Motorcycles have and will always be associated with freedom, courage, inspiration, and fun. Yet it’s true to say that riding them is significantly more dangerous than occupying a traditional vehicle like a car. This is not because you’re a poor rider, or because you didn’t pay proper attention when taking lessons. It’s because a majority of the other vehicles sharing the road with you are larger, bulkier, and hold more weighted momentum than you do.

For this reason, every motorcyclist, especially every new motorcyclist, must never take their presence on the road for granted. They must be hyper-aware, willing to ride safely, always combat frustration on the road so that minor problems with other road users don’t escalate, and service their bike thoroughly. Of course, appropriate safety equipment must be used such as full body suits, proper helmets, and visibility gear where appropriate. Let’s consider some essential and vital lessons for newbie motorcyclists, so that safety and long-term rider health are assured.

It’s important to find the best service centre for your needs. A motorbike service centre should be able to properly work on your particular model bike, and attend to repairs or prevent issues from occurring where necessary. Many of them also care to help educate you about your bike where they can, including providing maintenance advice and ordering in products you may need for that. This way, you can remain a responsible bike owner, someone able to keep on top of your day to day riding with care.

Of course, it’s a good idea to plan the routes that you take. You don’t want to be confused as to where you’re going when you have many vehicles around you, and of course, GPS systems may not be legal to use on a bike, as sometimes mounted screen systems are illegal for motorcyclists to use. Planning routes, or using the audio predictors of where to go next and how to find your route through your maps app can be a worthwhile alternative, allowing you to keep 100% of your focus on the roads. There’s nothing that beats planning however, as you’re sure notice your routes more when you’re laser-focused on the road before you.

It sounds sad to say, but it’s important to always expect the worst when on the road with a motorbike. Consider that other drivers might not see you, or might be happy to overtake at bad times, or may not be happy with you overtaking them during stops by weaving between traffic. This means you need to give others a wide berth where appropriate, and make sure you wait for a clear opening before pulling out. It also means signalling your presence by wearing the right equipment, and driving how you would want others to drive. Keep cautious, keep focused, and always remain in your right alert headspace when on the bike. If you can’t do that, take a break.