You used to ride a motorbike but have not been on one for years, and now you are about to rent one in Hanoi for a road trip? This guide sets out a step-by-step refresher based on advice from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) for riders returning after a break, the Utah Motorcycle Operator Handbook, the returning-rider programmes of the DVSA in the UK and of Tasmania in Australia, and the Honda Vision owner’s manual. The aim is simple: get your feel back somewhere quiet first, then move on to busy streets and mountain passes.
Quick answer: what to do before riding again after a long break
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- Treat yourself as a novice: the MSF advises riders returning after a break to err on the side of caution and consider themselves novices again.
- Get to know the bike away from traffic: the Utah handbook advises getting familiar with a borrowed or unfamiliar motorcycle away from traffic.
- Find every control: turn signals, horn, headlight switch and engine cut-off switch, until you can work them without looking.
- Practise the basics: moving off, braking, low-speed control, U-turns and cornering.
- Build up gradually: from an empty car park to quiet streets, then busy roads, hills and bends.
- Consider a refresher session with an instructor if there is a returning-rider course where you live.
Why returning riders should treat themselves as beginners
Answering a reader in American Motorcyclist (May 2019), the MSF advised riders coming back after a break to be cautious and consider themselves novices again, even if they feel ready. The reasons it gave:
- You have changed: vision and reaction time change over time.
- Bikes have changed: newer models can have ABS, traction control and selectable power modes, so the bike you rent may be different from the one you used to ride.
- Traffic has changed: the MSF mentions more congestion, distracted drivers and large vehicles that block sightlines, which makes 360-degree alertness essential.
The Utah Motorcycle Operator Handbook adds that no matter how experienced you are, you should ride extra carefully on any motorcycle that is new or unfamiliar to you. According to the handbook, more than half of all crashes involve riders with less than five months of experience on their motorcycle. For a traveller on a rental bike, that bike is almost always unfamiliar.
Get familiar with the bike before you set off
According to the Utah handbook, if you are going to use an unfamiliar motorcycle you should:
- Read the owner’s manual and check the bike thoroughly before riding.
- Find out where everything is, particularly the turn signals, horn, headlight switch and engine cut-off switch, and practise until you can operate them without looking.
- Work the throttle and brakes (and the clutch lever and shifter, if there are any) a few times before you start riding; on a manual bike, get very familiar with the friction zone.
- Check the bike fits you: the handbook says your feet should reach the ground while you are seated and the controls should be easy to operate.
On the Honda Vision, the owner’s manual also says to fully release the rear brake lock before riding so the rear wheel does not drag. Before you leave the shop, run through our guide to checking the brakes on a rental motorbike and make sure you have the right motorcycle safety gear.
Car park practice plan for returning riders
Tasmania’s returning-rider refresher starts with an off-road review of braking, steering and low-speed manoeuvring, and the DVSA enhanced rider scheme in the UK also assesses slow control and bends. You can work through the same order on your own in a large, flat, empty space:
| Skill | How to practise | What the sources say | Related guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moving off and stopping | Gentle throttle, ride a short straight line and stop smoothly; repeat several times | Utah handbook: on an unfamiliar bike, accelerate gently | Riding an automatic scooter for beginners |
| Braking | Brake from low speed using both brakes | Honda Vision: use front and rear brakes together for the best braking; avoid braking too hard | Motorcycle braking technique |
| Low-speed control and U-turns | Ride slowly in a straight line, then make wide U-turns and tighten them gradually | DVSA: slow control is one of the core assessment modules | How to make a motorcycle U-turn |
| Cornering | Slow down before the turn and look where you want to go | Honda Vision: if possible, reduce speed before turning, otherwise you may fall | Motorcycle cornering and countersteering |
| Observation | Check mirrors and look over your shoulder before changing direction | MSF: 360-degree alertness and focus are essential | Practise it while moving off and turning |
Scooter, semi-automatic or manual: what changes when you come back
If you used to ride a different type of bike from the one you plan to rent, give yourself extra time to adjust:
- Automatic scooter (such as the Honda Vision): no clutch or gear lever, brakes on both handlebars; the Vision owner’s manual says the bike has a combined braking system that distributes braking force between the front and rear brakes. See also riding an automatic scooter for beginners.
- Semi-automatic: a foot gear lever and a rear brake pedal; find them and try them before riding, as the Utah handbook advises working the shifter and brakes a few times.
- Manual with clutch: the Utah handbook stresses being very familiar with the friction zone; see how to ride a manual motorcycle.
The Utah handbook also notes that smaller motorcycles are usually easier for beginners to operate. If you are unsure which bike to choose, read motorbike rental for new riders in Hanoi.
Back on real roads: build up step by step
For riding an unfamiliar motorcycle, the Utah handbook advises riding very cautiously, staying aware of your surroundings, accelerating gently, taking turns more slowly and leaving extra room for stopping. The on-road part of Tasmania’s refresher covers multi-lane roads, narrow roads, hills and bends. Applied to Hanoi:
- Start on quiet streets at a quiet time of day and keep the first rides short.
- Move on to busier roads once moving off, stopping and turning feel steady.
- Practise hills and bends before heading for mountain passes; see riding uphill and hill starts.
- Only ride long stages once you feel confident, and take regular breaks; see long-distance riding and fatigue.
The MSF also recommends rehearsing basic manoeuvring techniques and risk-management strategies, and riding within your limits.
Refresher courses and renting a bike in Hanoi
Some countries offer courses for returning riders. The MSF says a course lets you refresh old skills, learn new ones and check your physical and mental readiness. GOV.UK describes the DVSA enhanced rider scheme for full motorcycle licence holders, including people returning to riding after a break, with 7 core modules such as defensive riding and hazard awareness, overtaking, bends and slow control. If you are still at home and a suitable course exists where you live, a refresher session before the trip is worth considering.
When you collect a bike from Mr Tú – Old Quarter Motorbike Rental, take a few minutes to sit on it, find the turn signals, horn, lights and engine cut-off switch, and test the brakes before riding off. If you are not yet confident, tell the rental staff that you have not ridden for a while so you can talk through which bike suits you.
Getting back into motorcycling FAQ
Should I go on a road trip straight away after years without riding?
Not on a long stage straight away. The MSF advises returning riders to consider themselves novices; practise somewhere quiet and do short rides in town first, then tackle mountain passes or long days once your control feels steady.
Where should I practise riding again?
In a large, flat and empty space. The Utah handbook advises getting familiar with a borrowed or unfamiliar motorcycle away from traffic.
Do I need a refresher course?
The MSF encourages returning riders to take formal training to refresh old skills and learn new ones, and in the UK the DVSA scheme is aimed partly at people returning after a break. It is worth considering if a suitable course is available where you live.
A rental bike is unfamiliar: what should I check first?
Following the Utah handbook: read the owner’s manual, find the turn signals, horn, headlight switch and engine cut-off, work the throttle and brakes (and clutch and shifter, if fitted) a few times before riding, then ride cautiously, accelerate gently and leave extra room for stopping.
Sources: MSF – Ask the MSF: Resuming Riding After a Break (American Motorcyclist, May 2019); Utah Driver License Division – Motorcycle Operator Handbook 2024 (Borrowing and Lending; Get Familiar with the Motorcycle Controls; The Right Motorcycle For You); GOV.UK – DVSA enhanced rider scheme; Department of State Growth Tasmania – Returning riders; Honda Vietnam – Vision owner’s manual (braking, combined brakes, rear brake lock). Checked on 13/11/2026.
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