Top 5 Pieces of Advice for New Riders from Seasoned Riders
There’s a lot of good advice to be said when it comes to new motorcycle riders. Everyone has their own opinions, and their own experiences. Despite there being such a multitude of advice to be given, we asked our Facebook followers to give us their number one for new riders. We managed to narrow it down to these 5 golden rules.
1. Rubber side down, shiny side up.
Out of all the advice that floats around in the motorcycle world, this piece probably takes the cake for being the most important one. To translate it more simply- keep the bike right side up.
2. Dress for the slide, not the ride.
Have you ever heard the saying “There’s two types of riders- those who have fallen and those who will?” It’s a popular phrase for a reason, with that reason being that all riders will eventually fall. Dressing in appropriate riding gear is essential in protecting yourself from injury when it does happen.
3. Don’t trust cagers.
If you think a car is trying to kill you, they are. Drivers can be unpredictable. They don’t always pay attention to the road the same way riders do. By staying on guard and driving like you’re invisible, you have a better chance of protecting yourself.
4. Always do a pre-ride safety check.
This may seem like a tedious thing to do every time you ride. However, this piece of advice could ultimately save your life one day. It’s important to always check things like your tire pressure, the fork seal, your gas level, and your chain- just to name a few. By spending just a minute or two before you ride, it can make the difference between you being right side up or right side down.
5. Take a motorcycle safety course.
You can get all of the advice you want from all of your friends and family. However, there’s no better way to learn real advice than by taking a motorcycle safety course. The class is taught by trained professionals who are there to teach you proper safety techniques. The class is offered at most motorcycle dealerships, and can really give you the tools and advice you need to be a safe rider.
Remember- Shiny side up, rubber side down!
There are old riders and there are bold riders but there are no old bold riders.
I tell all the Newbies I meet, To ride like you are invisible and you might live
The price of your life is constant vigilence. We ride for the thrill but you have to believe constantly that no cager can see you. Everytime I approach another vehicle, I watch their eyes. Rapid head movements when they approach a stop sign means they don’t see me.