Beginner Riding Tips
Beginner riders are at the start of their motorcycle adventure! The open road awaits you and we're willing to bet you're just aching to conquer it. But it's important to stay safe alongside having fun with your motorcycle. You need to be equipped with the proper knowledge, skills, and gear before you can live your dream motorcycle lifestyle. We've rounded up our favorite tips for beginner riders below. If you have any questions or want to look at motorcycles for sale, visit Cycles of Jacksonville. We proudly serve those in Jacksonville, Orlando, and St. Augustine, Florida.
Take a Class
Investing in a class is one of the smartest moves you can make as a new rider. You'll get expert tips from someone who has ridden motorcycles for many years and can teach you tricks of the trade. At the same time, you'll be surrounded by other beginner riders and enjoy the sense of solidarity that comes along with that. Who knows, you may even find your next riding buddy there!
Most classes for beginner riders provide loaner motorcycles, so it's not a problem if you don't own a motorcycle yet. Throughout the course, you'll learn all the basics, such as using the throttle and the clutch.
Once you've mastered the basics, you can go on to higher level classes. Many places offer intermediate and advanced courses to help you improve your skills even more.
Find Your Gear
Beginner riders need plenty of safety gear. After all, learning how to ride motorcycles is a process filled with falls, scrapes, and road bumps. You'll be more comfortable and safer when these happen if you're wearing the proper safety gear.
The most important gear purchase you'll make is your helmet. Make sure it's crash tested and well-fitting (otherwise you won't be getting all the protection you need). Next, you'll want to guard your skin against the elements and hazards on the road. Your riding jacket and riding pants should be full-length and durable. Breathable fabrics with ventilation help you stay cool and safe on hot days. Lastly, you'll want some form of hearing protection. Riding motorcycles over 40 miles per hour can give you permanent hearing damage. Simply throw on a pair of disposable earplugs or reusable wax balls to protect your hearing.
Practice
You need the knowledge of proper riding technique and the right gear to safely ride motorcycles, but that alone isn't enough to prepare you for the open road. You will need to spend time practicing those techniques in a safe, controlled environment first. After all, knowing what to do is one thing. Being able to put it into action is another. Beginner riders need time to develop muscle memory and to feel confident operating their motorcycles.
Spend some time practicing all your basics. Look for empty parking lots or low-traffic residential roads. Start at slow speeds and slowly build up your speed as your skills develop. Before you know it, you won't be a beginning rider anymore!
Maintain Your Motorcycle
All motorcycles require regular maintenance. Check your fluid levels and top them off when they are low. Regularly measure your tire pressure and tread to ensure it's compliant with the owner's manual. Test your motorcycle's lights, brakes, and other parts to check that they operate as normal. If you notice issues, bring it in to get serviced.
We hope you found these tips helpful! If you have any questions, you can always swing by to chat with the friendly staff at Cycles of Jacksonville. We proudly serve those in Jacksonville, Orlando, and St. Augustine, Florida. Stop by today!