Motorcycle Riding Tips
If you're new to riding a motorcycle, welcome to the lifestyle! You've got plenty of adventures awaiting you. But first, you'll need to learn how to ride your motorcycle. We've rounded up some basic beginner's tips below. For all your motorcycle needs, visit Southeast Sales. We proudly serve those in Chicago, Illinois.
How to Brake
A crucial part of motorcycle riding is being able to control your speed through braking. It's what keeps you from barreling out of control down a hill or slamming into someone else at a red light. Most of the braking power is found in the front, but you'll still want to apply both sets of brakes at the same time. You'll want to spend some time practicing braking so that you can get a feel of how hard you can apply the brakes before they lock up.
You don't want any locking up happening when you're on the road! Practice in an empty parking lot or empty residential road until you get a good sense of how your bike handles.
How to Pass
When you're cruising around town on your motorcycle, you're going to encounter plenty of slowpokes. Don't let them slow your ride down! Passing allows you to leave them far behind so you can enjoy the thrilling ride you want. But passing can be dangerous if you don't do it right so it's important to know the right technique.
First, you'll want to make sure you can clearly see oncoming traffic. You don't want to make an attempt unless there is plenty of time and distance for you to get over before an oncoming vehicle gets close. Second, make sure you maintain enough speed to quickly get over. You want to be back in your lane as soon as you safely can, so don't hold back on the speed. Like other riding skills, build this one up first on residential roads before you attempt it on the freeway.
How to Shift Gears
If you've ever driven a car by shifting gears manually, then you are ahead of the game. Bikes require gear shifting to get around town. It's not a difficult learning experience, but it does take some dedicated time to master the tactics. The best advice we can give here is simply to practice. It may feel foreign at first, but in no time you'll be a gear shifting pro. Head out and find an empty parking lot or low-traffic residential street. Then practice changing speeds and see how it feels. The sweet spot between gears is different on different bikes, so you'll need to get used to your given model. Aim for upshifting and downshifting with consistency. Try to have as little jerking motion as possible. It'll take some time to get the feel for how you motorcycle handles, but before you know it you'll be a shift pro!
How to Steer
Odds are you won't be riding a perfectly straight road the entire trip! Steering is simple. Just angle your handlebars in the direction you hope to go. Make sure to keep the pressure there throughout the turn and keep it steady. Practice taking turns on lower speed residential roads before you start turning on the freeway. It's an easy skill to master, but it does take practice.
We hope you found these tips helpful! For all your motorcycle needs, visit Southeast Sales. Our friendly staff can help you with whatever you need. If you still need to buy your first motorcycle, check out our wide range of bikes for all budgets! We proudly serve those in Chicago, Illinois.