Motorcycle Safety

Motorcycle Safety

Improving Safety Throughout Europe

We are committed to achieving zero traffic fatalities involving Honda mobility products worldwide by 2050. To achieve this global vision, we recognise that we have to take action to advance safety today. Honda continuously innovates new products and technologies with advanced safety features that improve our customers riding experience.


Staying visible on the road

Visibility is a key factor in staying safe and preventing accidents on your motorcycle. There are a few ways you can stay seen on your motorcycle.

helmet
Wear reflective gear
Wearing bright colours and reflective materials make you stand out in all lighting conditions.
lights
Use your lights
Always ride with your headlights on, even during the day, and consider adding auxiliary lights to increase your visibility from the front and sides.
arrow indicators
Signal clearly
Use your indicators and hand signals well in advance of any turns or lane changes, giving other road users plenty of time to react.
exclamation mark
Stay aware of what’s around you
Scan your environment for potential hazards and adjust your position on the road to keep yourself visible and safe from other vehicles.
bike
Avoid riding in clusters
Riding in groups can make you less visible individually, so maintain a safe distance from other riders and vehicles so you're seen clearly.
eye
Stay out of blind spots
Position your motorcycle where drivers can see you in their mirrors, and make sure you’re visible when stopped at intersections.

Riding Skills

It’s important to expect the unexpected when it comes to riding your motorbike. These skills will help you stay in control and navigate traffic safely.

Riding Conditions

Staying informed and aware of the conditions you're riding in helps you anticipate and adapt to potential hazards, this way you and others on the road can stay safe.

Rain riding

Rain riding

Riding in the rain requires extra caution as wet roads reduce tyre grip and increase stopping distances. Keep your movements smooth—whether braking, accelerating, or turning—to avoid skidding. Equip your bike with good tyres that can channel water away effectively, and wear a waterproof riding jacket and trousers to stay dry and comfortable. Remember, visibility is also reduced for you and others, so make sure your lights are on, and always give yourself more time to react.

A range of Honda motorcycles and scooters feature riding modes which include Rain mode. This adjusts Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), Wheelie Control, Engine Power and Engine Braking for the optimum settings in wet conditions. Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) is a system that detects rear wheel spin and electronically reduces engine power to ensure proper traction and stabilize the vehicle. 

Rain riding

Night riding

Night riding can be thrilling, but it also comes with unique challenges. Your vision is limited, and other drivers may have a hard time seeing you, so always ride with your lights on and consider wearing reflective high-vis gear. Adjust your speed to match what you can see, and be especially cautious around intersections and curves where obstacles can be harder to spot. Finally, clean your visor and motorcycle lights regularly to maximise visibility.

LED lighting is a common feature on new Honda motorcycles and scooters, ensuring a big presence on the road day or night and provides enhanced visibility for riders and other road users. New Daytime Running Lights (DRL) with incorporated indicators, further increase visibility at all times.

Rain riding

Winter riding

Winter riding demands respect for the conditions—snow and ice dramatically reduce traction, making it easy to lose control. If you are heading out on a ride consider winter-specific tyres. Dress warmly in layers, and ensure your riding gear is windproof and waterproof. Suitable winter riding jackets and trousers can make all the difference when the temperature drops, look for reflective areas to keep you visible to other road users. Slow down, increase your following distance, and avoid sudden inputs on the throttle, brakes, or handlebars to stay upright and in control.

Winter riding can bring many challenges and different conditions. Riding Modes provides peace of mind, adjusting HSTC and Wheelie Control through the bikes IMU. When the ground is wet or slippery, ABS helps to maintain control when braking suddenly and Cornering ABS provides even more stability on tight corners. Heated grips come as standard on many of our motorcycles and scooters or can be added as an optional accessory. They help to reduce fatigue, keeping your hands warm in the winter months.

Rain riding

Summer riding

Summer rides can be incredibly enjoyable and can lead to more progressive riding in safer conditions, but they also bring unique challenges like heat fatigue and slippery tar patches on the road. Stay hydrated and take breaks often to avoid overheating. Summer riding jackets are ventilated and lightweight to keep you cool while staying protected. Watch out for road hazards that are more common in the heat like loose gravel or oil slicks. Be aware of glare on the road - keep your visor and windscreen clean to avoid sun dazzle. Lastly, don't forget your sunscreen—any exposed areas of your skin can get sunburnt.

Summer is the perfect time to go on weekend trips away and tours on your Honda. New electronic suspension variants provide optimum damping settings for your situtation, whether carrying a pillion or luggage, you can electronically adjust for precise suspension and handling. The Honda RoadSync smartphone app, Apple Car Play™ and Android Auto™, provide turn-by-turn navigation, and access to calls, messages and music handsfree, so you can stay connected and concentrate on the road ahead.

Riding Gear and Equipment

Wearing the right gear while riding your motorcycle provides essential protection against injuries in the event of an accident, shields you from the elements, and makes you more visible to others on the road.


Bike Safety

Bike maintenance: Keeping your bike up to speed

For safe riding, it's important that you inspect your motorcycle before every journey and perform all the recommended maintenance checks.

To learn more about keeping your bike up to speed, view our maintenance tips.

View maintenance tips

Honda Motorcycle Safety Training

Motorcycle training is all about building the skills and confidence you need to ride safely and enjoy the open road to the fullest. Not only does it help you master your bike, but it also prepares you for handling unexpected challenges on the road.

Whether you're new to biking, need a refresher course to get you back into it, or want to upgrade your licence to ride a bigger bike, there's a course for you at one of our Honda training schools.

Find out more

Honda Motorcycle Safety Training

Number of training partners
across the UK

50+

Number of training
courses offered

4+

Number of CBT's issued
in UK annually

180k

Honda Motorcycle Safety Training

Honda Training Courses

Register for the training course that best suits your needs. You don’t have to be a Honda owner to take the course.

Award 1

Ride Free
Book a session to experience the world of motorcycling without any of the commitments.

Register
Award 2

Compulsory Basic Training
CBT is a one-day course that you have to complete before you start riding.

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Award 3

Full Course
Up to 6 days of intensive training takes you from novice to full-on qualified rider.

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Award 4

Refresher Course
Ideal if you haven't ridden for a while, learn new skills, techniques and safety tips.

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