Tips for motorcycle beginners

Men and women who ride motorcycles often insist there's nothing quite like riding. Riding a motorcycle not only can be exhilarating and provide a feeling unlike any other, but it also requires patience and discipline for beginners and veteran riders alike.

Riding a motorcycle carries a certain stigma of being dangerous, but that's only the case for inattentive riders who forget their responsibilities while on the road. The following are some tips that beginners can put to use when hitting the open road.

* Gear up and stay geared up. Beginners often don't have a problem gearing up, as many are understandably nervous and therefore less likely to leave necessary equipment in the garage. Always wear a helmet, motorcycle jacket, riding gloves, riding boots and motorcycle pants when riding. Many riders fall into the trap of wearing less gear once they become more acclimated to their bike. But gear should be worn whether you have been riding for 50 days or 50 years.

* Prepare, prepare, prepare. There's no such thing as too much preparation when riding a motorcycle. Motorcycle training guides are valuable tools of information for beginners. These instructional videos or reading materials provide insight into all aspects of riding a motorcycle, and no beginner should get on a motorcycle without first watching or reading a motorcycle training guide.

* Practice away from other motorists. Don't start riding on a freeway until you have grown accustomed to riding the bike at slow practice speeds you've honed away from other motorists. Empty parking lots make ideal training grounds. Once you feel comfortable in the parking lot, gradually move to roads without heavy traffic, such as residential neighborhoods. Once you're truly comfortable on the bike, then you can hit the highway.

* Go to class. A motorcycle safety course might be a requirement in some areas but not required in others. Regardless of whether or not it's required, take the class anyway. Such classes might cost a few hundred dollars, but their value far exceeds that cost. A safety course prepares riders for anything they might encounter on the road. Just be sure to enroll in a class that teaches accident evasion.

* Get the right size. Some riders envision themselves at the helm of a big hog, while others see themselves tooling down the highway on an ultra-light bike. But don't go to extremes in either direction, at least not with your first motorcycle. A heavy bike might be more stable, but it's also harder to control. A lighter bike might feel easier to control, but it's best to wait until you have had a year or two of experience before buying bikes often referred to as "crotch rockets," which are sporty and fast.