Safety should always be a major concern especially for motorcycle riders. Thinking about getting on a motorcycle for the first time? Maybe you always had a fantasy where you are riding down the road with the wind in your face? It’s never too late to make that dream come true, but a beginning motorcycle rider should take some precautions and take the time to learn about their new hobby first. Here are some tips for the beginning motorcycle rider, to stay safe and have fun at the same time:

Picking a motorcycle

It’s crucial to select the right motorcycle for your needs and desires. Do you want a motorcycle built for speed or maybe you just want a motorcycle that allows you to cruise down the road at your leisure? Maybe you just want to save money on gas and get from point A to point B quickly? It’s important to decide exactly what you want out of the experience and then research different makes and models for your purposes. It may also be helpful to visit local dealers and ask them for recommendations for bikes.

Lessons

So you’ve driven a car for 30 years, does that mean you can jump on a bike for the first time, instantly know what you’re doing and be a safe motorcyclist? Highly unlikely. If you have never ridden a bike before, it’s essential to take a motorcycle safety course. Taking a course can drastically reduce the chances of having an accident on your bike. It’s certainly worth the time and money to invest in taking a safety course for everyone who may ride your bike. You may also consider getting a book to help you brush up on basic motorcycle safety and riding rules.

Practice

Once you have learned the basics of motorcycle safety, it’s important to practice riding first. Whether in your driveway, down a little used street or alleyway, try to practice steering the bike, leaning, using turn signals, the brakes, using the mirrors, stopping and any other controls. Honk the horn a few times. Sit on the bike a while and get comfortable before turning the key. On your first ride, be cautious as you may be prone to falling. Whether or not you choose to learn motorcycle safety, take a course or learn from a book or instructor, putting some time into getting familiar with your bike and practicing basic procedures is a smart thing to do.

Safety equipment

Choosing the right safety equipment and accessories is also essential. A helmet should be your first priority. A good helmet will be comfortable but still protect your head in an accident. For first time riders, also consider extra padding, including padding for the knees. Goggles are also important, a good pair of goggles are important for glare reduction, protection of your eyes in all weather situations and for protection from flying debris like pebbles, rocks, dirt and bugs. Other accessories should include gloves and a jacket.

There are some motorcycle parts that are prone to require constant upkeep and a few minor adjustments here and there. If your ride feels uncomfortable, it could be a question of your riding style in combination with other things. However, it could just be your chains and sprockets. Your brand of brake pads could be the problem.

Typically, a motorcycle’s brake pads come as one of two different types, either GG or GG. This is directly related to the friction co-efficiency of all your brake components. HH differs from GG in that it has more stopping power under a given force. However, that does not make GG less valuable than the HH. The types of brake pads you get is really a matter of riding style along with your balance and posture.

Some riders however, feel that HH pads wear down the brake rotors more quickly and that they tend to be a little “grabby.” This is definitely because bikes are a lighter weight machine. An important mistake not to make is to fit GG pads on the front of your bike while installing HH brake pads on the back of your bike. On the other hand, a lot of motorcycle drivers find that having HH brake pads on the front of your bike and GG pads on the back, make for a very comfortable ride. Keep in mind that newer sports bikes should exclusively use HH brake pads. Always refer to the company manual.

Unfortunately, when it comes to chains and sprockets there is a lot of false information floating around. Sometimes even manufacturers supply you with misleading information, so be careful. The famous question that all bike riders ask, does an X-ring last longer than an O-ring? Or which one is better? In all reality, it all depends on your riding style. How much you use your vehicle and your weight also plays a role. If you lubricate your chains correctly and for every specific weather condition, you should be in good shape with either.