When to accelerate
Strong acceleration requires a clear view ahead and enough distance to brake afterward.
You need a clear view well ahead
Accelerate on a stretch without intersections, driveways, parking areas, blind crests, or other places from which someone could appear suddenly.
When there is a car ahead
The car ahead could change lanes. The faster you catch up to it, the less time you will have to react. Before accelerating, check where it could move and whether there is room to complete the pass. For strong acceleration, it is better to wait for an open road.
Oncoming traffic
There is less margin when oncoming vehicles are close and the traffic directions are not separated. A car could cross the markings while overtaking or move toward you. Its tires could throw up a stone or debris. It is better to open the throttle when the oncoming lane is empty or a barrier separates the traffic directions.
Decide in advance where you will roll off
Before accelerating, decide where to finish: before the next corner, roadside entrance, group of cars, or area with a restricted view. If you cannot see that point yet, it is too soon to accelerate.
Where not to accelerate
- an intersection, driveway, parking area, or side-road entrance
- a blind corner or crest
- dense traffic with frequent lane changes
- a bus stop, school, playground, or sports area beside the road
- a puddle of unknown depth, sand, mud, or another surface of uncertain condition
- fog, heavy rain, or low sun shining into your eyes
Keep an escape route
If braking in your lane is your only option when someone makes a mistake, extra speed greatly reduces your time margin. Before opening the throttle, look for somewhere to move if someone suddenly blocks the road.
Leave braking room in advance
Do not open the throttle just because the next hundred meters are clear. Look further ahead: after accelerating, you will need considerably more road to slow down again.
Fatigue and strong emotions
Do not add speed when you check your mirrors less often, notice changes late, or find that strong emotions are making your actions abrupt.
Open the throttle promptly but smoothly
Even during strong acceleration, open the throttle without jerking. Apply drive promptly but smoothly so the load on the rear tire does not change abruptly.
Before accelerating hard
- there are no cars ahead that you would quickly catch
- there are no intersections, hidden entrances, or areas with pedestrians
- the oncoming lane is empty or a physical barrier separates the traffic directions
- you can clearly see the surface and have no doubts about its condition
- you know where you will finish accelerating and how much braking room will remain
During acceleration
Look well ahead and occasionally check your sense of speed against the speedometer. If your view becomes restricted or a car appears ahead, roll off early while you still have plenty of distance.
Throttle while leaned over or on a poor surface
A large throttle opening requires a grip reserve. Use the throttle more gently on wet road markings, sand, mud, and other uncertain surfaces. Roll on smoothly in a corner, especially at a high lean angle.
The posted limit may not suit the conditions
Choose your speed according to how much road you can see and how predictable the situation is. Even where the limit is 70 km/h, 50–60 km/h may be more reasonable if fog obscures the road or you are riding an unfamiliar, busy route.
Where to slow down in advance
- driveways and parking-area exits
- schools and kindergartens
- playgrounds and sports areas beside the road
- public transport stops
- areas with poor visibility or frequent pedestrian movement
Check how much road you can actually see
Assess the distance to the point where the road disappears from view: a corner, crest, or group of cars. Base your speed on that distance, not on an assumption that the road beyond is clear.
No single speed fits every situation
Consider visibility, the surface, traffic density, and the distance you need to stop. The same stretch of road requires a different pace in dry weather than it does in fog.