5 Biker Tips All New Riders Need to Know
Ready to feel a rush on the road with your motorcycle? As a new rider, learn how your motorcycle responds to your controls and the conditions of the road to stay safe and enjoy the freedom of the biking lifestyle. Cycle Trader is providing five biker tips all new riders need to know.
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1. Get a Feel for Your Motorcycle
New riders should get a feel for their motorcycle and how it responds to your controls, like when you shift, grip the throttle, and slow down. Make adjustments based on the specific bike type and educate yourself with the owner’s manual for the bike’s parts and maintenance methods. You should have a basic understanding of how the clutch and throttle, brakes, and gears work when you’re riding. Adjust the mirrors and seat height so you’re in a comfortable stance and easy reaching distance from the handlebars. Many beginner biker’s opt for a smaller, lightweight motorcycle to start because they’re easier to control. To help you out, follow up with these common mistakes for new riders to avoid.
2. Get Riding Gear
The most important piece of riding gear you’ll ever need on the road is your helmet, because it can protect you from a serious injury and save your life in the event of a terrible crash. Plus, your helmet or riding goggles will help shield you from a strong headwind when you ride, and against insects and debris on the road.
Suit up with a riding jacket and pants that are made with breathable or insulated material so you’re comfortable but not too hot or cold when you ride, and so you can get around in the wind and rain. Riding gloves will give you a grip on your bike’s handlebars and controls, and prevent your fingers from going numb in cold weather riding. Pick out a pair of steel-toed riding boots that will give your feet an extra cushion and traction on foot pegs.
Finally, keep a repair kit and first-aid supplies on your bike in the event there’s an emergency or you need to make a repair while you’re riding. Check out this list of essential gear, supplies, and resources every new biker needs so you’re confident and comfortable when you ride on the road.
3. Perfect Your Riding Stance
Get in a comfortable riding posture based on your type of motorcycle, whether that’s standard, cruiser, or sports position. This will affect your steering and control with your bike, and help prevent a strain or injury when riding. You’ll be able to respond faster on the road and maintain balance of your bike. Relax your torso in an upright position and with your controls in an easy reach. Hold the bike with your thighs and knees to maintain control of it while you’re seated, and shift your body weight as you take corners. Don’t squeeze on the frame with your knees too hard or grab the handlebars too tight, you don’t want to be tense, but relaxed and comfortable.
4. Keep Practicing
As a beginner biker, don’t forget the basics and keep practicing shifting gears, cornering, and maintaining balance on your motorcycle. Follow up on what beginner riders need to know about defensive driving and eliminate distractions as you ride to stay focused. When you first start out, plan your route and go for casual rides at slower speeds in residential areas and country backroads before working your way up to long-distance journeys, busy highways, and commuting alongside traffic in cities. Try riding sessions during the day and night, and in different weather conditions, but avoid going out in heavy rain when you’ll have lower visibility and less traction with your motorcycle on the road. Always follow laws and signs on the road, like lanes designated specifically for motorcyclists, know how to adapt when you ride to open joints on bridges, and prepare another route in the event of road closures.
5. Join a Biking Community
Joining a motorcycle community is a great way to support the biking lifestyle, remind you how great it is to be a bike owner, and encourage you to keep riding. You’ll learn skills and naturally get better at riding with the help of experienced bikers. Veteran riders can provide greater insight on specific motorcycle models and knowledge for motorcycle maintenance. It’s an opportunity to plan fun group rides, check out more social events, and support community causes.
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Get the basics down with your motorcycle, get comfortable with your riding stance while wearing protective gear, and keep practicing. You’ll discover the rewards of motorcycling like power, speed, and the freedom of the road the more you ride. When you’re ready to purchase a motorcycle, see all the new and pre-owned listings on the nation’s largest online marketplace at CycleTrader.com.
Ryan Miller
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