| Part I of II | | | | temperature is below 50 degrees. I also have a full |
| You want to learn to ride a motorcycle. Just | | | | face helmet that I wear in cool weather and a light |
| remember that age, size, and gender make | | | | weight "brain bucket" that I wear in the summer in |
| absolutely no difference. Whether you are tall, short, | | | | states that require helmets. You might also consider |
| heavy, slender, strong or not so strong, young, | | | | having a couple pairs of leather gloves; one pair for |
| middle aged, or older (like me; I am 59 years young), | | | | cool weather and another pair for hot weather. |
| you can ride a motorcycle and enjoy it immensely. | | | | Once you start to ride a lot more and find that you |
| First, you must consider taking a motorcycle safety | | | | don't mind riding in the rain, check into a nice set of |
| course if there is one near by. If there are no such | | | | rain gear to go over your leathers to keep you dry. |
| courses available in your area, then seek out a friend | | | | There are a few things you should keep in mind |
| that rides. My husband taught me to ride. If you | | | | when riding and that is that most people are not |
| know someone that is a motorcycle rider ask that | | | | aware of motorcycles. They are looking for cars, |
| person if they would help you to learn to ride. Also, | | | | pickups, SUV's, etc. When you are riding ride as if |
| be sure and pick up a pamphlet at your local Division | | | | you were invisible to everyone. Be aware of all the |
| of Motor vehicles and study it to learn about | | | | cars around you at all times. This could help you avoid |
| motorcycle does and don'ts. This pamphlet will give | | | | a serious accident. Do not assume that the car with a |
| you a basic idea of what you need to know before | | | | blinker on is going to turn. |
| you get on a motorcycle. | | | | Give the right of way to any vehicle you are not |
| Also, remember to get a learners permit after you | | | | sure of. I have had people on side streets look right |
| have studied the book. There are also videos and | | | | at me then pull out in front of me. They were not |
| books you can download online that have a lot of | | | | expecting to see a motorcycle and therefore they |
| useful information and are very inexpensive. Once | | | | did not see me. I even had driving lights installed on |
| you have accomplished all of the above, you need to | | | | my bike to help people see me but they still block |
| buy some good quality motorcycle leathers and other | | | | motorcycles from their mind. Motorcycles are smaller |
| motorcycle gear, perhaps even a helmet. Check the | | | | than cars and are harder to see in a rear view mirror; |
| motorcycle laws concerning the use of helmets in | | | | especially if you are in the car's blind spot. I was riding |
| your state. Leathers are a must when riding a | | | | down a street when a parked car started to pull |
| motorcycle. Leathers can protect you from a very | | | | away from the curb. That car almost hit me in the |
| painful case of "road rash". Even in hot weather, the | | | | side; luckily the driver saw me at the last second and |
| use of leathers should be considered important. | | | | stopped. That is one reason I try to always ride on |
| There are many different weights of leathers. I have | | | | the left side of my lane; it gives other drivers a |
| some heavy weight leathers I wear in cool weather | | | | better chance to see and avoid hitting me. |
| and a lighter weight set of white leathers I wear | | | | In the next part I will discuss choosing a motorcycle |
| when the weather is hot. If you are very serious | | | | that is right for you. Remember, knowledge is power. |
| about riding a lot, you might also invest in heated | | | | Read, watch, and listen to everything you can about |
| gear. I have a heated vest and heated gloves that I | | | | riding. It will help you to become a better rider. |
| wear in the early spring and late fall when the | | | | |