Advice for a new rider at age 54
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,802
Likes: 6,894
From: Cincinnati OH.
Sure
dont follow too close
dont Speed too much
stay within your ability, the more you ride the better you will get
if you dont get better, find a new hobby.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,129
Likes: 505
From: Illinois
Welcome to the riding community.
If you are going to buy a Harley, make sure to test as many bikes as you can. They each have their own feel and ride differently. Also, make sure that you practice a lot on your own, specially low speed maneuvers. And please don't take a passenger until you are sure of your skills.
When I fist started riding I bought a used bike in case that I dropped it, scratched it, or crashed it. This is also good advice in case that you find that riding is not what you thought it was.
Be careful out there and enjoy.
If you are going to buy a Harley, make sure to test as many bikes as you can. They each have their own feel and ride differently. Also, make sure that you practice a lot on your own, specially low speed maneuvers. And please don't take a passenger until you are sure of your skills.
When I fist started riding I bought a used bike in case that I dropped it, scratched it, or crashed it. This is also good advice in case that you find that riding is not what you thought it was.
Be careful out there and enjoy.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 953
Likes: 98
From: was Vegas now CT
Every single car you see is trying to kill you.
Do not hang on the outside of turns, stay in to inside of your lane.
Twisty roads are a blast, once you develop your skills. Trying hang with friends who have been riding for 30 years right off the bat will just get you shot off into the weeds.
Do not ride in the middle of the lane, that's where cars puke their fluids for you to drive through.
You will drop your bike, most likely in a parking lot in front of about 20 people. Accept that.
Spend more time riding than cleaning. It's a machine, it's going to get dirty. It's not a museum piece, yet.
Do not hang on the outside of turns, stay in to inside of your lane.
Twisty roads are a blast, once you develop your skills. Trying hang with friends who have been riding for 30 years right off the bat will just get you shot off into the weeds.
Do not ride in the middle of the lane, that's where cars puke their fluids for you to drive through.
You will drop your bike, most likely in a parking lot in front of about 20 people. Accept that.
Spend more time riding than cleaning. It's a machine, it's going to get dirty. It's not a museum piece, yet.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,104
Likes: 1,759
From: Atlanta, GA
Welcome to the HDF form Acworth! Where abouts are you in GA? What are you riding? Stick around here and you'll learn a lot, get your chops busted occasionally, and generally have a few laughs.
Like others have said, ride like either no one sees or they are flat out trying to kill you. This will keep you alert. Also, and I think this is true of any activity, that when you first start riding you will be very careful. Then when you get a little experience you start feeling over confident and that's when trouble finds you. Keep yourself in check. Keep learning, practicing and taking advanced rider training when you can.
Wear proper riding gear. Don't go cheap. Shorts, t-shirt and sandals will really suck if you're sliding down the road.
Always ride within your limits. The goal is to have fun and get home alive. The goal is not to try to impress others.
Check out the book, Motorcycle Adventures. Lots of great rides in the north part of GA.
Good Luck, Be Safe, Have a blast!
Like others have said, ride like either no one sees or they are flat out trying to kill you. This will keep you alert. Also, and I think this is true of any activity, that when you first start riding you will be very careful. Then when you get a little experience you start feeling over confident and that's when trouble finds you. Keep yourself in check. Keep learning, practicing and taking advanced rider training when you can.
Wear proper riding gear. Don't go cheap. Shorts, t-shirt and sandals will really suck if you're sliding down the road.
Always ride within your limits. The goal is to have fun and get home alive. The goal is not to try to impress others.
Check out the book, Motorcycle Adventures. Lots of great rides in the north part of GA.
Good Luck, Be Safe, Have a blast!
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,580
From: Wisconsin, USA
Listen to the above posts. All good advice. Ride your own ride. Don't worry about impressing your friends. Try to start on a bike that weighs less than 500 lbs. More forgiving on slippery surfaces.
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Banned
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 20,823
Likes: 1,506
From: Nowhere
Do you already own a motorcycle? Was your riding class your first ever riding experience? It is hard to give advice without a little more information.
