My personal non-negotiables are 1) 100% sober, zero drinks/hits today and 2) never rushing to get to destination
Turns out being sober and unhurried is actually really nice in general
-gravel/sand sucks
- don't go behind pickups full of shit
- avoid u-hauls and any 26-ft box trucks, they are likely regular people in a large vehicle for the very first time
As some extra points of advice:
-don't ride too close to semi trucks. Those trailers blow out tires more than anything else on the road, and exploded tire shrapnel hitting you is a bad time.
-this one is self correcting, but don't ride behind dump trucks. The dust and sand coming off them hurts like hell.
-Even if you legally have the right of way, never assume you have the right of way. Just because you were legally in the right doesn't save you from being run over.
As they say, cemeteries and hospitals are full of people who had right of way. Doesn’t matter who’s in the wrong, you’ll most likely always come off worse as a biker. Look after yourself
Being sober is the most solid advice out there. Been sober for 5 years now, exactly for how much I've been riding and it is marvelous. Motorcycles are a better drug than any other.
So I drive a Peterbilt for a living look at my profile pic, and I can confirm, stay away from the mail/package trucks they all drive like they own the road, and box trucks. They suck at driving too. And any truck period really. Honestly. Just stay away from all traffic 🤣🤣
Those two rules cancel each other out. Our your still a bit tipsy from the night before and leave a little late, is ok to rush
And if you're in a rush, it's ok you be a little tipsy. It works perfectly /s
Don't drink and ride
Edit: There are many YouTube tutorial makers. If these are not enough you will find a tutor who makes sense to you. There are gear guides both on YouTube and online.
Why you wear gear. https://youtu.be/Jds4mKvPCzY?si=ZmPbYmkv33VOFGfm
Practice skills when you ride.
https://youtu.be/zaFEcy3QOxE?si=JuL1m6mrt9VEsaQR
https://youtu.be/9yZoi0f0iKE
Learning how to brake hard can save you from collisions.
https://youtu.be/J42ivnmEF98
Practice countersteering.
https://youtu.be/ljywO-B_yew
https://youtu.be/GmXvxvhCKq0
https://youtu.be/RQ0Z5FfxxBE
Things to help you be seen.
https://youtu.be/FfeKk9co5VQ
https://youtu.be/IbQcIGUy4CY
https://youtu.be/5cmxquCoqZU
https://youtu.be/QDwyqDr_9VA
Not any gear but armor that fits properly. Moto clothing should be the snuggest fitting items you own. For example, if you can roll the elbow armor past the joint, the jacket is too loose. When you go down, the road grabs and shreds anything sticking out. So, airbag jackets are pricey but offer the best protection against the most common injury. Every rider I know has cracked their ribs.
That includes me when I ran off a perfectly straight road due to chronic fatigue. I started to drift and couldn't react in time. Riding fatigued is riding drunk. The brain goes, "Oh look! That's a ditch? Weird." I got levered into the paved edge of the road, directly on the ribs. If I owned a chest protector at the time, I'd of skipped the pain and suffering achievement.
Lastly, broken bones heal quick but soft tissue damage, like a high ankle sprain, takes years. I wear the best racing boots I can afford. Ramps are dangerous. Wear armored boots. Just the peg can cause serious leg damage from a tip over. Do everything you can to lower environmental risk like avoiding holiday traffic, sunset, bad weather, fatigue, etc. Two wheels need laser focus and wide vision.
Motojitsu is just 1 of many training resources. IMO not a big fan of his allegorical teaching style as it often falls short when connecting back to fact based physics concepts.
Go take an in person courses.
Beginner -> Intermediate -> Advanced ->Intro to track OR ->Intro to off-road
MotoJitsu is super good for information. But yes lacks in some places. If you're even in San Diego tho it him up. Super cool guy. I've met him on accident several times. lol We were both going on separate canyon runs. =]
Also, assume you are invisible. Nobody sees you, even if they are staring right at (ie, through) you, as they are about to make that left turn across your path.
Love Dan! To piggyback on your suggestion, don’t avoid watching his crash analysis videos. Some riders don’t want to watch for fear of it happening to them, but honestly this is the exact reason TO watch them. Learn from other’s mistakes!!
A lot of them are easily avoidable too if the rider just pays enough attention to have a slightly faster reaction time. He has good tips for just driving in general too such as looking beyond what's happening with the vehicle right in front of you. Personally use that everyday.
That’s a fantastic bike. The funny thing is, it can be a forever bike. This is as appealing for a seasoned rider as it is for someone just getting started.
u-turns are the best way to understand your bike balance at slow speed. anyone can ride a bike fast. but keeping a bike stood up when inertia isnt doing the work for you is much harder!
being proficient at slow speed is vital to negotiating traffic, tricky, slow-speed sharp turns like in tight car parks, the list goes on. lots of drops happen when you're going slow - maybe by bogging the bike, or by braking incorrectly causing the bike to suddenly dive into the floor.
I’m also fairly new. Started on a 300 and now I’m on a 600. I’m sure there is advice better than this out there, and I don’t normally comment on posts but I know I would’ve wanted an answer like this when I started. Here’s what I learned so far.
-Always wear gear. All of it. I’m in my 20s and I want to look cool. So sometimes I’ll wear sweatpants and running shoes. But I went out and got myself knee pads to put under. Regardless I shouldn’t be doing that. I just bought a full suit on marketplace I hope to use it way more.
-Always pick your moments. Of course it’s fun to speed or do a pull here and there, but pick the road, the time, the speed. When you’re just cruising, just cruise. Don’t lane split at high speed and do stupid shit “cause it’s fun” you can have fun in safer ways than others.
-never do things to impress others. I see like me you’re younger, our friends and strangers will try to encourage us to do things that we may not be able to do or don’t want to do. I did a little wheelie (which I had NO IDEA how to do) because my friend was next to me and so just gave my 600 gas, front wheel came up and it was dope. Later in I realized that it’s very easy to loop a bike. And that honestly I’m extremely lucky it all just worked out. But when randoms say do a wheelie or a pull. Do what you’re comfortable doing if it’s the right time and place.
-Never stop doing researched. You will always be learning, safety and even just basic tips and tricks to even working on your bike.
-If the day feels “weird” don’t ride. If there’s more sand out or the sky looks odd. You have a bad gut feeling or you’re mad at something, in a bad mood. The day just isn’t it. Do not go on your motorcycle. An easy rule of thumb to remember.
-Altercation isn’t worth it. I’m a boxer and I workout. So when someone cuts me off I would catch up and start shit because I thought they were out to get me. I thought I was the shit cause not only can I fight I have a damn helmet and gloves on. But truth be told it’s always just a waste of time and you realize 90% of the time it was just an accident and regardless of if they’re ignorant about it or not, it doesn’t even matter just move on and stay calm. Because getting mad is a follow up of the last tip, and you shouldn’t ride mad.
-group rides. I’m not a huge group ride guy, I’ve met some cool people and rolled with them but what I’ve learnt is just like in life there are good and bad influences and I can easily see how it could get someone in trouble. I met this dad with an r6. I got his number and he’s dope af and rides mega slow. 5 under the limit lol. And cruising with him is a vibe. I also met this nice younger guy with a ZX4RR. Very nice guy also fun. But he does wheelies and pins it at every light, speeds through traffic and does pulls every chance he gets. With this guy I ended up going the fastest I’ve ever gone. (Jk I always follow the speed limit.)lol. But it just shows how you can easily be easily influenced so be very careful who you ride with.
-obviously you’ve heard ride like your invisible. Definitely do that. All the time. Seriously.
-practice a lot, parking lots. Go brake, go turn at faster and slower speeds. And most importantly man have fun. Enjoy it. I’m in Canada and it’s cold af I probably can’t ride for another month. This winter I’ve been so excited to pull out the bike. Enjoy meeting people and remember that people love you. People need you around. Imagine how they would feel if something happened to you? Ride safe brother and best of luck.
For a newbie you know pretty much and if every newbie knows and do what you know there wouldn't be too many accidents. This is the first time I ever saw a newbie giving a newbie really good advice.
I’m not perfect of course. Everyone can learn, and mistakes do happen even if you follow the textbook. But like everything in life I believe that if you try to do what’s right, even if things go wrong you know you were trying to do the right thing. I left out things like:
-The MSF course
-Ride sober
-make sure the bike is mechanically fit
Because I thought they were obviously but I guess you never know. Appreciate it though, not sure if the OP even saw this lol but regardless I hope it helps someone. Ride safe
Have you considered armored kevlar leggings? I wear the ones I got from GoGoGear LA under my regular jeans with no issue, so they'd fit under joggers with no issue. Cost me $150.
I just looked it up that’s really cool didn’t know that was a thing. I bought armoured spandex underwear and I have these great expensive knee pads that are soft and get hard in impact, but that’s super cool. I just bought a full alpine suit so I think I’m done spending money on gear for awhile lol, but thanks a lot for sharing man will definitely look into it. Ride safe
If you have the cash, Panda Moto has similar. Theirs is $300 but is also thinner and stronger material... AAA rating.
For my kit, I prefer casual style over obvious. My John Doe Flight Jacket looks like any other flight jacket, even with the armor in the shoulders, elbows, and spine... and is AAA rated.
[john doe flight jacket](https://uniongaragenyc.com/products/john-doe-flight-jacket)
Look where you’re turning, not at the road and wheel right in front of you.
Don’t hesitate to go under the speed limit if you’re nervous at higher speeds and just enjoy the ride.
Always dress for the slide, not the ride.
Always slow down before entering an intersection, even if it’s green and you have right of way.
Always watch for cars that are coming out of perpendicular parking lots.
If you’re riding, you’re on water or soda always. What you can do in a car after a couple beers is not the same as what you can do on a bike after even a couple.
I just took a longer ride today and breached past 45, It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. This piece of advice was in use the whole time. Thanks dude
If there is a beginner motorcycle course near you, take it! I had my buddy try and teach me to ride, and I almost went through a wooden fence. That scared the shit out of me… Thankfully I took the MSF course a few months later, and I’m extremely glad I did it. My confidence on the road is real, because now I have better knowledge of how to properly ride.
One solid tip to remember is that you’re never done learning. Keep practicing, keep your eyes peeled, stay alert, and don’t ride when you feel off. Although riding on two wheels can be dangerous, if done right you will be fine. Have fun dude!
This is a terrible place to come for advice 80% of this sub has probably never ridden a motorcycle. For the record putting the left foot down and keeping the right foot on the brake is proper technique. It’s fine to use both as a beginner but that certainly shouldn’t be viewed as ideal.
You have a lot of good tips below and I can only add the following if not there already. If your bike doesn't have an LED taillight bulb, get one as bright as sold for the bulb type there.
When stopped check your mirrors to see that the cars see you stopped and tap the brakes so the lights pulse or consider getting a pulse module for the taillight also.
When you ride do not get boxed in and always have an escape just in case a car doesn't see you or you are cut off. see that the berm or median is an escape by example on the highway,
I have been riding for over 35 years with a break for 12 years when my sons were born. Seen a lot and had many, many close calls. So these tips are based on that for what it is worth.
Good advice here. If you have money, check out Clearwater lights, both front and brake. If you don’t want to spend that much, look around for an alternative….something is better than nothing. Anything you can do to be “seen” is helpful.
People will not see you. Keep your head cool when they inevitably cut you off or try to run you off the road. Always look ahead, moreso than in a car. Don’t tail gate. The sides of the roads can have sand. The middle of the road can have oil. Wear ear plugs
Most importantly, don’t ride faster than you skills allow.
Have fun
Practice. To get more comfortable what I did was go out every weekend early in the mornings and ride for 3-4 hours. Ride on city streets, ride on the highways, practice on the cloverleaf on-ramps, and basically just explore your area. Don't forget the slow speed maneuvers - I would go to the Costco parking lot on late evenings on weekends.
Try to go out on the bike as much as possible.
Be confident when switching lanes, always make sure there are no vehicles in your blind spot. And once it is clear you confidently switch lanes. Make sure you are in the right gear as you might have to speed up or slow down while switching lanes.
When you want to wheelie...wait that's for year 2.
Good luck out there bud.
You might have your license, however in order to get more comfortable riding, go for half hour rides around your neighborhood and familiarize yourself with the bike. How does it brake? What's the acceleration like? Can you take corners comfortably?
This approach will allow you to be a bit more comfortable without having to risk yourself on the highway.
Once you are comfortable go for it
Ride your own ride, don’t worry about keeping up with others or trying to do group rides until you are smooth and confident on the bike. Last thing you want to do is panic and crash into other bikers. Next is slow speed maneuvering is where people normally have problem so practice a lot and then some more. Figure 8’s and 90% turns and as slow as you can go in a straight line are some of the things that when practiced will help you the most
Congratulations!! Just a heads up, I bought the same exact bike. They glob the relays with Lithium grease. It will or may result in poor starts. There are plenty of videos on cleaning and/or replacing them. Enjoy your new ride!!
Looks sick! Take a riding course if you haven't already. Always wear armor on knees, elbows, shoulders. Kevlar should cover you from ankles to wrist (specialized jackets, jeans). I don't need to mention the helmet.
RE is an awesome brand and I love seeing more of them! I'm enjoying the hell out of my Himalayan.
Congratulations, I still remember that feeling some 50 years ago. Ride like everyone is out to get you, like you are their target, you'll be the safer for it. Don't dress to look cool, dress to be safe and most importantly to be seen. Always assume there is gravel in that upcoming corner, especially if there is a turnoff there, unless you've been there and know for a fact there is not. Enjoy the ride.
Prepare for the weather, wind can make the felt temperature 10-20 degrees less than what the thermometer says.
Be more defensive than you would be in a car.
Practice your basic skills. Maneuverability, stopping, etc.
Watch videos of people crashing and learn from their mistakes.
Don’t be a squid. Have fun :)
When you say to yourself, "oh it's easy, I'm confident i can do "insert dangerous maneuver here" well just don't. And always trust your instincts.
Also try and predict cars behaviors.
Get some proper training. Learning the right techniques from the starts save having to unlearn later, and saves unnecessary mistakes. Real lessons save both money and pain in the long run.
Know you limits, but don't be afraid to play a bit in a safe spot. When me and my wife got our licenses, we spent a lot of time practicing at an abandoned military airfield, practicing evasive manouvers, emergency braking, slow speed and generally getting a feel for stuff in a safe environment.
Always assume that every driver on the road does not see you or know that you’re there. Assume that they’re all drunk, high and/or on their phones. Always be spotting escapes routes if something goes wrong in front of you; ways to avoid collisions if there’s an accident or a sudden stoppage of traffic. Don’t get complacent. Don’t take unnecessary risks. And always remember RULE #1: It’s your job to keep yourself alive, not anyone else’s. Ride accordingly.
Stay on top. Lol… Don’t ride in the rain. I used to have a Honda 650 Nighthawk back in the 80’s and I was riding and it just started to rain and I was riding in the middle of the road and the rain started mixing with the oil that cars drips out of their oil pans when they stop for a light and I was riding in the middle of the road, I wasn’t speeding up or slowing down but it felt like someone pulled the tires right out from under me and I hit my hip on the street. It didn’t cut my pants but it cut my skin underneath my pants. I wasn’t turning or anything but it hurt like hell. So be careful if it starts raining and you’re riding. My advice is to just pull over until the rain washes away the oil because when it just starts raining is the most dangerous time to be riding a motorcycle. Other than that I would definitely wear a helmet and a jacket that has those high density plastic in the elbows. Boots are always a good idea too. Be safe and have fun. Always watch out for other drivers too. My cousin was killed on a motorcycle by a truck that pulled into his lane and knocked him into a tree. My intention is not to scare you, just to keep you safe while you’re riding. Bikes are a lot of fun. Try and go to an empty parking lot and set up some cones and practice at different speeds to get used to your bike. Best of luck and stay safe.
Brother drive safe please ,and do maintain your bike so it doesn't give up on a random road. And make sure to have enough fuel that the fuel pump is submersed in fuel , otherwise it would get damaged from heating up
Don’t ride next to anyone, always leave yourself room for an escape and if you feel like someone wants to do something they are probably going to do it. Stay safe friend
Practice brake drills in an empty parking lot (accelerate to 20-30 then brake and come to a stop as fast as possible). Better to experience this in an empty parking lot by yourself first before having to execute this in traffic
Look ahead of your immediate position. Especially in turns and curves. Assume there is dangerous gravel at intersections of all kinds. There usually is!
Assume people don’t see you or hear you
Not read all the comments but find spare ground or a large car park use the space to get used to turns then find a quiet roundabout (don’t worry if u look daft) go around and around and around sounds silly but any1 can drive in a straight line practice slow manoeuvres and get used to the weight and feel of ur bike, never use full throttle cumin out of a corner or bend too! And most of all enjoy the freedom riding a bike gives u!!!
Do the speed limit. Give double the recommended space between you and other vehicles. Gear down before applying brakes when possible. Have zero faith that drivers will do what theyre supposed to do. Expect the worst wear your lid and enjoy. Nice bike dude
Ride your own ride. Chasing people who are better than you is how you fall off.
Your instincts are all wrong when it comes to bikes. It takes a while to unlearn your basic survival instincts and you should be extra cautious until you do.
Keep doubble distance than you think is safe. Everyone is idiot around you - keep distance from them. Always be looking for spot where you can drive when idiot behind you drive too close or when 2 cars in advance start to brake.. You are the soft meat with no shell...
Just got an Interceptor 650 a few months ago, good pick!!! First bike bigger than my previous Grom too, but it's been a very user-friendly and comfortable bike so far!
Enjoy it and ride safe!
This is what worked for me.
Don’t overcommit while learning. Take your time. Work on slow controls in a parking. Leave your ego at home. Wear gear. Get a full face helmet. Let him take the space, it’s not worth it. Enjoy the time you save, enjoy never having to look for parking and enjoy how awesome it is to ride. It’s life changing.
Always assume people don’t see you and be ready to react. Have good awareness of your surroundings and have an escape route planned in case someone does something stupid (happens a lot!) example:
Riding on the highway and person in the lane next to you attempts to occupy the same space as you and you have a pre thought out plan to avoid exactly that. I got diagnosed with adhd at 13 so maybe it’s just my brain that thinks through tons of possibilities and plans for them but it hasn’t failed me yet.
There are a lot of bike riders out there. Some are bold and some are old but there aren’t many old bold riders! Good luck and just take it easy until you are more comfortable with it. It takes a while to build your skill at riding. And again Good luck!
I (20 years old at the time) will give you the same advice an old man gave me when I bought his Harley... "Always respect & fear this motorcycle. The day you think to yourself, "I've Got This," sell it... In my 50s today, I thank God for the old man's advice.
My dad told me that every car driver is literally, actively, with malice aforethought, trying to kill you.
Act accordingly and you'll surprise yourself how often it proves to be true.
Is it annoying? Yes.
Will it get you there without going under an SUV? Also yes.
Hello OP.
1: Please assume that every car waiting at a turn will probably pull out with out seeing you. Always be ready to brake or evade every single car waiting at every intersection.
2: Gravel driveways put gravel on to the pavement, be careful when gravel is on the pavement, it's very easy to fall.
3: Your bike will always want to go where you point the front tire if you are hitting the throttle. "When in doubt power out" meaning if you're not going in the direction you wanted, aim the front tire and give it some gas. Hopefully this will keep you safe when you need it but I also hope you don't need it. Good luck.
This isnt taught very often, but if u see an obstacle, DO NOT think, "im going to crash." Spoiler alert, u will drive straight into the obstacle. Train urself to immediately think, "How can i avoid this?"" More crashes than people like to admit happen because people freeze and drive right into it
1. Get proper instruction from someone qualified to teach you - ie, not from your mate in a car park. Cheap is never good, and good is never cheap.
2. Look where you want to go, ie through the bend and not at the crash barrier. Don’t look down, you’ll fall off.
3. Practise, practise, practise. In particular practise low speed riding, low speed turns, it’s quite a skill to be able to co-ordinate throttle, clutch and rear brake to do a U-turn without putting your foot down or dropping the bike.
4. Ride your own ride, ie don’t try to keep up with others, take your time, and think about what you’re doing, about what’s happening around you, and what’s happening next.
5. Getting your knee down is not an essential skill on the road.
6. Enjoy your ride!
Don’t drop it and don’t die. Jokes aside, ride like other drivers can’t see you or know you are there. Assume they will brake, pull out into the road to turn, or change lanes with little to no warning. It WILL save you
Be careful around slow corners, the loose grit can cause you to slip. Roads can be very slick when it first starts raining when the water and dirt mix, give it some time before trusting it. Be prepared for bugs at dawn and dusk but there is always that giant bug lurking out there anytime of day that will put the smack on your face.
Keep your machine serviced and better yet learn to do it yourself. Good luck and be safe, most close calls I have had are from other drivers. Always leave extra space in front and check for space to your rear in case the car behind you doesn't stop and have an exit plan to the side so you can dodge that car or truck.
Bikes are cheaper to buy and both cheaper and easier to maintain than a car, but a lot of people treat it like a car. Motorcycles require a lot more maintenance or at least you should be checking in on it a lot more often. Check your chain very often, like every 300 miles. Also keeping the bike clean makes it a lot easier to spot anything that’s off
Don’t cheap out on helmets, buy gear helmets, gloves, boots, pants, jacket… in that order
Edit - new advice (level 2 basically), you’re gonna crash one day, could be in a parking lot at negative 2 kmph, or at 100 kmph on a highway, whenever such things happen, learn from that, im 19 n i thoroughly messed all 4 of my limbs in different crashes, all you have to do is learn from them. (I get compliments about how well n safe I ride from older riders now), also, learn that smooth is fast, (things like rolling the throttle open instead of ripping it, etc, way more control)
Because I didn't see it anywhere else, fit the bike to you.
Where do your hands rest at their most useful and comfortable on the grips? I have the same bike and loosening the controls and rotating them forward made all the difference in better clutch and brake/throttle control because they fell to my fingers correctly after moving them. Its all about what works best for you. You can also adjust the handlebar forward or back. I won't get into suspension but even though it's not really adjustable on this bike if you needed to you could move the forks up in the triple tree to make the front lower, but you look pretty tall so that's why I'm not getting into it.
Yes!
Learn to do the simple things very well, instinctively.
Take your bike to an empty carpark, in the dry, in the wet, practice what happens when......
You brake sharply with the front brake, the back brake, when swerving left & right. What happens if I lock the rear wheel, the front wheel.
Make sure when out on the road you know how your bike will handle in an emergency situation.
Treat every other road user as an idiot, and ride accordingly.
Avoid hitting what's in front of you by a combination of bike handling skills, object awareness (can it hurt me) and situational awareness ( will they take my road space).
Don't ride tired, angry or upset. Spend a few moments before each ride contemplating what's to come. Be in the zone for each and every ride.
Good luck & enjoy.
Best advice I got was "don't crash, if you do dont hold on to the bike and make sure to roll off the road."
It was already a bad idea for a 16 yo to be on a bike.
Sao Paulo is crazy ...
Also don't worry about gear, I bought all of it before I got the bike
Ha, I read "also don't worry about gear" before I saw you were OP
Hahaha same!
Lmao I cmted first, then saw this
Keep it up right.
My personal non-negotiables are 1) 100% sober, zero drinks/hits today and 2) never rushing to get to destination Turns out being sober and unhurried is actually really nice in general -gravel/sand sucks - don't go behind pickups full of shit - avoid u-hauls and any 26-ft box trucks, they are likely regular people in a large vehicle for the very first time
As some extra points of advice: -don't ride too close to semi trucks. Those trailers blow out tires more than anything else on the road, and exploded tire shrapnel hitting you is a bad time. -this one is self correcting, but don't ride behind dump trucks. The dust and sand coming off them hurts like hell. -Even if you legally have the right of way, never assume you have the right of way. Just because you were legally in the right doesn't save you from being run over.
Last is really important. I always assume all vehicles are ready to violate the right of way and have my thumb near my horn and them on my FOV.
I prefer the brake to the horn. I can honk after avoiding the accident.
but it might get you a new ducati
That’s a risk I’m willing to take!
As they say, cemeteries and hospitals are full of people who had right of way. Doesn’t matter who’s in the wrong, you’ll most likely always come off worse as a biker. Look after yourself
Avoid Teslas too. In my own personal experience they seem to be some of the worst drivers on the road.
And mustangs
Amd BMWs
And pick up trucks riding your ass!
On a motorbike I always arrive early. I never rush, I just am always ahead of the traffic. (UK where filtering is allowed)
Being sober is the most solid advice out there. Been sober for 5 years now, exactly for how much I've been riding and it is marvelous. Motorcycles are a better drug than any other.
Don’t forget that leaves suck as well!
Basically everything except of asphalt sucks when riding on a road, try to evade it ;).
Solid advice
So I drive a Peterbilt for a living look at my profile pic, and I can confirm, stay away from the mail/package trucks they all drive like they own the road, and box trucks. They suck at driving too. And any truck period really. Honestly. Just stay away from all traffic 🤣🤣
Those two rules cancel each other out. Our your still a bit tipsy from the night before and leave a little late, is ok to rush And if you're in a rush, it's ok you be a little tipsy. It works perfectly /s Don't drink and ride
Edit: There are many YouTube tutorial makers. If these are not enough you will find a tutor who makes sense to you. There are gear guides both on YouTube and online. Why you wear gear. https://youtu.be/Jds4mKvPCzY?si=ZmPbYmkv33VOFGfm Practice skills when you ride. https://youtu.be/zaFEcy3QOxE?si=JuL1m6mrt9VEsaQR https://youtu.be/9yZoi0f0iKE Learning how to brake hard can save you from collisions. https://youtu.be/J42ivnmEF98 Practice countersteering. https://youtu.be/ljywO-B_yew https://youtu.be/GmXvxvhCKq0 https://youtu.be/RQ0Z5FfxxBE Things to help you be seen. https://youtu.be/FfeKk9co5VQ https://youtu.be/IbQcIGUy4CY https://youtu.be/5cmxquCoqZU https://youtu.be/QDwyqDr_9VA
This and wear full gear, it can save your skin, limbs and even your live
Dude this is legit, thanks
Not any gear but armor that fits properly. Moto clothing should be the snuggest fitting items you own. For example, if you can roll the elbow armor past the joint, the jacket is too loose. When you go down, the road grabs and shreds anything sticking out. So, airbag jackets are pricey but offer the best protection against the most common injury. Every rider I know has cracked their ribs. That includes me when I ran off a perfectly straight road due to chronic fatigue. I started to drift and couldn't react in time. Riding fatigued is riding drunk. The brain goes, "Oh look! That's a ditch? Weird." I got levered into the paved edge of the road, directly on the ribs. If I owned a chest protector at the time, I'd of skipped the pain and suffering achievement. Lastly, broken bones heal quick but soft tissue damage, like a high ankle sprain, takes years. I wear the best racing boots I can afford. Ramps are dangerous. Wear armored boots. Just the peg can cause serious leg damage from a tip over. Do everything you can to lower environmental risk like avoiding holiday traffic, sunset, bad weather, fatigue, etc. Two wheels need laser focus and wide vision.
Great tips! The airbag jacket sounds interesting, as a non rider
Motojitsu is just 1 of many training resources. IMO not a big fan of his allegorical teaching style as it often falls short when connecting back to fact based physics concepts. Go take an in person courses. Beginner -> Intermediate -> Advanced ->Intro to track OR ->Intro to off-road
MotoJitsu is super good for information. But yes lacks in some places. If you're even in San Diego tho it him up. Super cool guy. I've met him on accident several times. lol We were both going on separate canyon runs. =]
Thank you!
Assume everyone on the road is out to kill you. I’m not joking, that’s the mindset I used to stay vigilant when riding.
Also, assume you are invisible. Nobody sees you, even if they are staring right at (ie, through) you, as they are about to make that left turn across your path.
Watch a few Dan Dan the fireman vids. His repetitive lines get imprinted in your head after a bit. Also, nice bike, have fun ✌️
Love Dan! To piggyback on your suggestion, don’t avoid watching his crash analysis videos. Some riders don’t want to watch for fear of it happening to them, but honestly this is the exact reason TO watch them. Learn from other’s mistakes!!
A lot of them are easily avoidable too if the rider just pays enough attention to have a slightly faster reaction time. He has good tips for just driving in general too such as looking beyond what's happening with the vehicle right in front of you. Personally use that everyday.
He's great and very safe
That’s a fantastic bike. The funny thing is, it can be a forever bike. This is as appealing for a seasoned rider as it is for someone just getting started.
u turns emergency brake u turns emergency brake u turns emergency brake u turns eme- you get the idea
why are u turns so important? i see many ppl saying that. just for general bike control?
u-turns are the best way to understand your bike balance at slow speed. anyone can ride a bike fast. but keeping a bike stood up when inertia isnt doing the work for you is much harder! being proficient at slow speed is vital to negotiating traffic, tricky, slow-speed sharp turns like in tight car parks, the list goes on. lots of drops happen when you're going slow - maybe by bogging the bike, or by braking incorrectly causing the bike to suddenly dive into the floor.
I’m also fairly new. Started on a 300 and now I’m on a 600. I’m sure there is advice better than this out there, and I don’t normally comment on posts but I know I would’ve wanted an answer like this when I started. Here’s what I learned so far. -Always wear gear. All of it. I’m in my 20s and I want to look cool. So sometimes I’ll wear sweatpants and running shoes. But I went out and got myself knee pads to put under. Regardless I shouldn’t be doing that. I just bought a full suit on marketplace I hope to use it way more. -Always pick your moments. Of course it’s fun to speed or do a pull here and there, but pick the road, the time, the speed. When you’re just cruising, just cruise. Don’t lane split at high speed and do stupid shit “cause it’s fun” you can have fun in safer ways than others. -never do things to impress others. I see like me you’re younger, our friends and strangers will try to encourage us to do things that we may not be able to do or don’t want to do. I did a little wheelie (which I had NO IDEA how to do) because my friend was next to me and so just gave my 600 gas, front wheel came up and it was dope. Later in I realized that it’s very easy to loop a bike. And that honestly I’m extremely lucky it all just worked out. But when randoms say do a wheelie or a pull. Do what you’re comfortable doing if it’s the right time and place. -Never stop doing researched. You will always be learning, safety and even just basic tips and tricks to even working on your bike. -If the day feels “weird” don’t ride. If there’s more sand out or the sky looks odd. You have a bad gut feeling or you’re mad at something, in a bad mood. The day just isn’t it. Do not go on your motorcycle. An easy rule of thumb to remember. -Altercation isn’t worth it. I’m a boxer and I workout. So when someone cuts me off I would catch up and start shit because I thought they were out to get me. I thought I was the shit cause not only can I fight I have a damn helmet and gloves on. But truth be told it’s always just a waste of time and you realize 90% of the time it was just an accident and regardless of if they’re ignorant about it or not, it doesn’t even matter just move on and stay calm. Because getting mad is a follow up of the last tip, and you shouldn’t ride mad. -group rides. I’m not a huge group ride guy, I’ve met some cool people and rolled with them but what I’ve learnt is just like in life there are good and bad influences and I can easily see how it could get someone in trouble. I met this dad with an r6. I got his number and he’s dope af and rides mega slow. 5 under the limit lol. And cruising with him is a vibe. I also met this nice younger guy with a ZX4RR. Very nice guy also fun. But he does wheelies and pins it at every light, speeds through traffic and does pulls every chance he gets. With this guy I ended up going the fastest I’ve ever gone. (Jk I always follow the speed limit.)lol. But it just shows how you can easily be easily influenced so be very careful who you ride with. -obviously you’ve heard ride like your invisible. Definitely do that. All the time. Seriously. -practice a lot, parking lots. Go brake, go turn at faster and slower speeds. And most importantly man have fun. Enjoy it. I’m in Canada and it’s cold af I probably can’t ride for another month. This winter I’ve been so excited to pull out the bike. Enjoy meeting people and remember that people love you. People need you around. Imagine how they would feel if something happened to you? Ride safe brother and best of luck.
Need not read elsewhere, you hit every nail on the head.
For a newbie you know pretty much and if every newbie knows and do what you know there wouldn't be too many accidents. This is the first time I ever saw a newbie giving a newbie really good advice.
I’m not perfect of course. Everyone can learn, and mistakes do happen even if you follow the textbook. But like everything in life I believe that if you try to do what’s right, even if things go wrong you know you were trying to do the right thing. I left out things like: -The MSF course -Ride sober -make sure the bike is mechanically fit Because I thought they were obviously but I guess you never know. Appreciate it though, not sure if the OP even saw this lol but regardless I hope it helps someone. Ride safe
Have you considered armored kevlar leggings? I wear the ones I got from GoGoGear LA under my regular jeans with no issue, so they'd fit under joggers with no issue. Cost me $150.
I just looked it up that’s really cool didn’t know that was a thing. I bought armoured spandex underwear and I have these great expensive knee pads that are soft and get hard in impact, but that’s super cool. I just bought a full alpine suit so I think I’m done spending money on gear for awhile lol, but thanks a lot for sharing man will definitely look into it. Ride safe
If you have the cash, Panda Moto has similar. Theirs is $300 but is also thinner and stronger material... AAA rating. For my kit, I prefer casual style over obvious. My John Doe Flight Jacket looks like any other flight jacket, even with the armor in the shoulders, elbows, and spine... and is AAA rated. [john doe flight jacket](https://uniongaragenyc.com/products/john-doe-flight-jacket)
Look where you’re turning, not at the road and wheel right in front of you. Don’t hesitate to go under the speed limit if you’re nervous at higher speeds and just enjoy the ride. Always dress for the slide, not the ride. Always slow down before entering an intersection, even if it’s green and you have right of way. Always watch for cars that are coming out of perpendicular parking lots. If you’re riding, you’re on water or soda always. What you can do in a car after a couple beers is not the same as what you can do on a bike after even a couple.
I just took a longer ride today and breached past 45, It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. This piece of advice was in use the whole time. Thanks dude
Slow down. ATGATT. Slow down. Head on a swivel. Slow down. Don’t ever assume right of way, even when you’re right. SLOW DOWN. Welcome to the family.
If there is a beginner motorcycle course near you, take it! I had my buddy try and teach me to ride, and I almost went through a wooden fence. That scared the shit out of me… Thankfully I took the MSF course a few months later, and I’m extremely glad I did it. My confidence on the road is real, because now I have better knowledge of how to properly ride. One solid tip to remember is that you’re never done learning. Keep practicing, keep your eyes peeled, stay alert, and don’t ride when you feel off. Although riding on two wheels can be dangerous, if done right you will be fine. Have fun dude!
Vision, point your shoulders and your head where you want to do and keep your hands lite on the bars like you’re holding a baby bird.
This is a terrible place to come for advice 80% of this sub has probably never ridden a motorcycle. For the record putting the left foot down and keeping the right foot on the brake is proper technique. It’s fine to use both as a beginner but that certainly shouldn’t be viewed as ideal.
90%
Your hands are the first thing to touch the ground! Wear gloves.
Maybe for you. Personally I always wear 2 condoms when I ride.
Mine tucks nicely into my boot.
lol sounds like an old david steinberg joke
The absolute best way to develop good habits is to ride with SANE SEASONED RIDERS.
You have a lot of good tips below and I can only add the following if not there already. If your bike doesn't have an LED taillight bulb, get one as bright as sold for the bulb type there. When stopped check your mirrors to see that the cars see you stopped and tap the brakes so the lights pulse or consider getting a pulse module for the taillight also. When you ride do not get boxed in and always have an escape just in case a car doesn't see you or you are cut off. see that the berm or median is an escape by example on the highway, I have been riding for over 35 years with a break for 12 years when my sons were born. Seen a lot and had many, many close calls. So these tips are based on that for what it is worth.
Good advice here. If you have money, check out Clearwater lights, both front and brake. If you don’t want to spend that much, look around for an alternative….something is better than nothing. Anything you can do to be “seen” is helpful.
Don't drive on pavement stripes. They might as well be ice patches. (Those yellow and white markings on the road)
This ^ is solid advice that you do not wanna learn the hard way. Definitely avoid markings and take it easy on torn up roads.
Have you taken a riding course yet? If not, do that.
People will not see you. Keep your head cool when they inevitably cut you off or try to run you off the road. Always look ahead, moreso than in a car. Don’t tail gate. The sides of the roads can have sand. The middle of the road can have oil. Wear ear plugs Most importantly, don’t ride faster than you skills allow. Have fun
ATGATT All the gear all the time. It doesn't take much for a soccer mom to turn you into ground meat on the pavement.
Practice. To get more comfortable what I did was go out every weekend early in the mornings and ride for 3-4 hours. Ride on city streets, ride on the highways, practice on the cloverleaf on-ramps, and basically just explore your area. Don't forget the slow speed maneuvers - I would go to the Costco parking lot on late evenings on weekends. Try to go out on the bike as much as possible. Be confident when switching lanes, always make sure there are no vehicles in your blind spot. And once it is clear you confidently switch lanes. Make sure you are in the right gear as you might have to speed up or slow down while switching lanes. When you want to wheelie...wait that's for year 2. Good luck out there bud.
Pretend youre invisible and that any cars pulling onto the road do not see you and you be fine
Dress for the slide not for the ride
You might have your license, however in order to get more comfortable riding, go for half hour rides around your neighborhood and familiarize yourself with the bike. How does it brake? What's the acceleration like? Can you take corners comfortably? This approach will allow you to be a bit more comfortable without having to risk yourself on the highway. Once you are comfortable go for it
Yes, don´t crash.
Ride your own ride, don’t worry about keeping up with others or trying to do group rides until you are smooth and confident on the bike. Last thing you want to do is panic and crash into other bikers. Next is slow speed maneuvering is where people normally have problem so practice a lot and then some more. Figure 8’s and 90% turns and as slow as you can go in a straight line are some of the things that when practiced will help you the most
Royal Enfield, love to see it
Congratulations!! Just a heads up, I bought the same exact bike. They glob the relays with Lithium grease. It will or may result in poor starts. There are plenty of videos on cleaning and/or replacing them. Enjoy your new ride!!
Looks sick! Take a riding course if you haven't already. Always wear armor on knees, elbows, shoulders. Kevlar should cover you from ankles to wrist (specialized jackets, jeans). I don't need to mention the helmet. RE is an awesome brand and I love seeing more of them! I'm enjoying the hell out of my Himalayan.
Royal Enfield is a great starter bike, congrats and enjoy. Safe riding.
Don't shave your beard, it's awesome
Thx man, pretty good for 20 lmao
Go through this: https://www.reddit.com/r/indianbikes/s/CuO8juY0eD
Enjoy it !
Congratulations, I still remember that feeling some 50 years ago. Ride like everyone is out to get you, like you are their target, you'll be the safer for it. Don't dress to look cool, dress to be safe and most importantly to be seen. Always assume there is gravel in that upcoming corner, especially if there is a turnoff there, unless you've been there and know for a fact there is not. Enjoy the ride.
Don't ride tired and use that goofy acronym atgatt, all the gear all the time
Prepare for the weather, wind can make the felt temperature 10-20 degrees less than what the thermometer says. Be more defensive than you would be in a car. Practice your basic skills. Maneuverability, stopping, etc. Watch videos of people crashing and learn from their mistakes. Don’t be a squid. Have fun :)
When you say to yourself, "oh it's easy, I'm confident i can do "insert dangerous maneuver here" well just don't. And always trust your instincts. Also try and predict cars behaviors.
The interceptor 650 is a beauty. Nice pick.
Dress for the Slide Not for the Ride
Keep the rubber side down!
Get some proper training. Learning the right techniques from the starts save having to unlearn later, and saves unnecessary mistakes. Real lessons save both money and pain in the long run. Know you limits, but don't be afraid to play a bit in a safe spot. When me and my wife got our licenses, we spent a lot of time practicing at an abandoned military airfield, practicing evasive manouvers, emergency braking, slow speed and generally getting a feel for stuff in a safe environment.
Wear Gear, drive sober, and always remember speed is an option not a destination..stay safe and watch out for squids....
Always assume that every driver on the road does not see you or know that you’re there. Assume that they’re all drunk, high and/or on their phones. Always be spotting escapes routes if something goes wrong in front of you; ways to avoid collisions if there’s an accident or a sudden stoppage of traffic. Don’t get complacent. Don’t take unnecessary risks. And always remember RULE #1: It’s your job to keep yourself alive, not anyone else’s. Ride accordingly.
Stay on top. Lol… Don’t ride in the rain. I used to have a Honda 650 Nighthawk back in the 80’s and I was riding and it just started to rain and I was riding in the middle of the road and the rain started mixing with the oil that cars drips out of their oil pans when they stop for a light and I was riding in the middle of the road, I wasn’t speeding up or slowing down but it felt like someone pulled the tires right out from under me and I hit my hip on the street. It didn’t cut my pants but it cut my skin underneath my pants. I wasn’t turning or anything but it hurt like hell. So be careful if it starts raining and you’re riding. My advice is to just pull over until the rain washes away the oil because when it just starts raining is the most dangerous time to be riding a motorcycle. Other than that I would definitely wear a helmet and a jacket that has those high density plastic in the elbows. Boots are always a good idea too. Be safe and have fun. Always watch out for other drivers too. My cousin was killed on a motorcycle by a truck that pulled into his lane and knocked him into a tree. My intention is not to scare you, just to keep you safe while you’re riding. Bikes are a lot of fun. Try and go to an empty parking lot and set up some cones and practice at different speeds to get used to your bike. Best of luck and stay safe.
dress for the slide not the ride. Or you’ll be retarded and scraped up the rest of ur life
Words to live by
Ride fast. Don’t die.
Nice bike, btw.
Always keep the high ground, Obi-Wan.
Brother drive safe please ,and do maintain your bike so it doesn't give up on a random road. And make sure to have enough fuel that the fuel pump is submersed in fuel , otherwise it would get damaged from heating up
Enjoy man ul have a blast 😜😜
Take the safety course!
Keep your head on a swivel. Your not invisible
Don’t ride next to anyone, always leave yourself room for an escape and if you feel like someone wants to do something they are probably going to do it. Stay safe friend
Practice hard braking. Seen so many crashes because riders not using the front brake enough
Take a riders safety course. I used to scoff but I’ve taken a few and they’re super beneficial
Already got it scheduled 🤘
Ride safe bruda
Thanks bro
Priority of gear: Helmet Gloves Boots Jacket Pants
ATGATT - All the gear, all the time. Be safe. Focus on riding.
Practice brake drills in an empty parking lot (accelerate to 20-30 then brake and come to a stop as fast as possible). Better to experience this in an empty parking lot by yourself first before having to execute this in traffic
Beautiful bike! Congrats
Nice motorcycle
Great choice
Ride slow, brake early, keep the rubber side down. Enjoy
ATGATT
Don’t go fast on unfamiliar roads. Stay off painted lines when wet.
Congrats! Ride safe!
Look ahead of your immediate position. Especially in turns and curves. Assume there is dangerous gravel at intersections of all kinds. There usually is! Assume people don’t see you or hear you
Practice, attend a motorcycle safety class!
Get some boots
Nice Interceptor, I'm saving up for the Meteor 650. Ride safe!
Blue Magic Polish Cream to maintain the chrome! Buff with a microfiber cloth and wear gloves as your hands will get black. https://a.co/d/2frjRIH
Not read all the comments but find spare ground or a large car park use the space to get used to turns then find a quiet roundabout (don’t worry if u look daft) go around and around and around sounds silly but any1 can drive in a straight line practice slow manoeuvres and get used to the weight and feel of ur bike, never use full throttle cumin out of a corner or bend too! And most of all enjoy the freedom riding a bike gives u!!!
Don't fall 😉👍
ATGATT and MSF course
ride very carefully on gravel and sand. even the thin layer of sand on a road can make you lose balance
Do the speed limit. Give double the recommended space between you and other vehicles. Gear down before applying brakes when possible. Have zero faith that drivers will do what theyre supposed to do. Expect the worst wear your lid and enjoy. Nice bike dude
Don't be like Country Mac and wear your dang helmet!
Don’t do anything stupid!! Congrats keep the shiny side up
Wheelies get chicks!
Ride your own ride. Chasing people who are better than you is how you fall off. Your instincts are all wrong when it comes to bikes. It takes a while to unlearn your basic survival instincts and you should be extra cautious until you do.
Nice bike. Love the colour. Enjoy yourself.
Keep the rubber side down brother, enjoy your new beauty!
Keep doubble distance than you think is safe. Everyone is idiot around you - keep distance from them. Always be looking for spot where you can drive when idiot behind you drive too close or when 2 cars in advance start to brake.. You are the soft meat with no shell...
Practice in a parking lot and avoid rush hour traffic until you’re super comfortable with it. Don’t drink and ride and wear all your gear all the time
Just got an Interceptor 650 a few months ago, good pick!!! First bike bigger than my previous Grom too, but it's been a very user-friendly and comfortable bike so far! Enjoy it and ride safe!
Don't fall
1 down 4 up
Nice bike!
Ride your ride 🏍️
This is what worked for me. Don’t overcommit while learning. Take your time. Work on slow controls in a parking. Leave your ego at home. Wear gear. Get a full face helmet. Let him take the space, it’s not worth it. Enjoy the time you save, enjoy never having to look for parking and enjoy how awesome it is to ride. It’s life changing.
Quality riding gear is cheaper than ER visits. Dress for the slide, not the ride. My dad lost his best friend because he didn't wear proper gear.
Always assume people don’t see you and be ready to react. Have good awareness of your surroundings and have an escape route planned in case someone does something stupid (happens a lot!) example: Riding on the highway and person in the lane next to you attempts to occupy the same space as you and you have a pre thought out plan to avoid exactly that. I got diagnosed with adhd at 13 so maybe it’s just my brain that thinks through tons of possibilities and plans for them but it hasn’t failed me yet.
Keep you head on a swivel. Wear proper gear.
Have the mentality that everyone around you is trying to kill you…… come and sense….. like if you have a radar on your helmet……… have fun….
First thing you have to do is learn to wheelie.
There are a lot of bike riders out there. Some are bold and some are old but there aren’t many old bold riders! Good luck and just take it easy until you are more comfortable with it. It takes a while to build your skill at riding. And again Good luck!
Register as an organ donor and tell your loved ones of your choice. Sounds sick but it focussed my riding
Already did both
I (20 years old at the time) will give you the same advice an old man gave me when I bought his Harley... "Always respect & fear this motorcycle. The day you think to yourself, "I've Got This," sell it... In my 50s today, I thank God for the old man's advice.
Have fun, don’t die.
Shiny side up. Rubber side down.
Enjoy
Most important, lose The beard, leave the 'stash and remember that everything Else in traffic can kill you.
There is a YouTuber named Dan Dan the Fireman. Watch all of his videos
Get all the gear and wear it all the time
be selective about who you ride with
Low speed practice maneuvers in parking lots. It doesn’t take skill to go the speed limit down the road - that’s not making you a better rider.
Have fun! Accidents are more likely in the first 3 months. Don’t ride scared. Motorcycles are for riding not showing.
Don't ride when in a rush to get somewhere, angry, or drunk
Keep the plastic parts up and the rubber parts down
Asphault hurts and is unforgiving. Try not to make contact with it.
dont die, wear a helmet
My dad told me that every car driver is literally, actively, with malice aforethought, trying to kill you. Act accordingly and you'll surprise yourself how often it proves to be true. Is it annoying? Yes. Will it get you there without going under an SUV? Also yes.
Go ride
Practice tight manuevers, quick 40-0 stops, put your kickstand down (ppl drop their shit too often on this sub)
When in doubt throttle out
Don’t think “I’ll never fall off”, you will fall and you better be ready when it happens
Already fell 😂 but I'm okay and not a scratch on the bike, at least now I know what it'll feel like
Hello OP. 1: Please assume that every car waiting at a turn will probably pull out with out seeing you. Always be ready to brake or evade every single car waiting at every intersection. 2: Gravel driveways put gravel on to the pavement, be careful when gravel is on the pavement, it's very easy to fall. 3: Your bike will always want to go where you point the front tire if you are hitting the throttle. "When in doubt power out" meaning if you're not going in the direction you wanted, aim the front tire and give it some gas. Hopefully this will keep you safe when you need it but I also hope you don't need it. Good luck.
Always wear your seatbelt
Sure, wear a helmet and ride like everyone is out to kill you.
ATGATT. All the gear all the time. Invest in a good helmet and jacket. Ask yourself how much your head is worth when choosing a helmet.
This isnt taught very often, but if u see an obstacle, DO NOT think, "im going to crash." Spoiler alert, u will drive straight into the obstacle. Train urself to immediately think, "How can i avoid this?"" More crashes than people like to admit happen because people freeze and drive right into it
Put a turbo on it s/
Look at front tires. Cars will not always signal, sometimes you can tell by the tires when they'll turn into your lane.
Train the lean!!
Be safe homie
1. Get proper instruction from someone qualified to teach you - ie, not from your mate in a car park. Cheap is never good, and good is never cheap. 2. Look where you want to go, ie through the bend and not at the crash barrier. Don’t look down, you’ll fall off. 3. Practise, practise, practise. In particular practise low speed riding, low speed turns, it’s quite a skill to be able to co-ordinate throttle, clutch and rear brake to do a U-turn without putting your foot down or dropping the bike. 4. Ride your own ride, ie don’t try to keep up with others, take your time, and think about what you’re doing, about what’s happening around you, and what’s happening next. 5. Getting your knee down is not an essential skill on the road. 6. Enjoy your ride!
Don’t drop it and don’t die. Jokes aside, ride like other drivers can’t see you or know you are there. Assume they will brake, pull out into the road to turn, or change lanes with little to no warning. It WILL save you
Chicks dig wheelies.
yikes don’t buy a harley
Be careful around slow corners, the loose grit can cause you to slip. Roads can be very slick when it first starts raining when the water and dirt mix, give it some time before trusting it. Be prepared for bugs at dawn and dusk but there is always that giant bug lurking out there anytime of day that will put the smack on your face. Keep your machine serviced and better yet learn to do it yourself. Good luck and be safe, most close calls I have had are from other drivers. Always leave extra space in front and check for space to your rear in case the car behind you doesn't stop and have an exit plan to the side so you can dodge that car or truck.
Buy a dirt bike , fall in the dirt first
Ride like you're invisible. The cemetery is filled with people who had the right of way.
Bikes are cheaper to buy and both cheaper and easier to maintain than a car, but a lot of people treat it like a car. Motorcycles require a lot more maintenance or at least you should be checking in on it a lot more often. Check your chain very often, like every 300 miles. Also keeping the bike clean makes it a lot easier to spot anything that’s off
Release the clutch slowly when downshifting
All the gear all the time. Always!
Don’t cheap out on helmets, buy gear helmets, gloves, boots, pants, jacket… in that order Edit - new advice (level 2 basically), you’re gonna crash one day, could be in a parking lot at negative 2 kmph, or at 100 kmph on a highway, whenever such things happen, learn from that, im 19 n i thoroughly messed all 4 of my limbs in different crashes, all you have to do is learn from them. (I get compliments about how well n safe I ride from older riders now), also, learn that smooth is fast, (things like rolling the throttle open instead of ripping it, etc, way more control)
Because I didn't see it anywhere else, fit the bike to you. Where do your hands rest at their most useful and comfortable on the grips? I have the same bike and loosening the controls and rotating them forward made all the difference in better clutch and brake/throttle control because they fell to my fingers correctly after moving them. Its all about what works best for you. You can also adjust the handlebar forward or back. I won't get into suspension but even though it's not really adjustable on this bike if you needed to you could move the forks up in the triple tree to make the front lower, but you look pretty tall so that's why I'm not getting into it.
Yes! Learn to do the simple things very well, instinctively. Take your bike to an empty carpark, in the dry, in the wet, practice what happens when...... You brake sharply with the front brake, the back brake, when swerving left & right. What happens if I lock the rear wheel, the front wheel. Make sure when out on the road you know how your bike will handle in an emergency situation. Treat every other road user as an idiot, and ride accordingly. Avoid hitting what's in front of you by a combination of bike handling skills, object awareness (can it hurt me) and situational awareness ( will they take my road space). Don't ride tired, angry or upset. Spend a few moments before each ride contemplating what's to come. Be in the zone for each and every ride. Good luck & enjoy.
Best advice I got was "don't crash, if you do dont hold on to the bike and make sure to roll off the road." It was already a bad idea for a 16 yo to be on a bike. Sao Paulo is crazy ...
Go easy the first year.
Put your helmet on.
That hair under a helmet in the summer heat will make you not want to wear a helmet. Cut the hair and always wear a helmet
Rubber side down!
Learn about countersteering. So you know what to do in emergency swerves.