At some point, every motorcyclist crosses a milestone that makes them feel like they finally “get it.” For me, that milestone was 1,000 miles, and let me tell you, the learning curve involved a few bruises — both physical and to my pride. If you’re just starting out or considering getting a bike, take my hard-earned wisdom to heart.
1. Riding on Three Hours of Sleep is a Bad Idea
Sure, coffee might make you feel invincible, but your reaction time says otherwise. There’s nothing quite like nodding off at a stoplight to make you reconsider your life choices.
2. Forgetting to Put Your Kickstand Down Before Getting Off is a Bad Idea
Some lessons are learned once. Others — like this one — are learned twice. Nothing makes you question your intelligence faster than watching your beloved bike topple over in slow motion while you flail helplessly beside it.
3. California Stops Without Putting Your Feet Down are a Bad Idea
Look, I get it. Momentum is fun. But rolling stops on a motorcycle are a fantastic way to introduce yourself to pavement at an alarming speed. And if you’re wondering whether anyone saw you eat it — yes, the entire Starbucks patio definitely did.
4. Bikes Don’t Like Being Dropped (Twice in One Week)
Motorcycles are wonderful machines. They’re sleek, powerful, and incredibly resilient — until you treat them like a sack of potatoes. Trust me, the only thing worse than dropping your bike once is doing it again before the emotional damage from the first time has even worn off.
5. Riding in the Rain is a Bad Idea
Oh, you think you’re fine because you have a rain-resistant jacket? Cute. Ever try riding on a slick road while feeling like a wet cat that’s been thrown into a washing machine? Hydroplaning on two wheels is not an experience I would recommend.
6. Riding With Proper Gear is a Good Idea
You know who doesn’t care about fashion? The pavement. That cool t-shirt and sneakers might feel great on a summer day, but they won’t do much when you go skidding across the asphalt at 40 mph. ATGATT (All The Gear, All The Time) isn’t just a catchy phrase — it’s the difference between a minor inconvenience and a multi-week road rash recovery plan.
7. Riding With a Full Tank of Gas is a Good Idea
The difference between a great ride and pushing a 500-pound bike to the nearest gas station is about one second of foresight. I now have a rule: if I think I might need gas, I definitely need gas.
8. Riding in Good Weather is a Good Idea
Sunny skies? Perfect. Moderate breeze? Fantastic. Gusting crosswinds that make you feel like a kite? Less fantastic. Weather can make or break your ride, and I’ve learned that checking the forecast is as crucial as checking my mirrors.
9. Riding Aggressively is Not a Great Idea, But It Sure is Fun
There’s a thin line between “confident rider” and “wannabe stuntman.” Sure, twisting the throttle feels amazing, but weaving through traffic like you’re auditioning for Fast & Furious: Two-Wheel Edition is a great way to become an organ donor.
10. Staying Fully Alert is a Great Idea
Unlike in a car, where a moment of inattention might mean a fender bender, on a motorcycle, it means a fender funeral. I keep my eyes peeled, always have an escape route, and never assume other drivers will actually obey traffic laws. Defensive riding isn’t paranoia — it’s survival.
11. Drive Like a Motorcycle, Not a Car
Your bike isn’t a four-door sedan. You can fit through spaces cars can’t, but that doesn’t mean you should. Lane filtering? A blessing. Squeezing through a two-foot gap between a semi and a guardrail? That’s just a fast pass to regrettable life choices.
12. Use Both Brakes. Yes, Both.
It’s tempting to just grab the front brake, but unless you enjoy the sensation of an unplanned somersault, use the rear one too. The physics of braking on two wheels is different, and mastering it can be the difference between a smooth stop and an impromptu meeting with your handlebars.
13. Know Which Gear You’re In
Downshifting into first when you thought you were in second? That’s a neck-snapping experience. Accidentally leaving it in neutral at a stoplight? That’s just embarrassing. The simple act of knowing what gear I’m in has saved me from countless awkward stall-outs.
14. Slow Before the Turn
Going into a turn too hot feels a lot like realizing mid-sentence that you don’t actually know where you were going with your thought. Except instead of an awkward pause, there’s just sheer panic and the possibility of skidding off into a ditch.
15. Don’t Get Cocky
The moment you start thinking, I’ve got this, I’m basically Valentino Rossi, is the moment the universe reminds you that, actually, you are not. Every experienced rider has a story about the time they got too confident and paid the price. I’d like to have as few of those stories as possible.
16. That Rider Safety Course Was Actually Useful
At first, I thought it was just a bureaucratic hurdle. Turns out, knowing how to properly countersteer, emergency brake, and navigate tricky intersections has probably saved my life multiple times already. It was time (and money) well spent.
Final Thoughts
Riding 1,000 miles has been an adventure, but the biggest takeaway? Respect the bike, respect the road, and respect the fact that you are not invincible. Motorcycling is one of the most freeing experiences out there — but only if you make it back home in one piece. Ride safe, ride smart, and don’t forget the kickstand.
Art Prompt:
A luminous impressionist cityscape at dusk, where golden light from antique street lamps dances across rain-slicked cobblestone streets. Thick, expressive brushstrokes bring texture to the movement of pedestrians in Victorian-era attire, their reflections rippling in the wet pavement. The background is a hazy blend of muted blues and purples, hinting at distant buildings softened by the misty air. The perspective subtly warps the scene, giving it an almost dreamlike quality, with flickers of red and orange from the evening market stalls adding warmth to the composition. The brushwork evokes a sense of fleeting motion, reminiscent of a world caught between reality and memory.
Want more two-wheeled wisdom, close calls, and questionable decision-making? Follow me, and let’s talk in the comments!