Dualsport motorcycle on a scenic outback highway

Instantly Improve Your Riding with these Motorcycling Hacks

Written by: Territory Motorcycle Training

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Time to read 7 min

There is so much more to motorcycling than twisting your wrist! Riding skills can take time to develop, but there are a few quick hacks that will fix your riding immediately. Try these simple yet effective techniques to instantly elevate your riding skills.

How to instantly improve your motorcycle riding

1. Look Up


One of the most common mistakes motorcycle riders make is focusing too much on the patch of road directly in front of their bike. Instead, train yourself to look up and ahead. This broadens your perspective, giving you more time to react to changes in traffic, road conditions, or obstacles. Keeping your eyes up also improves your balance and helps maintain a smoother ride.


Think of it this way: where your eyes go, your motorcycle will follow. If you fixate on potholes or debris, you’re more likely to hit them. Shift your focus upwards, by consciously lifting your head and eyes, and watch your riding improve instantly.

Motorcyclist wearing a helmet and focusing on the road
Looking up, instead at the tarmac in front of your wheel, will instantly improve your balance and reaction times.

2. Look Through Corners


One of the most effective ways to instantly improve your motorcycle cornering is by looking through the corner. Look as far ahead in the corner as you can see, and use the use the center white line to hold your focus.


By focusing on where you want to go instead of where you are, you’ll naturally take better lines through the turn. This technique not only improves your cornering precision, it also encourages you to trust the lean and grip of the motorcycle, leading to safer and more enjoyable cornering.


Motorcycle leaning in a corner
Focusing on the white median line through the corner will help you lean with the bike and give you more reaction time.

3. Weight the Footpegs


Proper motorcycle footpeg pressure can make a significant difference in your bike’s stability and handling. When cornering on the road, apply weight to the inside footpeg to help the motorcycle lean more effectively. This small adjustment improves traction and gives you greater control over your bike.


Even on straight roads, keeping light but consistent weight on the pegs enhances your overall balance. This is especially useful when riding on uneven surfaces, as it allows your upper body to remain relaxed and lets the motorcycle move naturally beneath you.

Motorcycle leaning with weight in the footpeg
Weighting the footpegs is an excellent way to give input into your bike and lower your center of mass, improving your balance and lean angles.

Need a little help or inspiration to put these hacks into practice? Book a private motorcycle lesson!

4. Feather the Clutch


Mastering motorcycle clutch control is a game-changer, particularly in slow-speed situations. Feathering the clutch, which means using the friction point to modulate the amount of power that is delivered to the rear wheel of the motorcycle, will give you smoother control during tight maneuvers and dampens a twitchy throttle. It is a useful skill for tight U-turns and navigating traffic smoothly.


The trick is to momentarily keep the motorcycle's clutch partially engaged while applying gentle throttle. This creates a balance of power and stability, allowing you to maintain control without stalling. The addition of the rear brake will allow you to hold a steady pace, and modulate the pressure to assist with balancing the motorcycle at slow speeds. Practise this skill in a safe area until it becomes second nature.

Motorcycle clutch control and dirtbike glove
Using the friction point of the clutch will smooth the delivery of power to your rear wheel.

5. Relax your Arms


Tension in your arms can negatively affect your riding, and the overall handling of your motorcycle. Nervous riders tend to hold the shoulders, arms and knuckles too tight, and try to give too much input into the handlebars. Gripping the handlebars too tightly translates directly into how the bike handles on the road, and leads to jerky movements and fatigue, reducing your overall control. Instead, keep your arms relaxed and let the handlebars move naturally.


A trick to maintaining a soft grip of the motorcycle handlebars is to imagine you’re holding a delicate egg in each hand. Some riders like to "flap their chicken wings", by shaking their arms as a reminder to keep their arms loose on the motorcycle.


Remember, the stability of your motorcycle depends on your ability to stay loose and let it work as designed.

Adventure motorcycle rider with good body position
Relaxed arms will help prevent a rider from giving the bike too much input, and will allow the bike to move freely.

6. Lean with the Bike


To corner effectively, your body’s positioning is just as important as your bike’s lean. By slightly shifting your weight toward the inside of the turn, you’ll improve the balance of the motorcycle and reduce the lean angle needed to complete the corner.


This technique gives rise to weight shifting, which makes cornering feel more natural and controlled. It’s particularly useful at higher speeds, where weight shifting towards the inside of the corner leverages the centrifugal force acting on the motorcycle and improves its handling. Start small and adjust your positioning gradually to find what feels comfortable for you.


The golden rule when cornering: Smooth is fast. Focus on good technique and speed will come in time.

Motorcycle rider leaning into a corner
Weight shifting will make your corners smoother and leverages the centrifugal force acting on the bike.

7. Use the Six Second Rule


Looking ahead is a fundamental skill that many riders overlook. By actively focusing your vision six seconds ahead of your motorcycle, you’ll have the right amount of time to anticipate and react to potential hazards. This forward thinking approach helps you maintain a safe speed and line, even in traffic.


If you find that you are unable to see six seconds ahead, or notice yourself having to make constant last second corrections to your speed or lines, you are going too fast!


The six second rule works especially well in corners, or during times of low visibility, as it reminds us to adjust our speed to the conditions. This proactive mindset not only improves safety but also makes your riding smoother and more enjoyable.

Motorcycle rider with pillion passenger on the road
looking six seconds ahead helps riders to regulate their speed appropriately.

8. Trust your Bike


Your motorcycle is designed to handle far more than most riders realise. Trusting your bike’s capabilities, from tyres to suspension, will give you instantly smoother and more confident riding. Instead of overthinking every bump or turn, focus on keeping your hands, arms and shoulders relaxed and gripping the bike with your knees. Let the bike do what it was engineered to do! This trust allows you to ride more fluidly and with less tension.


We need to learn to speak to the bike in the right language, so it will respond the way we need it to. As you practise your skills, you will begin to feel sure of how the bike will respond. Over time, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of your bike’s abilities.

Motorcycle rider wearing black helmet on vintage bike
Grip with your knees and trust the bike as you accelerate, lean and brake.

9. Strategic Application of the Throttle


Throttle control isn’t just about acceleration, it’s a tool for maintaining stability and flow. When exiting corners, gently roll on the throttle to transfer weight to the rear wheel of the motorcycle, improving grip and control. Sudden or uneven throttle inputs can unsettle the motorcycle, so aim for smooth, deliberate application.


We don't agree with blanket advice such as "if in doubt, power out!" But knowing how and when to apply the throttle correctly will enable you to use the power of your motorcycle to your advantage.

Motorcycle throttle and killswitch on a handlebar
Knowing how and when to apply the throttle will allow you to load the rear suspension and improve traction.

10. Get Familiar with Mechanical Maintenance


Understanding the basics of your bike’s mechanics can significantly enhance your confidence and safety. Learn how to check and maintain essential components of your motorcycle, like the chain, brakes, and fluid levels. Regular maintenance prevents unexpected issues and keeps your bike running smoothly. Familiarity with your bike’s mechanics also helps you recognise potential problems early, allowing you to address them before they escalate.


Not sure where to start? Come along to a motorcycle mechanical course in Darwin and we'll show you the ropes!


Book a mechanical class
Woman with red nails fixing KTM motorcycle chain tension in a workshop
Knowing your bike will allow you to identify issues before they become problematic.

11. Run Correct Tyre Pressures


Tyre pressure plays a critical role in the handling and safety of your motorcycle. Riding with under-inflated or over-inflated tyres can lead to poor grip, reduced stability, and increased wear. Visually inspect your tyres before every ride. Check your motorcycle tyre pressure with a gauge once a week, and adjust them to the manufacturer’s recommended levels.


Proper tyre pressures ensure optimal performance, whether you’re cornering, braking, or cruising. It’s a small step that makes a big difference in how your motorcycle feels and responds on the road.

Woman checking motorcycle tyre pressure in a workshop
Tyres should be checked with a hand or foot every ride. A pressure gauge should be used once a week.

12. Know your Lines


Precise line selection is a hallmark of confident motorcycling. The SWIFT protocol is an excellent framework for managing corners.


SWIFT refers to the recommended line to take through a corner:

  • Start
  • Wide
  • Intend to 
  • Finish
  • Tight
Motorcycle racer in a corner
A good line through a corner is smoother, safer and faster.

By approaching a turn at a safe speed and positioning your motorcycle toward the outside edge, you prepare for a smoother arc through the corner. As you reach the inside apex, your trajectory becomes more predictable, setting you up for a controlled exit, finishing tight in the corner.


This technique minimises risks, improves vision through corners, and allows a smoother flow through multiple corners. You'll notice an immediate improvement in your cornering using the SWIFT protocol. Keep practising to to build muscle memory and handle corners with ease.

By incorporating these simple yet powerful hacks into your riding routine, you will instantly improve your riding, safety and enjoyment on the road.

Practising these skills regularly will help you transform into a more capable and skilled rider.

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