Tips for First-Time Motorcycle Owners
Whether you’ve just purchased a motorcycle or you’re about to buy one, congratulations and welcome to a whole new world. Riding a motorcycle is a rewarding experience in and of itself, and motorcycles also make great long-distance transport and the ideal commuter vehicle. However, if you’re new to owning a motorcycle, there are some very important things you should know to keep yourself safe and keep your motorcycle in good working order.
Taboo Harley-Davidson in Alexandria is your Louisiana motorcycle dealer, serving Natchitoches and Lafayette as well as our neighbors in Natchez, Mississippi. Here are some of our top tips for first-time motorcycle owners.
1. Take a Riding Class
Just like you had to take driver’s ed to get your standard license, it’s time to learn some skills from the professionals by taking a motorcycle riding course. These courses will combine rules of the road with hands-on experience under the supervision of experienced teachers who can help you to learn the right ways to ride.
2. Put in Some Practice
Take the time to practice riding your motorcycle on quieter streets or, better yet, find yourself an empty parking lot to ride in. You can practice accelerating, turning, reversing and braking on your own without worrying about holding up traffic. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll be in your abilities and the less scary the prospect of riding on a busy highway becomes.
3. Ride Solo for Now
While you may have friends or family members champing at the bit to hop on your bike with you, don’t let them just yet. You need to gain the skills and confidence to ride well by yourself before dealing with the added weight and complications of a passenger. Once you have completed your riding class, put in practice and gone on many solo rides, you can think about adding a passenger.
4. Remain Vigilant
Motorcycles are much smaller and harder to see compared to cars and trucks on the highway. This means you have to stay vigilant to avoid getting hurt because no matter what you do, there will always be careless drivers who just don’t see you. Maintain your focus while riding and keep an eye on the cars and trucks around you so you can anticipate and react to any sudden movements to get yourself out of harm’s way. Also, watch the road ahead to check for potholes, metal plates, puddles or other obstacles you’ll want to avoid.
5. Stay on Top of Maintenance
Finally, as a responsible new motorcyclist, you need to make sure that you’re keeping tabs on maintenance tasks and not letting your bike fall into neglect. A well-maintained motorcycle, with fresh oil and aired-up tires, is safer to ride and it will also perform better. If you ever require some professional assistance with maintaining your motorcycle, get in touch with the service department here at Taboo Harley-Davidson.
When you’re ready to shop motorcycles, visit our dealership in Alexandria, LA, to check out our fine stock of new and used motorcycles for sale. Taboo Harley-Davidson serves the cities of Lafayette and Natchitoches, LA, along with Natchez, MS.