So you want to ride a motorcycle?

If you’re thinking about learning to ride a scooter or a motorcycle, or getting back on one after a bit of a break, then you’re in the right place. So if you're new to scooters and motorcycles, you might find there's a lot of new information to deal with all at once. You don't need to worry though, we'll take you through some of the things you really ought to know and make sure it's only useful information. That way you'll end up getting on the two wheels that's right for you.

The Style of Motorcycle

There are so many different types of motorcycles on the market, from nippy scooters to stylish cruisers to vintage style beauties, how do you know what suits your needs and your style? Understanding the style of motorcycle you want to ride is one of the first steps. If you are unsure, drop us a line or come into our store, we have motorcycles of every type which you can sit on and try out. There is absolutely no obligation to buy, we are more than happy to help you out.

Motorcycle Insurance

The insurance mine field, To help you along, we have our own in-house insurance facilities where we can get you the very best prices. Again, if you are in doubt and would like to speak with one of our sales representatives, just drop us a line or visit us in-store.

Motorcycle & Scooter Maintenance Safety

Whether you’re a committed all year biker or a once in a while kind of person, or you’re just starting out – you need to regularly check the following very important things. They may seem small, but they could prove to be vital. So remember to regularly check:

• Rakes and brake fluid – make sure you have plenty left on your brake pads and remember, brake fluid runs out and doesn’t re-fill itself. No brake fluid equals no brakes!
• Tyres – cracks can appear during winter time, even if you’re not using your bike; also keep a look out for nails, bulges and make sure your tyres are always at the right pressure.
• Fork seals – loss of oil in the fork seals will result in poor suspension performance, so check for any leaks.
• Oil – regular changes work wonders for your bike and its longevity.
• Coolant – this is just as important in the summer as it is in winter so keep it topped up.
• Chain and sprockets – winter can cause a chain to seize and be weak in places, so make sure all your links are loose and your sprockets don’t have too much wear in them.
• Lights – make sure your bulbs are working and generating light, and make sure your light is positioned correctly. It’s easy to blind oncoming drivers, which can be very dangerous.
• Battery - After all, you need this to start your motorcycle. Cold weather will de-charge your battery so ensure you have an optimate charger or similar to keep it topped up.
• Have the bike serviced regularly – regular servicing will save you a lot in the long run.

Not forgetting your Kit

Don’t forget to check your kit as well. Visors can be scratched affecting vision - sometimes you don’t realise how bad it has become until you fit a new one. Check the straps are all ok too; a helmet is only any good if it stays on your head! Look over your leathers, gloves and boots – stitching coming undone, zips failing or cracking leather might just be the excuse you need to sort yourself out some new gear.