Choose Your Ride Wisely if You're a Novice Biker

You practically feel the exhaust pipe, hot and rumbling, just inches from your leg. You catch yourself sitting in front of an oscillating fan as obscene revving noises emit from your flapping, spit-spraying lips. You wear a leather jacket around the house in the middle of summer. These inexplicable acts can mean only one thing: You're saving money in order to purchase your first 2000cc steed.

You need to do your research before selecting the ideal motorcycle, be it a Honda, Harley or Suzuki. You'll need to learn to ride your new bike, and, in many states, you'll need a license to ride a motorcycle. So you'll be going through Drivers Ed once more, learning how to brake, make arm signals and evade a wipeout.

Racing atop that simulated arcade game doesn't necessarily qualify you as a Hell's Angel. You'll need real-world experience on closed courses just to achieve beginner status. Don't fret. Many local colleges and even community centers offer riding lessons. Some are days, some take weeks. The longer the program, usually the better rider you are before you actually take to the road.

If you think you are a quick learner, you could consider taking a riding course run by one of the bike manufacturers. Many of the big name companies run their own courses. These are effective at teaching a lot in a short space of time. The manufacturers are of course keen to get you on the road to add to their customer base. Don't, however, be unduly influenced by this. If you want another few lessons after you've completed the manufacturer's course it's not a problem. An added bonus is that many college/community center courses will provide their own bikes, so you don't have to wreck yours.

Another pre-bike investment should be equipment. Helmets, gloves, boots, and clothing are more than accessories. If you're not properly attired, you could be dealing with fiery road rash at the best or being fed through a tube in your stomach at the worst. Helmets are optional in some states, but you'd be wise to snap one on anyway. They come in many cool colors and styles, so that immature excuse about looking dumb holds no weight. Suit up before you roll out.

You probably should also face up to the fact that life expectancy does fall once you've purchased your motorcycle. In fact, it falls considerably. Automobile drivers are easily distracted by many other activities not pertinent to keeping their eye on the road, and motorcycle riders can be the victims of this inattention. Unfortunately, the injuries that motorcycle riders tend to sustain in road accidents can often be critical, even life-threatening. Make sure that you've discussed your decision to ride a bike with your loved ones. It's also a good plan to make sure your life insurance and will are up-to-date.

Taking all this into account, motorcycles are still a great way to travel. Bikes are fun and cheap to run. They are usually very fuel-efficient and some are capable of achieving 65 miles to the gallon. Usually, there is only you on the back of the bike, so the engine is carrying a lot less weight than a car does.

Of course, fuel-efficiency, among other aspects, depends on the bike. For those hotheads out there hoping to sit themselves down on a 2000+ CC beast, take a breath. Speed bike or cruiser, make sure you can handle the weight and height of your bike. Also be sure you don't have a lead wrist when it comes to twisting that throttle. Ask around at the local dealers and get a sense of what type will be the best fit. For a first bike you may want to start out small, engine-wise, in order to gain some experience.

Once you've got your family and friends behind you, got the right equipment, completed the training, purchased your bike and agreed to be a conscientious biker, there's only one thing left to do. Turn the key, step on the clutch and hit the road.

If you found interest in the previous article, you could go check out other related posts at Seymour Kushner or this Seymour Kushner Blog Post.