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Start With The Safety Checklist

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Safer riding, MT-07 life, gear notes and real motorcycle lessons from Amsterdam. For riders who want to improve one ride at a time.

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Start With The Safety Checklist
Rider sitting on a Yamaha MT-07 on a city sidewalk for bymrjohnson about page

Motorcycle Safety Gear Explained: What Each Piece Actually Does

Learn what each piece of motorcycle safety gear actually does, from helmets and jackets to gloves, pants, boots, armor, and ear protection.
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Yamaha MT-07 parked at a fuel station, useful for lane positioning and traffic awareness

Lane Positioning for Motorcyclists: How to Choose the Safest Road Position

Learn how to choose safer lane positions on a motorcycle to improve visibility, avoid blind spots, create escape routes and ride more confidently.
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Close-up of Yamaha MT-07 parked on a busy city street with tram lines and traffic

Riding in Heavy Traffic: Safety Tips for Urban Motorcyclists

Learn how to ride safely in heavy traffic with practical tips for spacing, visibility, blind spots, braking, junctions, cyclists and calm urban riding.
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Yamaha MT-07 and adventure motorcycle parked together during city group riding

Group Riding Etiquette: How to Stay Safe and Ride in Formation

Learn how to ride safely in a motorcycle group with proper spacing, formation, communication, overtaking etiquette and beginner-friendly road manners.
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Black Yamaha MT-07 parked near trees by the water, useful for target fixation awareness

How to Avoid Target Fixation While Riding

Learn how to avoid target fixation while riding by training your eyes to look at the safe path, not the hazard you want to miss.
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Yamaha MT-07 parked on a wet urban sidewalk during a natural motorcycle light and signal check

Motorcycle Vision Techniques: How to Look Through the Corner Correctly

Learn how to use your eyes properly while riding — from looking through corners to spotting hazards early and avoiding target fixation.
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Black Yamaha MT-07 parked at a Shell fuel station during a ride

Common Beginner Motorcycle Mistakes: What New Riders Should Avoid Early

New to riding? Learn the most common beginner motorcycle mistakes to avoid, including poor braking, target fixation, overconfidence, unsafe gear habits and riding beyond your limits.
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Rider wearing full motorcycle safety gear while seated on a Yamaha MT-07

Top 10 Motorcycle Safety Tips Every Rider Should Know

Simple motorcycle safety tips every rider should know — from proper gear and visibility to braking, cornering, traffic awareness and pre-ride checks.
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Rider standing beside a black Yamaha MT-07 while wearing protective motorcycle gear

Motorcycle Safety for Beginners: The Complete Guide to Riding Smart and Staying Alive

Essential motorcycle safety habits for beginner riders — gear, braking, cornering, traffic awareness and pre-ride checks to help you ride smarter and come home safely.
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Yamaha Mt-07 with a rear-seat saddle bag at a scenic windmill country road

How to Stay Focused on Long Motorcycle Rides

Practical ways to protect your concentration during long motorcycle rides, including break planning, hydration, active observation and fatigue warning signs.
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Motorcyclist riding on an exposed road in strong wind

How to Ride a Motorcycle Safely in Strong Wind

Practical tips for staying in control during strong crosswinds, sudden gusts, exposed roads and turbulence from trucks and buses.
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Yamaha mt-07 parked on a wet road on a rainy ride day

Wet Weather Motorcycle Riding Tips: How to Ride Safely in the Rain

Practical tips for riding a motorcycle safely in rain, including braking, cornering, visibility, wet-weather gear and common slippery road hazards.
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Yamaha MT-07 on a wet wash bay floor showing how slippery surfaces can reduce traction

How to Handle Gravel, Sand & Slippery Roads on a Motorcycle

Gravel, sand, and slippery roads can surprise any rider. Here’s how to stay calm, smooth, upright, and in control.
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Motorcycle rider view of a beginner cone slalom drill for balance control

Motorcycle Balance Exercises for Beginners: Simple Drills to Build Control

Simple motorcycle balance exercises for beginners to build confidence, improve slow-speed control, practice U-turns, and feel calmer on the bike.
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Yamaha MT-07 in an empty parking lot for low-speed control practice

20 Motorcycle Low-Speed Control Tips: Balance, U-Turns & Slow Riding

Learn practical low-speed motorcycle control tips for better balance, smoother U-turns, clutch control, rear brake use, and slow riding confidence.
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Road, touring, adventure and urban motorcycle boots arranged beside a parked Yamaha MT-07 motorcycle

Motorcycle Boots for Road and Touring: What to Look For

A practical comparison of protective motorcycle boots for road, touring, commuting and wet-weather riding, with EN 13634 and fit guidance.
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Leather, textile and ventilated motorcycle jackets arranged beside a black Yamaha MT-07 on a sunny day in front of an Amsterdam doorway

Which Motorcycle Jackets Offer the Best Protection?

A practical comparison of current protective motorcycle jackets, with clear guidance on AAA and AA ratings, armour levels, fit and weather suitability.
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Summer, gauntlet and waterproof motorcycle gloves arranged beside a parked black motorcycle

Motorcycle Gloves for Protection: Top Options and Buying Advice

A practical comparison of protective motorcycle gloves for road, sport, touring, summer, rain and winter riding, with clear CE-rating and fit guidance.
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Three full-face motorcycle helmets arranged beside a black Yamaha MT-07 near a green park on a summer day

Choosing a Safe Motorcycle Helmet in 2026: What Riders Should Look For

A practical comparison of current ECE 22.06 motorcycle helmets, including independent SHARP results, fit advice and recommendations for different riders.
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Complete motorcycle safety gear arranged beside yamaha MT-07

Motorcycle Safety Gear for Every Rider: What to Buy in 2026

A practical guide to building a complete motorcycle safety setup, with current product examples, certification advice and buying priorities for different riders.
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POV rider wearing motorcycle gear with CE ratings

CE Ratings Explained: Helmets, Jackets, Gloves & Armor

Learn what CE ratings, ECE 22.06, EN 17092, Level 1, Level 2, AAA, AA, A, and KP actually mean when buying motorcycle gear.
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