After 2nd gear, you don’t have to pull up with your left toe quite as hard since you’re not going through neutral. Find a friend that already knows how to ride. If your helmet is the right size but uncomfortable in the fit, consider a different one. ", The article is good and I feel it will help while I practice riding to get a license. These classes typically offer a classroom safety portion and a hands-on riding portion. Not doing so can be a serious safety hazard. ", confidence that I am on the right track. Additionally, you should be able to operate the rear shifter without lifting or sliding foot off the peg. Even if you don't live in one of the states that require some or all motorcycle riders to wear a helmet, it's always a good idea to wear one. ", "I enjoyed your helpful guide to riding a motorcycle. Some people are great at building muscle memory. "Thanks, it's really helpful. It will do that in lower gear; It will slow down faster when you release the throttle, and it will respond faster when you accelerate. Your right foot, meanwhile, controls the rear brake. Always practice safety first and be sure you have appropriate safety gear for the type of riding you will do. When you're ready, give it a try yourself. This is usually located under the kill switch. Make sure you're protected by wearing as much safety gear as possible, including gloves, armored clothing, and boots. If you’re uncomfortable with riding a motorcycle, a course is a great place to start. It is such a good, no-nonsense site. ", to ride and maybe get my own bike one day. Depending on how tall you are, mounting a motorcycle can be awkward the first couple times you do it. ", learned and extremely helpful. Pull the clutch lever, press the shifter down to first gear, release the clutch slowly, and gently twist the throttle. This, "By reading this article, it was easy for me to learn biking. Learn more... Learning to ride a motorcycle can be fun. Never driven a motorcycle, "I was totally confused about how to ride a motorcycle, but after reading this article, I can ride a motorcycle, "The details were specific and accurate. Just like a bicycle, a motorcycle is turned by counter steering once you hit about 10 mph, not by turning the handlebars from left to right. No it's not. Counter steering involves pushing the handgrip on the side you want to turn. I haven't ridden a bike for 29 years after being hit in the rear end and thrown through an intersection. ", my bike. But I am nervous, so I looked this article up and its wonderful step by step. Once the engine has turned over, let your bike warm up for about 45 seconds so the engine will work properly. Sign up for a motorcycle safety course. :)", little familiar on a car. Finally, release the clutch, engaging the rear tire. Helmet, gloves, eye protection, over-the-ankle shoes. ", petite woman, 5 foot and 125lbs, so I'm glad to hear they have safety classes and what not. Fuel-injected bikes don't need this. This was the first, "You showed step-by-step how to start from the beginning. Tips for First-Time Riders on Classic Motorcycles, The Different Types of Transmissions on ATVs, How to Ride a Motorcycle in Rainy, Icy, and Wet Weather Conditions, How to Get Your Motorcycle out of Storage and Back on the Road, C: Controls, including levers, pedal, cables, hoses, and throttle. Thank you. Which gear should I be in when I go into heavy traffic? Make sure you aren’t pulling back on the throttle. Learning basic motorcycle operation is similar to learning how to drive. Release the throttle and break if you have to before you start your turn. For it to do its job, the helmet must fit well, while maintaining your field of vision. The practice of warming up car engines has largely become obsolete, but warming up a motorcycle engine is still a crucial part of the riding ritual, particularly when a bike is carbureted. Start with your left foot, then your right. Basem Wasef is the author of "Legendary Motorcycles" and "Legendary Race Cars." Besides protection, jackets also provide protection from environmental conditions, such as sun, wind, precipitation, and cold temperatures. How can I prevent this from happening again? Slowly let out the clutch lever until the bike starts to roll forward. You’ll know you’re in 1st gear when the shift pedal doesn’t click down anymore. Remember: "All the gear, all the time". Reducing the throttle will prevent your bike from jerking as you re-engage the rear wheel. Check your local government's department of motor vehicles and transportation to see if courses are available in your area. Feather the throttle with your right hand to keep the transmission smooth. These two standards are rigorously tested for the required safety standards to ride on public roads. This is made easy by the fact that the front brake handle is situated so that you have to roll your hand forward to reach it. Regular leather jackets aren’t built to protect you. ", article to make me feel more comfortable and excited to ride. As the bike gains forward momentum, put your feet up on the pegs. Next, turn the key to the "Ignition" position, which is typically to the right. Your bike won't start unless the kill switch is in the "On" position, so flip it down before you turn the key (the kill switch is usually a red rocker switch operated by the right thumb). I read this as a refresher and it was spot-on with what I. When I begin to learn to ride, I will use this site as a reference point, and only this site. Get a helmet. Most modern bikes automatically shut off if the kickstand is still down when the bike is put into gear. Now it feels easy and, "To familiarize the parts of the motorcycle helped. Is it necessary to downshift while braking? Ice will form at these temperatures and motorcycles are more susceptible to ice since they are smaller vehicles. Practice by clicking the shifter back and forth; look for a green "N" to light up on the gauges. The best way to learn how to properly ride is in a safe and controlled manner. Proper motorcycle boots cover your ankles and have non-slip soles with an integrated metal toe. I, "This was extremely educational. Riding a motorcycle is not as difficult as people think.DANGER: Riding is a very dangerous activity, so keep that in mind every time you ride a… I want to learn because I will need to get around Japan - going for a whole year. Carbureted bikes might need a slight twist of the throttle as the engine turns over in order to get fuel into the cylinders. Use your left foot to steady the bike at a stop. Then, familiarize yourself with the motorcycle. Get ones that allow for maximum dexterity. ", easily. Your right hand also controls the front brakes, whose lever is located in front of the throttle, much like on a bicycle. ” Or another option: “A lot of clever. Gradually increase pressure on your brakes, don’t engage the brakes completely, this can cause your bike to stop abruptly and jolt. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Once you are at a stop, keep the front brake engaged, and plant your feet firmly on the ground. When driving a car you can often get away with braking during a turn, but this decreases traction and control which are more crucial on a motorbike, especially in wet or loose road conditions. With a motorcycle, you wear your protection. He or she will be able to coach you on what to do. It's a sequence you can't shortcut. I'm an extremely, "In the spring, I am going to learn to ride. Is there such a thing as too old to learn how to ride a motorcycle? The purpose of gloves is to reduce injury from being hit by insects and flying debris, as well as keep your fingers warm. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. This is very important. Many courses consist of both a classroom and riding portion, ending with you taking a test to receive your license. They are offered for free in some states of the USA, and perhaps in other countries too, and for a fee in others. Jeans are designed more for style than function; thus, they often shred in accidents. If you opt for a leather jacket, make sure it’s motorcycle specific. Beginners can enroll in motorcycle safety courses that give you the tools to be a proper rider. Hold the clutch when it's about to stop, then slowly release the clutch and accelerate simultaneously. Never operate a motorcycle without proper safety gear. Stand on the left side of your bike with your knees slightly bent and your weight centered over your legs. Apply pressure to both your front and rear brake as you slow down and begin braking. Once you're dressed for the part, you're ready to get on the bike.. Then roll back onto your heels and repeat until you have a good feel for the clutch. The lever on the right side of the bike near your foot works the rear brake. Imagine it's a dial with a range of power, rather than an on/off rocker switch, and you'll be able to engage gears more smoothly. Pull in the clutch when braking and gearing down. Scooters are much more likely to have an automatic transmission and may be another option to consider. Do not practice in rushed areas with traffic when you just started. Unless you own a vintage motorcycle, your bike has an electronic ignition that makes starting the engine as easy as starting a car. Let the clutch out and engage the throttle again. Stand to the left of the bike, place your left hand on the left handle and straighten the front tire. The course will also teach you the basics of operation and safety. You should hear a bit of a clicking noise when in 1st. Some riders prefer the Snell brand of helmets because they meet higher safety requirements (as set by the not-for-profit Snell Memorial Foundation), including performing at higher speeds and on harsher surfaces. To accelerate, squeeze the throttle on the right handlebar. It is not like wrestling a bear. Are there any motorcycles that are automatic? Even at parking-lot speeds, it's easy to seriously scrape yourself up in a motorcycle accident. The key is to maneuver your motorcycle with a smooth touch and gradual input. The correct fit puts the eye port just above your eyebrows with a very tight fit of your finger between your head and the helmet. I went through the steps you explained and gained a lot of, "The article was super helpful. As you enter your turn, remember to slow down. Think of your clutch as a dimmer switch when using it. When you are ready to stop, pull in the clutch lever, and slowly apply the front and rear brakes simultaneously. While some motorcycles can be shifted without using the clutch, make it a habit of using the clutch every time you shift. With a bit of practice, this will soon be second nature. New riders with little or no experience can take a basic rider course. Thank you. Get a feel for the weight of the bike underneath you. Thanks a lot. If you absolutely must ride in freezing temperatures, make sure you have the proper gear. ", purchased a small Honda Rebel to learn on. As you slow down, turn your head to look to the end of the turn. Find a wide open space to practice in. The top half of the image shows a two-fingered clutch technique (which is common with sportbikes), while the lower half shows a four-fingered technique that is usually employed with other types of bikes. Get a feel for how you fit on the motorcycle. Thanks very much. Remember to start slowly. The best helmet for you is an individual thing. Yes, although it will take good technique to do this without potentially wearing down the transmission. Your arms should have a slight bend in the elbow when gripping the handlebars. When you’re driving, you should shift gears by first pulling on your clutch with your left hand to disengage the rear wheel. Ready? "Prevention is Better Than Cure.". Your site has allayed a zillion fears - esp. Unlike an “On-Off” switch, you want to gradually and smoothly pull and release the clutch to prevent your bike from stalling. However, when slowing down to approach a turn, it is best to slow down before the turn (not during) and shift into the appropriate gear (depending upon your speed through the turn) in order to accelerate gently through the turn. With your right thumb, push the “Start” button. Riding a motorcycle is dangerous and can cause serious injury. This article told me everything I wanted to know, plus a bunch of other really helpful things.