Tips for First-Time Motorcycle Owners

It's exciting when you get your first Harley-Davidson® motorcycle. You've just added excitement, adrenaline, and adventure into your life! But there's so much to learn at the beginning of your motorcycle journey. It can even become overwhelming! We've gathered up our favorite tips for first-time owners below. If you want more information or want to shop motorcycles for sale, head over to Biggs Harley-Davidson. We are a Harley-Davidson dealer based in San Marcos, California. We also proudly serve those in San Diego and Oceanside, California.

1. Enroll in a Beginner Riding Class

The classroom setting offers new riders great benefits. You get access to an experienced rider who can answer questions, give you advice, and help correct errors before they become ingrained habits. You may even find yourself a riding buddy in the class who is at the same experience level as you.

If you haven't purchased your Harley-Davidson® motorcycle yet, that is okay. There are many beginner classes that will lend students motorcycles to use during the class.

2. Practice - A Lot

Learning a new skill requires plenty of practice. It's no different with riding a motorcycle. You'll need to devote time to go over the basic skills you learned in your class. Eventually, you will begin developing muscle memory and gain greater confidence in your riding ability.

But you don't want to hit the highway to practice! Start slow and instead seek out an empty parking lot or a low-traffic road. Practice accelerating, braking, and turning. Once you become comfortable riding your Harley-Davidson® motorcycle here, you can head out on higher speed roads. Eventually, you will be cruising down the freeway!

3. Ride Solo for Now

After you build up your skills, it's tempting to want to bring a buddy along for the ride. It's exciting sharing your new passion with loved ones, but you don't want to take on a passenger yet. You'll need more time to build up your skills and experience before you can safely handle riding two-up.

4. Use Defensive Driving Habits

When you take your Harley-Davidson® motorcycle for a ride, always use defensive driving habits. Keep in mind that other motorists might not be paying attention like they should. They could be driving drowsy, texting while driving, driving impaired, and so on. Stay alert and assume that others are not paying attention. Leave plenty of space between yourself and the other motorists. If someone slams on their brakes or cuts into your lane, you will have the space needed to react and avoid a crash.

5. Maintain Your Harley-Davidson® Motorcycle

Motorcycle ownership involves keeping up with the various motorcycle maintenance tasks. This includes everything from oil changes to adjusting the tire pressure. Your owner's manual will give you information on specific tasks, how often to do them, and whether there are certain products to use/avoid. The better you keep up with maintenance, the better your Harley-Davidson® motorcycle is going to run and the longer it'll stay out of the repair shop.

6. Do a Pre-Ride Inspection

Before you head out on a ride, you'll want to inspect your Harley-Davidson® motorcycle for any red flags that could result in performance issues. It's better to catch these in the safety of your driveway than on the open road! Look over everything from the brakes to the lights to ensure your Harley motorcycle is ready for the ride.

We hope you found this resource guide useful. If you have any questions or want to shop motorcycles for sale, visit the experts at Biggs Harley-Davidson. Our friendly staff can help you find the best Harley-Davidson® motorcycle for your lifestyle and budget, so stop by and visit us today. We are a Harley-Davidson® dealer that is proud to serve all those in San Diego and Oceanside, CA.