When you first start your motorcycling journey, there are a lot of skills, practices, and maintenance needs to remember.

While it can seem overwhelming, you must perfect these before hitting the open road (both for your sake, and the sake of everyone else on the road). When you’re first starting, however, it’s hard to know all of the potential mistakes you’ll want to prevent yourself from performing. To help you out on this exciting new adventure, here are seven of the most common mistakes beginner motorcyclists make, and that you should avoid: 

1. Not Wearing the Proper Gear  

If you’re not wearing the proper gear for riding (and all of it) every time that you get on your bike, you’re making a serious, and potentially deadly, mistake. Proper riding gear helps minimize injury, helps to maintain full control of your bike, and ensures environmental elements do not cause you undue stress while riding. Depending on where you’re riding, you might be required to wear gear if you want to avoid costly fines as well. 

2. Improper Use of the Clutch Lever  

Not understanding how to use the clutch lever when riding can lead to serious consequences. Remember, your gear and clutch lever go hand-in-hand when you’re riding on the open road. Many beginner motorcyclists assume that they must fully squeeze the clutch lever whenever they hit the brakes, but it’s better to play with your clutch to discover the most finessed way to apply it. However, this can take a while to perfect, so do not get overly stressed if you do not get your clutch usage perfect from the word “go.” 

3. Stalling  

When you’re first learning to ride a motorcycle, stalling is one of the most common issues you face. Synchronizing your fuel flow when you’re accelerating, but giving a little at a time, will help you adjust the clutch in a way that will prevent stalling. When you stall, it’s easy to lose control of your bike for a moment. When you’re riding a motorcycle, every moment is critical, so learning how to avoid stalling altogether is crucial before hitting the open roadway. If you find yourself in an accident through no fault of your own, you must find an attorney to represent you after a motorcycle collision. 

4. Riding Too Soon 

Riding a motorcycle is exciting, and for many people, it’s a full-on dream. However, rushing the process to get on the open road is incredibly dangerous. Taking safety courses, riding long enough to feel fully comfortable and confident, and making sure you’re properly licensed to drive in your area are all crucial first steps. Otherwise, you’ll be putting yourself and everyone else on the road in danger by getting on the road too soon. And make sure you find yourself a solid motorcycle insurance plan! 

5. Forgetting to Use the Kickstand 

When you forget to use your kickstand, your bike will fall and cause potentially costly damage. Beyond financial costs, this damage can put you in danger of riding with a mechanical issue, which is much worse in the long run. Simply practice using your kickstand properly, and truly care for your bike, and you’ll have no issue with this potential pitfall. After all, bikes are expensive, so you’re likely to become obsessive about your kickstand usage after investing in your motorcycle. 

6. Improper Foot and Hand Placement 

Putting your feet and hands in the wrong place when riding can lead to you quickly losing full control of your bike. Your hands should remain on the handlebar at all times to ensure you maintain control, while your feet should be on the proper footrests or pedals at all times. Practicing your feet and hand placements is a key part of your training, so never skip over it for convenience's sake (or you’re likely to pay for the oversight down the line). If you’re searching for a personal injury lawyer after a motorcycle accident, it’s important to know what to look for. 

7. Speeding 

Motorcycles make you feel your speed in a way that no car can match. Due to this, many beginners take the risk of speeding while they ride. However, civil engineers go through great lengths of research and testing to ensure the speed limits they are posting are there to keep you safe (so following them is critical). If you’re speeding, your ability to avoid accidents, and to make turns, will be significantly lessened. 

Beginners Should Always Take Their Time 

By taking your time to learn how to avoid common mistakes and dangerous riding practices, you’re doing your part to make 2022 a safe year for all motorists. With the right determination, training, and education, you’ll be riding your motorcycle in a fully safe, fashionable manner in no time at all!