Tips for First-Time Motorcycle Owners
New bike owners have a lot to learn because riding a motorcycle requires gaining new skills and going through new experiences. If you don’t have some guidance, it can feel overwhelming at first. As the leading motorcycle dealer near Tampa and Orlando, FL, Sky Powersports Lakeland is here to help you out! We’ve rounded up some of our favorite tips for first-time riders below. For more help or if you’re looking for motorcycles for sale in Lakeland, FL, contact our sales team to check out our vast inventory!
1. Take a Class
Before you ride your bike for real, you should take some classes. A beginner's motorcycle class will give you 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.
It’s a good idea to take a riding class even before you buy a motorcycle. Many beginner's courses own starter bikes that they can lend you. Riding different types of motorcycles might even help you determine which one is best for you! Some riders find they thrive in the class setting and end up taking intermediate and advanced courses down the road. During the class, you'll learn the basics of safe riding. You may even find a riding buddy!
2. Put in the Practice
Once you’ve learned all the basics, it’s time to polish your new skills!. As with any other new activity you take on, 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.
3. No Passenger Yet
When you start to feel confident about your motorcycle riding skills, you might want to take a friend or family member along on a ride. 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.
4. Drive Defensively
Once you start riding your motorcycle on the roads, try to practice defensive driving. Remember that you are surrounded by other motorists who might not be paying attention to the road as much as they should. People drive drowsy, drive impaired, text and drive, eat and drive, and so on.
Make sure there’s plenty of room between yourself and other motorists. If someone suddenly slams on their brakes or cuts into your lane, you'll have the time and space needed to react to keep you from a collision.
Be cautious anytime you turn or change lanes. Put your signal on well in advance and check multiple times before changing lines to ensure you've been seen by the other motorists. Be extra cautious around large trucks since they have a bigger blind spot.
5. Keep Up with Motorcycle Maintenance
One important step new motorcycle owners miss out on is regular maintenance. This keeps your motorcycle running well and helps it stay out of the mechanic's shop. Check your owner's manual for information on the specific types of maintenance tasks and how often you should do them.
You'll also want to do a pre-ride inspection before you hit the road. Look over the various parts of your motorcycle, such as the tires and the lights, to ensure everything is in working order. If you notice anything odd, bring your motorcycle to our service department.
We hope these tips help you and your motorcycle enjoy many fun rides together! For more information or if you’re looking for motorcycles for sale near Tampa or Orlando, FL, contact Sky Powersports Lakeland and have a chat with one of our friendly staff members! We’re proud to be the preferred motorcycle dealer in Lakeland, FL!