Don’t Worry! How to Ease Concerned Non-Motorcycle Riders
The minute you start telling your friends and family you’re interested in riding a motorcycle, you’ll probably receive mixed responses. Some of them will be excited and think it’s cool, but there’s always that handful of people who will fret over your safety. They’ll talk your ear off about how dangerous riding a motorcycle is, and to be frank, they’re not wrong. You shouldn’t just view motorcycles as a fun thrill ride. They come with a lot of risk and the best way to ease your more concerned loved ones is to take all the right steps to keep yourself safe, which we discuss below.
Acknowledging the Dangers
As the saying goes, the first step to solving a problem is acknowledging there is a problem. There’s no getting around how dangerous it is to ride a motorcycle, and there’s no point in side-stepping it.
After all, driving cars is widely accepted as a high-risk activity, and motorcycle riding can be even more dangerous. It’s going to require all your focus to stay safe and be aware of everything that’s happening around you, but the first step in maintaining that kind of focus is respecting the hazards of the activity.
Do Your Research
When you’ve acknowledged the dangers, it’s time to do your homework. This can range from making sure you have all the right safety gear to knowing all the best riding practices.
You can even include your concerned loved ones in this process so they can see for themselves how far motorcycle safety has come. Check out some of the latest riding aids, high-tech braking systems, and other features that can make riding safer and easier.
If your loved one’s concern is financial, then show them you’re doing all the necessary research and budgeting properly so you can prove it’s an affordable investment. Make sure you include long-term spending and the cost of riding gear in your budget.
Focus on Safety
But let’s circle back to safety, because that’s probably going to be a popular topic from the concerned party, and should also be a major focus for you.
Start by letting them know you’ll be wearing all the right riding gear to keep you safe. This should include a helmet, gloves, jacket boots, and riding pants, making sure every part of your body is covered in durable and protective material.
If you’re new to motorcycle riding, don’t hone your skills on the road with other drivers. Consider finding a safe riding course and class to learn about all the best techniques and then practice in a safer environment. If you pick this route, then make sure to talk to your insurance company as some offer discounts and benefits for riders who take the right courses.
Finally, make sure you’re being realistic about your skills so it doesn’t look like you’re diving headfirst into something you’re not ready for. Big bikes are heavy bikes and difficult for new riders to control. If you’re not ready for a big bike, then opt for something smaller and lighter to help you hone your skills.
Keeping your loved ones involved in this process is going to help ease some of their worries about whether or not you’ve thought this through. What won’t help is simply blowing them off and dismissing their concern. They’re just trying to help, so take the steps you need to reassure them and prevent them from hounding you in the future.
Ready to learn more about motorcycle riding? Chicago or Milwaukee Motorcycle School is a great way to learn more about biking! We focus on training novice riders so they are better prepared for the open road. Reach out to either of our motorcycle schools to get a better idea on how you can get involved in biking!
When you are ready to shop for motorcycles for sale, see the options at Windy City Motorcycle Company. We serve those in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Chicago, Illinois, and Detroit, Michigan.