So, you’ve finally decided to join the ranks of the millions of motorcycle owners. Whether Hell’s Angels are your idols, you love the speed and thrill, or you’re bad to the bone, you need to make sure you know how to enjoy and maintain your new motorcycle. Our helpful tips will show you what you need to keep in mind.
Safety First
As with any vehicle you drive, safety should always come first. You should make sure you’ve taken classes or done training on proper bike riding techniques before you even think about hitting the road. In addition, as cool as the aesthetic of all-black biking gear on a sleek bike at night might be, it’s not safe.
If you intend on biking at night, wear high-visibility gear so that other motorists can see you. In addition, make sure you wear not only a helmet but full arm and leg coverings as well. You don’t want to see what happens to your skin in a high-speed collision with the road.
Regular Maintenance Is Key to Keeping Your New Motorcycle
The link between those who don’t maintain their bikes and those who don’t keep riding motorcycles for years is clear. Motorcycles require as much maintenance, if not more, than a car. Some common new bike maintenance tips include:
- Wash your bike regularly to keep dirt out of key components
- Regularly test the performance of all your bike’s parts
- Keep some oil on hand to lubricate any rough patches in the system
If you follow these tips, you’ll be able to avoid an expensive mechanic bill down the line.
Don’t Buy More Bike Than You Can Handle
This falls under the category of safety, but new motorcycle riders should not opt for the fastest, highest-powered road hog they can afford. If you’re not used to riding a motorcycle, it’s very easy for you to lose control of the vehicle and crash into something. Start small, then work your way up as your skill improves.
Not to mention, larger bikes are often incredibly heavy. Now, imagine your bike quits on you on the side of the road, and you have to push your enormous hog all the way to the nearest gas station, which is miles from the site of the breakdown. Suddenly, that huge bike isn’t as appealing.
Stay Alert and Vigilant
Every motorist should have a heightened sense of awareness when driving. This holds especially true for motorcycle riders, as you have little protection against the elements and forces involved in the event of a crash. The end results of motorcycle-to-car or motorcycle-to-truck collisions are not pretty for the bike rider. Maintaining situational awareness is key to not becoming a death statistic.
Let’s Review
Getting a new motorcycle for the first time is an exciting experience! All you need to do is take your safety and your bike’s condition seriously, and you’ll do well. If you’d like for more of the latest bike news, check out our blog for more content like this!
