Your skills are good. You ride every week. Last year you took the Basic Rider Course and this year you took the Experienced Rider Course. Turning around in the street, two-up, is a breeze. And you do your SIPDE so well, watching 12–15 seconds ahead, that you can’t remember the last time you had to do an emergency braking or swerving maneuver.

But perhaps the problem is that you are so good at avoiding using emergency maneuvers that you’re out of practice. If you ride properly, you don’t get to practice some of your skills on the street. That doesn’t mean you should let them deteriorate until the next time you take a rider course.

That’s why they make parking lots. And you thought those painted yellow lines were just there to corral the cars. Their real purpose is to provide a marked area to practice so you can keep all your skills sharp—not just the ones you use every day. The same skills which degrade in a few months can be retuned in a few minutes of practice. Read the rest of this entry »

I learned to ride two ways—the hard way and the right way. I can tell you the right way is far, far better.

I was a motorcycle hater. No one loathed bikes like I did. Then my husband bought his brother’s little Yamaha 200 cc two-stroke. My husband had never ridden and the evil thing had tossed him off the back once when his brother gave him a ride.

My husband’s first effort wasn’t pretty. Remember that I hated motorcycles and was diametrically opposed to his having it. He got about four blocks from his brother’s house, with me following in the car. He had about 35 miles to go through Houston freeway traffic once he got out of the neighborhood. He kept dumping the clutch and stalling the engine. In frustration, he revved the engine and popped the clutch. The little beast was torquey and promptly popped a wheelie across the empty intersection and up into the yard across the street, where it fell over. My husband jumped up, knowing that if the bike hadn’t killed him, I was probably going to, and the bike with him. He yelled that he wasn’t hurt, but the bike was damaged. I went racing back to his brother’s house, yelling that it was Larry’s fault his brother was almost killed. Larry came running, expecting to find scattered parts of human and machine. Instead, there was a broken lever and a bent gear shift. The bike went back to Larry’s and my husband went home.

A friend kindly took Robert out on his Suzuki 380 and taught him the fundamentals. That same afternoon, Robert managed to make it home unscathed. Talk about dumb luck! Read the rest of this entry »

It easy to rush into things once you’ve decided to buy a new motorbike, but have a little patience and save yourself a little grief and a lot of money.

DECIDE WHICH BIKE IS BEST FOR YOU

Notice here, I avoided the word ‘want’, because what you want, and what suits you best are totally different animals. It’s all very well finally aspiring to the bike of your dreams only to find that you fall off at every junction because your legs are too short, or it’s so fast that it scares you to death, so retain a modicum of common sense when making your purchase. There’s also the question of what you can afford. You may scrape together the money to buy the bike in the first place, but can you really afford to run it. Don’t forget; fast bikes are costly to insure, especially if you are young or have no ‘no claims’ bonus.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

Right, you’ve decided which bike to buy and you’re off to get your eager hands upon the beauty, but wait, hold on a minute. Before you jump in, ought you not to test the water? It’s time to survey the market. This is an important point, because it could save you a lot of money. You’re going to have to decide whether you’re going to buy privately or from a dealer. Of course, buying privately is cheaper, but if you go down this route, make sure you know what you’re doing. Buying from a dealer will offer more protection should there be a problem with the machine after you’ve owned it for a week or two. Shop around and see who’s offering the best deal. If necessary, hold back and wait until the bike you want is available. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s always a problem knowing what to pack for a motorcycle tour. Fortunately, that feeling of utter freedom we get when we are riding our bikes far outweighs the problem of limited luggage space. Having said that, the problem doesn’t go away, but by applying a little thought, it can be overcome. Here are some tips to make life easier on the road.

TRAVEL LIGHLTY

It’s tempting to throw as much as possible into your panniers, but remember, every ounce you pack onto your bike reduces handling qualities. Add to this a pillion and the needle on the pleasure-ometer begins to swing to the low side. Of course, there are some things that you can’t do without, but the keyword here is need. Take what you need and nothing more. If you are going on an organized guided tour, the company should (if it’s worth its salt) have a back-up vehicle that will carry your luggage.

PACK SENSIBLY

To optimize the handling of your bike, place heavy items at the bottom of your panniers.

BEFORE YOU GO

In the weeks leading up to your planned tour, begin making a list of what you might need to take with you. At this stage, it doesn’t matter if the list is too long; you can always cross things off as the time draws nearer. By using this method, you will ensure that the things you take with you are what you really need. You will also reduce the risk of leaving behind an essential item. Read the rest of this entry »

DOCUMENTS TO TAKE WITH YOU

It’s important to make sure you have the correct documentation for you and your motorcycle when travelling abroad. You must ensure you carry the following documents when riding.

1. Passport – Non-European Union citizens may also require a Visa.

2. Driving Licence – Full UK Licence with paper counterpart if a photo licence. (An International Driving Permit is not necessary).

3. MOT Certificate – If your motorcycle is more than 3 years old.

4. Registration Document (V5) – Sometimes referred to as a Log Book.

5. Insurance Certificate for your motorcycle – In line with European Union directives your vehicle insurance will automatically cover you to the minimum requirement of third party only while in other EU countries (a green card is not necessary). If you want to maintain the same level of cover you have in the UK you will need to contact your insurance company or broker before your departure. Your insurance company will normally make a small charge to extend your existing cover to other EU countries.

Make sure all your documents are up to date and will cover you for the length of time you spend abroad. Also ensure your motorcycle has a current Road Tax, and is otherwise road legal. Read the rest of this entry »