Racing a motorcycle is by far the easiest way to enter motorsport today. They are easy to maintain, easy to learn, and fun to ride. They are also substantially cheaper to buy than a car! But they are far less safe when competing than cars, and beginners should first make sure that they can ride safely on roads and highways first before hitting the track. The amount of information you have to keep in mind while riding can be overwhelming and knowing how to ride safely is your first goal before taking on the circuits. To make it easier and safer to start climbing the ladder towards eventually racing motorbikes on the track, we have assembled below four useful tips to start you on your journey…
Get an easy-to-handle bike
The most common mistake new bikers make is buying a bike that is too big for them. It doesn’t matter whether you can afford the best motorcycle on the market; your first bike should be between 100cc and 200cc. A low-capacity machine not only provides you with better handling but also limits you from doing potentially dangerous stunts while you are still a learner. And you should be able to ride it until you have mastered the basics and then decide if you are ready to step up your game with a more powerful bike.
Upgrade your bike’s headlight
Lighting upgrades are sometimes seen as an aesthetic enhancement, but in reality they are a lot more than that. Changing your headlight up to a more modern brighter LED specification in the aftermarket makes it a lot easier for other motorists to see you, especially at night. Since LED lights are also more efficient on energy, you can leave them lit both at night and during the day for enhanced safety. Lighting specialists such as XK Glow can easily help you choose a replacement unit, if you don’t know where to start. They can also assist with the installation part, which most of the time has to be done with aesthetics in mind. While you’re at it, consider upgrading your turn signal lights as well!
To begin, limit the distance you ride each day
Distance is one of the most important bike-riding aspects for new riders who want to prioritise their safety. The amount of distance you cover per day should be dictated by your riding experience, your fitness level, terrains, weather, and road conditions. During the early stages of your riding journey, the objective should be to keep the distance you cover to a minimum even if you feel you have the energy for more. Riding for too long, when inexperienced, can affect your focus and efficiency, and also increase your risk of an accident.
Always ride defensively!
Most people struggle to resist the temptation of riding aggressively, especially if they want to eventually race bikes competitively. But this style and attitude should never be a choice in any beginner’s list of options. You may quickly start feeling comfortable as soon as you master the riding basics, but it’s wise not to let it go to your head. Motorcycles are smaller and have far less protection than cars, and small factors can lead to severe consequences. For this reason, always ride defensively and avoid putting yourself in dangerous situations such as riding in truck blind spots or drafting behind cars.
Where to next?
These tips can help make you a better and more responsible rider who is now more confident on his or her bike. Next stop should be a beginner’s track day where you can see how the skills that you have acquired on the road, can now help you in mastering going faster on a race track. But always remember to follow road rules and not to go on your first highway ride until you have first mastered all the specifics and feel confident and ready…
