How do you ride a motorcycle?

Question

I want to learn to ride a motorcycle. I never been on a motorcycle before and want to learn how to ride one.

Can anyone explain how to go. I wanna know how you work the clutch and the gears and How to brake and is there down shifting like a manual car. how do you do to slow down to turn a corner and a complete stop. Please explain step by step...PLEASE

Thanks

Answer 1

Check out this other post as well... same question...

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Atf8SHZMRqBBvlNUK5jcQ3JMxgt.?qid=20070623220520AANg6PR

Dude, you are in almost the same position as me... I am going to have to learn by myself how to ride a bike with some pointers from a friend though... I haven't gotten it yet (I am getting a trail/enduro).. here is the basics....

Right Side Handlebar - Front Brakes and Throttle
Left Side Handlebar - Clutch
Right Side Foot - Rear Brakes
Left Side Foot - Gear Shift

This applies only to a manual bike. If it is an automatic, then the right handle bar remains the same and the left handlebar is the rear brakes. No foot controls.

Now this may change depending on the bike I don't know. So take it easy when you first start. If you are a beginner (like you sound you are).. some initial words of advice.....

Your right hand controls the throttle of the bike. When in the seated postion on the bike if you twist your right hand downwards, this revs up the throttle. Now your instinct (as a typical human being which I presume) is that when you panic and you think you may fall.... your reaction is to clutch tighter to stabilise yourself.... This can be a problem because it also means you are going to rev the throttle more and go speeding towards certain disaster. Make sure and remember this as it may be a constant battle you have to fight when beginning.

Bikes can go really fast, really quick... even scooters (if you've never ridden a motorised bike before)... so learn the capabilities of your bike at a slow pace... take it easy on the throttle the first time, especially if your handle bars are small (it's harder to control your direction)

Biking is less about turning and more about leaning into a curve... learn to balance the two.. it depends on your speed.

As a beginner... press your clutch down before starting the bike and don't squeeze any throttle. If it's in gear when you start up by mistake, you may be in for a world of hurt (or maybe your bike may hurt instead)

To change gears with your left foot, press down to gear down (rotating about the heel of your foot.. you'll understand when you get there) and lift up to gear up. I recommend relaxing your self in low gear for now to get accustommed to the bike.... don't go all ghostrider on me...

Practise some figure 8's to get accustommed to manoeuverability.

When braking, practice evening out your stopping power between the front and rear brakes. This will hopefully prevent any sliding if you still decide to go ghostrider on me. Also.. try not to get yourself in a situation where you have to brake too fast, it may lead to the above mentioned problem.

And finally.... as some of the other users say... GO TO YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY AND GET QUALIFIED LESSONS.

I understand the benefit of practicing on your own terms and moving with your own comfort level for a learning curve, but a qualified instructor is still a necessity for safety, especially given how some people are inconsiderate to motorcyclists (especially from my country.... I glad I getting a trail... all I have to worry about is hitting trees... at least they don't aim for you...)

Answer 2

There are way too many steps involved in riding a motorcycle. Driving a motorcycle is very different from driving a car. Since motorcycles are two-wheeled vehicles, they topple over when they stop moving. A moving motorcycle is affected by gyroscopic forces that are unique to two-wheeled machines. As a result, new motorcyclists must develop the skills necessary to handle their machines and must be licensed before they can drive their motorcycles on the street. In particular, motorcycle riders must master the art of steering, braking and changing gears.
Steering
Steering a motorcycle at low speeds is a straightforward process. The rider simply turns the handlebar in the direction he wishes to go. This only works at speeds below five miles an hour. If a motorcycle is traveling any faster, the rider must use a different kind of steering, known as counter-steering. This type of steering may seem counterintuitive. That's because motorcycle riders must push the handlebars to the left to make the vehicle turn right and vice versa.
Here's how it would work out on the street. Imagine that you're riding a motorcycle on the interstate. In front of you, blocking the right half of your lane, is a wreck or some other obstacle. If you're a novice rider, you might be tempted to push on the right side of the handlebar, thinking this will turn the bike to left. In reality, this will steer the bike to the right, directly into the obstacle. Instead, you should push on the left side of the handlebar, which directs the front wheel to the right but steers the vehicle to the left.

Stopping a moving motorcycle requires that the rider use two brakes -- one on the front wheel, controlled by the right hand, and one on the rear wheel, controlled by the right foot. Both brakes should be used at the same time, although the front brakes are more powerful and will typically provide 70 to 90 percent of the total braking force. New riders often fear using the front brake, but it should be applied every time a motorcycle is slowed or stopped. Many accidents are caused by riders braking incorrectly. According to the California Highway patrol, locking up the rear brakes is a factor in the majority of motorcycle crashes
Early motorcycle clutches were operated by a foot pedal in the same way that automobile drivers use clutches. This was awkward and dangerous because it required that the rider's left foot be off the ground when the bike came to complete stop (at an intersection, for instance). British designers solved this problem with a hand-operated clutch. Today, hand-operated clutches and foot-operated shifters are standard on all models.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/motorcycle4.htm

Answer 3

as you're sitting on the bike: clutch lever is on the left side of handlebar. front brake is on right side of handlebar. rear brake is under your right foot. shifter is by your left foot (toe area) Have you ever driven a stick shift? same principle. If not, learn to drive a stick first. your best bet would be to take a course. your local bike shop can give you time and place. my local harley shop does them occasionally. you can learn more there in 10 min of real time than reading what anyone else can write

Answer 4

you definitely need more mentorship you have asked some questions that prove this I won't get into detail on answering your questions because I don't want to write a novel here, but contact the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) and good luck

Answer 5

Yes. I can't see far, myopia, but ride almost daily. You can get sunglasses/glasses that fit over your prescription glasses. You can also get goggles or best of all, use a FULL FACE helmet. That provides the best head protection, and most wind protection while you wear your glasses.

Answer 6

Ride a bike longer.When you master the bike.Then and only then move up to a motorcycle and a safe rider course.

Answer 7

Here is a book you might want to get:

http://www.biblio.com/books/77611824.html

Then of course you should take the MSF safety class to back it up.

Answer 8

MSF will get you going right.

Especially with insurance and the DMV.

Answer 9

THREE LETTERS FOR U....D D D (compliments from mind of mencia)