So you want to ride a bike, eh?
From the outside, it might not seem obvious but riding a motorcycle is more than just having a different mode of transportation; it's a way of life. When you start riding, you will find a whole community of riders and will end up with some instant friends. As you go down a winding road, other bikers will throw you a peace sign. People will turn their heads as you drive by.
Riding a motorcycle is about freedom. Freedom from a metal cage with four wheels. A bike is lighter and can accelerate and brake a lot faster than a car, so you can maneuver far more quickly.
But there is an important point that you should face as a new rider. Something that no one likes talks about: at some point, you will crash. As the saying goes, there are two kinds of riders: those that have crashed, and those who haven't crashed yet.
So you can see why preparation is so important. In the next series of articles, I will talk about what you can do to be as safe as possible on the road. In upcoming articles, I will talk about how you can best to prepare. I will give you advice that I wish I had decades ago when I was first riding.
By all means, get a bike. But remember, along with the freedom of riding, comes responsibility. If you prepare yourself correctly, you can minimize the bad parts and keep the rubber side down.
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