Taking Up Motorcycle Riding? The Ultimate Checklist for the Novice Rider

More and more motorists are trading in their car for a bike, as the benefits are indeed many and if you happen to live in the UK, summer is the right time to take to two wheels. Imagine the freedom that comes with being able to ride anywhere and with that in mind, here is out ultimate checklist for the beginner motorcycle rider.

• Protective Gear – As you would expect, you need to wear the right clothing for bike riding, which will protect your skin in the event of a tumble. Leather is the best solution and while a leather motorcycle jacket and leather riding pants won’t be cheap, it will offer you the best protection should you come off the machine. A full-face helmet is another must-have, along with quality motorcycle gloves and boots to complete the outfit. Get a plastic rain suit and store it under your seat, which can be worn at a minute’s notice, should you encounter rain. The final item that we recommend is a Hi-Vis vest to make you more visible to other road users.
• Motorcycle – Obviously, you need a suitable bike and you’ll find just what you’re looking for at Wheels Honda, a leading UK bike dealership with a range of new and used bikes, plus they offer competitive finance packages to help spread the payment. Take out comprehensive insurance that covers you for every eventuality, including some breakdown cover.
• Riding Skills – Of course, riding a motorcycle has an element of risk involved and if you are new to two wheels, enrol in a basic motorcycle rising course, which will teach you the skills to control the bike on a range of surfaces. You will gain valuable rising experience as time passes and with an introductory course, you have the basics on which to build. If you live in India, here’s a list of the most powerful bikes you can buy with a limited budget.
• Tool Kit – In the highly unlikely event you experience a breakdown, you should have a basic toolkit (comes with the bike) and with a little knowledge, you can deal with some issues. Many riders carry out their own maintenance, which does give you added peace of mind and just like your car, a bike does need servicing at specific mileage intervals (see owner’s manual for more info).
• Road Legal – Gone are the days when you could risk riding without a licence, road tax and, of course, let’s not forget insurance. If you have a provisional bike licence, this allows you to ride bikes up to 125cc and during the next 2 years, you can take the practical and theory tests to obtain the covered Class A licence that allows you to ride even the superbikes.

Aside from all of the above, you also need a healthy dose of common sense and respect for the power that is in your right hand. If you are going to ride in the winter, this is a completely different ball game and the greatest of care should be taken.