In Virginia, especially during the warmer months, many people dream of buying a motorcycle. Ever since Easy Rider, a shining Harley-Davidson Road King Classic or a powerful Kawasaki Ninja ZX has come to embody the ultimate idea of freedom and thrilling sensations.
Patiently waiting for the fall season when dealers offer sharp discounts and more second-hand bikes are put on the market, wannabe Virginia motorcyclists are going over catalogues, insurance quotes and leasing plans.
If finding the right bike for you is a fun pastime, you should be sure to consider a very important question: Are you the right person to ride a motorcycle?
Motorcycle riding requires unique physical, nervous and mental skills. You need to find out, before you buy one, if you have what it takes to not only ride your bike around the block, but to go the distance and to ride safely. In order to determine if you are the right candidate for a motorcycle, you should consider the following:
- Are you a risk taker? If you tend to be reckless, have no fear, do not know your limits or tend to go beyond what most people consider safe, a motorcycle is probably a bad choice for you. Because of a bike's power, a biker needs to be in constant control of his or her temper and senses; if they are not, they could put themselves in danger of being involved in a devastating Virginia motorcycle accident.
- Are you physically able to ride a motorcycle? After a couple of hours, riding a bike can become strenuous and painful - especially if you suffer from back pain, are overweight or are muscularly weak. A motorcyclist needs to have a perfect sense of balance, good vision and should not be of the hyper-nervous type.
- Can you focus? Whether you ride on mountain roads or in the rush-hour traffic, you can't allow yourself to be distracted. As a motorcyclist, you need to keep your eyes on what is in front and around you at all times. Even when you are tired, your focus should remain razor-sharp until you have safely arrived at your destination.
- Can you operate a clutch and a gear lever? Most motorcycles have a manual transmission. If your only driving experience has been with an automatic transmission, you may have trouble adjusting to a motorcycle.
- Can you get your hands dirty? If you ride your motorcycle over long distances or in remote places, you need make sure it is running well. You will need to thoroughly clean parts, replace oil and adjust critical mechanical components like brakes, chain tension and tire pressure while on your trip; not doing so may damage your bike or leave you stranded.
- Are you willing to take a rider course? If you are convinced that you do not need training because you have a natural talent to ride a motorcycle, you should never buy one. Motorcycling takes training and practice, and the best way to get this vital training is to take a motorcycle rider's course.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a VA motorcycle accident, please contact a Virginia motorcycle crash lawyer today. We have offices in Warrenton and Culpeper to better serve you.
