Things You Should Know Before Owning a Motorcycle

Owning a motorcycle is a dream come true for a lot of people, however, it’s also an incredible responsibility. In the US alone, there are about 5,000 motorcycle fatalities every single year, which is simply a staggering figure. Also, seeing as how a motorcycle is an expensive asset, damaging it might also be an unsettling thought. The biggest problem comes from the fact that years and decades of driving an automobile have some people convinced that they’ll seamlessly transition to a motorcycle, which is usually not the case. Overall, here’s all that you need to know before owning a motorcycle.

1. Starting a tad slower

The first thing you need to understand about owning a motorcycle is the fact that, for an inexperienced driver, a potent machine can pose an incredible risk. In other words, getting a powerful motorcycle right away is definitely not recommended, even though some people might fear the ROI of getting a so-called "starter bike" and then having to purchase a new vehicle in a couple of years. This is, nonetheless, a wise course of action and there are a lot of amazing beginner motorcycles that would fit your driving style both visually and aesthetically. Buying a used motorcycle can be a great way for you to do so while staying on the budget.

1. Insurance is a major issue

The second thing you need to bear in mind is the fact that, when buying your first vehicle, you also need to consider paying for the necessary insurance. Liability coverage is probably the most-encompassing of all insurances that you should consider, seeing as how it provides both bodily injury liability and property damage liability. Sure, assuming that something bad is going to happen is never wise but neither is ignoring the fact that a chance of an injury is, statistically, more likely with a motorcycle than it is with a vehicle.

1. Safety is suddenly changing its meaning

If you’re an experienced driver, you’ll already know both written and unwritten rules of the road, which is something that may keep you a lot safer. However, the skill with operating a vehicle won’t translate from a car to a motorcycle. A two-wheeler acts differently when in contact with a wet or a slippery road, a wind suddenly becomes a major factor and a seat belt is no longer a sufficient measure to protect yourself. An investment in protective equipment like a quality helmet, motorcycle jacket and even a branded piece of gear like Alpinestars gloves, may have a direct impact on your driving experience and on road safety.

1. There are new things for you to learn

As we mentioned previously, your driving experience won’t necessarily translate to driving a motorcycle. For instance, every experienced biker knows just how important the target fixation is. What this means is that your motorcycle will go in the direction that you’re looking at. Also, instead of just focusing at one point, you need to look at the road ahead, the target destination, other vehicles, pedestrians and so on. Finally, you need to learn how to control your impulses and drive a tad more defensively than you would usually drive.

1. Maintenance is another thing that’s changed

Motorcycle oil needs to be changed every 3,700 miles, while, when it comes to automobiles, it’s acceptable to go as far as 5,000 miles without changing your oil. This is just one of many things that are different maintenance-wise. There is a lot of viable information for you to explore online, nonetheless, it’s by far the best to just go for the owner’s manual and find all the information you need there. One more thing worth keeping in mind is the fact that you should know the MPG of your vehicle, just in case.

1. Take the vehicle for an inspection

There are some things that you have to check on your own before every ride. For instance, checking your tire pressure and condition, adjusting your mirrors, turning your choke off and several similar steps. Every now and then, however, it’s a good idea to take your vehicle to a mechanic for a more thorough vehicle inspection. Remember, every time you ride out on a vehicle that’s not in perfect working order, you’re putting your life at a risk. This is why making sure that this doesn’t happen is an incredibly important factor for you to focus on.

In conclusion

After all of these considerations, you should have a much more accurate image of what owning a motorcycle is really like. This will help you make a more informed decision about whether buying and driving a motorcycle is something that you should be doing. On the other hand, not everything is so grim and dangerous as it may seem. After all, if this was so extreme, there wouldn’t be that many motorcycle owners out there, would it?

Neil is a student of web design who enjoys writing a great content. His home is the whole world because he travels a lot. While you are reading this he is probably somewhere other than where he was yesterday.