Tips for Riding a Motorcycle

Motorcycle riding is a thrilling experience - but you'll need to learn the basics before you can embark on adventures. We've gathered up some tips on making your motorcycle ride as smooth as possible. Use it as a guide before you start your beginner's motorcycle class or a helpful refresher after you finish. If you still have yet to buy a motorcycle, check out the selection of models at McKibben Powersports. Our dealership is located in Lake Wales, Florida. We also proudly serve those in Kissimmee, Lakeland, and Winter Haven, Florida.

Shifting Gear

Smooth motorcycle riding is largely due to proper execution of the clutch and shifting gears. If you drive a stick shift car, you are already familiar with the process. There aren't many great tips we can offer here besides practice, practice, practice. Take your motorcycle out to a large empty parking lot or rarely used residential road. Practice changing gears until you can upshift and downshift in a way that leads to consistent acceleration without jerking motions.

Passing

When you own a speed machine, you're going to be itching to pass those slow pokes on the road. But it's crucial you know how to pass safely. First, make sure you have enough space to safely pass the car. Maintain a good following distance so that you can see any oncoming traffic. Once you are ready to go, open your throttle and overtake the car. With practice, you can build up your skills so you can even pass right after a corner. But don't attempt this until you are a passing expert!

Braking

A key part of safe motorcycle riding is controlling your speed, whether you are cruising down a hill or coming up to a red light. Most of the motorcycle's braking power is found in the front. You'll still need to apply both brakes at the same time, but know you'll get most of your stopping power up front. If you are new to riding, spend some time practicing how to brake before you hit the road. It's also good to figure out how fast you can stop without engaging the brakes so hard that they lock up.

Steering

Your motorcycle is steered in a different way than your car. You won't be able to simply tilt your handlebars to turn. Instead, you'll need to engage your body and lean with your motorcycle. Push the handlebars in the direction you want to go and maintain that pressure throughout the turn. It can be hard keeping the controls steady, so you will want to practice this a lot as well. If you have recently purchased your motorcycle, you'll need to spend some time getting used to your model's unique turning radius. The more often you ride your motorcycle, the faster this will become second nature.

Parking

Due to the heaviness of motorcycles, parking can sometimes be a challenge. Set yourself up for success by finding a spot that is not slippery and has as little incline as possible. Pull into the spot and then turn your motorcycle so that the front wheel is facing out toward the road. This step helps make your motorcycle easier to push back into an upright position when you take it off the stand.

We hope you found these tips helpful! If you want more advice or want to check out motorcycles for sale, visit McKibben Powersports of Lake Wales. Our friendly staff can help you find the perfect model for your lifestyle, so stop by today! You'll find us in Lake Wales, Florida. We also proudly serve those in Kissimmee, Lakeland, and Winter Haven, Florida.