Becoming a better motorcycle rider is not about owning the fastest bike. It is about mastering essential riding skills that improve safety, control and confidence. Whether you are a beginner or have years of experience, riding skills improve with consistent practice. The best riders in the world still refine their technique regularly. Here are the top 10 motorcycle skills every rider should know. 1. Smooth Throttle Control Throttle control affects balance, traction and stability. Abrupt gas inputs can unsettle the suspension and rear wheel, especially at slower speeds or in wet conditions. Practice rolling the throttle on and off smoothly to maintain stability and avoid sudden weight shifts. 2. Proper Braking Technique (75% Front, 25% Rear) Effective braking is one of the most essential riding skills. On most motorcycles, around 75% of braking force comes from the front brake and 25% from the rear brake. Practice stopping progressively by squeezing the brake lever rather than grabbing it. Learn how your bike behaves under hard braking to understand its stopping distance. 3. Emergency Quick Stops Practicing hard braking in a safe area prepares you for real-world emergencies. Start at low speeds in an empty parking lot. Gradually increase speed while focusing on smooth lever pressure and preventing wheel lock. This builds muscle memory that can save you in traffic. 4. Countersteering At speeds above roughly 15–20 km/h, turning requires countersteering. To turn left, push the left handlebar forward. To turn right, push the right handlebar forward. This initiates the lean angle quickly and precisely. Countersteering is a fundamental law of motorcycle physics and is essential for safe, controlled cornering and swerving. 5. Looking Where You Want to Go A motorcycle instinctively follows where the rider is looking. The dangerous tendency to stare at a hazard and consequently ride straight into it is known as target fixation. If you stare at a pothole, you will likely hit it. Always look toward your intended safe path, especially through corners. During turns, keep your chin up and focus your eyes on the exit of the corner rather than the ground directly in front of your front tyre. 6. Slow-Speed Control and Friction Zone Mastery Mastering control at walking speeds is essential for U-turns, tight traffic and parking manoeuvres. Use the clutch friction zone, slight throttle and gentle rear brake pressure together. Riding on the balls of your feet improves stability and control. This skill dramatically improves confidence in real-world situations. 7. Figure Eights and Tight Turns Practising figure eights in an empty parking lot links left and right turns fluidly. Set up cones or water bottles to simulate lane width. This improves balance, coordination and body position at slower speeds. 8. Body Position and Weight Transfer Proper body position affects how a motorcycle responds to inputs. Keep your arms relaxed and support your body weight with your core rather than the handlebars. Shifting body weight slightly inside during corners can improve stability and control. Relaxation prevents overreactions when the bike moves unexpectedly. 9. Hazard Awareness and the S.I.P.D.E. Method Safe riding requires constant mental processing of your environment. The S.I.P.D.E. method helps riders: Scan the road Identify hazards Predict their actions Decide on a response Execute safely Looking ahead increases reaction time and reduces accident risk. 10. Lane Positioning and Visibility Correct lane positioning increases your visibility to other drivers and gives you a safety buffer. Avoid riding directly in vehicle blind spots. Actively adjust your position within the lane (left, centre, or right wheel track) depending on traffic, road debris, and the road conditions ahead to maximise your line of sight. At stoplights, check your mirrors and keep your rear brake light activated to alert drivers approaching from behind. Bonus: Ride With Better Riders Riding in a group or with more experienced riders can accelerate skill development. You gain insight into body position, cornering lines and hazard awareness simply by observing others. Practice Makes Safer Riders The key takeaway is simple: riding skills improve with practice, regardless of experience level. An empty parking lot or quiet stretch of road is the perfect place to refine braking, countersteering and slow-speed control before entering heavy traffic. Mastering essential motorcycle skills enhances safety, stability and control while reducing accident risks. Ride Better With the Right Motorcycle Whether you are upgrading your first bike or looking for something that matches your improving skills, Procycles offers both new and used motorcycles to suit riders at every stage. Browse new bikes and used bikes here. Procycles is one of Sydney’s most established motorcycle shops with a history dating back over 40 years. With locations in Hornsby and St Peters, the team is committed to putting the rider first and helping you build the best riding experience possible. Call in anytime. You are always welcome.