How to Start Riding a Motorcycle: A Beginner’s Guide

If you plan to adventure and are looking for a niche to start with, start riding a motorcycle. Once you think about motorcycling, you will start imagining yourself riding on the open road or exploring a new territory. Knowing how to start riding a motorcycle, you can open the door to the world of freedom and excitement. This beginner’s guide will take you through all that you should know as a novice if you plan to start riding a motorbike.

Let us take you through the step-by-step process and start with the first thing first:

The first thing is to receive the proper training before you touch a motorcycle. No matter where you live, you are required to have a motorcycle license, and the best way to prepare for it is by taking beginner classes on motorcycles.

Get yourself enrolled in a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course before you even think of buying a new bike for yourself. Such a course will help you grasp the motorcycle riding basics in a safe, well-organized manner.

Search for the local motorcycle riding programs near you. There are a lot of riding schools that provide practical lessons in which the instructor will teach you. You will get to learn the right technique on the very first day.

Beginner motorcycle riding classes are not necessarily long; most of them last only a few days. But you will acquire the necessary skills, learn the safety rules, and be able to ride a motorbike safely.

This is usually done by passing practical and written exams to obtain your license. The written exam deals with road regulations and bike safety. The riding exam proves that you can ride a motorbike in the real world. This process can be made much easier by taking a riding class.

The question to ask yourself before you begin is, What do you need to ride a motorbike? Protective equipment cannot be compromised. The most important thing that you have is your helmet. It helps in protecting your head during an accident. The helmet should fit well and conform to the safety standards.

In addition to the helmet, you will need a nice motorcycle jacket, pants, gloves, and boots. These are things that will cushion your bones and skin in case of a fall. 

Make sure not to wear shorts, half sleeves, and flip-flops while riding. The right footwear provides protection to your feet and provides a greater level of control on the bike.

You will also require the appropriate bike depending on your skill level. Light and less powerful machines favor new riders. A heavy bike or one with a lot of power may be difficult to control. It is crucial to start with something you can manage so you do not get scared or lost in the process of building your skills.

It is essential to know your motorcycle's controls before riding. We shall divide what you need to know:

• The Throttle and Brake: The throttle is on the right-hand grip of the handlebar, so twisting it makes the bike accelerate. The right-hand brake lever controls the front wheel brake. The clutch is on the left-hand side.

• Foot Controls: On the right side, you have the brake pedal, which controls the rear brake. On the left side, you have the gear shifter to switch between gears. Gear shifting appears difficult initially, but it becomes instinctive with practice.

• The Clutch: The clutch allows you to connect and disconnect the engine and the wheels. The most important thing to learn about smooth riding is to learn to use the clutch.

• Taking a Turn on the Bike: Taking a turn on a motorcycle is not the same as taking a turn in a car. You simply can’t turn the handlebars to take a turn. You have to lean the bike into the turn. You also have to use the counter-steering principle to take a turn. Read the attached article below to learn about countersteering in detail:

Let’s talk about the step-by-step procedure on how to start a motorcycle.

To begin with, wear all your safety equipment. Then ensure that your bike is in neutral, and it should display a green light on your dashboard. Sit on the seat, keeping your feet flat on the ground. Turn the bike on using the key, and then press the start button. As soon as you start the bike, you will hear the engine come to life.

Use your left hand and pull the lever of the clutch. This holds your bike back as you start the bike and put it in the first gear.

Allow your motorcycle engine to warm up. A warm-up will also ensure that the engine runs smoothly even in hot weather. At this stage, familiarize yourself with the bike.

Your sitting position on the motorbike is more critical than you may imagine. Move your right leg over the seat and sit down. When you are sitting still, your feet must almost touch the ground.

Keep your back upright, without making it stiff. Lean a bit forward without stooping too far. Your hands must be easy on the grips. The bending of your elbows should not be extreme. Reasonable control and balance are achieved in this posture while riding.

The proper posture while sitting on the motorcycle makes you feel more stable and confident. You must learn to ride a bike with good posture. It also helps with hard braking or abrupt movements during the ride. Make sure that the seat height is right for you and that you can comfortably balance the bike when it is stopped or parked.

The first step is the beginning of the real riding. As you are sitting on your bike, you can move it around side to side to have a feel of the bike’s weight. This will make you feel what it will be like to be under the bike.

To continue, pull the clutch and shift to the first gear. You may hear a small click. Your bike is in the first gear. Increase the throttle slowly, roll on, and release the clutch gradually. This is referred to as ‘finding the bite’. This is where the engine power begins to get you on the move.

It requires practice. You are likely to stall the bike if this is your first time. However, it is natural, and it happens to all riders. Don’t feel bad about it. Every stall is a learning lesson for you.

When you are in motion, make the throttle steady. Squeezing the throttle too hard will cause one to drive too fast. Roll it softly to achieve a smooth, controlled speed.

Riding on two wheels is different from driving a car. This is usually the most challenging part for motorcycle beginners.

Begin with low speed, wide, and slow turns. Look where you will come, not down the road in front of you. You must have your eyes leading your body.

Use countersteering for the slow turns. Gradually, when you are skilled enough to take quick and sharp turns, you will have to learn leaning, along with the countersteering concept. At first, do not take fast, sharp turns. A fun ride is a smooth ride.

It is equally important to know how to brake or stop the bike as it is to understand how to start. Use both brakes together. You know where both brakes are now. Do not engage the front brake alone, as it can cause a nose-dive.

Do not keep both brakes engaged. Skids can occur as a result of hard braking. Braking must be smooth to avoid losing control. Do not put yourself in a situation where you have to stop in an emergency. Emergency braking for a beginner can be very dangerous.

Slow down and downshift. This causes the bike to slow down as well at a rapid pace.

It may be time-consuming to learn how to ride a motorbike. The initial several rides are going to be rough and potentially intimidating. This is perfectly fine. It is okay to be nervous in the beginning.

For initial practice rides, go to an empty parking lot. Avoid the busy roads and traffic jams until you are prepared.

After learning the basics, you are almost there. You will be amazed to know how good it feels to go on your first solo ride. It is the wind and the freedom that make so many people love motorbikes.

Keep learning as you ride. Take higher-level bike riding courses. Ride in various weather conditions and challenge yourself to new skill levels. Be a part of local riding groups and find good mentors.

One thing to note is that safety comes first. Put on your gear on all your rides, even though they are short. Ride sober and stay focused. Your skills will develop over time and with practice.

Knowing how to ride a motorcycle will allow you to discover new thrills and friends. Hard work and patience pay off, but all riders will testify that it is worth it. Begin by training, treat the bike with respect, and keep on learning. In a little while, you will be confident and happy in your riding. Now, it is time to take a ride.