Motorcycle Riding Tips

Experienced riders and beginners alike can all benefit from looking at the basics of motorcycle riding. Riding skill is always a work in progress, so whether you’re new or an expert, you can always use some tips or reminders. With a bit of focus and work, you’ll see improvement in your riding ability, opening up new routes and new thrills. At Sky Powersports Cocoa, we understand that our customers come in with a variety of skill levels under their belts. That’s why we want to take some time to talk about tips for newer riders to get them on their bikes and have fun.

Braking

Braking correctly at high speeds on a motorcycle can be difficult to get used to if you’ve mainly driven cars. Remember that motorcycles just have two wheels and most of the bike’s stopping power is focused in the front. While you still need to apply both sets of brakes at the same time, you’ll always get more stopping power up front. For those who just started out, we recommend practicing before hitting the road where braking properly really is a matter of life and death. Practice driving at a fast speed on a straight, empty road and getting a feel for the brakes. Figure out how quickly you can stop without applying the brakes so hard that they lock up.

Passing

As opposed to braking, passing while riding a motorcycle is quite a bit easier than in a car due to the on-demand acceleration that’ll have you shooting down freeways. Don’t take this power for granted, because you’re still riding a motorcycle, and that means safety first! When passing is possible, maintain a good following distance behind the car you’re overtaking, so you can see oncoming traffic. This is easy on the open road but requires a different technique if you’re coming out of a corner or another blind area. Only pass when you can legally move into the other lane. Different states have different laws regarding passing between lanes, so make sure to know your local laws.

Steering and Cornering

Push steering can serve as a huge difference for riders coming over from mainly car driving. You can’t just steer with your handlebars into a turn — you have to lean into it. Cornering is part of the essence of good riding, so practice here is well worth your time. For steering, simply push your handlebars in the direction you want to travel and keep pressure there throughout the turn.

The more time you spend in the saddle, the more comfortable you’ll become. We at Sky Powersports Cocoa want our customers to feel at home on the right bike, so stop by our dealership in Cocoa, FL, and we’ll help you learn the basics and show you the best motorcycles around. We’re proud to serve Palm Shore and East Orlando.