# Motorcycle riders: What do wish someone had told you when you started riding? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 29, 2010, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-riders-what-do-wish-someone-had-told-you-when-you-started-riding/555526 "2010-09-29T21:50:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-riders-what-do-wish-someone-had-told-you-when-you-started-riding/555526/21 "2010-09-30T17:50:01Z")
And for god’s sakes, be honest with yourself about what you plan to do with the bike. I note the OP already bought the bike, but every bit of advice folks are giving in here is stuff that’s covered in the MSF course. My issue was that I didn’t seriously consider what kind of riding I was going to do. I figured, hey, I could use it for commuting AND take cross-country road trips, so I wanted a big tough motorcycle that could take on highways easily. I fell in love with and wound up buying a 900cc cruiser. It’s a great bike, but as it turns out, I have zero interest in cross-country road trips when it comes down to it. I didn’t enjoy the one 100-mile trip I took. So all that’s left is commuting, and the bike is sufficiently huge that, while I can control it, it’s exhausting to deal with riding through city streets on a daily basis. Not to mention, I work earlier hours than most people, and riding a motorcycle during winter mornings before the sun has a chance to warm things is painful, and riding in the afternoon during summer months is simply exhausting. Had I kept my expectations low and gotten a 150cc scooter (or even a 450cc Burgman), I suspect I’d be a hell of a lot happier. ---
**Author:** ![Jet\_Jaguar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jet_jaguar/32/3562_2.png) [@Jet\_Jaguar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jet_Jaguar)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-riders-what-do-wish-someone-had-told-you-when-you-started-riding/555526/22 "2010-09-30T17:50:37Z")
Don’t use Armor All on your motorcycle’s seat or tires. If you can, get some seat time on a small, lightweight dirt bike. You’ll learn more about bike control in an afternoon of off-roading than in a year on a street bike. ---
**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-riders-what-do-wish-someone-had-told-you-when-you-started-riding/555526/23 "2010-09-30T18:03:24Z")
> [@Critical\_Mass](#): > > Get a video called Ride Like a Pro. Former motorcycle cop instructor. Very good basic instruction. > > Don’t use your front brake on gravel or when you’re going slow like in a parking lot. > > You know the speed advisory signs they put up before curves on the highway? They’re there for trucks and motorcycles. Heed the speed warning or end up in the ditch or off the cliff. > > Wear sturdy boots high enough that they protect your ankles. > > A little bit of throttle and a little bit of rear brake while riding the clutch a little bit in the friction zone stabilizes the bike if you’re crawling along at 2 mph in rush hour traffic. > > Keep your eyes focused on where you want the bike to go. It will go there. > > Don’t follow the car in front so closely that you can’t avoid the pothole that suddenly appears in front of you. > > Don’t take a passenger until you have a few thousand miles under your belt and you’ve managed to scare yourself a couple of times. > > You may have the right of way, but you’ll still end up in the morgue if the other guy’s an idiot. Don’t expect anyone else to see you or look out for you. > > The car about to turn left in front of you? That’s the one that will get you because it doesn’t see you. Cover your brake and back off the throttle when someone’s at an intersection that you’re approaching. You’re invisible. Ride with your highbeam on during the day. > > There’s always a deer about to jump out in front of you. > > Keep your bike in gear at a red light and watch your mirror for the person about to rear end you. Always leave yourself room and have a plan to get the hell out of the way because someone will try to rear end you at some point. > > Don’t loiter around tractor trailers. > > Wave to children and other motorcycles. > > Have a great time. Not to derail but why not use the front brake when going slow or on gravel? Is someone more prone to overbraking using the front? And highbeams are annoying during the day, I try not to annoy 4000 lb + objects that can knock me off the road. ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-riders-what-do-wish-someone-had-told-you-when-you-started-riding/555526/24 "2010-09-30T18:09:24Z")
> [@Jet\_Jaguar](#): > > If you can, get some seat time on a small, lightweight dirt bike. You’ll learn more about bike control in an afternoon of off-roading than in a year on a street bike. Not really. The advanced skill sets you need for on-road and off-road riding overlap by 20%, tops. Only for the basic stuff is your statement even close to accurate. Practice panic stops, swerves, righting the bike in a curve, braking in a curve (an advanced skill), and other turning and braking maneuvers at varying speeds weekly, if not daily. **Spiff** – MSF RiderCoach ---
**Author:** ![Critical\_Mass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@Critical\_Mass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical_Mass)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-riders-what-do-wish-someone-had-told-you-when-you-started-riding/555526/25 "2010-09-30T18:30:34Z")
> [@Lanzy](#): > > Not to derail but why not use the front brake when going slow or on gravel? Is someone more prone to overbraking using the front? > > And highbeams are annoying during the day, I try not to annoy 4000 lb + objects that can knock me off the road. The problem isn’t specifically when going at a slow speed on pavement, but on gravel or when turning at a really slow speed like into a parking space. Application of the front brake may cause the front wheel to inadvertently lock up and slide off to the side. When this happens, the bike has a tendency to fall really quickly before the rider can even react to it. The heavier the bike, the more this comes into play (mine is a 900 pound touring machine). If I’m annoying someone by having a high beam on, then they can see me. This is a good thing. If they’re annoyed to the extent that they’re knocking you off the road because you have your high beams on then they have other issues aside from being inattentive. I don’t use the highbeam at night but I do during the day. ---
**Author:** ![FordTaurusSHO94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f07891/32.png) [@FordTaurusSHO94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordTaurusSHO94)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-riders-what-do-wish-someone-had-told-you-when-you-started-riding/555526/26 "2010-09-30T18:58:21Z")
I only use the back brake on gravel or other loose places. Otherwise, the back brake likes to lock up and you can highside when it happens. You can buy one to commute and save gas, but you won’t unless you get rid of your car. I rode mine to school one semester (about 35 miles) and hated it. I saved some gas money, but I don’t think I ever rode it to school again. If I could hop and and go, it would be great, but carrying a helmet, jacket, gloves, and a backpack got old. I do use it for long trips though, because 4 tanks of gas is less than 40 dollars, as opposed to 4 tanks of gas in my truck costing $160. I just deal with a backpack then. (Sport bike, no saddle bags) ---
**Author:** ![BobArrgh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobarrgh/32/2881_2.png) [@BobArrgh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobArrgh)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-riders-what-do-wish-someone-had-told-you-when-you-started-riding/555526/27 "2010-09-30T18:59:12Z")
I’ve ridden a motorcycle for years and learned two very important things today. I am going to start using my high beams during the day. Also, I had not heard the line about “look where you want to go”, but it makes absolutely good sense. The wisdom I would like to share is to look at the wind. By that, I mean, look ahead down the road and look for swirling dust, leaves, and other things carried by the wind. On one stretch of road I ride every day, they started doing road repairs by laying down a layer of gravel. Had I not seen the swirling dust, I would have hit that slight turn in the road at 45 mph with a fresh load of gravel. ---
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-riders-what-do-wish-someone-had-told-you-when-you-started-riding/555526/28 "2010-09-30T19:24:13Z")
On the highway: follow the wheel track of the car in front of you. If an object is in the road, the guy ahead will most likely try and get around it/straddle it. This seems sooooo obvious but I am amazed that I here of people doing it: do not clean a moving chain with a rag (duh!). People have lost fingers doing this. Seriously, there have been people that have done this. Wearing full gear is actually more comfortable on hot days than to go with bare skin. Get a good armored mesh jacket and pants. You’ll actually stay cooler than with bare skin (and less fatigued from sunlight). BTW: what kind of bike did you get? ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-riders-what-do-wish-someone-had-told-you-when-you-started-riding/555526/29 "2010-09-30T21:20:28Z")
> [@FordTaurusSHO94](#): > > You can buy one to commute and save gas, but you won’t unless you get rid of your car. … If I could hop and and go, it would be great, but carrying a helmet, jacket, gloves, and a backpack got old. Ha, I mainly use mine for commuting and rarely have the pleasure of a long road trip. The solution: a HUMONGOUS TOP CASE (or in my case, an XL sized Biker’s Friend bag locked on my luggage rack and another soft case on my passenger pillion). The jacket and overpants go in the luggage, the helmet gets locked onto the bike on the helmet lock, gloves go in the helmet. In cooler weather I simply keep the jacket on, zipped open. Donning and doffing the gear takes all of about 2 minutes. Here’s a pic of a [Givi E470](http://inlinethumb40.webshots.com/11559/2729324970026680751S600x600Q85.jpg) top case I used to have, and my [Kawasaki VN750](http://inlinethumb11.webshots.com/27466/2330490360026680751S600x600Q85.jpg) outfitted with its luggage. In the bag on the pillion I keep my rain gear (if it rains I put the helmet in the luggage, take it inside with me or use a waterproof helmet bag and attach it to the helmet lock). ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-riders-what-do-wish-someone-had-told-you-when-you-started-riding/555526/30 "2010-09-30T21:22:26Z")
> [@sparky\_1](#): > > On the highway: follow the wheel track of the car in front of you. If an object is in the road, the guy ahead will most likely try and get around it/straddle it. Ohh, that’s a good one. And if it’s raining or wet out it’s especially good advice, riding “between the wheel lines” leaves you more open to hitting a slick streak from coolant or oil dripped down from cars or trucks (which won’t be on the wheel tracks). ---
**Author:** ![cwthree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9de0a6/32.png) [@cwthree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cwthree)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-riders-what-do-wish-someone-had-told-you-when-you-started-riding/555526/31 "2010-09-30T21:33:13Z")
Thanks very much to everyone who replied! Lots of stuff I need to put into practice _now_, and plenty of food for thought as well. > [@robardin](#): > > (What’d you get, **cwthree**?) > [@sparky\_1](#): > > BTW: what kind of bike did you get? Aged but serviceable Honda Rebel 250. It’s small and controllable as bikes go, and it’s a good fit for a shortish guy like myself. > [@mack](#): > > When you have kids your recreational riding will fall off to practically nil. Yeah, that’s how it went for my sister. With no kids in the imaginable future, I may be able to avoid this fate. ---
**Author:** ![sisu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@sisu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sisu)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-riders-what-do-wish-someone-had-told-you-when-you-started-riding/555526/32 "2010-10-01T00:03:44Z")
That it is a lot of fun. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-riders-what-do-wish-someone-had-told-you-when-you-started-riding/555526/33 "2010-10-01T05:49:51Z")
I second most of the advice here and will only add the recommendation that you buy and install an [air horn](http://www.amazon.com/Hella-003001791-Dual-Tone-Horn/dp/B0002MA03I/ref=sr_1_5?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1285911970&sr=1-5) to replace or augment the undoubtedly meager stock horn. On my last bike, I added a separate button for the air horn, and kept the stock horn and switch for less dire situations. It’s a given you won’t be seen out on the road, but you can do something to be heard! ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-riders-what-do-wish-someone-had-told-you-when-you-started-riding/555526/34 "2010-10-01T09:14:54Z")
A lot of great advice here! A couple of things that I’ll add: Full face helmut - not just for safety, but your eyes will be less fatigued from the wind and you’'ll eat a lot fewer bugs. Steel or composite toe boots - on a good pair of over the ankle boots, these will save some bad toe injuries. missred (MC endorsement on her DL for 30+ years) ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-riders-what-do-wish-someone-had-told-you-when-you-started-riding/555526/35 "2010-10-01T13:36:03Z")
I had to find this out for myself, waaay too late! ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-riders-what-do-wish-someone-had-told-you-when-you-started-riding/555526/36 "2010-10-01T13:49:34Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > I second most of the advice here and will only add the recommendation that you buy and install an [air horn](http://www.amazon.com/Hella-003001791-Dual-Tone-Horn/dp/B0002MA03I/ref=sr_1_5?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1285911970&sr=1-5) to replace or augment the undoubtedly meager stock horn. That’s another good one. I’ve done that for all my bikes and they definitely have helped. The Stebel Nautilus is a common choice, though I prefer the Stebel Magnum TM80 - the lower tone sounds more like the horn on a large car or truck. I’ve bought them horns from [hornsplusauto.com](http://www.hornsplusauto.com/) several times with no problems. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-riders-what-do-wish-someone-had-told-you-when-you-started-riding/555526/37 "2010-10-01T14:49:58Z")
Use your safety gear, and choose appropriately. Give yourself _options_. While it flies in the face of conventional knowledge, more is not always better. Safety equipment is only as good as it is not interfering with your ability to function in a safe and alert manner. try and buy different types of gear that allow you to customize for the day or the ride. If you are comfortable with a full face helmet, go for it. It is the best protection you can get. If you are like me and are easily overheated and prone to sweating heavily, you might want to try a different combination of gear. I have a half helmet, and just purchased a fiberglass and kevlar airsoft face mask to help protect my face from sand, gravel, and other debris on casual rides down here in south Florida. Most of my riding is within a very small area of about 10 square miles. I don’t always like to wear my helmet because of the heat, and it doesn’t protect my face in any event. Now I can protect my face, AND my head, both or neither etc. The same goes for other gear, but good boots and gloves are essential and non negotiable. The point is that if your gear is causing you to be distracted then it’s doing more harm than good IMO. You should always try to get the maximum benefit from your gear on each ride. ---
**Author:** ![Tethered\_Kite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a5b964/32.png) [@Tethered\_Kite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tethered_Kite)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-riders-what-do-wish-someone-had-told-you-when-you-started-riding/555526/38 "2010-10-01T15:20:37Z")
Buy cheap the first time. Remember to check the bike over carefully before you ride. Headlights? Signal lights? Brake lights? Everything tightly secure? Tires and gas full? If it’s less than 70 degrees, even though the sun is shining, take a jacket and your rain suit. Treat your leathers with waterproofer. If you have to choose it’s better to be a polite and safe rider than to look like hot stuff. However you have my permission to do both. 😉 And most importantly, when you come to a stop sign, remember to put your feet down. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-riders-what-do-wish-someone-had-told-you-when-you-started-riding/555526/39 "2010-10-01T15:28:13Z")
When you get off the bike, make sure kickstand is down. 😉 I haven’t dropped it but nearly have. ---
**Author:** ![Tethered\_Kite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a5b964/32.png) [@Tethered\_Kite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tethered_Kite)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-riders-what-do-wish-someone-had-told-you-when-you-started-riding/555526/40 "2010-10-01T15:31:38Z")
^ That, too. And if you live somewhere warm it doesn’t hurt to have something to put under the kickstand or the asphalt can soften and dump your parked bike. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-riders-what-do-wish-someone-had-told-you-when-you-started-riding/555526.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-riders-what-do-wish-someone-had-told-you-when-you-started-riding/555526.md?page=3)