Tips Archives - BestBeginnerMotorcycles

The Zen Art Of Motorcycle Riding

Simon Bertram — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 19:40:14 +0000

Riding a motorcycle is, by all reasonable definitions, something slightly crazy. Insane might be a better word. Consider it from a non-rider’s point of view, in that we dress up in brightly colored thick clothing, then sit on a vehicle with two wheels with a tank of extremely flammable liquid over a hot, reciprocating piece of metal, and we think it’s a great idea. We are all, in a way, slightly nuts for riding. Yet, those out there that are […]

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New Rider? Factors Impacting Your Insurance Rates

Marco Tam — Sun, 26 Mar 2023 23:01:58 +0000

Motorcycle insurance rates are subject to a variety of different variables and are calculated using sophisticated algorithms. However, there are several factors that we know can impact the price that you pay. Read on to learn more about these factors and how you can make adjustments to find an insurance premium that works best for you. Make and Model Via Damon Motorcycles Like any other vehicle on the road, insurance companies look at make and model as part of determining […]

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The Ultimate Beginners Guide To Parking Your Motorcycle On A Hill (Up & Down)

Simon Bertram — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 16:03:23 +0000

When you’re first starting out riding, you will very quickly learn many new and vital skills. How to properly clean and lube your chain. Making sure you haven’t forgotten your wallet, and hence your license, in your other riding pants (you will make that mistake once). Finding time in your ride to your Five to Survive practice. One of the most important things you will learn, however, is planning your route, if you have a specific destination in mind. This […]

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How You Can Improve Your Comfort While Riding

Vishal Venugopal — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 14:26:49 +0000

It’s obvious — the more comfortable you are on your motorcycle, the longer you can stay on it. A comfortable rider is also quicker and safer, as they can focus on riding and the road ahead. It doesn’t matter if you’re just getting started or if you stumbled into the world of two wheels decades ago; there’s always room for improvement. With some minor tweaks to your motorcycle and your gear, you can bring about a significant change in the […]

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A Beginner’s Guide to Chain Maintenance

Simon Bertram — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 11:16:28 +0000

The average motorcycle these days is capable of putting down the same amount of power as a small car, and all of that through the drive chain. Running it dry of lubrication and not cleaning the road gunk and dirt off it regularly are things that could shorten the lifespan of not only the chain, but of your sprockets as well. And if that road grime can work its way past the link seals in your chain, it could bind […]

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LEFT TO GO RIGHT: The Dark Art of Motorcycle Countersteering

Andrew Jones — Wed, 24 Aug 2022 04:56:16 +0000

Countersteering on a motorcycle; it’s the stuff of legends. Forget King Arthur, the Bermuda Triangle, or minotaurs—the amount of misinformation, arguments, and lip flapping that goes on around the subject beggars belief and dwarfs them all. In fact, I’d wager a decent chunk of my hard-earned money that some armchair expert with a self-awarded physics degree leaves a long-winded comment below telling me how I’m completely mistaken about the practice and then calls me hopelessly misinformed. And if that’s the […]

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Rubber Side Down: A Beginner’s Guide to Motorcycle Tire Maintenance

Simon Bertram — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 17:21:10 +0000

As high-tech and powerful as modern motorcycles are, the simple fact of the matter is that every single machine with two wheels and a motor between them has two contact patches with the road, each about the size of a credit card. Whether you ride a Honda Ruckus scooter or a Ducati Panigale V4R, they both have tires—and those tires should be looked after properly. Motorcycle tire maintenance is not something that is widely discussed during your MSF training course, […]

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The “Five to Survive” Rule & Why You Should Use It

Simon Bertram — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 20:55:40 +0000

The excitement of passing your license test and getting that Class 6 (Canada), M Endorsement (USA), A2 (UK), or whatever is used in your country is something you will never forget. It’s a landmark of the hobby that means you’ve proven your basic understanding of concepts and controls of a motorcycle. What is important to remember, however, is that passing your license test is not the end of learning, but only the beginning. This is where the “Five to survive” […]

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Finding Your Niche: What Each Style Of Motorcycle Offers You

Simon Bertram — Thu, 14 Jul 2022 19:33:58 +0000

If you’ve had the chance to read our interview with Trevor Dech, chief instructor at Too Cool Motorcycle School in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, (and if you haven’t, we highly recommend reading it because he gives a lot of great tips) you’ll remember his answer to what a good beginner bike is. He didn’t define it as “this model, that model, and those models, and that’s it.” Instead, he defined it as a three-step process. The first step of that process […]

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TYRE HEALTH CHECK: When Should You Replace Your Motorcycle Rubber?

Andrew Jones — Tue, 08 Feb 2022 13:25:25 +0000

What can you say about motorcycle tyres and safety that hasn’t already been said? Yes, they are the one thing that’s keeping you safe and secure on the road. As the cliche goes, the average motorcycle tyres touch the road using two small patches of rubber that can quite literally mean the difference between you getting home safely and getting a tour of the inside of an ambulance. But exactly how much do you know about when tyres should be […]

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HIP TO BE SQUARE: Can You Rock Car Tyres on a Motorcycle?

Andrew Jones — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 14:29:12 +0000

Admit it, after being shocked at the replacement price for that almost-new rear tyre which picked up a big fat wood screw puncture with only half a year of riding, we’ve all considered cutting corners on the replacement rubber. Maybe it’s a cheap-ass new tyre from a loosey goosey, no name brand, or maybe you considered scouring the classifieds for some ‘good as new’ second hand rubber being flogged by someone keen to make a quick buck. Whatever the case, […]

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Do You Know What To Do If You Come Across A Motorcycle Accident?

Simon Bertram — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 17:19:15 +0000

**This article was written in collaboration with Road Guardians, an organization dedicated to teaching motorcyclist first aid and accident scene management. While we consulted with experts, every situation is different. In the event of an injury, it is best to contact emergency services and follow their instructions. Crashing is probably the greatest fear of any new rider, and is a fairly healthy fear to have in moderation. A little fear tempers the ego, heightens the senses, and makes you more […]

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How to Get Started on a Motorcycle

Makenzie Shattler — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 02:27:29 +0000

Today we cover what you need to know to get started with motorcycle riding. The whole process can seem overwhelming but we’re here to reassure you that anyone can get started. Of course with the right guidance, you can ride with confidence which is one of the most important parts of riding a motorcycle. Whether you want to ride a motorcycle for the sake of inexpensive transportation or you have always wanted to try out the sheer freedom of riding, […]

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The Best Motorcycles for Bad Backs

Jared Northcott — Fri, 25 Dec 2020 16:14:39 +0000

How Your Back Influences Your Riding Caveat: I am not a physician, just a lifelong biker that’s sniffed too much gasoline. Consult a licensed professional for advice tailored to your individual body. When you look at a motorcycle it is very obvious that the frame is critical to the overall structure. The frame is the key piece to which everything is attached. It wouldn’t matter how good the suspension was, how powerful the brakes were, or how technologically superior the […]

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[How-To] Beginners Guide to Safely Riding a Motorcycle in the Rain

Cameron Martel — Mon, 15 Jun 2020 07:30:59 +0000

Can You Safely Ride a Motorcycle in the Rain? Let’s call a spade a spade: when the rain hits, the riding gets a bit more complicated. The thing is, despite the risks that rain represents, there are many riders that enjoy riding through light rain. I’ll never forget the first time I hit the rockies on my ’99 Ninja 500R (which got hilariously gutless at 7,000 ft). It was early afternoon and the wind brought in a quick downpour. It only […]

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How To Push Start (Bump Start / Pop Start) A Motorcycle

Cameron Martel — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 07:30:56 +0000

Quick Navigation Motorcycle Won’t Start? Check these First! How to Push Start a Motorcycle How-to Video Helpful Tips in Push Starting your Bike Conclusion It was 25°c outside (about 77°F for my American friends), the sun was shining, and my wife and I were ready to ride. I’m riding MOTGATT today (I know, I know, I should have been ATGATT) and am decked out in some great gear that I’m testing: the brand-new NEXX X.VITILUR modular helmet, my REAX Jackson […]

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Motorcycle Riding Safety Tips All Riders Should Know

Jennifer Angelina — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 21:22:52 +0000

Check the Basics Before You Ride You would never take part in a marathon with your shoelaces untied, so what is the difference between that and not checking your bike before you ride? Not much really, leave it to chance and both ways, you are going down – it’s just a matter of when. It is very important to learn to not only check the basic things but also make sure to do a twice-yearly thorough check using the T-Clocs […]

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Defensive Riding Tips to Avoid Accidents

Jennifer Angelina — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 18:02:06 +0000

This is the thing none of us want to ever have to deal with, but should consistently practice and prepare for. Without preparation, the results of an unexpected situation can be catastrophic. The Four Essentials to Practice Hopefully, at this point you’ve already gone over the finer points and practiced them: Slow Motion Riding Clutch Control Smooth Shifting Countersteering It is a good idea to get a handle on these skills prior to attempting emergency maneuvers as now you are […]

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Motorcycle Hill Starts & Habits to Avoid Getting Into

Jennifer Angelina — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 17:17:46 +0000

Back to the Basics My number one rule for hill starts or any riding really is making sure you have the front or rear brake applied while stopped at all times. Getting into the habit of this will ensure that it becomes a natural body reaction and will help you keep from losing control of the motorcycle in various situations. Without these skills, I’m sure I would have not been able to go anywhere in the places I’ve traveled to […]

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Counter Steering on a Motorcycle: Physics & Techniques

Jennifer Angelina — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 18:10:30 +0000

Jennifer Angelina demo’ing push steering for the class Push Steering or Counter Steering? “Tom-ay-to, Tom-ah-to” – Both Terms Mean the Same Thing Push steering, or countersteering – this is a label that seems to boggle most minds of riders because the actions behind it seem counterintuitive. You look right, push the bar right and the tire goes left. Most people will assume you will go in the direction of the tire, but that’s not true because steering three and four […]

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