0:01 There are countless rules when it comes
0:03 to riding a motorcycle. You've got the
0:06 official traffic laws, safety courses,
0:07 the manufacturer's [music]
0:10 manual, all the things everyone knows.
0:12 But over time and miles, you realize
0:14 that the most useful rules are the ones
0:16 nobody talks about. The ones you learn
0:18 after thousands of kilome, close [music]
0:20 calls, and painful lessons. They're
0:22 written nowhere. Yet, once you know
0:24 them, you'll never ride the same way
0:26 again. So, here are the real motorcycle
0:28 rules every smart rider should know.
0:30 First, always watch a car's front wheel,
0:32 [music] not the driver. You can stare at
0:34 the driver's face all you want. It won't
0:36 help you. The front wheel tells the
0:39 truth. [music] If it moves, hesitates,
0:41 or turns, you'll instantly know what the
0:44 car is about to do. It reacts faster
0:45 than the driver's head. [music] Drivers
0:48 lie. The wheel doesn't. This simple
0:50 habit has saved more lives than any
0:52 mirror adjustment. [music] Second, never
0:54 overtake a car at an intersection, even
0:56 if you have the right of way. It's not
0:58 written in any manual, but it's
1:00 critical. A car can suddenly turn left
1:02 without signaling, or another vehicle
1:04 might appear out of nowhere. No one
1:06 expects a motorcycle to slip through
1:08 right then. Wait until you're past the
1:10 intersection before accelerating. Third,
1:12 assume every parked car has a door ready
1:14 to open. [music] One door swing can send
1:16 you flying. Keep a safe distance and
1:19 watch for signs. A passenger moving, a
1:21 brake light flashing. Better to be
1:23 cautious than airborne. Fourth, never
1:25 trust a [music] turn signal. It's a
1:27 suggestion, not a promise. Many drivers
1:30 forget it's on. Use it wrong or don't
1:32 use it at all. Don't act on it until the
1:34 car actually starts turning. Fifth, rain
1:36 doesn't kill traction. Paint and [music]
1:39 oil do. White road markings, metal
1:42 plates, and oil slicks are traps. Avoid
1:44 them, especially while braking or
1:46 cornering. Stay smooth on the controls
1:48 and upright on the bike. Sixth, when
1:50 you're tired, you're stupid. Take
1:52 [music] breaks. Riding exhausted is like
1:54 riding drunk without alcohol. Your
1:57 reflexes and focus vanish. 10 minutes of
2:00 rest can save your life. Seventh, never
2:02 ride alongside a car. Either pass it or
2:04 stay behind. You're invisible in the
2:06 blind spot, and [music] one small swerve
2:08 can crush you before they even realize
2:10 it. Don't ride side by side with another
2:13 motorcycle unless you fully trust the
2:15 other rider. If something unexpected
2:16 happens, you'll have no room to dodge.
2:19 Keep a staggered formation for safety.
2:20 Ninth, flash your brake light to push
2:23 back tailgators. A quick blink of red
2:24 often makes drivers [music] react and
2:26 back off. If it doesn't work, change
2:29 lanes or let them pass. Better safe than
2:32 rear ended. 10th, the biker wave. Do it
2:33 only when it's safe. It's a nice
2:35 gesture, but never at the [music] cost
2:37 of control. If you're turning or
2:39 maneuvering, keep both hands on the
2:41 bars. No one will blame you for skipping
2:44 the wave. 11th. Always park facing
2:46 uphill, even if you need to back in.
2:48 It'll save you from pushing 150 kilos
2:51 uphill to leave. 12th. Always check the
2:53 ground before putting down your stand.
2:56 Hot asphalt, soft dirt, or gravel
2:58 [music] can tip your bike. Use a support
3:00 plate if needed. It's worth avoiding a
3:03 stupid fall. 13th. Check the weather,
3:06 but prepare for surprises. Even with 0%
3:08 rain forecast, carry [music] waterproof
3:10 gear and be ready to take shelter. Learn
3:11 to read the sky, not just your weather
3:15 app. 14th. Never ride hungry, tired, or
3:16 angry. Riding demands your full
3:19 attention. If your mind is elsewhere,
3:21 you're taking unnecessary risks. Only
3:22 ride when you're calm [music] and
3:25 focused. 15th. Never fill your tank to
3:27 the brim. Fuel can overflow onto the
3:30 engine or your boots. Dangerous in both
3:33 cases. Stop as soon as the pump clicks.
3:35 16th. Always assume no one can see you,
3:37 even when they're looking right at you.
3:39 Drivers can glance your way without
3:41 actually noticing you. That's what's
3:43 called a looked but failed to see
3:45 accident. So ride as if you're
3:47 invisible. Stay visible through your
3:49 positioning and always keep an escape
3:51 path open. Half of motorcycleycling is
3:53 skill. The other half is these unwritten
3:56 rules. The ones that separate riders who
3:57 stay on the road from those who end up
4:00 in the hospital. Now it's your turn.
4:01 What are your own survival rules on the
4:04 road? Share them. And above all, ride
4:07 smart, ride safe, and always keep your
