2Wheeltips

As a new rider, you will no doubt be reluctant to ride at night.  Night time riding does have its own risks but you can safely ride at night if you make some adjustments.

1st you need to slow down. One problem common to experienced and novice riders alike is over driving their headlights. You need to drive at a speed that will allow you to stop within the distance you can see.

2nd you need to make yourself more visible. If you plan to ride at night, you should wear reflective clothing so drivers can see you. Don't assume your lights are enough. When coming to a stop, you may want to tap your brakes a few times to flash them for drivers behind you. Also you should use your horn more at night to let others around you know you are there. A quick beep when beside a are or when passing will let others know you are there.

3rd is being prepared for nocturnal animals. Lots of critters like to come out at night and you need to be prepared for raccoons, possums, rabbits and other creatures you may see on or beside the road. If you can, avoid roads where you know animals are likely to appear.

4th is to be extra cautious at intersections. Slow down and look before riding through them. Drivers have a hard time seeing you during the day, much less at night.

Night riding can be very enjoyable and if you follow these tips, you can reduce your   risk of getting in an accident.

So you are thinking about getting your motorcycle license...and here you are, at 2wheeltips.com.  Well, you need to understand a few things first.

First of all, 2wheeltips.com is not a substitute for an approved motorcycle training class. Formal classes build the foundation for good riding through classroom study and instructor-led practice. No website, DVD or book can ever provide this.

There are other benefits to taking a class:

1) Depending upon the laws in your state, you may get a waiver from taking a DMV road test. You simply give them your class certificate and you get your motorcycle license. You avoid all the bureaucracy and long lines.

2) Depending upon your insurance company, you may qualify for a discount on your motorcycle insurance and, in some cases, even your automobile insurance

3) You will meet other riders through the class, people you might be able to link up with after the class is over, to practice your skills.

4) But the number one reason to take a class is that the vast majority of motorcycle accidents involve riders with informal training. These are riders who are self-taught using books, DVDs and websites or who learned from friends. These riders are in accidents that could have been avoided or the injury minimized if they had proper instruction and subsequently reinforced the skills learned in class.


If you are serious about riding, sign up for a rider class in your area, develop a foundation and come back to 2wheeltips.com often to reinforce what you have learned.

Once you have established good basic riding skills, you'll see how the information we provide here expands on what you have already learned...if you like 2wheeltips now, just wait until you take a class and you'll see how much more you will appreciate all that we have to offer.

Now that riding season is in full swing, we thought we'd offer some quick tips for those of you who are passengers.

Don't go out with a brand new rider (or one with poor riding skills)
A newbie is still learning basics motorcycle skills and this takes time.....and miles. Let the rider get a few months of riding experience (and hundreds of miles) before you hop on. A poorly skilled rider is even worse with a passenger.

Protective gear applies to the passenger too.
Just because you are in the back does not mean you cannot get hurt in an accident or be hit by flying debris.

While riding, avoid unnecessary movement
The operator can feel you moving around and it alters the balance of the bike. So keep movement to a minimum.

Keep your feet on the foot pegs.
Make sure you keep your feet and legs away from hot or moving parts on the bike. The pipes are hot enough to cook your breakfast and will not have a problem roasting your leg.

Use your knees to brace yourself when going over bumps for bumps
If the bike has a sissy bar, you can use it to brace yourself.  This will keep you from sliding forward and clicking helmet with the operator when braking.

Don't death grip the rider.
The operator can not control the bike if you are wrapped around him/her like a snake. All you need to do is hold your hands lightly on the operator's waist...you will find a balance that will work without having to grab tightly.

Lean into curves with the operator.
Your position behind the operator should be neutral....you are not there to be a counterweight.  As the bike takes turns, learn to look over the rider's shoulder in the direction of the turn (right shoulder, right turn....left shoulder, left turn).

Riding as a passenger on a bike can be almost as much fun as operating a bike.  And, if you want the operator of the bike to enjoy riding with you as much as you enjoy riding as a passenger, all it takes is these simple tips to make your ride safe and enjoyable.

So there you are, driving down the road, stuck in traffic on a hot summer day.  Temperatures soar into the high 90s as your air conditioner works overtime.  As you sit there pondering what the hold up is, trying to maintain some sort of sanity, you see a motorcycle in your rearview mirror.  Nothing out of the ordinary, nothing you don't see everyday, but today something clicks in your mind as you feel the cool air from the A/C vent blow across your face.  You think to yourself, "That could be me.  Free from this metal cage that surrounds me in this maze of traffic.  Breathing fresh air.  Wind in my face.  Freedom."  And you know what?  You are 100% right...that could be you.  With a little determination and the right training that could very easily be you.

One of the first steps to making that dream a reality should be getting some sort of formalized training.  The most common form of training is a Basic Rider Course.  The course is exactly what it says it is, basic.  This course is not designed to make you an expert racer, but rather to give you a start and the tools necessary to continue your education and training and put you safely into the world of two wheels.  It will set you on your way to being a safe and responsible motorcyclist.  All 50 states have some sort of formalized basic rider training and currently I believe that most states, minus a couple, use the MSF Basic Rider Course as the guideline.

Whether you have bought your first bike or are waiting to see how the training goes to determine what your first bike is going to be you need to prepare yourself for the training you will receive.  At this point you might be asking yourself, "what is going to happen when I get there?  What do I need to do to prepare myself?"  Well, lucky for you I have some answers to those questions, but let's start before you get there.  I know this sounds funny, but it would really help you and the rider coach if you can ride a bicycle.  The ability to ride a bicycle shows that you have some basic balance and will probably grasp the concept of motorcycle riding quicker than some.  While this is not a guarantee, it is a good starting point.  Now please do not misconstrue this as if you cannot ride a bicycle, you cannot ride a motorcycle, because nothing could be farther from the truth and I don't want to discourage anyone from trying to learn to ride.

As far a preparing for the course itself, the biggest piece of advice I could give you is to relax.  Riding is supposed to be a fun experience, so the more relaxed you are the more fun you will probably have.   Get a good nights sleep prior to the course.  A well rested body is going to learn more and be more able to adapt to some of the new things you will do while riding a motorcycle the first day on the range.  Bring appropriate attire with you to class.  Depending on the time of year, it could be very warm or very cold.  I have coached courses when it was snowing at the beginning and by the end it was 60 degrees.  Dress in layers and be prepared to add or subtract as needed.  Have the proper over the ankle footwear, gloves, long sleeve shirt, long pants, and DOT approved helmet with you for the time spent on the motorcycle range.  When you first arrive, an instructor should greet you and make you feel welcome and at ease.  Since learning a new skill can be relatively stressful most coaches will attempt to lower the stress level during classes as much as possible.  Again, the lower your stress level, the more you will be able to learn.

 
The first part of the first day will be spent in the classroom learning about the basic controls of the motorcycle, learning about some of the risks associated with motorcycling and also how to minimize those risks.  You should take part and participate in class.  The more you put into the class yourself the more you will get out of it.  Share your experiences, fears, and expectations with others in your class.  You will probably find that you are not alone in your thoughts.  The rider coaches are there to facilitate your learning.  They will give you the tools you need during class and range time, but it is going to be up to you to apply these tools.  Pay attention, ask questions and share.  After the first few hours in the classroom you will probably get a break for lunch and then it will be time to apply some of what you learned on a real live motorcycle.

There are 9 exercises for the first day of training.  What the exercises are is not as important for you as what you should be getting out of them.  Each exercise builds on the previous and the whole course will be progressive in nature.  That is you will learn about the friction zone (clutch control)  before you learn how to start and stop.  You will learn basic starting and stopping before learning how to shift.  I think you get the point.  After each exercise you will be able to see your progression and will probably be surprised by some of the new skills you have learned.

After the first day you will probably have some homework to do.  There are a lot of questions in the back of the Basic Rider Course guide that will be answered in the classroom.  The first day you will be given time in class to find the answers before answering them as a group.  After you answer the rest of the questions at home the classroom portion for day 2 should be quicker as you go through the questions in class which will get you back out onto the range and riding that much sooner.  The classroom portion of day 2 will cover some strategies to apply while riding out on the street, and will take what you learned yesterday a step farther.  At the end of the classroom session for day 2 there should be a written evaluation to see how much you have learned over the 2 days of classroom.  To prepare for this exam beforehand read the BRC study guide, answer the questions in the back and visit the Basic Rider Course review at www.msf-usa.org.  If you do all of the above and participate in classroom discussions you should have very few problems.

Day 2 on the range is a continuation of the first day.  Again, remember that the course is progressive.  There will be a little more expected of you on day two than there was on day 1.  Day 2 will be another 8 exercises followed by a skills evaluation.  After you pass the written evaluation and the skills evaluation you will be given your completion card.  Depending on your state laws this card will be good for waiving the riding test at the local DMV.  It will also be good for lowering your insurance on your motorcycle, depending on your insurance company.  Check with your local authorities, DMV and insurance company to get more details.  Your rider coach will also be a great source of information for local rules and regulations.

Some things to keep in mind...Your rider coach will not let you progress to the next exercise if you do not meet the objectives for the current one.  Your safety is the coaches primary concern and you will not progress faster than you are capable.  The coaches are trained and have lots of practice identifying areas that need work, or areas where you are doing very well.  Remember that we are usually our own worst critics.  While you may not think you are doing well, the rider coach may see something completely different, and they will let you know.  make sure you get a good nights sleep for both nights of the course.  Eat well, drink lots of water and take care of your body.  You will get tired by the end of the day.  Most importantly relax, smile and have fun learning.  After all, isn't that what motorcycling is all about?

So, you have done your motorcycle practice skills and now you want to ride with others. You need to be prepared for one more thing:  your ability to ride may not match the abilities of the others you are riding with. One of the most important things you can do as a novice motorcyclist, is to admit your limitations.  Your skills will progress with time but, until they do, you need to ride within your own comfort zone.  

When preparing to ride with others:

    •    Inform the other riders in the group of your status as a novice biker; this is nothing to be ashamed of, since every experienced biker was once a novice!

    •    Know the route you will be traveling and carry a map or GPS unit.

    •    Consider the variation of riding skills of the people you will be riding with.  If others are riding at speeds that are beyond your capabilities, do not speed up to keep up with them.  Stay at speeds that are comfortable for you.  This is especially important when taking curves.

Prior to heading out on a ride with others, make it known that, if you get separated from the group for any reason, you will meet up at an agreed-to location (this can be a refueling point, for example).

One of scariest things a new rider will experience is riding over a big bump. As you go over it, you feel as if you have been thrown 3 feet in the air followed by a sensation that you are going to fly off the back of the bike. You grip the handlebars tightly and slow down as the adrenaline rushes through your body. It can be a very frightening experience...enough to make you reconsider riding.

To avoid this, you need to practice scanning the road in front of you for bumps as well as potholes, and maneuver the bike to avoid them. If the bump can not be avoided, you should prepare yourself for the bump by relaxing and not tensing up on the bike.

As with just about all things related to improving your skills, as you go over more bumps, you will learn how your bike reacts to bumps and you will get better at handling them.

Check out our video on cracks and road imperfections for more tips on riding over rough road surfaces.

Many bikes do not have a gear indicator or a tachometer and one of the first things new riders have to learn is when to shift. If you read the motorcycle manual, you are led to believe you need to shift gears every 8 - 10 mph. This implies that proper shifting means constantly watching your speedometer to determine when to shift. Not only is this not the case, but you can not possibly operate a bike safely while constantly glancing down to check your speed much less enjoy riding.

So how do you tell when it is time to shift? And when you do shift, is it ok to skip gears the way you do in a car?

First of all it is perfectly ok to skip gears. Many new riders make the mistake of thinking they need to upshift or downshift into all gears. If you are riding at highway speeds and enter a school zone, it is perfectly ok to downshift 2 gears before engaging the clutch.  The same with very fast acceleration. You may skip 2nd gear and move directly to 3rd.

Down shifting is easy, if the engine begins to lug or feels sluggish when you twist the throttle, you know you need to down shift. Depending on your speed, you may need to shift more than one gear.

Upshifting is a different story and requires that you get a "feel" for the sound of the engine as you accelerate. Another way to "feel" when to upshift is how the engine responds when you shift to the next gear. If the engine is sluggish or lulls, then you shifted too early. If the bike jerks or the engine rpms are high, you shifted too late.

While practicing, you can use the chart in the motorcycle manual as a starting point, but you soon develop a feel for when to upshift.

Many people riding motorcycles on public roads do so without ever getting a motorcycle license.  What’s the big deal if you ride unlicensed? Have you considered it yourself?  Are you an unlicensed rider?  Do not assume you have the skills and knowledge to ride a motorcycle because you have an automobile license. Being on 2 wheels is in no way the same as being on 4 wheels, and the training needed to get a motorcycle license teaches you the differences.

If you decide to get licensed, you should take a motorcycle safety class first. Although you can practice yourself or with the help of a licensed friend, a safety class will teach all the basics of handling a bike. You will also spend time on a bike practicing your skills with the help of certified instructors. Another benefit of taking the safety class is reduced insurance rates. The Hurt report, which outlines Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors, states that motorcycle rider training decreases the likelihood of accidents and serious injuries. Insurance companies offer lower rates to riders who have passed a safety class. Many safety classes require a learner's permit before attending class, so call ahead to check on the requirements before enrolling.

Once you pass the class, it is off to the local DMV for a motorcycle road test. Many states allow you to skip the test and obtain your license immediately if you successfully complete a safety class. If you decided not to take a class, then you will have to prove to the DMV instructor (who may be having a bad day) that you have all of the basic skills needed to operate a motorcycle. You will also have to bring your own bike. Since you do not have a license yet, you will have to tow it to the testing faclity or have a friend ride it there for you. In some places, law enforcement will check to see who shows up for testing without a license. Getting a ticket before getting your license is not a good way to get into motorcycling.

 Getting your license is just the start. You will need to practice all of the skills you learned in class. Find an empty parking lot and practice, practice practice. 

One of the biggest questions a new rider faces is what type of motorcycle to buy. Many new riders will buy a bike similar to the one used in their motorcycle training class only to outgrow the bike within 6 months when their skills improve. eBay, newspapers and magazines are littered with these types of bikes. You also don’t want to go to the other extreme by buying a huge 800 lb. cruiser or a 150 hp+ sport bike that you don’t have the skills to control. Lots of beginners give up on riding because they are intimidated by the size, power and speed of a bike that is far beyond what they can handle.

The key is to purchase a bike that matches the style of riding you anticipate doing over the next two years and has the features, size, power and speed that you can enjoy as your skills improve. Your height and weight also matter. The bike needs of a 6’2”, 200 lb. man are not the same as those of a 5’1”, 100 lb. woman. One will need more size and power while the other will need lower seat height, ease of control and lighter weight.

Before buying, you should know what type of riding you plan to do. Motorcycles that are good for commuting back and forth to work may not be the best bikes for riding cross country or zooming around twisting back roads with friends. So, pick the bike that best suits your needs. Below is a list of common motorcycles you will see at your dealer.
 
Cruiser

1. Easy to control and maneuver
2. Generally have lower seat heights than other types of bikes
3. Varied in weight and length but tend to be relatively heavy 
4. Seating position on cruisers is upright with feet positioned forward
5. Well suited for carrying a passenger, luggage, and saddlebags
6. Excellent for short as well as longer rides and is the choice of most new riders

Standard

1. Easy to control and maneuver
2. Lighter in weight than most cruisers and have a standard seating position where the rider is in an upright position with feet directly under the hips  
3. Tend to have a higher seat height than cruisers
4. Well suited for short rides and longer rides and is a good choice for new riders.

Sport Bike/Racing Bike/”Crotch Rocket”

1. Fast, powerful, light, nimble bikes that can exceed 120mph with ease
2. Have high seating positions and limited storage capacity
3. Racing seating position with the legs back and the rider over the gas tank and handlebars
4. Not suited for long rides; can be very uncomfortable after 1 hour of street riding
5. Much more expensive to insure than other types of bikes
6. Although very popular, is not a good choice for new riders

Tourer

1. Big, heavy bikes used for long rides with the option of comfortably taking a passenger
2. Often equipped with a fairing, CB, GPS, AC, heat, iPod, DVD and other creature comforts needed for long rides
3. Expensive
4. Not a good choice for new riders

Sport-Touring Bike

1. Cross between a sport bike and a touring bike
2. Upright seating position with feet underneath the hips
3. Usually have a fairing and some other creature comforts needed for long rides
4. Usually have a high seating position
5. Well suited for carrying a passenger and luggage on long rides
6. Like touring bikes, sport-touring bikes are not a good choice for new riders

Scooters

1. Light, nimble and easy to control
2. Generally smaller than motorcycles and come with automatic transmissions
3. Larger scooters have considerable storage and can even carry a passenger comfortably at highway speeds
4. Good choice for new riders or those who cannot operate a clutch

Before making your choice, shop around and don’t get stuck on one brand of bike. There are at least 13 major manufacturers to choose from and the price for similar bikes varies considerably. It is very common for similar bikes from different manufacturers to vary by $7,000.00 or more.

New or used?
For obvious reasons, a new bike is always an excellent choice, but used bikes can be as well. A good used bike in great condition can be the perfect first bike; you will be surprised at the number of very low mileage used bikes out there. The sellers are usually riders who are trading up to larger bikes, or have decided that riding is not for them. Depending on the make, it is easy to find a 3 - 4 year old bike with less than 3000 miles on it for half of the cost of a new bike. But, before you purchase a used bike, you should have it checked by an experienced mechanic to make sure that it is properly maintained and isn’t damaged.

How powerful?
Bikes come with engines of various sizes and power.  Most bike engines are rated by the “cc” (cubic centimeter). The higher the cc spec of the engine, the more powerful the bike. For cruisers a good choice for a new rider is in the 750cc - 1000cc range. For sport bikes, 600cc’s is the maximum for a new rider. Standards in the 400cc - 800cc range are a good choice. You want to get a bike that you will not outgrow in 6 - 9 months and yet is not so powerful that it is intimidating to you.


Picking your first motorcycle is a very exciting experience.  Be practical!  Don’t let yourself fall for a bike that may not be good for a novice rider.  There are many bikes out there to pick from, new and used.  Your first bike is just that:  your first bike.  Make sure that it is the right one for YOU to learn on!