You have passed the motorcycle driving test? Congratulations! Before you take your first tour, there are now some important decisions to make: Which motorcycle should be purchased? What is important for equipment? Which driving techniques help to travel safely on two wheels? Not only for motorcycle beginners, HDI’s tips on motorcycle purchase, protective clothing, riding practice and motorcycle insurance are a good basis for a safe start to their first motorcycle season. Here are some helpful tips and information for a safe re-entry. You can also check ‘hitch carriers for motorcycles‘ for hitch carriers guide.
WHICH MACHINE SUITS ME?
The first thing, of course, is to have your own vehicle. The bad news in advance: There is no perfect entry-level motorcycle. Because every person has different requirements for his bike and brings individual physical requirements with him. But there are features that make a motorcycle suitable for beginners. Essentially, it must match the driver’s stature and power and be easy to use.
Whether you have a Naked Bike, an all-rounder, a touring machine or an Enduro in mind: you can orientate yourself on the following characteristics when buying your first motorcycle.
CHEAP MOTORCYCLES FOR BEGINNERS: USED BIKES
When buying second-hand, it is recommended to take an expert person with you. Used motorcycles sometimes have defects that a layman does not recognize at first glance. Especially popular motorcycles are often cheaper to get than more unusual models. The supply of spare parts and accessories is also better for popular machines than for less common motorcycles.
Be sure to take a test drive. It gives you an impression of the driving behavior of the machine. It is also used to find any errors that occur during the journey.
THE OPTIMAL EQUIPMENT FOR BEGINNERS
High-quality protective clothing can save lives. Functionality should be paramount when choosing your outfit. Only then comes the optics.
Motorcycle clothing must sit. It must not be too narrow or flutter. Try several outfits, including on a motorcycle. Especially for motorcycle beginners a good tip: Buy your protective clothing in a specialist shop, which has a motorcycle ready for testing in its sales rooms. Do you check: Do you press wrinkles in the knees or in the pelvic area? Are the protectors where they belong? Do they bear the CE mark? Does the textile clothing still sit when the lining is removed? Does warming functional clothing fit under the leather outfit?
The best way to test the helmet is on a test drive. This is the only way to judge whether he is sitting correctly and how he behaves in the wind. In good specialist shops, such a test drive with the helmet that has not yet been purchased is usually part of the service.
FLEXIBLE WITH PERFORMANCE MODULES
Have you found your ideal beginner’s motorcycle? Perfect – then only the right insurance has to be come. The risk of causing an accident with a motorcycle is greater in the first years than in the following years. Motorcycle insurance is therefore the same as for car insurance: beginners pay higher premiums than experienced road users. However, after a loss-free year, the contribution decreases considerably.
The HDI motorcycle insurance protects the motorcyclist against all essential risks. You specifically insure what is important to you. With the flexible modular system, you can put together a tailor-made insurance cover, which you can adapt exactly to your individual needs. For example, full-coverage protection can be a good choice, especially for motorcycle beginners: you don’t have to worry about the cost of self-inflicted damage to your own machine.
COLLECTING AND FURTHER LEARNING DRIVING PRACTICE
The driver’s license in your pocket does not mean that you are finished with the training. Even the best driving school can’t teach you all the skills that make up a good motorcyclist. You can only acquire them yourself through a lot of driving practice. That’s why regular motorcycling is essential for beginners.
Of course, it’s fun to test the power of the engine. Constant throttle, however, often entails hard braking maneuvers. The abrupt change of pace overwhelms even beginners. Try to drive at the same pace and look far ahead and think.