If you want to gain valuable experience, then you go to school. The same applies to motorcycle riding. When you sign up for the Beginner or Basic Rider courses that are available from multiple organizations throughout the U.S., you are taking a giant step forward. Here is what to expect:
Pre-Course Assignment
The assignment that you receive is dependent on the organization that you sign up with. Make sure you do this work, because you will be better prepared for what is to come in the class. You are welcome to take notes, write down questions to ask the instructor, and familiarize yourself with the terminology.
Necessary Items
When you have class, you should bring your student handbook, a notepad, pen, and some food items for snacks and lunch. These classes will last for most of the day, so be prepared for a full day of learning and moving.
You should wear jeans with ankle boots, a long-sleeved shirt or jacket, full fingered gloves, and a DOT-legal helmet. Some schools will have helmets to borrow if you don’t have one. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to attend the class if you don’t have the appropriate gear.
Also, regardless of the weather, the class will go on. Be prepared for cold mornings. Lightweight layers are best, because you can peel them off as you get hot. You should also wear a waterproof jacket, boots, and gloves, just in case it rains.
What Happens In The Class
The class structure depends on statewide regulations and the course provider. However, most programs cover the same points. The courses are completed within two days, although you can sign up for more advanced courses later on.
First Day
On the first day of the Basic Rider Course, you don’t want to be late. Anyone who arrives late has a direct impact on how much information you receive—and you don’t want to miss anything. Before you turn on the engine, you need to sign some liability papers and other paperwork. You might be asked to introduce yourself and talk about what experience you have on a motorcycle. It’s fine if you have zero experience, because the class is designed for beginners. Relax and enjoy the chance to make new riding buddies.
The first half of the day talks about basic riding mechanics. This should be considered review if you did the pre-course assignment. If you jotted down any questions in your notes, this is the time you ask.
The first riding exercise doesn’t send you off down the road with no assistance. You review the handlebar controls once again. You mount, dismount, and turn the vehicle on and off. You then get a feel of the manually-operated clutch. Gradually, you get familiarized with the motion of the bike
The exercises thereafter include riding in a straight line, shifting gears, turning and cornering. The class is paced to allow for you to absorb this information is quickly or slowly as you need.
Second Day
The second day builds off the operations you picked up on the first day. Now, you can get more technical and polish those skills. The session begins with practice of slow speed maneuvering, emergency braking, swerving, and more cornering.
Once these drills are complete, you are assessed on your competency. The riding test will be the most stressful part of the day, because you need to successfully complete the exercises. If you don’t pass, you can retest for free; but if you fail twice, consider that riding a motorcycle might not be for you.
Other Things To Expect
There’s a reason you sign a liability form. You could tip over or crash during the hands-on section of the course. Don’t worry, though. This, too, is practice. Once you have fallen a few times, you get the hang of controlling the bike. You will receive advice for staying upright from a professional instead of having to figure it out yourself.
All in all, a Basic Rider Course is an excellent choice for all new riders who want to gain valuable experience before hitting the road. Though the course only lasts for two whole days, you learn much more than you probably expect. Go in with an open mind and leave riding your motorcycle. After that, the road is yours to master.
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21 Summer Motorcycle Rallies for Summer 2018
What’s better than the open road and a summer breeze on your face? At RumbleOn, we believe that it can only be beat by joining thousands of others who live and breathe for the same experience. This summer, don’t miss your chance to join a community of riders from across the nation by checking out this list of 25 events in 2018. Make lifelong connections, show off your ride, or even buy or sell a bike of your own!
Looking for more ways to adventure? We’ve also compiled the Best Biker Bars and Food Spots, Best Sights to See, and Best Roads to Ride for you.
July Events
Monday, July 9, 2018 – Thursday, July 12, 2018
Bowling Green, KY
32nd Annual Women on Wheels International Ride-In™
Tuesday, July 10, 2018 – Thursday, July 12, 2018
Johnson City, TN
Hell’s Canyon Motorcycle Rally
Thursday, July 12, 2018 – Monday, July 16, 2018
Baker City, OR
Monday, July 16, 2018 – Friday, July 20, 2018
Provo, UT
2018 Cascade Country Rendezvous and GS Rally by BestRest
Thursday, July 19, 2018 – Sunday, July 22, 2018
Republic, WA
ABATE of Indiana’s 38th Annual Boogie 2018
Thursday, July 19, 2018 – Sunday, July 22, 2018
Springville, IN
Thursday, July 19, 2018 – Sunday, July 22, 2018
Muskegon, MI
North Dakota Ladies Run – 31st Annual
Friday, July 20, 2018 – Sunday, July 22, 2018
Dickinson, ND
South East Raider Rally – 10th Annual
Sunday, July 22, 2018 – Sunday, July 29, 2018
Maggie Valley, NC
CMA Florida Summer Springs Fling
Friday, July 27, 2018 – Sunday, July 29, 2018
Ft. McCoy, FL
GWRRA Montana District Convention 2018
Thursday, July 26, 2018 – Saturday, July 28, 2018
Missoula, MT
Friday, July 27, 2018 – Sunday, July 29, 2018
Las Vegas, NM
August Events
Thursday, August 2, 2018 – Sunday, August 5, 2018
Black River Falls, WI
Friday, August 3, 2018 – Sunday, August 12, 2018
Sturgis, SD
Apple’s 15th Annual East Coast Motorcycle Rally
Wednesday, August 8, 2018 – Sunday, August 12, 2018
Little Orleans, MD
GWRRA Kentucky Blast District Convention 2018
Thursday, August 16, 2018 – Saturday, August 18, 2018
Cave City, KY
12th Annual Surfside Beach Bash
Friday, August 17, 2018 – Sunday, August 19, 2018
Oyster Creek, TX
Winding Road Ranch Biker Party 2018
Friday, August 24, 2018 – Sunday, August 26, 2018
Rush Springs, OK
Pennsylvania Rally on the River – Summer
Thursday, August 23, 2018 – Sunday, August 26, 2018
Northumberland, PA
September Events
Thunder in the Rockies Motorcycle Rally 2018
Friday, August 31, 2018 – Monday, September 3, 2018
Loveland, CO
Friday, August 31, 2018 – Monday, September 3, 2018
Pioneer, OH
Haley Cunningham
RumbleOn Marketing Content Manager
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Where Can I Sell My Motorcycle?
If you have made the decision to sell your motorcycle, whether because you want to upgrade or because you have different priorities, knowing where to sell your bike is as important as knowing what to ask for it.
Selling your bike is already a difficult enough decision in many cases, so there is no need for the added stress of knowing the best place to sell your motorcycle. These tips can help you find the perfect place to sell your bike and will provide you with some tips that could make the process go more smoothly. You can find a few more tips on how to sell your motorcycle here.
Where Can I Sell My Motorcycle Offline?
Selling a motorcycle offline may not be as difficult as you think. You can place a “For Sale” sign on the bike when it is parked in your yard and it is possible someone riding by may decide it is the perfect bike for them. You can also take out an ad in the classified section of your local newspaper, although you will need to pay for the ad whether the bike sells or not. If there is a bulletin board in your neighborhood where people post about lost pets or yard sales, ask if you can post a sign about your motorcycle.
Tell your friends, family and co-workers that your bike is for sale. They may know someone who is in the market.
If you are selling your bike because you want to upgrade, talk to the dealer about trading in your old bike on a new one. Keep in mind that a dealer may offer you less for the bike than you could get if you sold it yourself, but it would eliminate the hassle of selling it yourself.
- Dealership
- Local Newspaper
- Front Lawn
- Flea Market
- Racetrack
- Motorcycle Show
Where Can I Sell My Motorcycle Online?
There are many different online options you can use to sell your bike. Craigslist is a free online advertising service, but keep in mind that some of the people who use the service are not above-board. If a buyer wants to purchase the bike from a Craigslist ad, insist on cash or certified funds at the time of the sale.
Ebay is another option for selling your bike, especially if it is unique or hard-to-find. You do not pay for listing your bike on Ebay until it sells and the buyer will pay for any shipping costs. It could be difficult, however, to find a company that will ship your bike so you want to research shipping prior to listing the bike for sale.
Facebook Marketplace
Recently Facebook Marketplace has become really popular for buying and selling motorcycles and motorcycle parts. You can discover bikes for sale near you. Easy to use on your phone or your desktop, and most people already have a Facebook account.
Take a look at a few other places you can sell your sportbike online:
The Best Apps to Sell My Motorcycle
One option for selling your bike online, designed specifically for buying or selling motorcycles, is RumbleOn. The site is available as a mobile app that allows you to put in all the info about your bike, take photos and upload to the site. RumbleOn sends you a Cash Offer Voucher that is good for three days. If you agree, they come get the bike and handle all the paperwork.
CycleTrader is another app that allows you to sell motorcycles and also includes reviews available online.
These apps are available in the Apple or Google Play Store:
Google Play Store Apps
On Apple Itunes Apps
If you want more information on selling your motorcycle or need tips on getting the best price for your bike, subscribe to our YouTube channel.
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Viking Cycle – Warlock Textile Motorcycle Jacket Review
Finding a Great Entry-Level Cycle Jacket - Viking Warlock Jacket Review
When critiquing motorcycle jackets, we have a tendency to judge them by the standards and needs of long-term, experienced cyclists. The unfortunate truth is that, for those just getting into motorcycling, these criteria may be a good bit different. For one thing, beginners will tend to spend somewhat less time on their bikes as they’re still getting a feel for them, and they’re less likely to be out there in the more extreme temperatures of high summer and mid-winter.
This means that some forgiveness in fitting and materials is called for when looking at a prospective first motorcycle jacket. In the case of the VikingCycle’s Warlock jacket, this may work out pretty well.
To purchase, click here:
http://shrsl.com/1bl7e
Use Coupon Code Runthacity to receive 12% off your order!
The Look Of The Warlock Jacket
Well, let’s be honest with ourselves, we’re always going to demand that our jacket look really cool. It won’t do to look unstylish on our bikes, no matter if we’re a novice or a years-experienced rider. If the jacket doesn’t look good, nothing else matters. Maybe this isn’t the most prioritized way to think of things, but that’s just how it is.
While not the classic cruiser style so iconic in pop culture, this jacket does have a very modern classic vibe to it. It achieves a contemporary, unassuming but stylish look that blends many of the safety and comfort features of sport/street jackets, with the gentle form hugging and sleek nature that makes those cruiser jackets so beloved in the first place.
Moving forward, this even blend of these two styles will probably be somewhat timeless, which gives this jacket a unique future proof nature.
Comfort in a motorcycle jacket is a delicate balance. You don’t want to feel claustrophobic in the jacket, but at the same time, something too loose would have obvious problems. Similarly, you don’t want it to feel too bulky or heavy, but you want to feel like you’ve got something on. Finally, you want this balanced comfort to also provide good wind-cutting power, especially when it’s chilly out. Remember, the faster you go, the colder that air is going to be.
This jacket checks all but one of these boxes rather nicely. I felt like I had a solid jacket on, but I never felt claustrophobic, encumbered nor weighed down by it. The adjustable sleeves and collar meant that I didn’t feel like my circulation was cut off, but it still sealed me up well enough against the elements.
Unfortunately, the wind-cutting power of this jacket isn’t phenomenal, even with the liner in. It’s far from the worst, but in particularly chilly weather, the wind is still going to bite right into you with this jacket.
Motorcycle Jacket Safety
Safety is of course a big concern, especially for a beginner. This jacket manages to be pretty well-padded and abrasion-resistant, without feeling cumbersome. Granted, it’s not as fortified as a racing jacket, but I felt very safe in this jacket, especially thanks to the waist zipper that fastens to pants to provide a unified layer of protection.
It definitely passes my standards for safety, no question there.
VikingCycle’s Signature Rain Gear Fabric is a 100% 600D Polyester coated by PU (polyurethane). The 600D Polyester coated by PU, is also wind and water resistant so it will provide great protection against cold wind and rain and it will not sag and creates less wrinkle overtime. The fabric is light weight but highly resilient against abrasions to provide more resistance between the body and the road for your protection, and also stands against wear and tear for product durability.
Bells and Whistles
Finally, we come to the additional accoutrements this jacket offers. It’s not the most elaborate design out there, but it’s not without its charms.
- Large zipper tabs make it easy to operate the zippers with gloves on – something that can be exquisitely frustrating.
- Plenty of inside pockets for your phone, your wallet, etc. where they’re protected from the elements and impacts.
- Removable liner makes this jacket comfortable for warm and cool riding.
Warlock Jacket Textile Motorcycle Jacket Overview
Pros and Cons
Pros
- This is an affordable jacket, especially for the quality, which is a major deciding factor for the beginner motorcyclist.
- The inside pockets are a nice touch.
- The neutral, non-aggressive style is timeless, contemporary and pairs with any style of bike.
- The zippers are phenomenal.
Cons
- Removable liner takes most of the inner pockets with it, and doesn’t cut wind well.
- Velcro is used in stead of button clasps – this is a noisy material that wears out and accumulates “fuzz”.
- There are synthetic materials in the cuffs that may be less durable.
Warranty Information
VikingCycle takes the highest pride to provide the best motorcycle gear craftsmanship and material in the world. We always stand behind all our product quality. If you experience any manufacturing defects on any of our items, please let us know and return it for a replacement within 1 year of purchase.
This warranty does not cover any item damage due to normal wear and tear or improper care. Normal wear and tear is unavoidable and it is a sign that the product has been worn, such as small scratches or color change.
To claim any manufacturing defect warranty and to get your replacement as soon as possible, please let us know by emailing us at info@vikingcycle.com with your order number and a photo of the product defect.
Conclusion
This jacket’s not perfect, but then, is anything ever truly perfect? As a seasoned rider, I’d personally purchase this jacket. It is affordable, comfortable and a stylish first jacket for a beginner? I’d definitely be happy recommending the Warlock jacket.To purchase, click here:
http://shrsl.com/1bl7e
Use Coupon Code Runthacity to receive 12% off your order!To learn more about choosing the ideal motorcycle jacket for your needs, subscribe to my YouTube channel today!
