Learning to ride a motorcycle: From helmet to boots – tips for beginners

Learning to ride a motorcycle – The adventurous feeling of riding a motorcycle with the wind blowing in your face is hard to describe.
The motorcycle is a popular vehicle for going on vacation.
Whether in the Allgäu, Italy or the Black Forest, motorcycle tours are a great activity, even with your partner, family or friends.
It’s best to hire a motorcycle near your campsite if you’re traveling with a roof tent, or take your own with you.
Here you will find advantages, planning tips, a packing list and popular destinations for motorcycle tours.

Camping Ratgeber:

Motorcycle driving licenses: differences, vehicles & age

There are various types of driving license for motorcycles in Germany.
Most of them are offered with driving lessons and a test in driving schools.
You can pass these from various age groups from 16 to 24.
The driving license specifies which vehicles you are allowed to drive.
To give you an overview in advance, you can find the different classifications with permitted vehicles and minimum ages listed here.

Technical data explained: displacement, engine power & unladen mass

But before we start with the technical data, here is a summary of some of them and what they mean so that you can pay attention to them when choosing your driver’s license and motorcycle.

Spark ignition: Fuel (e.g. gasoline) and air are already mixed before ignition in the engine
Displacement: Volume that a piston pushes down in the cylinder of an engine to generate power
Mopeds: Motorized two- & three-wheelers
Unladen mass: Weight of the motorcycle without accessories and tank filling
Power/empty weight ratio: How much power is needed to move one kg of empty weight
Motor power in kW: Describes the time in which a drive can move a weight in a given time
Net power: Unit to describe the power of motors
Auto-ignition: fuel & air are ignited without an ignition source, for example by compression in the engine
Two-wheeler: vehicle with two wheels in a row

AM driving license: vehicle types, maximum speed & maximum permissible power

Minimum age: 16 years
Light two-wheelers Maximum speed under 45 km/h, engine capacity under 50 cm³
Three-wheeled mopeds with max.
2 seats with maximum speed under 45 km/h, useful power under 4 kW, max.
unladen mass under 270 kg, spark-ignition engine with cylinder capacity under cm³ or compression-ignition engine with cylinder capacity under 500 cm³
Light four-wheeled road quads with net power below 4 kW & four-wheeled light motor vehicles below 6 kW, maximum speed less than 45 km/h, maximum unladen mass of less than 425 kg and spark-ignition engine with cubic capacity of less than 50 cm³, compression-ignition engine with cubic capacity of less than 500 cm³

A1 driving license: minimum age & power/empty weight ratio

Minimum age: 16 years
Motorcycles with a cubic capacity of less than 125 cm³, engine power below 11 kW and power/empty weight ratio up to 0.1 kW/kg (three-wheeled motor vehicles up to 15 kW)

Driving license A2: Power & similar engines

Minimum age: 18 years
Motorcycles with less than 35 kW power, power/empty weight ratio up to 0.2 kW/kg (no engine similar to one with more than 70 kW engine power)

Driving license A: Ride all motorcycles!

Age at direct entry: 24 years
Age for three-wheeled motor vehicles with more than 15 kW: 21 years
Age with previous possession of A2 for at least 2 years: 20 years
All motorcycles

Riding a motorcycle: relaxed enjoyment of the surroundings

You can save fuel on your motorcycle tour, as motorcycles have a lower fuel consumption than cars, for example.
They also require less space, so you can park very flexibly on and off the campsite.
A motorcycle often requires fewer repairs and these are often cheaper.
When riding a motorcycle, you are also much closer to nature and what is happening on the road.
It’s all about the riding experience during the tour.
You can feel the wind, smells and temperatures.
You are comfortably propelled by the engine and don’t have to do everything under your own steam, as you do when riding a bike.
That’s why riding a motorcycle:

Save gasoline
Flexible (parking)
Fewer repairs
An experience for all the senses

Riding a motorcycle: Tips for riding & first tour

Once you have passed your motorcycle driving test, you should take a close look at your vehicle.
Understanding the technology can help you in an emergency, but can also be more beneficial for minor repairs.
Above all, you need to familiarize yourself with the systems.
For example, some motorcycles do not have an ABS braking system, which compensates for the braking movement so that you skid less quickly.
However, once you have learned to ride with one, it is important to practise braking carefully without it.
Here again at a glance:

Learning motorcycle technology
Dealing with systems

Without a driving instructor: starting after passing the test

Start driving slowly.
Especially now that you generally no longer have a driving instructor at your side.
Don’t overestimate yourself!
On bends in particular, make sure that you approach them slowly and avoid braking and accelerating sharply.
Also pay attention to the distance to other road users on bends and don’t let yourself be rushed.
Especially at the beginning, it makes sense to pay particular attention to the clutch.
In difficult situations in particular, you can quickly take the drive out and brake early.
It is important to pay close attention to the traffic.
This also applies to changing lanes on the road.
It also pays to proceed quickly but safely so that rear-end collisions with cars can be avoided.
You should pay attention to this before your first ride:

Start slowly and prudently
Avoid hard acceleration/deceleration in bends
Observe distances
Do not be rushed
Do not forget to couple
Quick lane change

First tour: length, terrain, navigation & co.

When planning, it is nevertheless important to estimate the length of the route and the abilities of your fellow travelers.
So that everyone involved has an enjoyable travel experience.
Physical strength and stamina play a role, despite the engine.
The ability to concentrate in road traffic also naturally diminishes over time.
It is therefore important that all passengers have some experience, especially for longer distances.
Once the route has been planned, it makes sense to think about a suitable navigation device.
There are navigation systems for motorcycles, but they are often quite expensive.
Using a cell phone is not allowed, just like in a car.
However, you are allowed to use it in a cell phone holder if you do not operate it while driving.
This way you always have your route in front of you.
These are tips for your first tour:

Consider the abilities of all
For longer distances: more experience
Clarify navigation & route

Camping with a motorcycle: rent directly at the campsite

You can park a motorcycle at almost any campsite.
This gives you the flexibility to visit all destinations nearby.
Or you can travel with a car and another sleeping option, such as a roof tent or tent trailer.
Then you can also rent a motorcycle near your destination with the appropriate driving license.
This is cheaper for occasional riders.
When touring by motorcycle, you must of course make sure that you take the right equipment with you.
In addition to the right accommodation, camping chairs, an electric blanket or a camping lamp are also popular travel gadgets.
These can make your tour much more enjoyable, especially when taking a break in between.
You can find a detailed packing list below.

Packing list: Equipment tips – high visibility vest to sunscreen

You should also always pay attention to your protective clothing.
A helmet, high-visibility vest, motorcycle suit with protectors, motorcycle gloves and motorcycle boots can provide you with crucial protection in dangerous situations.
It is therefore important to wear them and check them regularly for wear and tear.
From helmets to painkillers, here are a few inspirations to help you plan your trip.

Helmet
Safety vest
Motorcycle suit (jacket & pants)
Motorcycle goggles
Motorcycle gloves
Motorcycle boots
Motorcycle bag or motorcycle case
Rainwear
(International) motorcycle license
Vehicle registration document
Rental motorcycle documents
Hotel or campsite documents
Vaccination card & allergy passport
Flat tire kit
Multitool
Armor tape
Chain spray
Navigation device
Bracket
Road map
Dressing material / plasters
Mosquito & tick repellent spray
Sun cream
Clinical thermometer
Painkillers
Wear protective clothing & check regularly

Travel destinations: Bavaria, Italy, Black Forest & Co.

Motorcycling works on almost all paved roads.
These regions are particularly popular.

Videos: Learn step by step

In these videos you will find helpful tips for getting started on your motorcycle.

Operation & basics: Switching on to starting up

This video explains the basics of the motorcycle, from switching on the ignition to starting off.
The various displays on the dashboard are explained in detail.
The most important functions, such as flashing and light settings, are also explained.
You will also learn how to check these so that you don’t set off with broken lights.
It also covers braking, accelerating and shifting gears.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XzWWf2TqSw

This is how it continues: Starting & shifting

Now that you know how to start your motorcycle, you will find tips on how to get started and shift gears here.
Here, too, you will be shown how to set up and operate the bike using a different model.
The gearshift and the different gears are explained to you in detail.
You will also learn more about operating the clutch, especially when starting off.
Practical exercises are included so that you can start your driving experience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXLmYRLcjTM

Collect more memories on vacation!

Here you will find many more vacation tips for beginners.
These include other vacation experiences on wheels and many other options.

Vacation on wheels: Bike & Quad for beginners

Whether with or without a motor, you can experience a lot on a vacation on wheels and cover distances quickly without having to walk much.
You can relax and enjoy nature or embark on your next adventure.
Here you will find lots of tips for cycling, motorcycling and quad or ATV riding to make your vacation even more unforgettable.

Vacation on wheels

Vacation activities: Water sports, winter sports & Co.

Are you planning a vacation but still looking for activities for you, your family, your partner or just for yourself outside the campsite?
Here you’ll find lots of great ideas for experiences that will enrich your vacation.
With lots of tips for beginners!
So you can start from the very beginning and get your bearings.