6. Choose your companions carefully. You don’t have to ride alone, in fact riding is often a social activity. Just remember to pick your riding pack carefully. You should be riding with someone who takes the fact that you are at a beginner’s level seriously and isn’t daring you to ride beyond your limits. Riding with others can help to improve your skills, if they are responsible and experienced. Your friends should be able to understand that you are still learning and may be a little more hesitant when it comes to corners and overall speed. If your companions are pushing you to go out of your comfort zone, you’d be better off riding alone. Also, we know you may want to show off your skills, but avoid riding with a passenger until you have ample experience under your belt. The added weight distribution can be difficult to maneuver, and trust us, you won’t look cool if you crash.

7. Conduct a pre-ride inspection. Your bike should be completely ready to go before you hop on. In a car you can adjust certain things while driving like your mirrors, but on a motorcycle that’s all a part of the pre-ride inspection. Remember to check your chain, belt, or drive shaft before your ride depending on the type of bike you have. You should also make sure your oil, coolant, and any other fluids are not leaking. Be sure to inspect your front forks for fluid leakage as well. If anything is leaking you should bring your bike to a trusted mechanic. Make sure that all of your lights, horn, and brakes are working properly before you ride. Remember to check your tire pressures as well. Things like dimmed lights, improper brakes, and under or over inflated tires can directly effect your safety on the road. Proper and routine motorcycle maintenance can reduce your risk of an accident.

8. Consider yourself invisible. This is probably one of the best mindsets a rider can have in order to avoid an accident. Even if you make direct eye contact with another driver never assume they actually saw you or will continue to look out for you after that split second. Help other drivers to see you by avoiding all black bikes and black gear. Wear high visibility colors that will reflect off headlights, making you noticeable to other motorists night and day. Even when you have the right of way, don’t assume other vehicles have seen you, watch your surroundings with every move. One of the best things you can learn as a rider is to depend on yourself. Always keep an extra eye out for other drivers and use the advantages of your bike to maneuver yourself out of their way and into a safe zone.

9. Be a defensive rider. If you depend on other drivers to ensure your safety, you’re just an accident waiting to happen. You already know you’re mostly invisible to other motorists, so that means your safety is in your own hands. Motorcyclists know that every distraction could easily result in an accident, and in the age of cell phones and texting, drivers are more distracted than ever. Look out for cars quickly changing lanes and pulling onto streets where it is more likely they might not see you. Remember to keep a safe distance, never tailgate, and always have an exit strategy. You need proper room to react to the car and the road. Don’t forget that things like pot holes and sewer drains may be fine in a car but can easily crash your bike. On a bike you need to be aware of your surroundings at all times. Be attentive, because any sort of distraction can result in a collision. Remember on a motorcycle the only thing you can truly control is how you ride.

10. Watch for the weather. Once you start getting the hang of basic riding, remember that hazards increase with the weather. You will inevitably get caught in the rain at some point, and when you do you need to be prepared. Just follow our helpful guide to finding the perfect motorcycle rain jacket in order to keep you safe and dry no matter what weather comes your way. Rain will make the roads slippery which effects the grip of your tires, and don’t forget how hard it can be to see. You should ride slower and be more gentle on your brakes to reduce sliding on wet pavement. High winds can push you from side to side so be aware of your weight distribution and carry a windbreaker. All weather patterns come with added concerns on the road. When you are on a bike you are directly exposed, so wear proper protective gear, slow down, and ride safe. When in doubt pull off and wait for the storm to pass.

We hope our guide has inspired you to ride safely and responsibly so that you become a rider for life. Don’t forget to check out Part 1 of Beginner’s Guide to Ride for more tips on starting a life on two wheels.

If you require additional help finding proper protective gear for night, day, or any risky weather patterns, just give us a call! Our expert sales team is here for you by phone 10AM-6PM ET M-F 1-866-931-6644 or email at support@ridersdiscount.com.

May brings us flowers, new riders, and hopefully a new dedication to safety for every motorcyclist. May has been designated Motorcycle Safety Awareness month, so we want to remind you to ride responsibly on every ride. Be a rider for life by riding defensively. Every step you take for a safe ride will keep you on the road and out of harms way.

The post Beginner’s Guide to Ride: Part 2 appeared first on Riders Discount.

1. Get an endorsement. We want you to ride safe and ride smart, which means that you need a proper license to ride legally. The statistics alone should be reason enough, because they show that unlicensed riders are far more likely to be involved in a crash. Take a beginner’s course from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation which includes classroom and field training. It not only helps you to pass the license exam but teaches you how to be safe and responsible for a lifetime of riding. Motorcycling can be the best time of your life and trust us, we want you to have a good time, but two wheels should be taken seriously. Learn to ride safely, legally, and always be sober. If taken seriously, you can improve your riding skills with every ride, keeping you alive and on the road for years to come.

2. Pick a bike. So you’ve had your eye on a bike for years? It’s your dream bike that you just have to have. Hold up. Not so fast there newbie. Beginner riding is difficult and you don’t want to destroy the bike you’ve been dreaming about for years right out of the garage. Your best bet is to buy a smaller, inexpensive motorcycle for learning to ride. Odds are that since you’re still getting use to proper weight distribution, you will drop your bike a few times and that’s going to hurt your heart and your wallet, so make it easier on yourself and start with something practical that doesn’t exceed 500cc. Buy your dream bike a few years down the road when you’ve gained some experience and perspective on what exactly you want from your motorcycle. Plus, you’re dream bike could change during the time you’re learning to ride.

3. Gear up. We know riding is a blast, but remember that part of that thrill comes from it being dangerous. Every time you rev up that engine there is the risk of an accident on that ride. None of us like to think about it, and you may be the most careful rider there ever was, but you still need proper gear. You should wear motorcycle specific gloves and boots as well as a helmet, jacket, and pants on every ride. You should also pack additional rain gear on your bike for when the skies turn gray, just follow our guide to finding the best motorcycle rain jacket. Remember that all your gear needs to be motorcycle specific in order to properly protect you and withstand the harsh elements of the road.

4. Get to know your machine. Download or purchase a service manual. Then take the time to learn and understand the mechanics of a motorcycle. Not only will this help you tweak, fix, and maintain your bike down the road, but it also helps you to understand how to control the complex machine revving between your legs. You should make it a routine to do regular bike inspections, like checking your tire pressure, oil, and chain. Get to know the mechanics of your machine as well as its habits on the open road. The only way to become a better motorcyclist is experience, so continue to ride and study the specifics of your bike.

5. Continue to learn. Just because you took a course, got your license, and gained some experience doesn’t mean you’re an expert. It takes time to adapt to heavy traffic, changing road conditions, and weather. Even when you do reach that expert level, you should continue to view riding as an ongoing learning process. Learning to lean and turn properly is all a part of that process and with continued practice you’ll learn to master those skills. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is thinking there is nothing left to learn. You should have confidence on your bike, but never forget how dangerous riding can be, and how exposed you are on the road. No matter how many years you get under your belt, an accident can happen at any time. You can’t control other cars, road conditions, or traffic, but you can control how you ride, so ride safely and responsibly. It’s not just continuing to learn how to ride, but learning more about your bike in general. Eventually you should know the ins and outs of your bike’s specifics in riding and maintenance.

Last, but certainly not least, we’d like to welcome all new riders to the motorcycling community. We’re glad to have you and hope you grow to love it just as much as we do—if possible!

Concerned about choosing your very first gear? Just give us a call! Our expert sales team is here to ease your every worry by helping you pick the best beginner motorcycle gear. Just give us a call M-F 10AM-6PM ET at 1-866-931-6644 or send us a message at support@ridersdiscount.com.

Don’t forget to check back next week for Part 2 of Riders Discount’s Beginner’s Guide to Ride!

The post Beginner’s Guide to Ride: Part 1 appeared first on Riders Discount.