How To

How to Ride a Motorcycle BasicsRiding Basics Get to know where the controls are. Looking down to figure out where the clutch, throttle, or turn signals are could mean the difference between seeing an obstacle and hitting it. Here’s a rundown of a motorcycle’s controls: Right-Hand Controls Throttle Handlebar Twist to engage Front brake Lever ahead of the handgrip Engine start and cut-off Buttons on the handlebar controls Middle Controls Ignition Key Gauge cluster (speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, or digital display) Left-Hand Controls Clutch Lever ahead of the handgrip Indicators Buttons on the handlebar controls. High beams Buttons on the handlebar controls. Horn Button on the handlebar controls. Right Foot Controls Rear brake Push to engage Left Foot Controls Shifter (two-way control lever) Push down for 1st gear Lift upward with your foot for neutral and second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth gears. Kickstand The kickstand keeps the motorcycle from tipping over and will automatically kill the engine if you try and roar off with it down.
Pro Tips To Learn How To Ride a Motorcycle
Take a motorcycle class and then take an intermediate class within six months of getting your license. Learning, understanding, and executing proper technique is the single best investment you can make as a motorcyclist. Invest in quality riding gear. Head to toe. Wear that gear all the time. A small-displacement (under 500cc) motorcycle is a great and cheap way to get into riding. Parts and costs are cheap and when you become more comfortable with all riding dynamics (controlling the bike) you can sell the bike for around the same price you bought it for and upgrade to a bigger bike. The inputs and techniques you’ve sharpened over the course of your small-displacement ownership applies to any machine.