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Our Complete New Rider Checklist
Alex K · August 31, 2018
Getting out on the road for the first time as a new rider can be a daunting task so we've put together a complete new rider checklist to help out with anything you might need.
This seems like an obvious thing to have but it’s never been more important to make sure you have a valid CBT before getting out on the road. We get calls quite often from riders who have been pulled over because they don’t have a CBT or their last one expired. It’s a day of training to make sure you’re safe out on the roads and something that is easy to get done to avoid any run ins with Mr. Jonathan Law.
It’s very important to make sure you’re as protected as possible while you’re out on the road as a new rider. The phrase “dress for the slide not for the ride” should be the mantra of any new rider looking to buy gear - get the best helmet you can, a proper motorcycle jacket, gloves with leather palms and a pair of boots which will give you as much support as possible. Hi-vis is a really important bit of kit to make you as visible (clue in the name) as possible on the road.
Bike
If you’re not buying or financing yourself a new bike then it’s worth considering a few things before buying a 2nd hand bike or scooter. Make sure that it has a good service history and no obvious evidence of it being dropped or crashed. Ultimately the maintenance of your bike is the most important safety feature any new rider should consider - you want reliable brakes, a smooth throttle and a good clutch/gearbox.
Your CBT is valid as soon as they have handed you the certificate once you’ve passed your training and if you’ve already got your bike the only thing left to do is get your insurance sorted. There are plenty of options depending on how much coverage you want and what your budget is. Given the nature of bikes it's always best to go for comprehensive insurance if you can
Safety
The last thing to have as a new rider is a calm level head. It can be a bit overwhelming out on a 125 with traffic around you but if you stay calm and remember what they taught you during your CBT it will do you a world of good.
People
It’s not for everyone of course but we’re all about community here at RideTo and when you first head out on the road it's great to have people around you who are at the same level or more experienced. Remember everyone starts somewhere and people you see on 1000cc sports bikes had to go through their CBT just like you. We have learner friendly Ride Outs from our Brixton HQ every Wednesday and we’re always keen for more people to join in.