Between Chad, Dan, Dennis and myself at FX Caprara Harley-Davidson, we have about 100 years of motorcycling experience. We're not saying this to toot our own horn... just so that you know that we've been there and done that -probably more than once.
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| L to R: Chad, Me & Dan |
So, in case you're thinking we were all just "born to be Bikers," with the knowledge somehow transplanted into our brains, I'm here to tell you we weren't. We were beginner riders too.
On that note, we thought we'd share with you some advice we wish someone had told us (or maybe they did and now we wish we hadn't ignored it) as we first started out.
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| Shades of Grey: My Old Bike & Dennis' Street Glide |
1. Read your Owner's Manual. Twice.
Even if you grew up around and already know everything about bikes, this is still good advice. Your owner's manual explains everything about your bike- from ABS and setting cruise control (if equipped) to setting the time.
It'll explain how to put your bike that has factory security into 'Travel Mode' so you don't drain your bike's battery while trailering it to Daytona Bike Week.
{3 Things Every Harley Owner should be doing for their Bike}
Tip- keep the manual in your bathroom so you have something to read during your 'alone' time.
2. Practice, Practice, Practice
Again, this is good advice for the seasoned Biker after a long winter's break. Go out to a large, empty parking lot (the local high school on the weekend is my fav) and practice cornering, counter-balance, emergency braking, etc.
3. Spend the Money and Get Good Gear
Clothes make the Man, and good Riding Gear makes a good Biker. Spending $400+ on a good Leather Riding Jacket after you just dropped $7K or more on a Motorcycle might seem costly now, but it will come in very handy later!
Having the right gear while Riding will help keep you warm when it's cold and cool when it's hot, which will help to keep you safe. Because when you're thinking that you're going to freeze to death if you go another mile, you're not thinking about what you're doing on the bike. And Riding a Motorcycle takes your full concentration.
4. Smash Bugs, Wash, Repeat
Maybe because your bike is smaller than a car is why it will accumulate more bugs... or maybe because you tend to take the long way home through the back roads. No matter the reason, you'll want to clean your bike of said bugs often.
The bug guts can do a job on your paint, and if left to sit too long, will start to eat away. No big deal... until you want to trade or sell your bike.
{Learn How to Wash Your Bike}
Besides, by washing your bike you'll get to know it better. And the old saying is true: the better you take care of your bike, the better it will take care of you.
5. Know You're Really Fully Covered
As a motorcyclist you are required by law to carry insurance. So, if you've got the required insurance, are you fully covered?
The question you need to ask & then find the answer to is, "Who is that insurance designed to protect?"
In New York, we are required to carry liability motorcycle insurance. Those minimum coverage limits per accident are $25K bodily injury per person, $50K if there are multiple people, $50K for death per person, $100K if there are multiple deaths, and $10K for property damage.
But that's only if you are found to be at fault for causing the accident. What happens if the driver who hit you is found to be responsible? It's true that NY is a 'no-fault' state, but that's only if you're in your car -the no-fault rule does not apply to Bikers.
From our friend, Attorney Ben Rabin: "Because bikers face unique laws in New York State (laws that are NOT in the biker's favor)... You need to make sure you have enough insurance to cover yourself in the event of an accident. Don't rely on the other guys insurance, because it might not be enough."
You'll want to check into spousal coverage (if you're married and your spouse rides with you on your bike), medical payments to cover medical expenses that occur as a result of an accident, and -the biggy- supplemental under-insured/uninsured coverage.
Last, go and talk to a licensed insurance agent or broker, rather than just buying your insurance online -you won't be charged any more on your policy, the cost is the same!! Ben recommends talking to a broker because they'll represent several insurance companies, meaning they'll be working for you. Ask about the above coverages, find out for yourself.
6. Be Social
You got your bike to ride & have fun. And when you join a riding group, club or association, you get to share all that fun with people who share your same passion- and the happiness you'll get is multiplied by 100. Because there's nothing stronger than the bond of the open road.
And by being a H.O.G. Member, you get a sh*t ton of extras that no other club has: mileage recognition, pins & patches, touring handbook, H.O.G. Roadside Assistance, HOG Magazine & Insider, rallies, events and more. Plus there's discounts with AT&T, Best Western Hotels, and motorcycle shipping with Federal Motorcycle Transport.
We get together to crank maximum adventure out of life on two wheels. Then we ride our separate ways. When you're a member of the Harley Owners Group, even when you're riding solo, you're never riding alone. The sun never sets on our rumbling motorcycles. We're the worldwide, independent nation of H.O.G.
7. Increase your odds of survival - a word about alcohol
Reasonable Risk: you've taken the Basic Riders Course and understand how to control your motorcycle. Knowing what you know, it's a reasonable risk for you to ride your bike down a city street.
Given your knowledge base, you're most likely not going to get on a 250-horsepower motorcycle, go as fast as you can into turn one of a race track, leaning the bike so far over your knee is just inches from the pavement.
Why not? Racers do it every weekend!
Because that's an unacceptable risk for you- you're not a professional in that field.
So, when it comes to 'Reasonable Risk' while out riding with friends and one of the stops is at the favorite Bar & Grill, most figure having a beer with a burger is somewhat safe....
It's not and here's why:
- Lots like to blame 'cagers' for crashing into Bikers, but the reality is most of the fatal motorcycle accidents don't involve a car at all.
- Bikers who are fatally injured in an accident are more likely to be intoxicated than the driver of a car or pick-up truck.
- Experienced Bikers were tested at different levels of intoxication, going through drills on a MSF course. In some cases, the Bikers showed reduced performance with a BAC of just 0.05% -still within the 'legal' limit.
- You have the good judgement needed to know when drinking is starting to impairs affect your ability to ride... but drinking also impairs your judgement. So if your judgement is off how can you make an accurate call as to your riding ability?
I'm not saying not to drink! I've got DNA proof I'm Irish- so you know I enjoy drinking, either with friends or alone (I'm not that picky...). You should have seen the mess I was the morning after this picture was taken!!
Yes, I was quite drunk here, on a ride with my girlfriends, heading out to Maine. BUT this pic was taken after our kickstands were down for the night.
The same goes for Riding and Marijuana use. It's quite easy for you to increase your odds of survival- don't drive or ride while under the influence.
8. Be Bold - or, at least, don't be fearful
Being a beginner Biker doesn't mean you have to stick to the roads you know. Take the road unknown and see where it leads...
So what if you have to do a U-turn? Or you don't know exactly where you are? If you've got enough gas to get you to the next gas station, then you're not all that lost.
I've often come across the best views, roads and adventures by taking a new road that I didn't know. I guess Robert Frost got it right.
