When you first become a motorcycle owner, you encounter a steep learning curve. There are so many new skills to gain and new experiences to explore! At first, it may be overwhelming. That’s why we gathered up our favorite tips for new riders below. If you want more advice or want to explore motorcycles for sale, head over to CalMoto. Our dealership is based in Mountain View and Livermore, California. We also proudly serve those in San Francisco and San Jose, California.

1. Take a Class

Start by taking a beginner’s motorcycle class. Here you’ll get 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. During the class, you’ll learn the basics for safe riding. You may even find a riding buddy!

If you don’t own a motorcycle yet, that’s okay. Many beginner’s courses own starter bikes that they can lend you. Some riders find they thrive in the class setting and end up taking intermediate and advanced courses down the road.

2. Practice, Practice, Practice

Once you learn the basics of riding, you will need to practice them. It’s like learning any new skill – 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. Don’t Have a Passenger Yet

Once you feel confident riding your motorcycle, it’s natural to want to share this new hobby with friends or a partner. But 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

When you head out on the open road, 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.

Leave 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.

You’ll also want to 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

A key part of motorcycle ownership is regular maintenance of your bike. 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 you found our tips helpful! Visit CalMoto for more advice or to shop motorcycles for sale. Our friendly staff can answer questions and provide advice, making it easy to find what you need. We welcome all those in San Francisco and San Jose, CA.