Must-Have Winter Gear for Motorcycle Riders Reading Is Riding a Motorcycle Hard? 4 Tips for Beginners 5 minutes Next Get ready for the new motorcycle riding season
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Riding a motorcycle isn’t as hard as most people think. It’s on par with learning how to ride a bike, except you’re using an engine instead of pedaling your feet to get where you’re going. If you already know your way around a bike, you’re already halfway there. And you can still learn to ride a motorcycle fairly easily even if you’ve never touched a bicycle in your life. Use these tips to get off on the right foot.
What to Know About Riding a Motorcycle
Riding a motorcycle is considered safe when you use the proper gear. You generally need to be at least 16 years old to start riding. You will need to get a riding license and learner’s permit even if you already have a valid driver’s license. Contact your local state office of motor vehicles to learn more.
1. Use the Proper Safety Gear
You will need to have all the proper safety gear to ride a motorcycle. There are no seatbelts or airbags to support you in case of an accident. Protect your skin by covering up with durable layers, including thick pants, boots, gloves and a long-sleeve jacket. Wear a full-face helmet or half-face helmet with goggles to protect your head and face. Find a helmet that fits the exact shape and size of your head by trying it on in the store. You can also measure the circumference of your head using a soft measuring tape when ordering a helmet online. Consider adding pads on your knees and elbows to make it easier on your body. You’re bound to fall at least once and wearing additional protection will help you get back on your feet as soon as possible.
Use a Helmet Bluetooth Communicator to Stay Connected on the Road
2. Take a Beginner’s Course
Consider taking a motorcycle training course in your community to learn the basics from a trained professional before you hit the road. Most courses offer around 15 hours of training, including five hours of classroom learning and 10 hours of actual driving time. You will feel much more confident when you finally take off on your own. You can also pair up with a more experienced driver and try out a few moves in an empty parking lot.
3. Stay Connected While Riding
We are all used to using our phones and other mobile devices pretty much every second of the day. You may be tempted to look down at your phone or check the map on the GPS while riding, but it’s never a good idea to take your eyes off the road. Use a helmet Bluetooth communicator to stay connected to your phone and GPS while riding. The device clips onto your helmet without blocking your view. Just speak into the device to access your device hands-free.
You can also use your motorcycle Bluetooth headset to keep in touch with your instructor or fellow riders. The device works like a radio, connecting you to 15 other riders at a time. They can talk you through the experience as you learn to navigate the controls in real time.
Shop for a Bluetooth Motorcycle Headset from Cardo
4. Trust the Lean
Mastering the art of turning on a motorcycle can be one of the hardest parts of learning how to ride. Twisting the handlebars won’t be enough to turn your bike at high speeds. You’ll need to use your body weight to turn the bike in the direction you want to go. This involves leaning your weight to one side. This can be unnerving for some riders as the fear of falling starts to set in, but the truth is that your bike can lean much farther than you may realize. Leaning far to one side is the only way to turn at high speeds. Try setting up a long stretch of road that curves to one side. Drive around the outside of the curve and give yourself plenty of time to get into the lean. Avoid making any sudden movements to avoid losing your balance.
Learning how to ride a motorcycle can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. You will gain your freedom in more ways than one. Keep these tips in mind to make the most of your first time out on the road.
