Here are six top tips from a riding expert at IAM RoadSmart and RiDE Magazine to ensure your first ride back is ace…

Paid partnership with IAM RoadSmart

Although some people will get their bike out whatever the weather, not everyone wants to ride through winter, which is understandable. Winter salt, horrible road conditions, the cold… there isn’t much to like about riding in winter when compared to summer. But the problem with spending time away from two wheels is that your bike skills get rusty and you can lack a bit of confidence.

Four or five months is a long break from riding and you need to ease yourself back in and sharpen up your skills again. Here are six expert tips to ensure your first ride back is ace…

Your expert: Stewart Mackie is the IAM RoadSmart regional road safety manager for Scotland and the north of England. A retired police officer, Stewart worked in all areas of the force and finished his career as superintendent for Road Policing in Scotland. He holds a Class 1 motorcycle qualification and has been riding bikes for 25 years. He owns a Tiger 900 GT Pro.

Break out the cleaning kit

Give your bike a good clean – and while doing so, check it is in good working order. Inspect the condition of your tyres and their pressures, check fluid levels, look at your brake pads and drive chain – all the things that help it perform safely. And do so a few days before you want to go for a ride so you have time to sort any issues. Don’t just jump on a bike and head out because the sun is shining (especially if you know there is a potential issue such as a nearly bald tyre). And always ensure you have valid insurance, MOT and road tax.

Check your kit fits

All of us are guilty of piling on a few pounds over winter, so check your kit fits beforehand. If it is uncomfortable because it is too tight, it can be distracting. You don’t want to be fiddling with adjusters while on the go as that will take your concentration away from where it should be. Spring is also a great time to buy new kit as sales are often running, so if in doubt, treat yourself to some new gear – and break it in a bit beforehand by wearing it indoors.

Start short and build up distance

Your brain also needs to get back up to speed and it should be treated like a muscle. After a summer’s riding you can concentrate for long periods of time, but at the start of the year the sensation of being back on a bike can be mentally overwhelming. Give yourself time to build that concentration back up again through a few shorter runs. It’s just like running – start short and build up distance

Pick the right route

Pick a route you know reasonably well so you have prior warning of potential hazards, such as tight corners or potholes. Always ride to what you can see in front of you, not what you expect to see, but familiarity means you have a little bit more time to react to situations. Also, if you know the route you won’t be distracted by looking at a GPS or get concerned if you are low on fuel and aren’t sure where the next petrol stop is.

Learn to overtake again

Overtaking is a big part of motorcycling and can be one of the most dangerous riding manoeuvres. It’s much easier to overtake on a bike than a car, and that means you need to get back into the swing of doing it safely and relearn how a bike accelerates when compared to a car. Also, that sixth sense we all have about a car about to do something unpredictable might not be tuned in yet, so be extra cautious.

Don’t follow the crowd

It is better to go for a short run on your own than a ride with a big group. In a group some riders may have been riding throughout winter, so will be more bike-sharp than you, and that can put pressure on you to keep up. On your own, you can go at your own pace, stop for a breaks, and head home if something doesn’t feel right. The pressure to keep up with a group is a major cause of incidents, so don’t put yourself under this added pressure.

Enjoy it

Riding a bike is fantastic, so enjoy being back on it again. After being stuck indoors throughout winter, getting back out into the fresh air is a real joy and there is no better way to do it than on two wheels. Enjoy the scenery, enjoy the road and enjoy your bike again – just do so safely. And if you think a bit of extra instruction will help you achieve this, consider an Advanced Rider course.