We all know setting out on the road for the first time after passing your test can be a little daunting, but don’t let that get in the way of getting the most out of your journey into two wheels.
From buying the right riding gear to riding in the rain we’ve put a list together to help make sure you’re safe and improve your confidence when out on the road.
Make Sure You’ve Got The Right Gear
First and foremost, the easiest thing to keep yourself safe is having appropriate riding gear. No Matter what ‘style’ you want to adopt, these days there is a protective option for you. Look for a CE rating and ask the retailer to confirm the protection level the garment has. When considering gear, remember to buy the best you can afford, it will pay off if anything were to happen.
Helpful Tip: To make sure your protective gear works as designed you need to measure up and reference the sizing guides to ensure the fit is correct.
Make Sure You’re Seen
It’s inevitable that at some point it will involve riding in poor weather conditions and/or the dark. There are plenty of high-viz gear options, but aside from that, it is worth considering a reflective vest to help other road users spot you quicker and earlier. It may not be cool, but nobody is going to be posing on a drizzly December evening.
Helpful Tip: If high vis is not for you then why not consider a white helmet. This will go a long way to making sure you’re visible to other motorists.
Don’t Get Lost
Make sure you plan your routes ahead of time so you’re clear about where you’re heading. The last thing you want to do is put yourself and others at risk by making unsafe, last-minute maneuvers because you missed your exit. Utilizing your smartphone as a sat nav saves you from having to fork out for a stand-alone device. You can combine this with a variety of phone mount systems to fix it on your bike.
Helpful tip: It’s worth considering a Bluetooth comms device so you can have directions playing straight to your ears enabling you to keep your focus on the road ahead.
Prepare For The Rain
If you’re planning on riding year-round it’s inevitable that you will, at some point, get caught in the rain so make sure you’re dry and warm with good waterproof gear, nobody likes riding in soggy boots.
When riding on wet roads It’s important to try and keep your bike upright, Don’t lean quite as much into corners. Again, smoothly ease into them by leaving more distance to decelerate.
Helpful Tip: It’s harder to see the floor in the rain. You can’t always see the surface clearly as you might in good conditions. So ride slower and keep an extra keen eye on the road conditions, oily patches, worn tarmac, and manhole covers can be even more slippery so just look out for them.
Relax…Take it Easy
When you finally get out on the road, it’s easy to get carried away and forget all the tips from your motorcycle training. Remember all that help and advice is there to keep you safe so remember to keep your distance from other motorists and check your blonde spots. Just relax, take it easy, and don’t do anything silly!
Helpful Tip: If you’re still a little nervous on the road, head to a local car park or find some nice quiet roads to get some practice in and help build your confidence.
Remember, you’ve got this. The world of motorcycles is a wonderful place to be so welcome aboard. Have fun, take your time and enjoy the two-wheeled adventure.
