The Personal Blog Of
Boston Motorcycle Lawyer

Tips for Riding a New Bike
February 10, 2010

Anytime you buy a new motorcycle, it’s like Christmas for a 7-year-old. It’s almost impossible for a motorcycle lover to resist jumping on the bike and riding around town immediately to show off their new toy.

In most cases, this is not the best thing to do.

There are a few tips you should follow before heading out onto the open road with your new bike. Without some familiarity with you new bike, normal traffic could turn into a perilous situation.

Do your research: Make sure to do your research before buying any motorcycle. Any bike that you are interested in should be worth lots of research time on manufacturer websites and bulletin board sites with owner comments and advice. These are great places to build expertise on the bike you plan to buy.

Have your new bike delivered: If possible, have your new or used motorcycle delivered to you so you don’t have to drive it right away. It’s best to get the bike home to do all of your pre-ride inspections.

Review your owner manual: Take 30-60 minutes to review the bike’s owner manual. If your bike did not come with one, ask a local dealer or check ebaymotors.com for a copy. This is the best source of information about all the features of your bike. The owner manual will teach you everything you need to know about riding and maintaining your new motorcycle.

T-Clocs Inspection: Before riding your bike for the first time, go through a thorough T-CLOCs inspection. This type of inspection is part of every motorcycle rider safety program.

Ride in familiar territory in light traffic: Make sure to plan your first ride in a familiar neighborhood during light traffic. Even the most experienced motorcycle riders need some time to get used to the features, controls, ride, and handling characteristics of a new bike.

Motorcycles are fun but they are not toys. Before taking that first ride, take a few precautions so that you can stay safe.