10 Important Tips for Beginner Motorcyclists

We often forget or even don't know about some things to expect during our first motorcycle rides. What will be discussed?

Since we live in the Internet age, you can find many articles and forum posts online about what to expect from your first ride. There are many good tips and many less valuable ones, but often we can't find among them several important topics. Here are some of them. You can add your comments below.

Learn about Your Motorcycle's Capabilities

This is one of the most important issues. Almost every motorcycle, even beginner models, can easily leave most cars behind. The thing is, 99 percent of motorcyclists starting their adventure want to explore these capabilities.

I've seen many times guys standing at a traffic light in front of a sports car, which immediately made the driver prove that his car is the fastest. The driver must overtake the motorcyclist within three seconds after the light turns green.

Not knowing your motorcycle, its speed, acceleration, and limitations, any such ride can end tragically.

Motorcycling is Not for Idiots

Each motorcycle model has its own Bible called the user manual. It is usually referred to when a problem arises or a question about replacing parts or consumables arises. Here's my advice. Read the owner's manual for your motorcycle, and it's best to do it several times. It's a real treasure trove of knowledge, including potential issues and solutions and how to fix them.

Do you know how to turn on and off the lights on your motorcycle? Do you remember what the tire pressure should be? Do you know what the symbols on the clock or display mean, do you know the functions of all the switches? This is not secret knowledge, and it's worth having all the information not only in the user manual but, first of all, in your head.

Throttle Is Very Sensitive

You've probably seen videos on YouTube where a novice motorcyclist grabs the twisted throttle and crashes into a fence, tree, or something else. Do you think this only happens to beginners? No. A small engine with a small flywheel responds to throttle control much more strongly than a larger engine.

Lack of experience means that you, as a beginner, will often "overfill." In some situations, you may even lose control of the motorcycle. Throttle control requires practice, so don't go crazy and know that it's a complex art.

Gear Shifting Can be Tricky

For the same reasons, gear shifting at first is not very smooth, and the most common problem is shifting too early or too late. I'm not even talking about engine braking but about smooth riding in the city. Also, remember that if you release the clutch in motion and your handlebar is already unscrewed, the engine will not stop, but the motorcycle will jerk like crazy, crashing into everything and everyone in its path.

Clutch operation on sports motorcycles is very different. So, if you have experience on a motorcycle with different characteristics, be sure to take it into account and approach the clutch with special caution.

Right Gear for the Right Speed

This is often overlooked, but not by chance does the manufacturer specify speed ranges for each gear in the manual. On the road, it's best to stick to what the manufacturer has provided for this model. This needs to be practiced because if you rely solely on instinct, you can overload the engine unnecessarily. You will be punished at the pump, paying more for fuel.

Faster Riding Makes the Motorcycle More Stable

During the route, you endlessly performed figure eights, rode up the mountain, and parked. But you should also know that faster riding makes two-wheeled transport more stable.

The thing is, the motorcycle doesn't fall, which is responsible for centrifugal force. And that's a good thing because many drivers have been saved thanks to simple laws of physics.

Countersteering Yes, but Not at Low Speeds

One of the most important skills is a technique that doesn't work at parking speeds. You simply don't have the right impulse to turn. In practice, every driver experiences this phenomenon, but the difference is how conscious it is. When steering, we rely solely on the steering wheel's work, and at the beginning, knowing about it is enough.

Learn to Stop

In a car, you just press the brake and stop. On a motorcycle, you have two wheels and two independent systems. Also, when the stopping process is complete, you must pull your leg out and put it on the ground so the motorcycle doesn't tip over. In the category A course, we learn to use the front and rear brakes along with clutch and throttle work, but it takes time to master all four things smoothly. Dosing brake effort to the front and rear brakes and emergency stops are another issue.

Use the Entire Lane

The topic is quite controversial. Should a relatively slow motorcyclist ride on the edge of the road?

In my opinion, no. Politeness is a great feature, but in practice, I've been overtaken by car drivers many times, and a truck wheel can not only damage the mirror but also kill me.

It's better to ride in the middle of the lane. Of course, I'm not talking about when you're traveling on a highway and your scooter's speed is 45 km/h.

Get Used to Higher Engine Speeds

Motorcycles with a red field at 14,000 rpm are not special in the two-wheeled vehicle segment, but many beginners are afraid to ride at higher speeds. Remember that motorcycle engines are designed to withstand high loads for a long time.

In simpler terms, if you're not saving fuel, you don't need to be afraid of high speeds on the highway or freeway. You should also get used to it and ride a few kilometers to make sure everything is okay.