Resources 21 Jun 2017

Advice: Introduction to motorcycling

A selection of simple factors that will help you get on two wheels.

Riding motorcycles is a great hobby, addictive rush and an extremely enjoyable sport to be a part of. But while many have been introduced into motorcycling at young ages, some elect to make a start later in life as adults and usually continue for the rest of their lives. Whether you’re currently looking at riding on the street as a mode of transportation and a bit of weekend fun or planning to make a late start in track riding, here are just a few factors to help get you on your way.

Source: Supplied.

Getting licenced:
Depending on whether you’re planning to ride on the street or just the track, you’ll need to get a licence. On the street you gain a licence via the same authorities as your car in each state, while if you’re planning on riding on the race-track only, then Motorcycling Australia (MA) is the primary provider of those licences. If you’re looking to do both, get a street licence first and foremost, before most ride days will be able to provide one-day MA licences for track riding if required. It’s a varying process depending on your age and location, however the processes in place are all for the benefit of yourself so go ahead, contact your local provider and give it a go.

Equipment selection:
There are many options when selecting a bike to ride, so figure out exactly what kind of riding you want to participate in and go from there. For example, get a sports bike for track and weekend fun, naked bikes or motards are a good compromise between sport and comfort if you’re looking to commute, sports-tourers are good for logging the kays and everybody seems to love a good adventure ride as experience builds. There are many types other than these out there, including a heap of impressive learner options that you’ll need to start with, so do your research and speak to as many fellow riders that you can. As for riding apparel, safety is paramount when on the bike, so spend that few extra dollars and get the absolute best that you can afford. There’s so much to choose from, but think about the riding conditions you are most likely to find yourself riding in and build on your wardrobe from there.

The basics to keep safe:
It’s a longer process and more strict for getting a street licence, however pay attention in the training process via the qualified instructors because their skills taught will go a long way to keeping you safe. Skills such as how to handle and control the bike at low and high speeds will do wonders, as will simple tricks of the trade such as vision, bike placement in the real world and reading traffic will make the ride that much more enjoyable, so pay attention in class.

Road riding:
Riding on the road is a great way to meet fellow riders and make friendships that could span for a lifetime. The best way to approach a good road ride is not too look at it like a high speed adrenaline rush, rather an enjoyable way to go and have some fun on two wheels without the daily distractions of work and everyday living. Organise rides, join a club to meet fellow riders, and always have a halfway house so you can pull up and talk about the ride with your mates and stay fresh before heading home. If it’s transport that you’re riding for, just remember to respect other vehicles around you and always wear your safety equipment – a suit isn’t going to hold up so well in the case of an accident.

Source: Supplied.

Track days:
Track riding is arguably the most fun that you’re going to have on a modern superbike or supersport, enabling you to open the throttle, rev the engine toward its limit and accelerate hard without bursting straight over the speed-limit. Most riders start life on the street before gaining the confidence to hit the circuit, however once you do it you’ll kick yourself for not discovering ride days earlier. The track’s also a good place to experiment with particular aspects of your riding, lapping around the same circuit over again without the dangers of other vehicles or slippery surfaces around every bend. You don’t have to have a sports bike to enjoy the fun, so my advice is to go and watch a day for yourself and then head out again to take part – you’ll be a junkie in no time.

Maintaining your ride:
While it’s an exciting time to start motorcycling with many great bikes on the market from learner-approved models to top of the line superbikes, don’t forget to maintain your new ride to get the best out of it at all times. Take note of its service intervals, find a local dealer that you’re comfortable with and get them to maintain it, while if you’re mechanically-minded, then a bit of fiddling in the shed is always good fun. A clean bike is a good bike, one that will last the test of time much better than a bike that hasn’t seen a sponge since it came out of the crate. And another vital thing to remember is keeping your tyre pressures correct – find out the pressure you should be running from an expert and keep to it.

Gaining experience:
Of course, this article just touches on the base factors that should be kept in mind when starting out on two wheels, so be certain to take part in all the training you can, surround yourself with like-minded riders and make the most of your bike for the long-term. It is then, well into the future, that you’ll specify the finer details regarding why we’re all hooked and nothing counts like the value of experience.

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