10 things that will instantly improve your riding

1. Bend those elbows
   If they weren't meant to be bent, they wouldn't be there! The more horizontal your forearms are (parallel to the ground), the more responsive the motorcycle will fee
   
   
2. Look further ahead
   In every situation, the further you look, the more you will see, the more you can anticipate, the smoother/faster/both you will become
   
   
3. Grip the handlbar firmly but not like you were trying to choke it
   A firm, supple grip will let you receive feedback and help you relax mentally while riding. White knuckle grip will only elevate your stress levels
   
   
4. Two fingers on the clutch and two on the brake
   The former allows far superior clutch modulation than a paw and the latter will save vital seconds in an emergency stop. And you still have two fingers and a thumb left to hold the grips firmly
   
   
5. Sit about an inch from the tank
   If you're sitting halfway into the pillion seat, it totally destroys the bike's feel. You've effectively been riding the bike as if you always have a pillion on board
   
   
6. Slow your hands down
   Operating the controls faster and faster does not make you a faster rider. Slow down the speed at which you twist, squeeze, push and pull and focus instead of finesse. You'll be smoother and faster
   
   
7. Grip that tank like Xenia Sergeyevna Onatopp would
   As in tightly. The tighter you can, the more connected to the motorcycle you will feel
   
   
8. Wiggle your elbows
   Now and then, wiggle your elbows. If you can, it's a sign that you haven't tensed up in the saddle. And when you do, in time, it will be a reminder to relax and have fun
   
   
9. Learn to use your bodyweight to help the motorcycle out
   If you only use the handlebars to steer, you're missing out. Learn to put your shoulder, torso and legs into the mix, not only will it improve your riding, you will look better on the bike too, which always helps.
   
   
10. Concentrate
    Sounds like the most basic of things, but is often the hardest to do. Focus on what you are doing and not what you forgot to do back in the office/home/wherever-you-went