Riding a motorcycle is one of life’s greatest pleasures, but just as you started off your bicycle-riding career with training wheels, you should approach riding a motorcycle similarly. It takes practice and a little humility to ensure a safe and fun ride.
If you’re just starting out on your motorcycle journey, read over these common beginner motorcycle riding mistakes in Las Vegas, NV so you won’t be doomed to repeat them—and if you have any questions about the best way to operate your bike, ask the team at Escape Eagles for help before you hit the road. We want you to have a great experience, so we’ll be happy to show you the ropes.
Here are the top 10 rookie mistakes to avoid:
- Not taking lessons: You might think you know everything there is to know about riding a motorcycle—after all, it’s like a car and bicycle hybrid, and you can operate both—but don’t underestimate just how different these vehicles are. There’s no shame in taking lessons, and it will probably help you enjoy the ride more.
- Jumping straight into advanced bikes: If you’ve never driven a motorcycle before, don’t make the mistake of thinking that you can pick the biggest, baddest bike out there for your first try. Again, there’s no shame in starting off slow. It’s for your safety.
- Forgetting the kickstand: You’ve got to disengage the kickstand before you take off—many new bikes are designed so they won’t shift gears until you do.
- Failing to downshift at a stop: It’s a lot harder to launch your bike in any gear but first, so make sure you downshift when you’re stopping. Try to have your clutch lever pulled all the way in as you stop.
- Stalling: Forgetting to downshift can lead to stalling, but generally, it’s an easy mistake to make. Take lessons and learn to master the clutch.
- Forgetting to counter-steer: Learning to counter-steer might sound confusing, but it’s pretty intuitive with practice. Whichever side you press on the handlebars is where your bike will turn.
- Being unaware of your fuel range: If your bike doesn’t have a fuel gauge, it’s easy to run out of gas. Learn everything there is to know about your fuel range before you set out, and refuel before you get into the danger zone.
- Not turning off the turn signals: Some bikes have turn signals that automatically shut off when you turn, but not all of them do. If your bike doesn’t have an automatic feature, you’ll need to remember this.
- Not leaving enough room: Keeping a safe distance from other vehicles is key, especially when you’re just starting out.
- Forgetting to cover your clutch and brake levers: The closer you are to these levers, the faster your reaction time will be—and every second counts.
Escape Eagles wants to see you avoid these common motorcycle mistakes in Las Vegas, NV—call us today to book your next ride.