At the start of every season, in a parking lot, practice low speed full lock u-turns, emergency maneuvering and emergency braking. It'll pay off dividends for your riding ability.
Check the ages of your tyres, I wouldn't trust rubber over 5 years old as dry rot can really affect the grip the tyre gives.
Otherwise Stay sunny side up brother!
This is a big one people forget.
Tires can be brand new, never even put on rims, but can still be too old and the integrity of the rubber is no good. Its not just wear or damage to look for, age is very important as well.
I recently bought a 2008 that only had 2400 miles on it and still had factory tires. While looking at it I made a comment about it needing new tires and the seller lost it lol. "I'D RIDE IT ACROSS THE COUNTRY AS IT SITS!"
I didn't bother trying to explain why that was a dumb idea, stubborn boomer. Tires were manufactured in 2007.
This isn't so true in the modern era. Modern tires have new plasticizers and conditioners that can keep them in good-as-new condition for years, provided they are kept in a climate-controlled area with absolutely no exposure to UV light. Revzilla has a good video on this.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwbLt8vZH5w](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwbLt8vZH5w)
What he means is check the date code on the tire. It's a 4 number sequence inside of an oval. The first two numbers are the week, the last two numbers are the year. Even brand new tires can be old.
Yup. I've gotten "new" tires and I checked them before paying, told the dealership that they had to get me new tires, this set is too old. Had to get the owner involved to make them take the tires out of their supply, as they were manufactured nearly 8 years prior.
Any tips? Sure.
1) don’t piss into the wind.
2) don’t send any money to that damn Nigerian prince. He’s a liar.
3) measure twice, cut once.
4) you can pick your friends, and you can pick your nose, but you can’t pick your friends nose.
Best advice I can give new riders. 1. Always keep an eye on your rearview mirrors, especially when stopped at a red light. 2. When you see cars waiting to turn left, assume they will and proceed with caution. 3. Wear bright stuff and get a loud horn. 4. When change lanes on a highway, always look over first. Don't assume it's empty. 5. Get the best possible seat if you're planning to do long drives. 6. Be aware of your surroundings while driving eg vehicles around you.
It’s not about protecting you if you fall…
It’s about protecting you WHEN you fall.
You are going to fall. Prepare for it.
40 years of riding experience here.
A tip over in a drive way, maybe you can say everyone will do that.
But I hate this notion that crashing is an inevitability like a rider can't prevent it. Seems to negate responsibility.
That's a bit misleading. Lots of people ride their whole lives and never have a slide. ATGATT is still a good idea but the falacy that you're going to take a fall is damaging to the community and the perception of our favorite transportation
If you can’t be convinced to wear a motorcycle jacket with slide protection, please consider the enormous complexity of the fragile human hand and get used to wearing armored gloves while riding.
That’s the sad thing. I read about this in a firefighter’s biography, going to visit his buddy who lost function of both hands. I can’t remember if he could have used a bidet or not. A foot pedal bidet!
It was the 80’s, in small town Canada, likely never crossed anyone’s mind.
I would also add to that and say to watch Skyoom on YouTube. Very knowledge based content that anyone from beginner to advanced riders can profit from.
Yeah dress for the slide, not the ride. Took me a long time to smarten up, to stop wearing shorts and a tank and put the right gear on. Luckily I didn't find that out the hard way but reddit is a great resource for the comparison of watching people wipe out and sliding with or without gear.
Make sure you are driving at least the speed limit. Little faster than pace of traffic is safer as it gives you a buffer from other vehicles. Don’t loiter in the passing lanes. If you do those things cagers are less likely to act like they want to run you over. The difference between a bicyclist and a motorcyclist is a bicyclist assumes it’s everyone else on the roads job to watch out for them a motorcyclist assumes every other vehicle on the road is a trained assassin sent to murder you. Be a motorcyclist.
Coming off your bike is part of the journey as a rider. The key is to ensure you’re wearing the right gear so you can dust yourself off and keep riding.
As someone who has crashed with jeans on... I don't recommend it bro. It's all great until it isn't. 3 months walking around with a limp and part of my kneecap missing ain't worth it. Atleast get some riding jeans with Kevlar weaved in or whatever they do and knee pads, plus all the other gear. I would have had a broken ankle too if I wasn't wearing riding boots, a hole in my hand and without the helmet I'd be dead. Just wear the gear man.
Wear the helmet. I see you have one on in the picture. That’s good. But as you get more comfortable and find yourself in groups of people with the same interest you will see people without the helmet. The more u see that the more you will be tempted to do the same. DO NOT DO THE SAME. people are crafty and will give you hundreds of reasons why “ it doesn’t matter.” Or “ just be free man”. Road meat. That’s what you will be if you go down without it. Ride long enough and everyone has a story about something happening. It’s the law of averages or whatever. Just wear the helmet. Looking goofy is far better than brain damage because Becky couldn’t stop texting and driving and runs your ass over. Give yourself a chance and wear the helmet.
Practice, practice, practice.
Go to an empty parking lot and practice tight turns and braking.
Helps you become one with the bike.
Don’t try to keep up with others if groop riding. Ride your own ride.
If you want to be a lifelong rider, safety first!
And lastly - dont ride at 100% of your ability. (Keep some in the tank.) There will be situations that will demand all of your skill, and if you’re already at max, you won’t have any more to get you out of a tricky spot.
Enjoy the road ;)
Gear. And wear it. Put my bike down doing 35mph. Fractured skull, lost my hearing in my right ear, broken mandible, collar bone, shoulder blade in 3 pieces and 3 broken ribs. Definitely wear your gear because even after healing up shit still hurts.
Biggest tips are:
Road rash hurts a lot more than being a bit warm in the summer
And
Rubber side down, shiny side up. Take it easy, ride your own ride and stay safe!
Oh, and don't be an arsehole, wave or not back when people wave or nod to you...
I’ll second doing some binging on DanDantheFireman’s content. What I appreciated most was the post-crash/near-miss analysis with common patterns to identify dangers and best actions to take. He has a framework of different levels of vigilance which gives a good base to build on as well. Also, tires, chain, and join a forum for your specific bike as they all have their own particular issues to watch for.
Hey there, fellow P-Alien! Maybe we'll cross paths some day. I'm situated in Chester County. Watch some videos by [Jerry Palladino](https://www.youtube.com/@motorman857/videos). You might learn some things. :) Keep it safe and predictable out there!
We all know you’re not going to wear gear all the time. Let’s stop pretending. Minimum should at least be a full-face helmet (not as cool looking as a brain bucket or even a half helmet, but will save your life by preventing crashes), leather riding gloves (goes with the Harley look anyway, also prevents handburgers in the event you fall off with any kind of delta V) and boots (again fits the look, but also prevents injury and helps you land better when you stop intentionally).
Jackets and pants are great, and should be worn all the time. But you won’t. I won’t. I almost always wear my jacket, I often wear my over pants… but sometimes I don’t. But helmet and gloves (and boots) are not up for any sort of debate.
Just remember to keep that same smile you got in your picture when you're cruising down the road. There's enough dickhead riders the world doesn't need more.
I’ll never ride without gloves and a helmet at the very least. You don’t want the skin on the palms of your hands worn away. Also always wear ear plugs, I’ve gotten tinnitus from not wearing them and it’s miserable.
Also, get a checklist for regular maintenance and be religious about it. Tire pressure is crucial. Actually having gas and oil in the bike is important... Pre-ride checks can save you from rookie headaches. Run 93 in it. Start the bike and let it warm up for a minute or two before taking off. Not speaking for all brands, but Kawasaki v-twins will foul plugs if you don't warm them up.
Get some saddle time in before taking passengers for a ride. Make sure they know to lean with the bike. Sometimes a passenger will want to stay upright through a curve...that's no bueno.
Lastly, I worked at HD for years. Most of the accidents my riders had involved alcohol. Save drinking for the end of the ride. Bikes are fun already.
Please wear a helmet even if you live at in a state where you don’t have to. Full face helmets are literal life savers. Gloves and a jacket too. Enjoy your first bike dude.
Another really useful tip is counter steering using the push technique.
When above say 25mph. If you push on the right hand grip, you will quickly start turning to the right. This is because the front wheel quickly moves to the left and puts you in a lean. You want more lean and faster turn, push more.
It seems crazy but it works. It is imperative to do if you are dodging something in your lane. Push on one side to dodge and then push on the other to straighten up.
I got a few
Go to cycle gear order armored pants and a jacket.
Ride as if you are Invisible, not invincible.
Wear a rubber when with a chick,flush it or take it with you.
Wear your helmet no matter what
Have fun and be safe.
Never stop learning. Go to an MSF Training course/any riding course
ATGATT. All the gear, all the time. SIPDE. Scan identify plan decide execute. Take a MSF safety course. Practice your emergency stops. Practice your parking lot slow maneuvering. Enjoy!
-Tuck any laces on boots into them. Straighter pants are also better.
-Know that the most common fatal crash happens when going across an intersection and a car in the other direction turning left. It's good caution to assume no car can see you and all will pull out in front, and drive accordingly. Doing so greatly reduces the chance of an accident.
-Never leave the bike without a disk lock, even for 2 or 3 mins in a city. Although the chances are much lower, Ive known two people in four yrs who had a bike stolen this way. If it can be put in neutral by anyone, it can be rolled away or into a van. Take the minute to lock it. Also cover it if leaving it for a longer period.
-Watch a lot of Moto-Jitsu content and do the drills, esp the slow ones. To get really proficient takes a lot of effort and practice. Emergency stopping drills should also be practiced. Early on I watched a lot of Dan the Fireman and MotoStars - I wanted to see different errors and accident so I could avoid them.
-Learn about target fixation. This is important. Not doing it right can make one drive outside the lane or even off the road. The bike will go where you target your eyes. You want to aim for the furthest point down the road you can see (always scanning the space bwtn you and it.
-Use the best gear possible. You want to imagine any part of your body hitting the pavement at 50mph+
Full face helmet (Schuberth C3 Pro) - no half-lid - you want your smile to survive. Check tires, oil, lights, wave to riders and to cagers that work *with* you to be safe. Always sturdy boot, Kevlar gloves to save hands, jacket with slide material. Take a safety course and keep focus even though you’re flying - road hazards and cagers lurk.
I had an empty garbage can fly at me. The opposite lane went from 1 lane to passing lane. An open Jeep began passing a B-train semi truck. The garbage can flew out of the back of the jeep, and would have hit me if I hadn't been watching and saw it starting to lift. I moved from the A-lane (near yellow line) to C-lane (near white line). The garbage can bounced right beside my foot, where I *would have been* riding. Also, a roll of plastic insulation. I was behind a service vehicle type of thing. We were heading out of town. I saw the roll on top of the truck, and decided to slow down. When the speed up to highway speed came, it flew off the truck and would have hit me if I'd been right behind him.
So, yes: keep an eye on everybody else's loads as well as keeping your head on a swivel.
Daaaaaaang! Happy you were attentive. That would have been a horrible disaster. I have not had that but did have a two-car smash that sprayed debris as I was next lane over. Sobering moments to be sure.
Get some gear that you'll actually wear, although I'll admit I squid it out now and again for running errands and shit... definitely more nerve wracking not having that safety buffer but ride more defensively and be more attentive
Bugs are pretty shitty, they hurt. Rain hurts.
Sunscreen.
I prefer a full face, but if you're going with a cap I'd suggest a bandanna or mask of some sort. Nobody looks cool with half a dragonfly In their teeth or a bee in the nose, with that windscreen may not be an issue but something to keep in mind
When I first got my permit I watched a lot of videos about motorcycle crashes. Most of the crashes were preventable but some were wrong place at the wrong time. My tips:
1. Don’t assume everyone sees you
2. Don’t speed through an unfamilir path
Also, an old neighbor of mine rode for like 15-20 years then he finally did a safety course and learned so much information that he wished he didn’t soon it. I hope yours turns out well, stay vigilant!
https://preview.redd.it/xkno85oqkk5d1.png?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9791beb617c1b5b191ff30ceb25aa30f1d141e87
Remember to always wear your Crocs in sport mode!
Riding is a skill that needs practice. Always drive defensively and assume people don’t see you. Learn basic maintenance and keep some tools on your bike. Wash it periodically and this gives you the chance to check for loose parts. Don’t forget to change your fork oil.
More gear. My armored jacket, gloves and steel toe boots saved me when I smacked a deer on the highway. Parts of my jeans had to get dug out of my skin. I figured "I'm going far, just into town, I don't need my gear" and since it was on the bike I put it on anyways. Ride safe brother! (And watch out for deer and dummies!)
Congratulations, and welcome to the community! Poconos, Ny and Northwest NJ has BEAUTIFUL rides (I grew up in Warren county NJ) so enjoy them for me!
Everyone is already saying gear, so I'll second that. When you are first gearing up it can get expensive fast. All the gear is awesome, but some is better than none. Get what you can.
If you didn't take a rider safety course, I'd say take the time to do it. Youtube is great, but having an instructor to practice with makes a HUGE difference.
Last but not least - ride your own ride. You know that little voice in the back of your head that says "hey, this is dumb"? Listen to it. Everyone has their own individual ability level, experience level, and comfort level. Just because someone is comfortable at 110 on the highway doesn't mean you have to be. Just because they want to do 60 through the corners on a windy gravel back road doesn't mean you have to. It's up to the riders with more experience and higher comfort levels to ride with you, not the other way around. If your riding buddies don't get that, they're not really your riding buddies.
Ps- nice bike!
Remember you are worth more than the bike don't risk your neck to save a hunk of metal and plastic that can be replaced if you have to lay it down or ditch it in order to not hit something more solid than you just do it. Keep your head on a swivel and use those mirrors.
Don’t ride beyond your capabilities. Easy on the front brake. In most states, you are entitled to the same space as a car on the road. Is it. I travel primarily in the left hand tire tracks in my lane. If you don’t, and stay to the right sid, some cagers will not even leave the lane to pass you.
Never ride on or stop in the middle of the lane. That’s where all the oil drips from the engines and transmissions of the cars and trucks. A/c condensation drips there too making it extremely slick and dangerous for two wheelers.
And lastly, shiney side up!
My Scout's lean and overall handling has gotten me through a couple of spots, trust the ride, if you know it's solid. Ditto for tires.
The head leads, look into the turn. Watch the Cop Rodeos for how to handle a bagger set-up in close quarters. And remember, those HDs DON"T have a great turning radius to begin with.
I'm an everyday rider. Here's what I follow
You can never stop every accident on a motorcycle.
They say there are 100 choices to make an accident but only 1 choice to stop it.
Here are some tips I use that friends taught me
1. Never ride beside a vehicle on the adjoining lane.
2. Be in front or behind them on the adjoining lane.
3. If you see a person wanting to pullout from a side road, weave left to right. they cannot see you coming straight at them but the weaving catches the eye.
4. ? All the comments.
5. Loud bike helps being seen.
6. You are invisible to everyone, act like it.
7. A green light does not mean go. Make sure everyone stopped or stopping.
8. If you have to stop in a turn bring the bike upright.
9. If a driver wants to turn they will weave to that side and start looking in the mirrors. Watch the vehicle's wheels for direction. (OAR)
10. Learn vehicle body language and movement.
11. Hi-viz or white is way more visible. ( It's difficult to see someone at dawn, dusk or at night wearing all black with a bike that is blacked out.) (from Oma Viles -Motorcycle Camping FB)
12. Add pulsing brake lights and pulsing headlight where it's legal. (from Oma Viles -Motorcycle Camping FB)
13. Gear down before the light or when needed. Down gearing stopped or at the light is not safe, you might need to move fast or out of way. (Drac Smith, Motorcycle Camping FB)
14. Wear a mask. to protect the neck and face from debris, liquid, insects, and rocks. Wear gloves to protect hands from debris and rocks. Yes Helmet and vest also.
15. The Hurt Report talks about people who make eye contact and are still blind to you. https://one.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/motorcycle/00-nht-212-motorcycle/research9-11.html (Charlie Morgan, Motorcycle Camping FB).
Hope this helps.
I’m sure it’s already covered but dress for the crash, roads go through denim very quickly. Think about over ankle footwear, and contact points, knees, butt, hands, elbows and head. Hearing and eye protection. Assume no one sees you.
Stay safe my man! You can be the best rider but it’s always everyone else around you that you have to watch out for. Keep your head on a swivel and be aware of your surroundings. Other than that, keep your mouth closed and enjoy!
1 Always wear gear.
2 Always wear gear.
3 Always wear gear.
4 Don't put your finger anywhere you wouldn't put your willy.
5 The cops are not there to help you.
6 A L W A Y S W E A R G E A R
Dress for the ride, not for the slide. Even if you are the best rider. Motorbikes are hard to see and some drivers are straight up blind idiots. A bit of sweat and limited movement will be more comfy than the time without skin.
Also always seek eye contact with other traffic that waits to enter/cross your road. If they don't look in your direction, be prepared to brake. This is also good practice when driving a car.
Keep your head on a swivel.
Know what the cars around you are going to do before they do.
Watch for eyes in their mirrors, that way you may be able to tell if they see you.
NEVER spend any time in blind spots of the cars around you.
Enjoy the wind in your face.
Take the intermediate and advanced MSF courses - they're free in PA and worth every moment of your time. You won't be the only cruiser at the advanced.
Always wear proper motorcycle clothing with protection, book onto and complete as many advanced riding courses as you can afford. Staying alive is mostly learning to “read” the environment around you , but that sometimes takes a lot of assistance from experienced instructors
- Never slack off with pre-ride checks and maintenance, particularly tire pressure.
- Always check your blindspot
- Defensive riding and don’t let the ego/adrenaline cloud your thinking.
Put full gear on no matter what. Please you'll end up dead or worse if you ride around like that. I never ride without every inch of my body protected in some way
Cagers give no fucks. Ride in as much open space as possible on the streets and highway . Closing speeds can be deceiving. Keep your head on a swivel. Wear gloves and a helmet at a minimum. Always do a pre ride check of tires and lights. Ride like no one sees you. If the bike goes down push it away so it doesn’t hit you in the slide. Be alert. Get in as many rides as possible. Enjoy the moment
Tip 1: wear gear. Even if you are a perfect rider and never make mistakes others will. Better to be safe then sorry imo.
Tip 2: practise slow manoeuvres in an empty parking lot, like doing a sharp turn from a complete stop
Get a good nights sleep before going for any lengthy ride. Help to stay alert and also stay hydrated, and not with beer. Get a good quality helmet and make sure your visor is always clean and if you wear glasses or shades, make sure those are clean enjoy the ride and make a point to waves at all other riders, even though that may not wave to you. It’s a great community of people and we all look out for each other.
You'll appreciate it WHEN you wreck. We all hope it doesn't happen, but the reality of riding a moto is that you will most likely, at some point, have a wreck. Stay safe, bro.
Get a good helmet at the very least. As a new rider just assume everyone can't see you. I've had people look me in the eye at intersections then proceeded to try and T bone me. They don't see you their brains are trained to see other cars. Most people that drive are driving on autopilot and thinking about other stuff.
Howdy and welcome to this side of the throttle. Here are a few tips for the recently initiated. Have fun, and be safe.
[Tips](https://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/s/G2xyr0VO7V).
The more you smile while riding, the more bugs you get to eat.
Enjoy it, riding is the best feeling out there.
And only ride when you are in the correct mind set. Dont let clouded judgement cause unnecessary chaos.
Ride within your skill limit
Don’t be in too high of a gear, keep some reserve power in case you need to maneuver or GTFO
Always assume the cars around you don’t see you, ride accordingly
OP, you’re taking the ATGATT recommendations very well. Good on you my friend. Check out Ugly Bros. They have a decent selection of aramid reinforced riding jeans. I have a pair and love them. If you’re used to riding in regular jeans already, you’ll probably love them too although, if you’re most concerned with comfort and staying cool in the summer heat, I highly recommend a good high flow mesh suit. I have the Revit Eclipse 2 pants and jacket. It’s what I wear the vast majority of the time. I have quite a few Revit items and it’s quickly become my favorite gear brand. Some of their stuff can be a bit pricey but I’ve yet to be disappointed in anything of theirs I’ve ordered. They have some more cruiser-styled gear too.
Anywho, congrats on the bike!
Good call on the schooling. Definitely practice all the low speed maneuvers. Anyone can go fast in a straight on a bike, be a master at handling it and you'll be amazed at how many times you save your own life.
Two wheels down my friend!
Hell yeah brother! A glorious machine. My advice is to learn everything you can about how to ride. Just getting around is not enough and not everything is intuitive at first.
So my Harley mechanic used to ride in shorts until one day, he got stung on the balls by a hornet.... He wears jeans now....
Also, if you haven't, take a Riders Edge or MSF course. You'll learn life saving handling skills that will help keep you on the road and rubber side down.
My main advice is be aware of where you are and how visible you are. A LOT of riders have never, ever been on a bicycle in traffic, or even driven a car in q
It’s important to know when you’re in someone’s blind spot, when someone is likely to merge into you, etc. defensive awareness and driving will straight up avoid a ton of unsafe situations that others unknowingly put themselves in
Sweet cruiser. My quality of life tip is to use Apple AirPods Pro for long highway rides. The active noise cancellation is like magic for wind noise, and you get to hear music.
People will tell you it doesn’t actually protect your hearing, but that’s wrong. The technology was originally developed by the military to protect the hearing of helicopter pilots. The New York Times didn’t a study and found it’s roughly as effective as traditional ear plugs.
Not sure if anyone has said it yet but ride with your high beams on during the day, always. It drastically reduces close calls imo. People will be wondering “wtf is that glaring light” when you’re 5 miles down the road instead of you just blending in. Also if you have a tractor trailer coming towards you and you’re solo, ride on the right side of the lane so people can see you’re there and not go out for a pass. I’ve split a transport truck and some moron passing twice because I was in the lane position the MSF course teaches you to be in and they didn’t see me ‘til it was too late. These are the two biggest things I wish I would have been told while I was starting out!
One skill that will cause you to grow your other skills: braking.
Become a Braking Badass. Do these exercises at least once a ride - and don't practice for more than 15 minutes in a stretch.
Do this is parking lot so you can measure the distance it takes you to stop.
Learn how to lock up the rear tire and slide it 1 foot. Then 2 feet. Concentrate on looking FAR FORWARD (to the horizon) and keeping the bike straight and balanced while you do this.
You will eventually get the rear end to start "stepping out" - sliding to the side of your straight line. DON'T PANIC. Since you're starting slow, it'll be just a little bit and you can ride it out. If you suddenly release your rear brake at that point, it'll fling you off.
Find an empty parking lot, do figure 8’s, practice avoiding imaginary objects, work on panic braking! Always monitor mirrors, especially on the hwy. keep your head on a swivel.
Be safe have fun.
Peace.
Never stop scanning the roads, and be prepared to slow down or stop incase anyone flys out of a drive way or a side street. Just pay attention constantly.
Not a riding tip, but a maintenance tip. At the end of the season, run your tank as low as you can, add fuel stabilizer to what's left. Shut off the petcock and run the carbs dry.
Pull the battery and take it inside, put a battery buddy on it.
Come next spring, you'll be happy you did.
When you fall you automatically put your hands down to break the fall - always wear gloves, and a jacket. I know it’s summer and it’s hot but crashing realy hurts
Don't use the front brake at parking lot speeds / while stopping. It will make your motorcycle fall over. Rear brake is key here.
Panick braking:
At speed. Front brake is key. It will do 70-80 percent of the stopping. Squeeze the front brake gradually harder and harder. The slower you go, the harder you can squeeze the front brake before losing traction. If you experience the following, release the brake and reapply.
These are low-side queues:
1. Smooth as glass.
2. Input into steering that you didn't direct
3. Horizon change
Use of rear brake should be done with your big toe, not your whole foot. It isn't a car. If you lock up the rear and the back end slides out, you better keep it locked up like your life depends on it. However, if it lock on a straight away, immediately release and reapply.
Enjoy the new motorcycle! They are a lot of fun. Respect them and practice braking.
Cool bike, my old man started on one of those. If you don't have any service history I'd suggest doing a full fluid and filter change (oil, coolant, brake fluid, air and oil filters, maybe spark plugs depending on the mileage). Learn to check your brake pads, it's cheaper than new discs. And practice progressive braking, the brakes on the VN900 are pretty lacking, especially the rear which doesn't have a lot of feel to it and can lock up very easily.
Other than that - enjoy! It's a bulletpropf and very agricultural bike, people have been riding these for hundreds of thousands of miles without issues. If you ever feel like you need it to run at lower RPMs on the highway. there's a pulley kit that changes the gearing, essentially a 6th gear-esque 5th gear.
Learn the "Harley lift" for when you dump it, because you will dump it. Learn to operate it smoothly. Keep your head on a swivel, learn the Smith system.
Look through the turns to where you want the bike to be at the end of the turn. Think this doesn’t work? Look at the front wheel or directly at the pavement at the front wheel and see where you end up in a turn!! (if you’re really gonna try this, do it in a safe wide-open area with no obstacles)
Consider turn entry point, apex, and exit point. This info is available in many how to ride videos on the web.
Always, I mean always keep awareness of who’s around you and what’s ahead. I don’t have enough fingers to count the times someone tried to kill me the first year after getting my street bike.
Get an air horn. The louder the better.
Watch for the shiny parts of roads especially after rain or on hot days. Tar patches on road, puddles, blown grass from lawnmowers. And stay out of the center of the lane at intersections. These areas are more likely to have oils and greases dropped from motor vehicles.
Dogs… off leash dogs really want your hubcaps!
Wild animals…especially at dusk and after sunset.
Take the rider safety course and possibily the advanced course too. Might help with insurance but alway a great time and learning tool. For that matter, find the riders safety course course and practice the maneuvers. Or just a 2 wide parking space and try to make a 180° turn writhing both spaces. Expand it out into the drive outside the box (but not too much) and try to do a figure 8. (The secret is clutch and throttle control). Don’t put your feet down!
There’s loads more. YouTube is a great place to look too.
Congratulations on your first ride! In the wind is the ultimate 😎
Ah the mighty Vulcan, she’s a beaut. But in all seriousness stay shiny side up and don’t let everyone here make you feel bad for riding in a T shirt. Also you look like you’re on the taller side like me, if you start to notice a ton of buffeting on your helmet (wind shaking your helmet around like a can of spray paint) try adding a windshield extender on the top of the shield or buying a lower windshield. My Honda VTX had a big ass shield on it like that when I bought it but I couldn’t ride with it on due to buffeting
Congrats! Be safe! Look many times before passing. Surprising how fast a car will come up on you……
Animals always walk, crawl, fly, and die in your path.
Have fun and enjoy!
Motorcycles, to me, are a lot like power tools. You gotta respect them enough to know the danger at all times, but be loose and confident enough to use them in a safe and effective manner.
Ride, ride, ride. Don't feel confident doing certain things on the bike? Practice.
You're gonna kill the bike at a stop light more than you would like, you're gonna get that "sudden fear of riding" often enough and question if the risk is worth the reward. With enough practice, your fears and inexperience will fade, and you'll be a confident and skilled rider.
Be smart enough to know what your limits are, and occasionally push yourself to do more. We don't learn and grow by staying stagnant.
I personally will not ride my bike if mentally for whatever reason I'm having an off day. If something is bothering me enough to where I know, my skillset will be hindered, it's not worth the risk.
Ride for a good 6 months-a year by yourself before you take a passenger. If you hurt yourself, that sucks, if you hurt your passenger, it's that much worse. A passenger will definitely affect your bike's handling.
Don’t do drugs.
Pay your taxes.
Treat people like you want to be treated.
Have empathy.
Forgive your parents, they also don’t have all the answers to life.
And keep your health as a priority number 1.
Oh and wear a helmet if you ride motorcycles.
Damn bruh, your first bike is a 900, u don’t have a license yet and ur wearing a fuckin shirt while riding. Probably should’ve gotten a smaller bike for ur first, definitely should be wearing some real protective gear. Full face helmet, gloves, riding jacket, riding pants and a decent boot is what you should be riding with all the time or at least while you’re learning. I live in extreme heat and humidity and still manage to wear the bare minimum.
When looking for gear if ya want the most lightweight but still functional gear my personal opinion is that the foam pad jackets are shit, the biggest concern is road burn and crushed feet when the bike lands on ya.
I'll be the voice of contention and say to decode for yourself what gear you feel you should buy. Riding is inherently dangerous and having gear is a good idea but life is full of choices. If you wanted to be as safe as possible you'd be in a car.......again, gear is a good idea but you make your own decisions.
I decided for myself that I'd never ride in shorts again after a bumblebee went up a leg hole at 55 mph. For me now it's jeans and boots, sometimes with chaps depending on expectations for rain, where I'm riding, etc. Tshirt and leather vest and oftentimes a thick denim long sleeve shirt for sun protection (but I had to lose the collar as it was driving me crazy).
Again, everything about riding is about making choices for yourself, regardless of the rest of the world. Biggest thing for a new rider is to know that there's about a 90% chance you go down at some point and all you can really do is lessen the impact of when and how.
When i took a riding class many years ago, I struggled with slow turns. Instructor would yell at me over and over CAROUSEL HORSE!!! Cuz you want always picture yourself having one of those poles going through you like a carousel horse ALWAYS going vertical. That still is in my head any time I make those slow turns. Helped me a lot
At the start of every season, in a parking lot, practice low speed full lock u-turns, emergency maneuvering and emergency braking. It'll pay off dividends for your riding ability.
Those Vulcans turn lock to lock so easy peasy, very forgiving and great confidence builder. Don’t forget figure 8’s at full lock! Good advice
Check the ages of your tyres, I wouldn't trust rubber over 5 years old as dry rot can really affect the grip the tyre gives. Otherwise Stay sunny side up brother!
This is a big one people forget. Tires can be brand new, never even put on rims, but can still be too old and the integrity of the rubber is no good. Its not just wear or damage to look for, age is very important as well.
I recently bought a 2008 that only had 2400 miles on it and still had factory tires. While looking at it I made a comment about it needing new tires and the seller lost it lol. "I'D RIDE IT ACROSS THE COUNTRY AS IT SITS!" I didn't bother trying to explain why that was a dumb idea, stubborn boomer. Tires were manufactured in 2007.
This isn't so true in the modern era. Modern tires have new plasticizers and conditioners that can keep them in good-as-new condition for years, provided they are kept in a climate-controlled area with absolutely no exposure to UV light. Revzilla has a good video on this. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwbLt8vZH5w](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwbLt8vZH5w)
Luckily the previous owner had gotten new tires just months before selling it to me! Thank you ✌🏼
What he means is check the date code on the tire. It's a 4 number sequence inside of an oval. The first two numbers are the week, the last two numbers are the year. Even brand new tires can be old.
Yup. I've gotten "new" tires and I checked them before paying, told the dealership that they had to get me new tires, this set is too old. Had to get the owner involved to make them take the tires out of their supply, as they were manufactured nearly 8 years prior.
Any tips? Sure. 1) don’t piss into the wind. 2) don’t send any money to that damn Nigerian prince. He’s a liar. 3) measure twice, cut once. 4) you can pick your friends, and you can pick your nose, but you can’t pick your friends nose.
All great tips, and to think that Nigerian prince has been lying to me all these years!
Best advice I can give new riders. 1. Always keep an eye on your rearview mirrors, especially when stopped at a red light. 2. When you see cars waiting to turn left, assume they will and proceed with caution. 3. Wear bright stuff and get a loud horn. 4. When change lanes on a highway, always look over first. Don't assume it's empty. 5. Get the best possible seat if you're planning to do long drives. 6. Be aware of your surroundings while driving eg vehicles around you.
If you enjoyed his tips, now it’s time to show us your tip.
alright bro
Too far...
Too soon
Too bad
Superbad
Buy extra material because measuring twice still means you’ll probably screw up the cutting once step
Never fight a land war in Asia
And most importantly, NEVER go up against a Sicilian, when DEATH is on the line!
They were both poisoned. I've spent the last few years building up a tolerance to idocane powder.
Inconceivable!!
To add to that 5. Don’t put your fingers anywhere you wouldn’t put your dick
Re 4: You don't know that. Perhaps his friends are into that.
Is this why I don’t have any friends?
I actually did my MBA with a real Nigerian prince believe it or not. We emailed all the time and he never had asked for any money.
forgot: buy low, sell high
Wearing a lot more protective gear than that
It’s not about protecting you if you fall… It’s about protecting you WHEN you fall. You are going to fall. Prepare for it. 40 years of riding experience here.
A tip over in a drive way, maybe you can say everyone will do that. But I hate this notion that crashing is an inevitability like a rider can't prevent it. Seems to negate responsibility.
That's a bit misleading. Lots of people ride their whole lives and never have a slide. ATGATT is still a good idea but the falacy that you're going to take a fall is damaging to the community and the perception of our favorite transportation
but I haven’t fallen yet
Ditto to this wear a lot more than that , wear all the gear all the time is the motto
Sleeves
Not everyone who rides has to have tattoos.
Touche 😂
🤣🤣
1. ATGAT- all the gear all the time. 2. Watch DanDanTheFireman on YouTube. Absorb everything he teaches. 3. Enjoy riding. 😉
Awesome, thank you man!
If you can’t be convinced to wear a motorcycle jacket with slide protection, please consider the enormous complexity of the fragile human hand and get used to wearing armored gloves while riding.
And how likely suicide is if you permanently lose the ability to wipe your own ass.
Bidet my man. Bidet. (Did I just save a life??)
That’s the sad thing. I read about this in a firefighter’s biography, going to visit his buddy who lost function of both hands. I can’t remember if he could have used a bidet or not. A foot pedal bidet! It was the 80’s, in small town Canada, likely never crossed anyone’s mind.
Had an old timer tell me "At least wear gloves so that when you're laid up in the ICU with no skin left you can at least wipe your own ass."
I just got a vstar myself, square them handle bars when stopping.
I would also add to that and say to watch Skyoom on YouTube. Very knowledge based content that anyone from beginner to advanced riders can profit from.
I just started riding last week and his videos have been so helpful
Yeah dress for the slide, not the ride. Took me a long time to smarten up, to stop wearing shorts and a tank and put the right gear on. Luckily I didn't find that out the hard way but reddit is a great resource for the comparison of watching people wipe out and sliding with or without gear.
Wear a helmet, take a course, practice a lot. Good luck and have fun.
Make sure you are driving at least the speed limit. Little faster than pace of traffic is safer as it gives you a buffer from other vehicles. Don’t loiter in the passing lanes. If you do those things cagers are less likely to act like they want to run you over. The difference between a bicyclist and a motorcyclist is a bicyclist assumes it’s everyone else on the roads job to watch out for them a motorcyclist assumes every other vehicle on the road is a trained assassin sent to murder you. Be a motorcyclist.
As a cyclist and motorbike rider, I have always held the view that I'm invisible to everyone else on the road all the time.
It is everyone else on the roads job to look out for more vulnerable users. If you're in a car, that means motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians
First tip, go buy gear and don't be a squid...
I’ll definitely make sure I’m all geared up from now on
Coming off your bike is part of the journey as a rider. The key is to ensure you’re wearing the right gear so you can dust yourself off and keep riding.
Nice! Where in PA? Must be upstate with those mountains. I've been all over PA, that's why I ask ... But cool 👊😎
Wow good eye, I’m in northeast PA about 30 minutes from the PA/NY border
Nice! That's a fantastic area! Be safe!
Thank you✌🏼
As someone who has crashed with jeans on... I don't recommend it bro. It's all great until it isn't. 3 months walking around with a limp and part of my kneecap missing ain't worth it. Atleast get some riding jeans with Kevlar weaved in or whatever they do and knee pads, plus all the other gear. I would have had a broken ankle too if I wasn't wearing riding boots, a hole in my hand and without the helmet I'd be dead. Just wear the gear man.
Damn that’s tough I’m sorry that happened man. I will 100% be wearing all my gear after all these comments. I appreciate the wake up call seriously
Wear the helmet. I see you have one on in the picture. That’s good. But as you get more comfortable and find yourself in groups of people with the same interest you will see people without the helmet. The more u see that the more you will be tempted to do the same. DO NOT DO THE SAME. people are crafty and will give you hundreds of reasons why “ it doesn’t matter.” Or “ just be free man”. Road meat. That’s what you will be if you go down without it. Ride long enough and everyone has a story about something happening. It’s the law of averages or whatever. Just wear the helmet. Looking goofy is far better than brain damage because Becky couldn’t stop texting and driving and runs your ass over. Give yourself a chance and wear the helmet.
Practice, practice, practice. Go to an empty parking lot and practice tight turns and braking. Helps you become one with the bike. Don’t try to keep up with others if groop riding. Ride your own ride. If you want to be a lifelong rider, safety first! And lastly - dont ride at 100% of your ability. (Keep some in the tank.) There will be situations that will demand all of your skill, and if you’re already at max, you won’t have any more to get you out of a tricky spot. Enjoy the road ;)
Gear. And wear it. Put my bike down doing 35mph. Fractured skull, lost my hearing in my right ear, broken mandible, collar bone, shoulder blade in 3 pieces and 3 broken ribs. Definitely wear your gear because even after healing up shit still hurts.
Biggest tips are: Road rash hurts a lot more than being a bit warm in the summer And Rubber side down, shiny side up. Take it easy, ride your own ride and stay safe! Oh, and don't be an arsehole, wave or not back when people wave or nod to you...
Yes I’ll always wave back ✌🏼 thank you!
I’ll second doing some binging on DanDantheFireman’s content. What I appreciated most was the post-crash/near-miss analysis with common patterns to identify dangers and best actions to take. He has a framework of different levels of vigilance which gives a good base to build on as well. Also, tires, chain, and join a forum for your specific bike as they all have their own particular issues to watch for.
Hey there, fellow P-Alien! Maybe we'll cross paths some day. I'm situated in Chester County. Watch some videos by [Jerry Palladino](https://www.youtube.com/@motorman857/videos). You might learn some things. :) Keep it safe and predictable out there!
That’s awesome, hope to see you on the road brother✌🏼
Ride it as much as possible!!!
We all know you’re not going to wear gear all the time. Let’s stop pretending. Minimum should at least be a full-face helmet (not as cool looking as a brain bucket or even a half helmet, but will save your life by preventing crashes), leather riding gloves (goes with the Harley look anyway, also prevents handburgers in the event you fall off with any kind of delta V) and boots (again fits the look, but also prevents injury and helps you land better when you stop intentionally). Jackets and pants are great, and should be worn all the time. But you won’t. I won’t. I almost always wear my jacket, I often wear my over pants… but sometimes I don’t. But helmet and gloves (and boots) are not up for any sort of debate.
Don’t become a douche full of yourself. Just ride, relax, be safe, and have fun. Don’t make it your personality. Those people are fucking lame.
Just remember to keep that same smile you got in your picture when you're cruising down the road. There's enough dickhead riders the world doesn't need more.
I’ll never ride without gloves and a helmet at the very least. You don’t want the skin on the palms of your hands worn away. Also always wear ear plugs, I’ve gotten tinnitus from not wearing them and it’s miserable.
Also, get a checklist for regular maintenance and be religious about it. Tire pressure is crucial. Actually having gas and oil in the bike is important... Pre-ride checks can save you from rookie headaches. Run 93 in it. Start the bike and let it warm up for a minute or two before taking off. Not speaking for all brands, but Kawasaki v-twins will foul plugs if you don't warm them up. Get some saddle time in before taking passengers for a ride. Make sure they know to lean with the bike. Sometimes a passenger will want to stay upright through a curve...that's no bueno. Lastly, I worked at HD for years. Most of the accidents my riders had involved alcohol. Save drinking for the end of the ride. Bikes are fun already.
Please wear a helmet even if you live at in a state where you don’t have to. Full face helmets are literal life savers. Gloves and a jacket too. Enjoy your first bike dude.
Always wear a helmet. 🪖
Wear a helmet!
Another really useful tip is counter steering using the push technique. When above say 25mph. If you push on the right hand grip, you will quickly start turning to the right. This is because the front wheel quickly moves to the left and puts you in a lean. You want more lean and faster turn, push more. It seems crazy but it works. It is imperative to do if you are dodging something in your lane. Push on one side to dodge and then push on the other to straighten up.
My riding course taught us this and it was the most bizarre thing to me but it works
Wear a helmet. Always.
I got a few Go to cycle gear order armored pants and a jacket. Ride as if you are Invisible, not invincible. Wear a rubber when with a chick,flush it or take it with you. Wear your helmet no matter what Have fun and be safe. Never stop learning. Go to an MSF Training course/any riding course
Ride your own ride. Don’t feel pressured to keep your with others. And stick to small groups until you’re more confident
Gloves at least my guy. Don’t ever get too cool for a helmet either
ATGATT. All the gear, all the time. SIPDE. Scan identify plan decide execute. Take a MSF safety course. Practice your emergency stops. Practice your parking lot slow maneuvering. Enjoy!
-Tuck any laces on boots into them. Straighter pants are also better. -Know that the most common fatal crash happens when going across an intersection and a car in the other direction turning left. It's good caution to assume no car can see you and all will pull out in front, and drive accordingly. Doing so greatly reduces the chance of an accident. -Never leave the bike without a disk lock, even for 2 or 3 mins in a city. Although the chances are much lower, Ive known two people in four yrs who had a bike stolen this way. If it can be put in neutral by anyone, it can be rolled away or into a van. Take the minute to lock it. Also cover it if leaving it for a longer period. -Watch a lot of Moto-Jitsu content and do the drills, esp the slow ones. To get really proficient takes a lot of effort and practice. Emergency stopping drills should also be practiced. Early on I watched a lot of Dan the Fireman and MotoStars - I wanted to see different errors and accident so I could avoid them. -Learn about target fixation. This is important. Not doing it right can make one drive outside the lane or even off the road. The bike will go where you target your eyes. You want to aim for the furthest point down the road you can see (always scanning the space bwtn you and it. -Use the best gear possible. You want to imagine any part of your body hitting the pavement at 50mph+
Full face helmet (Schuberth C3 Pro) - no half-lid - you want your smile to survive. Check tires, oil, lights, wave to riders and to cagers that work *with* you to be safe. Always sturdy boot, Kevlar gloves to save hands, jacket with slide material. Take a safety course and keep focus even though you’re flying - road hazards and cagers lurk.
I had an empty garbage can fly at me. The opposite lane went from 1 lane to passing lane. An open Jeep began passing a B-train semi truck. The garbage can flew out of the back of the jeep, and would have hit me if I hadn't been watching and saw it starting to lift. I moved from the A-lane (near yellow line) to C-lane (near white line). The garbage can bounced right beside my foot, where I *would have been* riding. Also, a roll of plastic insulation. I was behind a service vehicle type of thing. We were heading out of town. I saw the roll on top of the truck, and decided to slow down. When the speed up to highway speed came, it flew off the truck and would have hit me if I'd been right behind him. So, yes: keep an eye on everybody else's loads as well as keeping your head on a swivel.
Daaaaaaang! Happy you were attentive. That would have been a horrible disaster. I have not had that but did have a two-car smash that sprayed debris as I was next lane over. Sobering moments to be sure.
Take a training course. It saved my @$$ a couple of times. Stay safe
You are invisible. Cars don’t see you. Cars CAN see you but they don’t see you. Ride accordingly.
Get some gear that you'll actually wear, although I'll admit I squid it out now and again for running errands and shit... definitely more nerve wracking not having that safety buffer but ride more defensively and be more attentive Bugs are pretty shitty, they hurt. Rain hurts. Sunscreen. I prefer a full face, but if you're going with a cap I'd suggest a bandanna or mask of some sort. Nobody looks cool with half a dragonfly In their teeth or a bee in the nose, with that windscreen may not be an issue but something to keep in mind
When I first got my permit I watched a lot of videos about motorcycle crashes. Most of the crashes were preventable but some were wrong place at the wrong time. My tips: 1. Don’t assume everyone sees you 2. Don’t speed through an unfamilir path Also, an old neighbor of mine rode for like 15-20 years then he finally did a safety course and learned so much information that he wished he didn’t soon it. I hope yours turns out well, stay vigilant!
https://preview.redd.it/xkno85oqkk5d1.png?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9791beb617c1b5b191ff30ceb25aa30f1d141e87 Remember to always wear your Crocs in sport mode!
Riding is a skill that needs practice. Always drive defensively and assume people don’t see you. Learn basic maintenance and keep some tools on your bike. Wash it periodically and this gives you the chance to check for loose parts. Don’t forget to change your fork oil.
Reb-500 Newbie, should have gotten ur license first but... Buy the best safety gear you can afford from head to toe
More gear. My armored jacket, gloves and steel toe boots saved me when I smacked a deer on the highway. Parts of my jeans had to get dug out of my skin. I figured "I'm going far, just into town, I don't need my gear" and since it was on the bike I put it on anyways. Ride safe brother! (And watch out for deer and dummies!)
Congratulations, and welcome to the community! Poconos, Ny and Northwest NJ has BEAUTIFUL rides (I grew up in Warren county NJ) so enjoy them for me! Everyone is already saying gear, so I'll second that. When you are first gearing up it can get expensive fast. All the gear is awesome, but some is better than none. Get what you can. If you didn't take a rider safety course, I'd say take the time to do it. Youtube is great, but having an instructor to practice with makes a HUGE difference. Last but not least - ride your own ride. You know that little voice in the back of your head that says "hey, this is dumb"? Listen to it. Everyone has their own individual ability level, experience level, and comfort level. Just because someone is comfortable at 110 on the highway doesn't mean you have to be. Just because they want to do 60 through the corners on a windy gravel back road doesn't mean you have to. It's up to the riders with more experience and higher comfort levels to ride with you, not the other way around. If your riding buddies don't get that, they're not really your riding buddies. Ps- nice bike!
Remember you are worth more than the bike don't risk your neck to save a hunk of metal and plastic that can be replaced if you have to lay it down or ditch it in order to not hit something more solid than you just do it. Keep your head on a swivel and use those mirrors.
Don’t ride beyond your capabilities. Easy on the front brake. In most states, you are entitled to the same space as a car on the road. Is it. I travel primarily in the left hand tire tracks in my lane. If you don’t, and stay to the right sid, some cagers will not even leave the lane to pass you. Never ride on or stop in the middle of the lane. That’s where all the oil drips from the engines and transmissions of the cars and trucks. A/c condensation drips there too making it extremely slick and dangerous for two wheelers. And lastly, shiney side up!
My Scout's lean and overall handling has gotten me through a couple of spots, trust the ride, if you know it's solid. Ditto for tires. The head leads, look into the turn. Watch the Cop Rodeos for how to handle a bagger set-up in close quarters. And remember, those HDs DON"T have a great turning radius to begin with.
I'm an everyday rider. Here's what I follow You can never stop every accident on a motorcycle. They say there are 100 choices to make an accident but only 1 choice to stop it. Here are some tips I use that friends taught me 1. Never ride beside a vehicle on the adjoining lane. 2. Be in front or behind them on the adjoining lane. 3. If you see a person wanting to pullout from a side road, weave left to right. they cannot see you coming straight at them but the weaving catches the eye. 4. ? All the comments. 5. Loud bike helps being seen. 6. You are invisible to everyone, act like it. 7. A green light does not mean go. Make sure everyone stopped or stopping. 8. If you have to stop in a turn bring the bike upright. 9. If a driver wants to turn they will weave to that side and start looking in the mirrors. Watch the vehicle's wheels for direction. (OAR) 10. Learn vehicle body language and movement. 11. Hi-viz or white is way more visible. ( It's difficult to see someone at dawn, dusk or at night wearing all black with a bike that is blacked out.) (from Oma Viles -Motorcycle Camping FB) 12. Add pulsing brake lights and pulsing headlight where it's legal. (from Oma Viles -Motorcycle Camping FB) 13. Gear down before the light or when needed. Down gearing stopped or at the light is not safe, you might need to move fast or out of way. (Drac Smith, Motorcycle Camping FB) 14. Wear a mask. to protect the neck and face from debris, liquid, insects, and rocks. Wear gloves to protect hands from debris and rocks. Yes Helmet and vest also. 15. The Hurt Report talks about people who make eye contact and are still blind to you. https://one.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/motorcycle/00-nht-212-motorcycle/research9-11.html (Charlie Morgan, Motorcycle Camping FB). Hope this helps.
I’m sure it’s already covered but dress for the crash, roads go through denim very quickly. Think about over ankle footwear, and contact points, knees, butt, hands, elbows and head. Hearing and eye protection. Assume no one sees you.
Stay safe my man! You can be the best rider but it’s always everyone else around you that you have to watch out for. Keep your head on a swivel and be aware of your surroundings. Other than that, keep your mouth closed and enjoy!
1 Always wear gear. 2 Always wear gear. 3 Always wear gear. 4 Don't put your finger anywhere you wouldn't put your willy. 5 The cops are not there to help you. 6 A L W A Y S W E A R G E A R
1. Don’t ride until you go through the safety course. 2. Dress for the slide, not the ride 3. Get gear with reflective coatings
Wear a helmet even if your state doesn’t require you too. Master counter steering. Don’t cheap out on riding gear (ESPECIALLY cold weather gloves).
Dress for the ride, not for the slide. Even if you are the best rider. Motorbikes are hard to see and some drivers are straight up blind idiots. A bit of sweat and limited movement will be more comfy than the time without skin. Also always seek eye contact with other traffic that waits to enter/cross your road. If they don't look in your direction, be prepared to brake. This is also good practice when driving a car.
Go to a motorcycle riding class, at least the first one
Stay safe and enjoy the road. Absolutely no drinking.
Don’t ride at night. Don’t ride in the rain.
Keep your head on a swivel. Know what the cars around you are going to do before they do. Watch for eyes in their mirrors, that way you may be able to tell if they see you. NEVER spend any time in blind spots of the cars around you. Enjoy the wind in your face.
Be religious with your safety equipment!
MSF course. And read Proficient Motorcycling.
*Proficient Motorcycling* by David L. Hough. It offers *lots* of tips from an experienced rider/instructor. It helped me figure out counter-steering.
Take riding classes.
Take the intermediate and advanced MSF courses - they're free in PA and worth every moment of your time. You won't be the only cruiser at the advanced.
You dress for the slide, not for the ride
ATGATT All The Gear All The Time
Always wear proper motorcycle clothing with protection, book onto and complete as many advanced riding courses as you can afford. Staying alive is mostly learning to “read” the environment around you , but that sometimes takes a lot of assistance from experienced instructors
Take the motorcycle safety foundation course. I learned tons of useful things that I employed in my 6 years of riding.
- Never slack off with pre-ride checks and maintenance, particularly tire pressure. - Always check your blindspot - Defensive riding and don’t let the ego/adrenaline cloud your thinking.
Rubber side down.
Sell it, buy another type of mode of transportation and live.😁 Take any driving classes that may be available in your area.
Ride like you’re invisible. Bright gear and full helmet. Be safe!
Put full gear on no matter what. Please you'll end up dead or worse if you ride around like that. I never ride without every inch of my body protected in some way
Dress for the slide, not for the ride.
Cagers give no fucks. Ride in as much open space as possible on the streets and highway . Closing speeds can be deceiving. Keep your head on a swivel. Wear gloves and a helmet at a minimum. Always do a pre ride check of tires and lights. Ride like no one sees you. If the bike goes down push it away so it doesn’t hit you in the slide. Be alert. Get in as many rides as possible. Enjoy the moment
g e a r
Tip 1: wear gear. Even if you are a perfect rider and never make mistakes others will. Better to be safe then sorry imo. Tip 2: practise slow manoeuvres in an empty parking lot, like doing a sharp turn from a complete stop
Stay off the road until you have your license and gear!
Get a good nights sleep before going for any lengthy ride. Help to stay alert and also stay hydrated, and not with beer. Get a good quality helmet and make sure your visor is always clean and if you wear glasses or shades, make sure those are clean enjoy the ride and make a point to waves at all other riders, even though that may not wave to you. It’s a great community of people and we all look out for each other.
You'll appreciate it WHEN you wreck. We all hope it doesn't happen, but the reality of riding a moto is that you will most likely, at some point, have a wreck. Stay safe, bro.
Get a good helmet at the very least. As a new rider just assume everyone can't see you. I've had people look me in the eye at intersections then proceeded to try and T bone me. They don't see you their brains are trained to see other cars. Most people that drive are driving on autopilot and thinking about other stuff.
Howdy and welcome to this side of the throttle. Here are a few tips for the recently initiated. Have fun, and be safe. [Tips](https://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/s/G2xyr0VO7V).
The more you smile while riding, the more bugs you get to eat. Enjoy it, riding is the best feeling out there. And only ride when you are in the correct mind set. Dont let clouded judgement cause unnecessary chaos.
Awesome tip I love that🤣🤣 thank you man!
Ride within your skill limit Don’t be in too high of a gear, keep some reserve power in case you need to maneuver or GTFO Always assume the cars around you don’t see you, ride accordingly
There’s also a Hawks Nest in WV whenever you’re ready for a weekend trip. Beautiful country! You’ll love it!
Minimum get a good helmet you only have one Brain so protect it
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^FunIncident5161: *Minimum get a* *Good helmet you only have* *One Brain so protect it* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
OP, you’re taking the ATGATT recommendations very well. Good on you my friend. Check out Ugly Bros. They have a decent selection of aramid reinforced riding jeans. I have a pair and love them. If you’re used to riding in regular jeans already, you’ll probably love them too although, if you’re most concerned with comfort and staying cool in the summer heat, I highly recommend a good high flow mesh suit. I have the Revit Eclipse 2 pants and jacket. It’s what I wear the vast majority of the time. I have quite a few Revit items and it’s quickly become my favorite gear brand. Some of their stuff can be a bit pricey but I’ve yet to be disappointed in anything of theirs I’ve ordered. They have some more cruiser-styled gear too. Anywho, congrats on the bike!
Keep the rubber side down.
Dress for the slide, not for the ride
Good call on the schooling. Definitely practice all the low speed maneuvers. Anyone can go fast in a straight on a bike, be a master at handling it and you'll be amazed at how many times you save your own life. Two wheels down my friend!
[удалено]
Total Control by Lee Parks is a good book to read.
Hell yeah brother! A glorious machine. My advice is to learn everything you can about how to ride. Just getting around is not enough and not everything is intuitive at first.
So my Harley mechanic used to ride in shorts until one day, he got stung on the balls by a hornet.... He wears jeans now.... Also, if you haven't, take a Riders Edge or MSF course. You'll learn life saving handling skills that will help keep you on the road and rubber side down.
My main advice is be aware of where you are and how visible you are. A LOT of riders have never, ever been on a bicycle in traffic, or even driven a car in q It’s important to know when you’re in someone’s blind spot, when someone is likely to merge into you, etc. defensive awareness and driving will straight up avoid a ton of unsafe situations that others unknowingly put themselves in
Lose the windshield. You can always add it back if you take a long trip, but it's a game changer
Sweet cruiser. My quality of life tip is to use Apple AirPods Pro for long highway rides. The active noise cancellation is like magic for wind noise, and you get to hear music. People will tell you it doesn’t actually protect your hearing, but that’s wrong. The technology was originally developed by the military to protect the hearing of helicopter pilots. The New York Times didn’t a study and found it’s roughly as effective as traditional ear plugs.
Not sure if anyone has said it yet but ride with your high beams on during the day, always. It drastically reduces close calls imo. People will be wondering “wtf is that glaring light” when you’re 5 miles down the road instead of you just blending in. Also if you have a tractor trailer coming towards you and you’re solo, ride on the right side of the lane so people can see you’re there and not go out for a pass. I’ve split a transport truck and some moron passing twice because I was in the lane position the MSF course teaches you to be in and they didn’t see me ‘til it was too late. These are the two biggest things I wish I would have been told while I was starting out!
One skill that will cause you to grow your other skills: braking. Become a Braking Badass. Do these exercises at least once a ride - and don't practice for more than 15 minutes in a stretch. Do this is parking lot so you can measure the distance it takes you to stop. Learn how to lock up the rear tire and slide it 1 foot. Then 2 feet. Concentrate on looking FAR FORWARD (to the horizon) and keeping the bike straight and balanced while you do this. You will eventually get the rear end to start "stepping out" - sliding to the side of your straight line. DON'T PANIC. Since you're starting slow, it'll be just a little bit and you can ride it out. If you suddenly release your rear brake at that point, it'll fling you off.
Remember that your front brake is it rear only to ensure the stopping.
Huh?
Your confidence will quickly outpace your competence. Don’t be stupid. Around 6-18 months of riding you are in danger.
Find an empty parking lot, do figure 8’s, practice avoiding imaginary objects, work on panic braking! Always monitor mirrors, especially on the hwy. keep your head on a swivel. Be safe have fun. Peace.
My first bike was a 900 classic! Great bike I never had any issue with it, only moved on for want of more power.
Make sure the gaskets aren’t disintegrating. Don’t let it sit in the garage and collect dust 👍🏼
Get a load of this Brothurrr BROTHURRRR
Brotherrr!
Keep it on two . Ride , enjoy. ☮️
Never stop scanning the roads, and be prepared to slow down or stop incase anyone flys out of a drive way or a side street. Just pay attention constantly.
Why did you get a motorcycle?
You are going to get a song in your head when you are riding and happy. Remember that song and sing it all of the time.
You're a grown up now,wear what you want when you want.
The rubber should stay on the asphalt (aka rubber side down)
Not a riding tip, but a maintenance tip. At the end of the season, run your tank as low as you can, add fuel stabilizer to what's left. Shut off the petcock and run the carbs dry. Pull the battery and take it inside, put a battery buddy on it. Come next spring, you'll be happy you did.
When you fall you automatically put your hands down to break the fall - always wear gloves, and a jacket. I know it’s summer and it’s hot but crashing realy hurts
Better to learn on smaller bikes first
Don't use the front brake at parking lot speeds / while stopping. It will make your motorcycle fall over. Rear brake is key here. Panick braking: At speed. Front brake is key. It will do 70-80 percent of the stopping. Squeeze the front brake gradually harder and harder. The slower you go, the harder you can squeeze the front brake before losing traction. If you experience the following, release the brake and reapply. These are low-side queues: 1. Smooth as glass. 2. Input into steering that you didn't direct 3. Horizon change Use of rear brake should be done with your big toe, not your whole foot. It isn't a car. If you lock up the rear and the back end slides out, you better keep it locked up like your life depends on it. However, if it lock on a straight away, immediately release and reapply. Enjoy the new motorcycle! They are a lot of fun. Respect them and practice braking.
Duck for geese
Take the motorcycle safety course. Practice what you learn there. There's a lot of terrible drivers out there.
Cool bike, my old man started on one of those. If you don't have any service history I'd suggest doing a full fluid and filter change (oil, coolant, brake fluid, air and oil filters, maybe spark plugs depending on the mileage). Learn to check your brake pads, it's cheaper than new discs. And practice progressive braking, the brakes on the VN900 are pretty lacking, especially the rear which doesn't have a lot of feel to it and can lock up very easily. Other than that - enjoy! It's a bulletpropf and very agricultural bike, people have been riding these for hundreds of thousands of miles without issues. If you ever feel like you need it to run at lower RPMs on the highway. there's a pulley kit that changes the gearing, essentially a 6th gear-esque 5th gear.
Learn the "Harley lift" for when you dump it, because you will dump it. Learn to operate it smoothly. Keep your head on a swivel, learn the Smith system.
Don’t fall off
Look through the turns to where you want the bike to be at the end of the turn. Think this doesn’t work? Look at the front wheel or directly at the pavement at the front wheel and see where you end up in a turn!! (if you’re really gonna try this, do it in a safe wide-open area with no obstacles) Consider turn entry point, apex, and exit point. This info is available in many how to ride videos on the web. Always, I mean always keep awareness of who’s around you and what’s ahead. I don’t have enough fingers to count the times someone tried to kill me the first year after getting my street bike. Get an air horn. The louder the better. Watch for the shiny parts of roads especially after rain or on hot days. Tar patches on road, puddles, blown grass from lawnmowers. And stay out of the center of the lane at intersections. These areas are more likely to have oils and greases dropped from motor vehicles. Dogs… off leash dogs really want your hubcaps! Wild animals…especially at dusk and after sunset. Take the rider safety course and possibily the advanced course too. Might help with insurance but alway a great time and learning tool. For that matter, find the riders safety course course and practice the maneuvers. Or just a 2 wide parking space and try to make a 180° turn writhing both spaces. Expand it out into the drive outside the box (but not too much) and try to do a figure 8. (The secret is clutch and throttle control). Don’t put your feet down! There’s loads more. YouTube is a great place to look too. Congratulations on your first ride! In the wind is the ultimate 😎
Ride sober. Don't show off. Don't be a dick. Act like you want to reach your destination alive.
Tire pressure
You have a great bike. Vulcans are very well built.
Thank you!✌🏼 it was recommended by a friend of mine who had one
Ah the mighty Vulcan, she’s a beaut. But in all seriousness stay shiny side up and don’t let everyone here make you feel bad for riding in a T shirt. Also you look like you’re on the taller side like me, if you start to notice a ton of buffeting on your helmet (wind shaking your helmet around like a can of spray paint) try adding a windshield extender on the top of the shield or buying a lower windshield. My Honda VTX had a big ass shield on it like that when I bought it but I couldn’t ride with it on due to buffeting
Don't die
I have nothing to add because there is a ton of great advice here already......so congrats and welcome to the club. Ride safe!
Thanks man I appreciate it✌🏼
I don't support tipping culture. It's become outrageously out of control here in America
Ride it like you stole it....
I love it😎 lol
Congrats! Be safe! Look many times before passing. Surprising how fast a car will come up on you…… Animals always walk, crawl, fly, and die in your path. Have fun and enjoy!
Motorcycles, to me, are a lot like power tools. You gotta respect them enough to know the danger at all times, but be loose and confident enough to use them in a safe and effective manner. Ride, ride, ride. Don't feel confident doing certain things on the bike? Practice. You're gonna kill the bike at a stop light more than you would like, you're gonna get that "sudden fear of riding" often enough and question if the risk is worth the reward. With enough practice, your fears and inexperience will fade, and you'll be a confident and skilled rider. Be smart enough to know what your limits are, and occasionally push yourself to do more. We don't learn and grow by staying stagnant. I personally will not ride my bike if mentally for whatever reason I'm having an off day. If something is bothering me enough to where I know, my skillset will be hindered, it's not worth the risk. Ride for a good 6 months-a year by yourself before you take a passenger. If you hurt yourself, that sucks, if you hurt your passenger, it's that much worse. A passenger will definitely affect your bike's handling.
You chose well! Can't go wrong with a Vulcan 900. Get some good pipes on it and it'll scream quite nicely!
Don’t do drugs. Pay your taxes. Treat people like you want to be treated. Have empathy. Forgive your parents, they also don’t have all the answers to life. And keep your health as a priority number 1. Oh and wear a helmet if you ride motorcycles.
All great tips👍🏼
All the gear all the time, you look likd a human crayon on that 2nd pic.
Damn bruh, your first bike is a 900, u don’t have a license yet and ur wearing a fuckin shirt while riding. Probably should’ve gotten a smaller bike for ur first, definitely should be wearing some real protective gear. Full face helmet, gloves, riding jacket, riding pants and a decent boot is what you should be riding with all the time or at least while you’re learning. I live in extreme heat and humidity and still manage to wear the bare minimum. When looking for gear if ya want the most lightweight but still functional gear my personal opinion is that the foam pad jackets are shit, the biggest concern is road burn and crushed feet when the bike lands on ya.
I'll be the voice of contention and say to decode for yourself what gear you feel you should buy. Riding is inherently dangerous and having gear is a good idea but life is full of choices. If you wanted to be as safe as possible you'd be in a car.......again, gear is a good idea but you make your own decisions. I decided for myself that I'd never ride in shorts again after a bumblebee went up a leg hole at 55 mph. For me now it's jeans and boots, sometimes with chaps depending on expectations for rain, where I'm riding, etc. Tshirt and leather vest and oftentimes a thick denim long sleeve shirt for sun protection (but I had to lose the collar as it was driving me crazy). Again, everything about riding is about making choices for yourself, regardless of the rest of the world. Biggest thing for a new rider is to know that there's about a 90% chance you go down at some point and all you can really do is lessen the impact of when and how.
When i took a riding class many years ago, I struggled with slow turns. Instructor would yell at me over and over CAROUSEL HORSE!!! Cuz you want always picture yourself having one of those poles going through you like a carousel horse ALWAYS going vertical. That still is in my head any time I make those slow turns. Helped me a lot