Learning to Ride a Motorcycle
The prospect of learning to ride a motorcycle can be a bit intimidating to some beginners, while others find the initial thrill more than enough compensation for whatever anxiety they face. Motorcycles are fun, but they require some extra safety precautions and a different set of skills than driving a car. To be safe, you’ll need to get educated on the rules of the road from the perspective of a rider and understand how to operate the controls.
At MOMS Foxboro, we want our customers to be able to enjoy riding motorcycles while staying safe. It’s the first obstacle to overcome as a new rider, since you need to actually get out there and ride to practice. Whether you’re just starting or need a refresher, you might found this short guide helpful for improving your riding skills. Read on for more information or head into our showroom in Foxboro, Massachusetts, where we proudly serve Brockton, Pawtucket, and Milford.
Take a Class
There’s no better place to start your motorcycle training than with a certified course. You’ll be able to learn from the pros who know what to teach and how to teach it. While some might think that riding a motorcycle might be similar enough to a bicycle that they don’t need any extra training, those with a bit more experience can tell you how wrong that is. There are more intricacies involved that you’re better off learning before you hop on a motorcycle. Fortunately for you, there is no shortage of available training programs for this very reason.
Another great benefit of a riding course is that they’ll have motorcycles available for you to practice on, meaning you don’t have to purchase a bike yourself while you’re just learning the basics. This gives you an opportunity to see if motorcycle riding really is something you’re suited for, or if the reality of two-wheel commuting just isn’t for you.
A course will teach essential techniques involving the throttle, clutch, brake control, and much more. You might even be able to find a program in your area that offers different classes based on your skill level such as beginner, intermediate, and advanced. The moral of the story is you’ll reap the benefits by taking a motorcycle class so don’t skip out, especially if you’re a first-time rider.
Get the Right Gear
Motorclothes aren’t just for looking cool while on a motorcycle — they also serve important functions, from keeping you safe to plain old comfort. Whenever you ride, you should be wearing a helmet to protect against head injuries. Other parts of your body require protection too. Exposed skin is just asking for some road rash should you take a spill, which is why a heavy riding jacket and pants are often recommended.
Riding boots and gloves are useful for staying comfortable. Gloves keep your hands from getting too sweaty from heat or numb from cold, and boots block excessive heat from the engine. Sturdy boots are also extremely helpful when lifting off your bike from its stand, and you’ll most definitely want that should you need to right your bike on the road. Many riders also use hearing protection because the sound of your engine roaring combined with the whipping wind, it can get pretty loud out there. The more protection, the better and safer you’ll be out there.
Practice Makes Perfect
No one should expect to be great at a new activity right away. Whether you’re an aspiring musician, football player, or motorcycle rider, the more you practice, the better you get. After completing a riding classes, you can move on to practicing on your own. Keep in mind that your first solo ride probably won’t be perfect or even smooth. Don’t worry about it! Find an empty parking lot and get going. You should practice your stopping by squeezing the brakes with a little more force each time until you are familiar with maximum braking. It might take some time to get used to the front brake contributing more to a fast stop than the rear brake does.
Perform Regular Maintenance
Learning to ride is just the beginning of your journey, and soon you’ll need to get used to performing regular maintenance on your bike. It’s much more important to ensure your bike’s components are in good repair, since the consequences of their malfunction could lead to a serious accident.
Always perform a pre-ride inspection before heading out on your motorcycle. Pay special attention to the tire tread and air pressure, chain lubrication, oil and fuel levels, brake and turn signal lights, and so on. If you notice anything that seems off but you’re not quite sure how to handle it, bring it in for service. It’s better to be safe than sorry and have something go wrong while you’re out riding.
We hope a few of these ideas gets you started on the path to learning to ride a motorcycle. It can certainly be intimidating for some beginners, but don’t give up! With the right techniques, tips, and maybe a course or two, you’re sure to get to where you want to be. If you still have questions about learning to ride, or you’re just eager to check out some great new and used motorcycles, head into MOMS Foxboro where we proudly serve Brockton, Pawtucket, and Milford, Massachusetts. Come by today and speak with our team of courteous professionals who’ll answer your questions and help you find what you’re looking for.