So you’ve finally bit the bullet and decided to fulfill a lifelong dream by learning how to ride a motorcycle. But before you join the legions of happy riders out there, there’s some important tips you need to keep in mind in order to do things properly and safely.
#1 - Take a Course and Ride for Safety
Obviously, learning how to ride a motorcycle is not as simple as buying one and having your parents teach you, as they did when you were a youngster learning how to ride a bicycle. Obtaining a license to drive a motorcycle is just as intricate and legally obligatory as obtaining a license to drive a car, so you will have to enroll in a motorcycle driving course.
Once there, pay close attention to your instructor and the ins-and-outs of motorcycle riding, which they have gathered through years of teaching and riding. As you have probably realized after years of driving a car, how you drove to pass your road test is not the same way you drive everyday, so it’s in your best interests to listen closely to the tips your instructor gives you.
It’s also not a bad idea to enroll in a motorcycle safety course, to make sure you are riding in the safest way possible. Motorcycle riding is inherently more dangerous than riding in a car due to the nature of the vehicle itself, so keeping yourself (and others) as safe as possible should be of paramount importance.
Pro tip: avoid driving like Evel Knievel on the date of your road test, slicing corners like you’re in the Daytona 200. Drive carefully and in full obeisance to the rules of the road!
#2 - Learn How to Ride a Motorcycle by Getting to Know It
Just like a car, you’ll have to familiarize yourself with the functions and “feel” of your motorcycle before you can routinely drive it. Under the supervision of your instructor or a seasoned rider, practice getting on/off the bike, starting her and turning her off, “power walking” her (letting the clutch go while you walk the bike around) and familiarizing yourself with the controls like the clutch, gear shifters and throttle. In a parking lot or secluded area and under supervision, drive slowly, practicing turning, shifting gears, and slowing down/accelerating, all the while taking care to obey the rules of safety.
#3 - Get the Right Gear
A large part of motorcycle safety is making sure you are outfitted properly, not just for comfort, style, and protection from the elements, but for safety in the unfortunate instance of an accident.
As a proud vendor of the largest names in motorcycle equipment for over 40 years, Motovan is proud to offer the best in safety gear like helmets, jackets and boots for the novice rider!
The first thing anybody needs to know when learning how to ride a motorcycle is that it is crucially important to protect your head while riding, and for that, you’ll need a helmet.
Zox’s Condor SVS helmet is a perfect addition to the first-time rider’s starter kit. Meeting and exceeding industry standards for safety, the Condor SVS also sports a large eye port for increased visibility as well as an integrated inner sun shield to protect the rider’s eyes from the sun’s rays.
It’s important for every novice rider to realize that learning how to ride a motorcycle means being exposed to the elements, often on the turn of a dime. A sunny and temperate day can suddenly become cold and rainy in the blink of an eye, so keeping warm and dry is an absolute must.
Seattle is not only waterproof, but also sports a second layer (Insulex Insulation), ensuring you stay warm on even the coldest rides.
One of the most important parts of your body to keep warm, dry, and comfortable on a ride are your feet. TCX’s Airtech 3 Gore-Tex will do all that and more! Perfect for high-performance riding in all-weather conditions. A waterproof and breathable Gore Tex Extended Comfort membrane is complemented by a new Groundtrax rubber outsole for touring with a low profile. Additionally, the boots sport shock-absorbing technology that protects your feet from the shock of collisions, as well as shin plates to grant superior protection.
Thanks for reading! If you have any further inquiries, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help!