Motorcycle Lessons - Preparing To Ride Part 2 - Know Your Motorcycle

In this article on preparing to ride for your motorcycle lessons I will help you to know your motorcycle, select the right motorcycle for yourself and how to get familiar with your motorcycles controls.

When you are just getting started with your motorcycle lessons it is important that you really know your motorcycle. Here are a few things you should do to really get to know your motorcycle - Read your owners manual, make sure you pick the right type of motorcycle for yourself, get familiar with your motorcycle controls, check the motorcycle each time before you ride, make sure that its in safe condition between rides and stay away from modifications that make your motorcycle more difficult to handle.

Selecting the right motorcycle for yourself isnt an exact science but here are a few tips to get you on the right path. Firstly, make sure that your feet can reach the ground when you are seated on the motorcycle. Work out which type of motorcycle you prefer and whether that suits your main use of the motorcycle. Different types of motorcycles include standards, cruisers, sportsbikes, touring and sports touring bikes, dual sports bikes, sidecars & trikes or scooters. Whichever you choose make sure it atleast has a headlight, taillight and brake light, front & rear brakes, turn signals, a working horn and two mirrors.

Getting familiar with your motorcycles controls is essential to becoming a safe and responsible motorcycle rider. As very motorcycle is different in its own way you should familiarise yourself with the owners manual which is incredibly important if you are riding a borrowed or unfamiliar motorcycle. Make sure that you do all the checks that you would do on your own motorcycle, discover where everything is, including the turn signals, horn, headlight switch, fuel supply valve and engine cut off switch. Once you know where each of them are learn how to operate them without having to look for them. Get to know the gear pattern for your motorcycle as all controls react in different ways. Ride cautiously to begin with and pay close attention to your surroundings, take off gently, take turns more slowly and give yourself extra space to stop.

Stay tuned for more motorcycle lessons when I release the third part of preparing to ride your motorcycle which includes what you need to remember when you borrow or lend a motorcycle and the nine point checklist to do before you get on your bike.

Cheers

Steve Mcless