What is Moto Basics?
Moto Basics is a motorcycle preparatory service for new riders.
This website and the material found here is designed to give new riders the chance to absorb and retain relevant information for their own "learning to ride journey".
The items here should be used before and after a physical motorcycle session whether that motorcycle session is with a friend, a parent or a motorcycle school near you.
The complete index for guides can be found here: https://motobasics.nz/knowledgebase-articles
Professional motorcycle training is extremely valuable, but instructor time has an unavoidable cost. Moto Basics makes the preparatory learning material freely available so riders can use paid training time more effectively.
Why the need for a preparatory learning service?
A preparatory service is a valid step towards motorcycle riding as it offers more time to learn the absolute basics at your own pace.
Speed up your rider education and progress safely using the guides and video content provided by Moto Basics.
Moto Basics provides the material for mental preparation. You can then practice knowing how something is supposed to function, linking the knowledge you've absorbed with the physical aspects of learning to ride.
Trying to learn new vehicle controls, gain confidence and listening to good instruction at the same time is very tiring for new riders and that's how mistakes occur, lack of preparation and mental tiredness.
Many new riders rush the learning process in an effort to acquire their licence, however, basic educational information shouldn't necessarily require purchasing instructor time.
Pushing yourself to save some money on repeat training sessions will actually cost you more time as you end up re-learning instead of advancing forward each session.
Learning to ride a motorcycle comes before learning your licence responsibilities and having basic information like how to ride a motorcycle safely, how to park a motorcycle, what mirror and head checks look like should be free and accessible, you still need training time and that is where riding schools can really help new riders.
If you over-exercise your brain by forcing information into it without fully understanding what you have observed and rushing to the next task, you can actually undo some of your progress from your last motorcycle session.
Learning to ride properly matters. It can make the difference between feeling happy and in control or questioning your life choices — take the time to learn!
Fact: Moto Basics is not linked to NZTA
Moto basics is not a replacement for licensing assessments or advanced on-road education services or schools. (This is not a NZTA programme or related scheme).
You still need to pass all assessments with an approved NZTA assessor.
However, many new riders are skipping the education services due to high entry costs related to motorcycle training and that's before they even know if they are going to commit to the transport method.
Many new or potential motorcycle riders are reviewing their own monetary commitments (Working persons, students etc) and this includes entry costs for motorcycle education, the motorcycle purchase and protective gear like a helmet, gloves, jackets, boots and riders often end up on the public road missing some really basic skill-sets and either learn the hard way or get put off motorcycling altogether due to a incident occurring.
Motorcycle education should be accessible regardless of the fee charged but the cost of education is a real topic considering the motorcycle is supposed to be the "cheaper alternative" to cars - It is certainly the most fun alternative to cars but you need to learn to ride first!
By not having specific training early in rider development, the public roads end up with new riders not understanding how they are putting themselves and others at risk while riding a motorcycle.