Are motorbikes easier to master than cars.?

Question

I've been doing driving lessons for a while now and don't find it too easy. Was thinking about trying to learn to ride a motorbike. Just wondered whether anyone could advise me is it easier to learn? And what bikes are suitable for a small woman?

Answer 1

bikes require a bit more skills than it looks. for 1, slow speed handling is an art form that many fail to master, but it's a skill that is easy to master if u know the secret. they require co-ordination between the hands; left hand clutch, right hand throttle....then add the left foot to shift.
bikes require balance, cars dont. what u can get away with in a car u wont get away with on a bike. case in point: in a cage, u'll get away with locking the brakes and steering at the same time. if u grab a handful of front brake when a bike is in a lean, it will put u down instantly, and violently.
rookies that's never taken the msf course find this out the hard way at the worst time: where u look is where the bike goes. if u stare at an object, the bike will make a beeline for that object.

if u have problems with a manual transmission, and 99% of bikes are, the only choices u have to get automatic transmissions are either scooters, or a bike that's made from ridley. keep in mind that, on a scooter, in place of a clutch, it's a brake, and bikes have 2...front and back.

easiest to learn on is a bike that doesnt have an extreme amount of power. for cruisers, i suggest no more than a 800cc bike in the metric section, for harley, i recommend an 883L...the 'L' stands for 'lowered'. the seat height is lower than a standard 883 to fit shorter riders easier. another good 1 would be a low rider..made by harley.
if u HAVE to have a sport bike, kawasaki ex-250. stay away from the 500cc and up sport bikes will be very unforgiving. the 1st mistake u make on a high powered crotch rocket could easily be ur last mistake. some rookies learn this the hard way....if they survive.

Answer 2

Not easier, not harder just different

All really depends on you. You can master driving you just have to be patient and it will come eventually

Now, bikes are different but by the same rule you can master it.

With regard to what type of bike for a small woman. Any bike you like providing you are happy and can safely control it but that's not because you are a woman. It's just common sense. Choose the type and style you like be it a cruiser, sport, sport tourer, off roader style or whatever then go to a few local shops and sit on a few. Get the best tuition you can afford and ride as safe as you can. Some shops might even offer a deal for the bike with the tuition as a package

Just ride safely and look out for the idiots and trust me there are a few out there. I have found one or two of them

I ride a Harley purely for pleasure and love it and yes there are more and more women coming into the biking passion and thats great for the "sport" or "passtime" well either way it make good sense

A local group of us run out one night weekly during the summer months and try to get an evening run covering about 100 miles or so, grab a bite to eat before heading home. I like to get in a few more miles at the weekend and as I am an aging rocker and will be getting down to 3 working days a week soon I hope to take a day each week out riding on my own. My wife does not share my passion and therefore does not wish to come out on these jaunts. Our group will be doing the Route 66 in 2009 and all on Harley's. Frankly I can't wait

So you see biking is not harder nor easier just different and a whole load of stories to return home with

Good luck with the driving and don't give up on the biking idea just do both cos it's great out there on the road

Drive and ride safely

Answer 3

In terms of "mastering" (getting the most out of it) motorcycles are much more difficult to master, as body positioning makes so much difference to how the bike handles. Sports car drivers will disagree, but they've probably never tried a modern, quick motorbike.
Start by persevering with the car, and then try a taster lesson on a bike. Getting a bike suitable for a small woman is really down to taste first (cruiser, sports bike?), the finding a bike that you can ride confidently.

Answer 4

i would say depends on your confidance i got it straight away but i no of other that fell off but once they got their confidance they were fine. as for size this should not be an issue. speak to a dealer they will advise you on which bikes are best. the advantage with motorcycling is that after completing the CBT you can advance you skills on your own at your own pace and time for example after my CBT i got a new 125 bike and spent hours and hours iding it in the first weeks did 600 miles within 10 days and hit 1000 miles in less thena month going all over the county of essex. if ya no what ya want do it dont let other people deicide if your no sure have a go thats the aonly way to find out if you dont like it driving is a option very much open to you

Answer 5

They're considerably harder. Only a total maniac could drop a car on its side on normal roads, but with a motorcycle you have to try to keep it upright until it really gets moving. Virtually all motorcycles have manual transmissions, and take a bit of coordination to get them moving. Plus, you have to learn how to deal with traffic on a machine with a much smaller margin for error.

The usual rule of thumb is that if you can ride a bicycle and can drive a car with a manual transmission, you can learn to ride a motorcycle too. But if you haven't learned both of those two, I would recommend learning them first.

If you are in the US, and still interested in riding even though it's harder than driving a car, I'd say to start on a Honda Rebel. It's small enough that even the shortest riders can usually plant both feet firmly on the ground while sitting on it, and easy enough to ride that many motorcycle training classes use them for riders who have never been on a bike before.

Answer 6

Take a motorcycle training course and you will know.
There are some very nice scooters available. The Suzuki Bergman from 300 - 650 cc. Suitable for highway fun in town. Honda makes some excellent scooters now too. Both have running boards and windshield and storage for groceries or baggage. Very stylish and fuel efficient. Cheap insurance and easy to park and are automatics (no shifting).

Answer 7

I think everyone would be a better driver if they first passed their test on a bike.
You're so more aware of the road when you're on a bike & you have to constantly look out for dangers/car drivers who aren't taking any notice of your etc..
I think it would be great for you to try a moped or one of those gorgeous chopper type bikes to start with, then once you've passed I'd be amazed if you didn't get the bug & upgrade to a more meaty ride.
You'd also get from A to B so much quicker too & not forgetting the cheap costs of running the bike.

Answer 8

Motorcycles are just like riding a bycycle on they have a motor. You also have to watch out for cars and most of the time they don't watch out for the bike riders.Bikes are easy to master and if you are not sure check to see if there is a ridding course near you. I was on a motorcycle at a early age and had it mastered soon after. I started riding on dirt then moved to the road after that. Just please remember that you have to have your eyes moving all the time when riding to watch out for everyone around you.

Answer 9

Hi there,
Motorbikes need a little more hand/feet/eye co-ordination, so it's a tricky way onto the road best learn your road skills in a car first the onto a bike

Answer 10

I would stick with the car for now, learning to drive takes time. And riding a bike is a little more tricky :)