Five Things Every New Rider Needs To Know...

 

 

 

Getting Started
by Michael Murray

There's the guy who suddenly realizes that all his friends are going on a weekend motorcycle trip and he's the one missing out because he doesn't ride.

There's the woman who has been a passenger for years and wants to ride her own ride.

There's the middle-aged guy who sees a kid on a dirt-bike, remembers the happy riding days of his own youth, and suddenly can't recall why he ever stopped riding.

Or the young woman who spots the sleek new sport-bike in the display window and suddenly decides, with absolute certainty but with no warning, that she simply must have it and learn to ride it

As many different ways as there are to get into motorcycling, there are a few common experiences everyone has...

 

You face a bewildering variety of choices. You need advice, but you find that even the best-intentioned advice from experienced riders is sometimes contradictory.

 

See a motorcycle term you don't understand? While you're still learning the motorcycle lingo, it might help to refer to my glossary of motorcycle terms.

To help you get into first gear, here's some basic advice.

 

Five things every new rider needs to know:

 

1. Do it right: Get licensed. Be legal. Be smart.

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The statistics show that unlicensed riders are more likely to be involved in a crash. Does a motorcycle endorsement on the piece of plastic in your wallet make your riding skills sharper? Of course not.

The real reason licensed riders are less likely to crash is because of their attitude, not their drivers license status. Riders who take motorcycling seriously, ride legally, ride sober, and try to continuously improve their riding skills are more likely to have long and happy riding careers. It's all about attitude.

Check-out the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) website to find a "Rider Safety Course in your area

 

2. You need training, but your best friend probably isn't your best teacher.

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Often, it's easier to learn from a professionally trained stranger than from even the best-intentioned friend or relative.

Want to ride off-road? The MSF has a course designed to help you with that, too. Visit the MSF website for more info.

Even if you never stray from the pavement, having experience in a low-traction environment will improve your skills and make you a better rider. Some of the world's best riders on asphalt got started in the dirt.

Fortunately, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation offers a course specifically designed to take you from zero riding experience to a licensed motorcyclist in one weekend. Read the Basic Rider Course handbook at the MSF website to study up in advance.

In many states, passing the MSF course automatically makes you eligible for a motorcycle endorsement on your drivers license. No more tests to take. Also, many insurance companies offer discounts if you've passed the course.

The downside is that these courses are very popular and fill up early. It's best to check with your state program around the beginning of the year and reserve a spot as soon as possible.

But don't stop with the beginning rider course. Make a commitment to lifelong learning. You can go on to take the MSF's Experienced Rider Course, and there's a wide range of schools that provide advanced training on the road, on the race track or in the dirt.

Also, there's one other benefit of taking an MSF course before you plunge head first into motorcycling. Some take the class and learn that motorcycling's not for them after all. Better to learn that after dropping a few dollars on course tuition than a few thousand on a motorcycle.

 

3. Your dream bike shouldn't be your first bike.

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We understand. We experienced riders can waste hours talking about how great this bike is, or how much we'd love to own that one, or why this other one is more beautiful, more desirable, etc.

And yet, the best bike for you to start riding on is probably one that would never inspire lust. While you may be tempted to buy the bike of your dreams, you're probably best off buying a smaller, less expensive used motorcycle that's mechanically sound, even if it's an ugly duckling.

"What?" you scream. "You're sapping the fun out of my dreams!"

Here are three reasons to buy an inexpensive used bike to learn on:

You're going to drop it. And if you drop your dream bike, you're going to cry. And incur bills. Hey, it's nothing personal. All of us, especially when we were learning to ride, have dropped a motorcycle or two in our day. Take it from experience: It's easier to stomach the results when you're less emotionally (and financially) attached to the bike that's hitting the pavement.

What you think you want now may not be what you really want later. Only after you've ridden for a while will you know whether what you really love is riding across three states on a week-long tour or riding three miles to your local bike-night hangout. Buying an expensive new bike today and selling it a year from now when you realize it's not for you is the perfect way to take a big financial hit on depreciation.

You can still get your dream bike. Once you have some experience and have refined your idea of what you want in a motorcycle, you'll be better able to choose the one that's right for a long-term relationship. Plus, you can sell the cheap learner bike, probably for about what you paid for it, to another aspiring rider. Just feel the good karma spreading.

 

4. It's not just the motorcycle. You need gear.

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There's the unpleasantness of dropping your bike…. what if YOUR BODY hits the ground? Will you be prepared?

Although I don't whole-heartedly agree with the mandatory helmet laws, I do STRONGLY encourage voluntary helmet use. Even some states that don't require helmets for adult riders may require them for riders with less than a year of experience.

 

ALL GEAR, ALL THE TIME!

 

A HELMET and MOTORCYCLE GLOVES are a good start, but also consider MOTORCYCLE BOOTS, AND a MOTORCYCLE JACKET and PANTS specifically made for riding. Gearing up right doesn't have to be expensive. While you should always buy a NEW helmet because crash damage to the interior can often be undetectable to anyone but an expert, gently used riding pants, boots, gloves and a jacket are usually fine. Most retailers and online mail-order houses also frequently discount non-current styles.

Rain gear made specifically for motorcycling is inexpensive and will keep you comfortable and safer when the weather turns foul. Most ordinary rain-gear will likely be destroyed from the wind when riding a motorcycle for any length of time.

 

5. You don't have to ride alone.

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Of course you can, if you want, but for most people, motorcycling is a social activity, at least part of the time. Meeting other riders will introduce you to a level of camaraderie that's uncommon these days. Riding with responsible, experienced riders can help you improve your own skills. And, above all that, it's fun. For new riders, take your time riding solo for a while until you are comfortable and confident on your new motorcycle - and if you ride with a friend or in a group who may be more experienced, always, always, always, RIDE YOUR OWN RIDE - meaning, no matter the other riders level of experience, ride at your own pace, and your own speed. Your life depends on it.

(excerpts from the American Motorcycle Association)

 

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Ride on!

—Michael Murray
Owner | Rider | Enthiusiast

michael@motorcycletraveldvds.com

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