Riding a motorcycle is a joy which is criminally underrated. Once you start enjoying riding a motorcycle, there is a whole world of opportunities and joy that opens up. But despite India being the largest two-wheeler market in the world, the number of motorcycle enthusiasts is still low. Nonetheless, if you recently purchased a motorcycle, there are a number of ways you can learn to become a better motorcycle rider/owner and actually enjoy riding one. So, here are a few tips that you can practice to become a better motorcyclist but also a better rider.
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(Ensure that you learn the basic skills of riding a motorcycle)
Learning how to ride a motorcycle requires practice and a good teacher as well. Be it a non-geared scooter or a geared motorcycle, the basics of riding which are accelerator, brake, clutch, gear and balance, to put it simply. Inculcate all the right practices of riding a motorcycle, like not speeding on public roads, defensive riding, following traffic rules and most importantly, wearing a good quality helmet, if not the full riding gear. Plus, you should also learn to understand of all sorts of inputs on your motorcycle, be it steering inputs, braking inputs or throttle inputs.
(Always follow traffic rules to the proverbial 'T'. They are designed to keep you and others around you safe)
The first commandment of becoming a good rider/motorist is to learn about traffic rules and more importantly, obey them at all times when riding on public roads. Following traffic rules means you are keeping yourself and others around you safe. Plus, it helps build patience in a rider, which is not something that you see on Indian roads often. And one also ends up building common sense as a rider/motorist. Patience and common sense is the key to keep yourself safe when riding on public roads.
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(Investing in good motorcycle riding gear always pays)
Another no brainer! It is very, very important to invest in good riding gear. Yes, most of India has hot and humid weather for most part of the year, but it is better to arrive drenched in sweat rather than blood. And riding gear consists of a helmet, jacket, gloves, boots and pants. Good riding gear comes with armour protection and is made of abrasion resistant material. It helps minimise injuries to a great extent in an unfortunate case of a crash. A good helmet is equally important part of riding gear because your head/face is one of the most important parts of the body and having a good helmet can significantly reduce the risk of serious injury or fatality. And people around you start paying more attention and take you seriously when you are out riding in full gear. Most motorcycle enthusiasts follow the 'ATGATT' rule, which is an abbreviation for 'All the gear, all the time'. Trust us, it is going to help you keep safe in case of an accident to a great extent.
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(Attending riding schools always helps you to learn new skills, tips and tricks, thereby increasing your control on the motorcycle)
Whether you are a beginner rider or decently skilled or even a hotshot motorcycle racer, the only way to get better at riding is to practice and ride as much as possible. Things like braking, shifting gears and weight, cornering can be taught as a skill and it will help you immensely when you ride on public roads. Nowadays, India has a number of off-road riding schools and even track riding schools. These may be expensive propositions but attending riding schools will benefit you immensely and help you become a better rider on the road. Doing riding drills is another way to keep your-self ahead of the curve. But, before you do so, please ensure you are in proper gear and are practicing in a spot which is not a public road. Do not be a menace to other motorists.
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(Buying a two wheeler insurance policy is compulsory. Do get yourselves an personal accident insurance as well)
It always pays to have a good medical/accident insurance policy. In an unfortunate case of death or disability, the policy will help you(r) family members with their financial needs and security. Plus, it is good practice either way. Secondly, riding a two-wheeler without insurance is illegal in India. In case of an accident, the insurance policy acts as a cover for you from the expenses of getting accident damages repaired. Be smart! Get yourself and your motorcycle protected and insured at all times.
(Always keep your motorcycle well-maintained. It helps to learn a few simple repairs and jobs like fixing a puncture, changing a bulb, topping up engine oil, lubricating the chain and so on)
A well-maintained motorcycle will always reward you with good performance and efficiency. Plus you should have pride of possession for your motorcycle. Try and park it properly and keep it well-maintained and you will elongate the life of your motorcycle to a great extent. It is always helpful to learn few simple repair jobs like fixing a puncture, changing a light bulb, lubricating the chain, topping up brake fluid and engine oil and so on.
It's a whole new world out there, waiting for you to explore it! So, go out and get riding!
