Motorcycle Driving?

Question

Hi, I just bought a Sukiki (or however you spell it lol) 500F, I have never really drivin a motorcycle, An I am going to have someone to teach me, Give me some advice on learning how to drive? An tips on taking the learners test. Thanks!

Answer 1

Google "TCLOCS" - its the preflight checklist - Tires, Cables, Lights... You seriously don't want to be on a bike with a broken clutch cable... as far as I know, you have to hope you can kill the engine by braking, then you aren't going to get it going again... so you are very well served by checking your bike before use! (Hitting the kill switch is less in control than braking it to death -- but if anyone has more info on handling this mishap, please post it...)

Great suggestion to take the MSF course - I couldn't recommend it more highly. I think its something like twenty five bucks around here... very well worth it. If you get in a class where you can ride their bikes - do it. Get the closest thing you can to a dirtbike - you will ace the class. Get on a cruiser and expect to fail... its just harder to maneuver the cruisers at parking lot speeds within the turning radiuses they want you to use in the course.


If you aren't going to take the course, or if you just have to play with your new toy a bit before you can get into a class...

Before you get on the bike - ensure you have boots that cover your ankles, gloves, at least denim weight jacket and a helmet. If the helmet does not have a face-shield, wear safety glasses.

Start out by developing a feel for the "friction zone" -- the place between when the clutch is "in" and "out" - its the slipping, starting to engage but not quite yet... this is the key to smooth starting and not falling off the bike in the parking lot.
The thing to do is to rock the bike back and forth (keeping your feet planted) by slightly engaging and releasing the clutch... this is just to get a feel for it. If you roll too far forward so your feet move, grab both levers... at least until you develop confidence.

Next you'll be "power walking" the bike... that is, move it forward under its own power, but you are walking while sitting on it...

Then you get a nice clear runway and go for about 100 feet and stop. Then walk the bike around and go 100 feet back to where you started...

After you are confident handling the controls and the weight of the bike through these, you are about ready to start to actually ride it in a circle... but... REMEMBER TO STOP WHILE GOING STRAIGHT. If you grab for the brakes when you are cornering, expect to meet the pavement rapidly.


I won't go into the details here, but as an overview you should learn to start & stop, remembering to put the left foot out and being careful of where you are putting that foot -- in a pothole or a low spot, on gravel, on oil... you know, embarassing stuff.
You will eventually get the feel for starting and stopping and low speed turning... then you get to so some cone-weaving ... or just plain weaving if you have no cones... the point being to get the feel of cornering and build your confidence / understanding / feel for the physics involved.

Then its countersteering -- seriously - on a bike, over maybe 15 miles per hour, you actually turn the handlebars the 'wrong way' to turn. The bike doesn't follow where the wheel is pointing, it follows the camber angle geometry - you turn the bars to make the bike lean, the bike follows in the direction of the lean. This takes a little getting used to at first.

Next its evasive manuvers and obstacle crossing (like, don't cross ruts or railroad tracks along with them, cross at the closest to 90 degree angle you can.

Finally you are up to 'cornering at speed' -- getting the bike up to about 20 mph and choosing your line and actually making a turn.

Don't forget that because you can't always slam on your brakes on a bike -- cornering, gravel, car on your tail, whatever... you need to start developing your "rider radar" -- looking much further ahead than you are used to from driving a car.

Hope that's enough to get you started... PLEASE get with someone who's been riding for a while to give you pointers. You can get hurt just falling in a parking lot.

Answer 2

The best advice anyone can give you is to first take a motorcycle Safety Course, administered by your State or an MSF-approved training site. Go to the MSF site at http://www.msf-usa.org or our site at http://www.ridercourse.net for more information.

The learner's permit test varies by state. Get yourself a manual from your DMV (most have it available online) and take a close look at the penalties for bad behavior ( speeding, reckless driving, drinking, etc) which are prominent in the questions.

Learning to ride on your own in a trial-and-error method would end up with you saying "oops, that hurt, I won't do THAT again" and is not recommended.

Although many well-intentioned individuals who ride may attempt to help you learn, you will likely learn much more and more correctly in a controlled environment with a certified Rider Coach. After you take the course, practice with your new bike in a large deserted parking lot or on some smooth backroads early on a Sunday morning. Most people are at the greatest risk after riding a few months, once learning enough to gain some confidence which could then exceed their true level of skill.

Good luck to you!

Answer 3

Hey, at least you didn't get a 1000cc bike for your first one; good choice there. Your first mistake: thinking that you DRIVE a motorcycle. It's not a car, and if you ride it as such you will crash and die.

Ever heard of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation? They will teach you all the basics and in most states their test is equal or better than what the DMV requires. They run about $250 ballpark, and after spending your money on a new bike AND all your new gear (you DID get gear, didn't you?) that shouldn't be a problem.

Here's a link to some people that thought motorcycling was easy, intuitive, and quickly mastered:

http://home1.gte.net/res0ak9f/bike.htm

Pay attention to EVERYTHING you see. It's not simply a shock-fest.

Answer 4

Take a Beginning Riders Course, then the learners test will be a breeze. You'll learn the initial skills that you need in the class as well as what Not to do while riding your bike.

Sure, someone who rides might be able to teach you....get this, Even the instructors have to take refresher courses from time to time.
Riders pick up bad habits, your instructor will be trained to-- Watch For --and give instructions on --How To --avoid/correct those bad habits.

You'll get lots of practice on cornering, slow turns, s turns, ride the box, panic stops (even in a curve), positioning on the highway, avoiding highway hazards, etc.

I can't stress enough that you Take the Class!

Answer 5

Go to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation website, and sign up for their course. Bring your boots and your learner's permit.

Don't forget to insure your bike.

Answer 6

I like motorcycle. But I haven't one. I know many friends on a site called bikerkiss. They are motorcycle enthusiasts. Maybe u can get many important advices there.

Answer 7

Hardest part is riding at a slow speed. That's also the part that they test you on the most. The most difficult part is turning while moving slow, as that is when the bike is most likely to tip over on you.

Good luck.

Answer 8

First of all, you shoudn't have bought a bike without even knowing how to ride it. You could kill yourself. My advice is to not touch it until you take the driving course.

Answer 9

item 1: its ride.....not drive. driving is for cars.
item 2: pick up a video from ride like a pro. http://www.ridelikeapro.com or take the msf course.
item 3: u best respect the bike, or as sure as god makes rain, it'll put a new meaning to the word 'hurt' on u.

Answer 10

ride like a pro videos will help explain the art of riding slow. if u can ride slow, ur on ur way to being able to handle the bike at any speed besides fast.