York, so stop by your nearest location today!