Road Hazards To Watch For On Your Motorcycle

It’s hard not to feel invincible when you are riding on a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle. With the wind in your hair and a beautiful yet powerful machine to take you wherever you want to go, taking on the world doesn’t seem so far-fetched. However, it’s important that you don’t get too caught up in that feeling. Ignoring your surroundings can and will result in injury to you and others. To help teach you about what to watch out for and how to respond appropriately, Taboo Harley-Davidson has put together this quick guide to motorcycle road hazards.

Road Ruts

Road ruts are impressions or indentations dug into the road. Over time, repeated heavy traffic weighs down on the asphalt, compressing it into a new shape. This will usually result in two to four ruts that run down the road, around the spots where most cars and trucks have their tires.

Unlike a car or truck, your Harley’s tires are centered, so hitting one of these ruts is really bad news. Even if you attempt to center yourself in a rut, its shape will cause you to wobble. The safest bet is to avoid road ruts while being aware of them so that you do not hit one unexpectedly.

Potholes

While road ruts present a unique challenge for bikers, potholes are a menace to all motorists. However, being on two wheels makes it even more likely that a pothole will damage your Harley or cause you to lose control. Sometimes the pothole will grab your wheel or turn it sideways. At other times, you will end up with a bent edge or fractured wheel rim. Either way, be exceedingly careful not to hit one if at all possible. While potholes can form at any time, they tend to grow quickest under wet conditions. Be extra vigilant right after it has rained or snowed, as puddles and spots of snow may be hiding a pothole.

Road Work

Road work is an inconvenience to all motorists and causes unique difficulties for Harley riders. While a more narrow profile means that a closed lane is easier to deal with, steel plates will typically be placed down at a road work site to cover holes or other gouges made by the workers. The bump created by riding over one of these is bad enough, but they are incredibly slick when wet. If you see a metal plate near road work, particularly after precipitation, your best bet to avoid disaster is to take it in a straight line and at a reduced speed. You should also avoid turning on these plates if at all possible, as this can lead to a slide out.

When it comes to motorcycle safety, knowing your machine and knowing and following the law are both very important. However, it is equally important that you know how to identify road hazards and how to react should one crop up. Situational awareness is a key skill when it comes to motorcycle safety. For more on how to be safe when riding your bike or to view our selection of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, visit Taboo Harley-Davidson in Alexandria, Louisiana. We are proud to serve people from communities like Natchez, Mississippi; Natchitoches, Louisiana; Lafayette, Louisiana and beyond. We hope to see you soon!