MPG

Before you let someone talk you out of riding a motorbike because of the danger, how about focusing on the sensible and practical aspects of bike-riding? With a motorcycle, you get amazing miles per gallon. Even the thirstiest, mean machines can still provide around 40 miles per gallon when at cruising speed. A small around-town commuter bike will give you 50-60 miles per gallon leaving you seriously quid’s in when it comes to fuel economy. This makes a bike the perfect choice for city dwellers.

In the zone

Being on a motorbike comes with a focus like nothing you’ve experienced driving a car. There are no distractions of car interiors, music or passengers and you are solely focused on the act of riding. It’s a form of escapism even though it requires absolute focus and concentration, because while you’re doing it, you’re not thinking or worrying about anything else. You must remain aware but also let your subconscious take control of the riding skills. You are more a part of your surroundings, cruising along with stunning panoramas, the wind rushing past you. There is no more exhilarating way to experience a road trip.

Just Cool

So, nobody can argue the fact that riding a bike is just way cooler than driving a car. However, for first time riders out there, remember that learning to ride is process with many learning curves. Don’t just rush out and buy a bike to look cool. To be truly cool, you must take riding seriously, learn the skills required for safety and be confident enough to continually improve and get the most from your bike.

The Bond

If you think having a close bond with an inanimate object is daft, then wait until you get a motorbike. Owners will normally name their bikes, accessorise and engage in motorcycle customisation to make them their own, keep them clean and waxed and disappear at weekends to spend time together. Your bike will become like a horse was to his knight, a trusty steed and extension of your own body.

Cheaper to run and maintain

Not only do you get far better fuel economy, but owning a bike is often cheaper and easier to repair, service and maintain. A rite of passage for many bike owners is the learning curve of tinkering and maintaining their pride and joy. However, before embarking on any DIY jobs, consider the ease, speed and professionalism of having your bike serviced or repaired by those who specialise in such work. It will save you many headaches and money!

• Think carefully about where you park your bike. Visibility is what draws potential thieves to your possessions so it’s best not to leave an uncovered motorbike parked outside your home. Always put it away in a shed or garage. If you’ve nowhere to store the bike, hide it from view with a loose cover, adding another cover on top to disguise the shape. Always try to park in areas with lots of passing traffic or pedestrians. If this isn’t possible, try to position your bike in front of a security camera.
• Locking your bike to an object like a streetlamp makes it harder to steal. When travelling with others, locking bikes together is another effective deterrent. Make sure any locks or security cables are nice and tight so they’re harder to cut. A combination of locks is even more effective, such as D locks, chain locks and disc locks.
• Make use of anti-theft devices. Most motorcycle manufacturers offer alarms similar to those found on cars. Whilst alarms will never be 100% effective at preventing theft, they do offer an additional line of defence and might be enough to make a thief think twice.
• GPS tracking systems can also deter thieves and even just a sticker stating that you have this, or an alarm system might be enough to make a thief pass by your bike untouched. While GPS systems are only useful after a bike has been stolen, some systems offer a movement alert so if you’re close enough you could get to your bike as soon as someone tries to take it.
• Another weapon in your anti-theft arsenal is an ignition lock or disguised kill switch. An added bonus is that such devices can qualify you for a discount on your insurance. Check out motorcycle customisation options at a specialist bike garage.
• Having a theft plan is also a good idea. Keep all your papers relating to the bike about your person and not stored anywhere on the bike. That way, if you come back to find it’s been stolen, you have all the necessary information to report it stolen immediately.
• Marking your bike is another method that can make it easier for a stolen bike to be returned to you. Ultra violet pens are a cheap and easy way to mark your tank with your postcode, name or telephone number.
• Using Alpha Dots are even better as once you’ve attached your unique identification number it’s almost impossible to remove. This is enough to deter most thieves as the police can convict purely on evidence of the Alpha Dot.

Learn Your Craft

Just because your bike is safely tucked up for winter, doesn’t mean you can’t continue with your riding education. There are tons of books, eBooks, DVDs and online videos to help you study the art of sport riding techniques for example. There are different levels, starting with basic and moving up to more advanced. By studying, taking notes and learning more about riding techniques, you’ll be able to hit the road in spring and put that theory into practice right away. Riding is a lifelong education, so keep perfecting your craft by soaking up as much knowledge as you can get your hands on.

Improve Your Bike

Out of sight shouldn’t mean out of mind. The off-season is the perfect opportunity to get your bike in excellent condition for spring. For the ultimate peace of mind when it comes to safety, book your bike in for specialist british motorbike repairs. Whether you need new tyres, a stunning new paint job, suspension improvements or valve adjustments – get it right first time with a professional service.

Get Fit

The ideal riding experience comes from the synchronisation between man and machine. Half of that equation, therefore, is you. By spending the off-season getting into better shape, you’ll notice the difference when it’s time to jump on the bike. Not only will you enjoy the health benefits of growing muscle, but it will also improve your mood on those long dark days, give you increased stamina, more flexibility, better concentration and a higher resistance to injury. All these things are beneficial to your riding.

Plan Ahead

Instead of pining for the wind in your face and the thrill of the open road, spend those winter nights planning your season ahead. Planning your next moves and setting goals is exciting, so think about what you want to get involved in when the better weather arrives. Perhaps you’re planning your first track day, a touring holiday or new routes you have in mind? This is the time to get planning, booking early, saving money and recruiting your mates. Don’t forget to book the time off work and think about any new gear you’ll need.

Get Kitted Out

The winter months are also the perfect opportunity to grab some bargains on new kit for both you and your motorcycle. You don’t always need to get your accessories brand new, as second-hand sites often advertise top brand gear that might have only been used for one season. When it comes to your safety wear, always be sure that the integrity and functionality of the item is still intact.

Before riding through our nation’s capital on a bike, consider the following points:

• Are you an experienced and confidently competent rider?
• Do you know your bike’s controls instinctively, so you can keep your focus on the road conditions all around you?
• Can you make quick and good decisions?
• Are you confident, fearless and a great observer?
• Are you prepared to forget everything you thought you knew about the rules of the road?
• Is your bike in safe working order and serviced by a specialist motorcycle garage Kensington?

Even with all these useful attributes, you’ll still find the conditions on the capital’s roads challenging. You’ll encounter hairy moments, gaps closing a split second before you reach them, honking horns, angry gesticulations and car drivers who cut you up without a moment’s hesitation. Why then would you even consider it?

For those who love the adrenaline rush of nipping, tucking and weaving through traffic – London is perfect. For those who loathe public transport, the delays and uncertainty, the endless queue of frustrated, bored car drivers– motorbikes are perfect. The ability to weave to the front of the traffic, the fuel economy and quicker commute times make riding a popular choice in the capital despite the hazards.

Some of the challenges you face come in the form of coaches, lorries and taxis, of which there are literally thousands. Never position yourself between a car and a lorry, bus or coach and always have an escape route to use. Remember to look as far ahead as possible at what the traffic is doing and whether lights have changed etc. Also stay aware of other motorcyclists when you go to change lanes, as you well know, a quick check over your shoulder can save lives.

Pedestrians are another obstacle to overcome. They seem intent on staring at their phones and randomly stepping out from behind a bus or van. Observation and reaction time are key, as is the ability to stop your bike on a sixpence without locking your wheels.

Motorcycles are able to use the bus lanes in London, as are taxis. Be wary of the fact that buses stop often, taxis may move in and out of lanes at speed and open doors right in your path. You’ll also be closer to the pedestrians here who could decide to step out into the road, getting rather too up close and personal for anyone’s liking.

For the most part, riding in London is something of a necessity and not undertaken for fun. It can be exhilarating however, as long as you can hold your nerve, keep calm and remember that normal rules seem not to apply too much. Staying alert, vigilant and ready to act quickly will stand you in good stead for tackling the many challenges that London’s streets like to throw at you.