Riding a motorcycle is liberating, exciting and undeniably addictive – but people sometimes do it in spurts.
Maybe you just put your motorcycle away for the winter, or maybe you haven’t ridden in years because you were worried about the risk of injury or death while your children were young. Whatever the reason for the break, you may want to consider a refresher riding course before you hop on that bike this spring.
What to expect from a refresher course
What are the benefits of a refresher course when you’re already an experienced rider? Consider these:
- You can brush up on some rusty skills: Once you learn how to ride, you don’t forget – but long periods of inactivity can leave you a little less proficient than you should be, even if you were once an experienced rider. A refresher course offers the opportunity to brush up on essential riding skills, such as braking, corners and defensive riding techniques.
- You can get familiar with the new technology: Have you recently upgraded your motorcycle? You may find that you’re unfamiliar with the latest advancements in anti-lock brakes, traction control and electronic rider aids. A refresher course can help you learn to use these features to enhance your safety and the control you have over your vehicle.
- You can catch up on the rules: Traffic laws, regulations for safety gear and overall best practices for riders can change over time. What may have once been standard procedure when you last rode your motorcycle could now be considered outdated or even unsafe. A refresher course can help you make sure that you comply with the current rules.
If it’s been a while since you’ve had your motorcycle out for a spin, taking a refresher course can be the number one thing you can do to avoid a wreck – and there’s never anything wrong with becoming a better rider. If you do end up hurt because of another driver’s negligence, however, you have every right to ask for fair compensation.