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Why is Self-Awareness a Critical Motorcycle Skill?

Why is Self-Awareness a Critical Motorcycle Skill?

1. What is Self-Awareness?

Self-awareness is crucial when on the road as it can keep you safe from sudden dangers or road hazards. Regardless of how far or often you ride your motorcycle, It's important to develop your sense of self-awareness.


Knowing yourself, your motives, and your objectives is the most common description of self-awareness. Every choice made reflects an individual’s level of self-awareness.


A wise decision may be made at any time. As we gain new knowledge about the world and ourselves, it develops and changes.


Having self-awareness when it comes to riding a motorcycle allows you to identify your weaknesses and make better decisions.


Riders who are self-aware constantly scan the road ahead for dangers, including other drivers, debris, or potholes on the road.


Predicting what could occur and creating a plan of action to reduce or avoid risk is a constant process since riding a motorcycle demands constant vigilance.

2. Self-Awareness is Important for Good Judgment

However, using good judgment is a tricky skill to master. Although it may be obvious when shown, it can be challenging to discuss and teach. The only proven way to learn how to practice good judgment is through experience.


Excellent judgment is a dynamic skill that develops the more knowledge and life experiences you gain. It's also intensely personal since it depends so much on unique circumstances, interests, ambitions, abilities, and limitations.

2.1 External Self-Awareness

For motorcyclists, inner self-awareness is undoubtedly crucial, but it doesn't completely provide us with what we need for sound judgment.


Perspective and an understanding of the bigger picture, are necessary when exercising good judgment.


According to psychologist Tasha Eurich , self-awareness has two sides.


"Self-awareness isn't one truth. It's a delicate balance between two different, sometimes opposing, points of view.” - Tasha Eurich


Internal self-awareness is being aware of your own motivations and goals. External self-consciousness is awareness of how you are seen by others and how you fit into a broader context.


Eurich and her team researched these concepts in a business setting, discovering that successful executives possessed both, even though it is possible to have one without the other.


When it comes to riding a motorcycle, external self-awareness helps you to be open and honest about your strengths, weaknesses, and where you need to improve.


No matter how attentive you are, it's best to work on improving your external self-awareness if you're a beginner rider. Since many people are unaware of what "excellent riding skills" are. It falls within a certain field of expertise. You must educate yourself if you want to learn more.

2.2 How Can You Improve External Self-Awareness Skills?

As a motorcycle rider, there are several ways to improve external self-awareness. Just chatting with other riders about riding tips can teach you so much. Multiple perspectives on riding skills may teach you new ways to improve riding habits you have never considered before.


Always have an open mind. Understanding the outside world and being honest about your place in it are two aspects of external self-awareness.


Your ability to assess your current limitations will improve the more you learn about riding techniques, practice, and attempt other forms of riding.


When combined with internal awareness, honest self-evaluation will encourage you to improve as a rider and make you more confident when making decisions.

2.3 Good Judgement Requires Courage and Honesty

Being honest with yourself is necessary to practice good judgment. You will find it easier to be more honest with yourself if you have strong internal and exterior self-awareness. However, you will have to be prepared to look inside yourself and examine the flaws in yourself that you may not be comfortable facing. This kind of in-depth self-examination can be difficult but it's necessary to become better at riding motorcycles.

3. Self-Awareness Improves Your Instincts and Decision-Making Skills

Trust your instincts, especially if you're an experienced motorcycle rider. When confronted by a big pothole or a crowded road, you may know what to do without thinking too hard. Sometimes confronting problems on the road does not require overthinking and just requires using your instincts. Although they are precautions you can take to ensure better safety when riding a motorcycle, you also need to trust your body will know what to do when acting on the fly.


Having self-awareness will help you determine which areas you are weak in and what needs to be improved. Perhaps you need to work on your mountain biking technique or provide maintenance. If you have the self-awareness to realize that there is always room to improve, your driving style will change to reflect that and you will be able to ride your motorcycle more safely.

4. The Importance of Self-Awareness on the Road

4.1 Know Your Limits

Depending on your limits, your ability to ride a certain distance or in a certain environment may be affected. As you become a more experienced motorcyclist, your limitations may diminish, but be careful not to push yourself too hard too quickly. Trying to rush without first learning the basics of motorcycle riding is just an inviting disaster, especially if you are a novice rider.

4.2 Make Sure You Are Visible to Other Drivers

Anytime you are riding, you must be aware of your surroundings and whether drivers in other vehicles can see you. Make sure you are constantly within view of other drivers and motorcyclists.

4.3 Reduce Distractions

When on the road, try to focus solely on navigating, limiting yourself from doing other activities that might divert your attention, such as listening to music. Try to reduce potential distractions and try to find ways to avoid ones on the road to keep your eyes from wandering.

5. Ways to Practice Awareness While Riding

Many motorcyclists become fixated on personal goals and feel upset when they do not make much progress. To ensure you practice better awareness on the road, listed below are possible ways to increase personal awareness when riding a motorcycle.

5.1 Check Your Surroundings

One of the reasons why people like riding motorcycles is because it allows them to check out the scenery at multiple locations. Consider the times and places when riding a bike made you the happiest. Consider how well you perform and how comfortable you feel in different weather conditions.

5.2 Paying Attention to Other Riders & Passengers

Riding with other motorcyclists who share your passion can be a fun experience since you can test your riding skills and share a trip with others.

5.3 Be Aware of Your Goals

Goals help keep us focused and push us to keep moving forward. However, if we set our objectives too high or too low, they may become impossible to achieve or are not difficult enough. Therefore, it's crucial that the goals you set are attainable and have a clear step-by-step process from start to finish.

5.4 Know Your Current Fitness Level

Know your strengths and limitations when it comes to riding a motorcycle. Do not be discouraged when reflecting on your flaws. Instead, take the opportunity to figure out how to work on them so you can turn your weaknesses into strengths.

5.5 Be Conscious of Your Emotions

Whenever you are working on your self-awareness, be mindful of your emotional state. Don't be harsh on yourself when you're overworked or having a bad day. Try to find constructive ways to relieve stress and try not to stew in negative emotions.


Keep in mind that your situations in life are always changing, so it's crucial to check in with both yourself and your circumstances in order to progress.

6. Last Words

Every motorcyclist should focus on developing self-awareness since it is an important riding skill. Self-awareness helps you make practice good judgment and improve decision-making skills. Acquiring a better sense of self-awareness is always essential, whether you are a novice or an experienced rider. If you wish to customize your motorcycle and improve its appearance, you can add new Saddlebags, seats, crash bars, fairings, handlebars, luggage racks, and sissy bars.

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