Tips for First-Time Motorcycle Owners

When you first become a motorcycle owner, you encounter a steep learning curve. There are so many new skills to gain and new experiences to explore! At first, it may be overwhelming. That's why we gathered up our favorite tips for new riders below.

Take a Class

Start by taking a beginner's motorcycle class. Here you'll get access to a teacher that's an experienced rider. They can explain proper techniques, answer your questions, and offer corrections to stop bad habits in their tracks. After all, it's much easier to correct mistakes in the beginning rather than try to unlearn ingrained habits years down the road. During the class, you'll learn the basics for safe riding. You may even find a riding buddy!

If you don't own a motorcycle yet, that's okay. Many beginner's courses own starter bikes that they can lend you. Some riders find they thrive in the class setting and end up taking intermediate and advanced courses down the road.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Once you learn the basics of riding, you will need to practice them. It's like learning any new skill - you'll need to devote time to repeating the steps until they become a habit.

Start slow. Seek out an empty parking lot or low-traffic residential neighborhood. Practice accelerating, turning, and braking. Once you build up your skills and comfort level, you can head out on higher-traffic residential roads and eventually the highway.

Don't Have a Passenger Yet

Once you feel confident riding your motorcycle, it's natural to want to share this new hobby with friends or a partner. But don't take on a passenger just yet. You need more time to build up your experience level before you can safely handle another person on your motorcycle. Remember that the extra weight of a second passenger will affect how your motorcycle handles and beginners usually aren't quite ready for safely riding two-up just yet.