Whether you’re in your sixties or are older, it’s never too late to try something new – and that includes learning to ride a motorcycle.

However, as an older person, you should take extra caution when riding a motorbike. So, make sure you take note of the following four helpful tips.

1. Keep Yourself in Shape and Stretch Before You Ride

While you don’t have to hit the gym hard and develop a six-pack to ride a motorcycle, you do need to be in fairly good shape, especially when you’re in your sixties or beyond.

The important thing is that you keep your muscles limber. Simply going for a walk every day can be sufficient, but it could help to regularly go for a jog too.

By ensuring your muscles are working well and you’re in good physical condition, you’ll be much ready to start riding a motorcycle.

As an older person, you should also stretch before you get on your bike and after you finish riding.

Pay particular attention to stretching your shoulders, wrists, and hips, as riding a motorcycle can create a lot of tension in those areas.

2. Warm Up Before You Head Out on a Long Ride

You should also give your body the chance to warm up and become accustomed to sitting on your motorcycle each time you decide to go out on a long ride.

So, before you head out onto the road, which you should only do once you have learned how to ride your bike sufficiently anyway, make sure you do a few warm-up laps around your neighborhood.

That will give you the opportunity to settle into a comfortable position and take note of your alignment and any problems like twinges in your body, to ensure such things don’t turn into bigger problems once you’re driving on the road.

By going on a ride around your local neighborhood, you can also wake up the muscles you’ll be using for riding.

It’s not just your body that will appreciate a warm-up. Your bike’s engine and tires will also benefit from a little warm-up.

3. Follow Motorcycle Safety Rules and Know What to Do if You Get into an Accident

You should always learn how to ride a motorcycle properly by getting an experienced rider to teach you or attending a motorcycle course, whether you are twenty-two or seventy-two. You can then learn how to ride properly and stay safe while on the road.

But you also need to learn all the rules of the road before you start riding regularly. If you don’t follow motorcycle safety rules, you will increase your chances of being involved in an accident.

Indeed, it’s also important that you know what to do if you do get into a road accident.

For instance, it’s crucial that you seek medical attention after an accident, even if you don’t appear to be badly injured, as you could have issues like internal injuries, such as internal bleeding.

And if you’re involved in a motorcycle accident that isn’t your fault, you have the opportunity to claim damages to cover things like lost earnings and medical bills.

In order to receive the highest compensation, make sure you hire an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer who has a proven track record.

4. Adopt an Upright Riding Position

Motorcycle riders of all ages should always adopt the right posture when riding, but it’s even more important to do that when you’re in your sixties or older.

You should adopt an upright position so that you can be comfortable when riding and be in full control of your bike.

However, the type of bike you use will affect the position your body needs to be in. For example, you’ll need to adopt a forward-leaning position if you ride a sportbike.

That can quickly cause back pain and stiffness though, so as an older rider, look for a motorcycle that enables you to maintain an upright riding position.