| For all of you who are curious about riding a | | | | gear up from first gear, the very bottom gear). Insert |
| motorcycle but don't know where to begin, this article | | | | the key and start the motorcycle with the electric |
| presents some instructions on how to ride a | | | | ignition switch. Let the motorcycle warm up, using the |
| motorcycle. But before you get started--and possibly | | | | choke as necessary (unless your motorcycle is |
| get in over your head--please be certain you know | | | | fuel-injected). |
| exactly what riding a motorcycle entails. You cannot | | | | To start moving, squeeze the clutch again and shift |
| simply jump on a motorcycle and ride off down the | | | | down to first gear. As you slowly release the clutch, |
| road - this is a surefire way of ending up in disaster. | | | | apply a little bit of throttle (by rotating the right |
| First, you must examine your attitude, then develop | | | | handlebar grip toward you), and find the "friction zone" |
| your abilities and, finally only then, actually ride a | | | | -- the point where the bike is slowly moving forward |
| motorcycle. | | | | without the clutch fully engaged. You can stay in the |
| Once you have determined you have the proper | | | | friction zone to control your slow-speed riding, say, in a |
| attitude toward riding, namely, that it is potentially and | | | | parking lot. Smoothly apply more throttle and fully |
| innately more dangerous than driving a car, then you | | | | release the clutch in order to get moving at actual |
| can work on developing your abilities. The way you do | | | | riding speeds. Once you are riding at a speed greater |
| this is through a certified instructor or class that offers | | | | than about 5 mph, remember to use counter-steering, |
| motorcycling riding lessons. In that class, you will learn | | | | not steering, to steer the motorcycle. |
| the exact instructions on how to ride a motorcycle. | | | | Once you reach the proper speed for the next gear, |
| The following is a brief rundown of the information you | | | | release the throttle, squeeze the clutch and shift up the |
| will learn from such a class. | | | | next higher gear. Slowly release the clutch as you |
| First of all, you must mount a motorcycle before you | | | | apply more throttle. Continue to shift up into the proper |
| can ride it. The way you do this is to approach the | | | | gear as you accelerate to highway speeds. |
| motorcycle from the left side (the side that has the | | | | These are the basic instructions on how to ride a |
| kickstand down). If the motorcycle is on a centerstand, | | | | motorcycle and get it up to highway speeds. A future |
| don't attempt to mount it; instead, ask an experienced | | | | article will cover how to corner properly, and how to |
| rider to first put it on its kickstand. Next, grasp the front | | | | slow down and stop! Believe it or not, braking is |
| brake (the lever on the right handlebar) firmly with your | | | | actually perhaps your most important skill to learn |
| right hand, then swing your right leg over the seat of | | | | when riding a motorcycle. |
| the motorcycle to the other side. Once you are firmly | | | | Please note that the instructions on how to ride a |
| seated on the motorcycle, release the brake, center | | | | motorcycle provided here are general guidelines and |
| the motorcycle with your legs and swing up the | | | | are not meant to replace actual motorcycle training |
| kickstand with your left foot. | | | | given by a professional in a classroom setting. They |
| Make sure the motorcycle is in neutral gear by | | | | are merely provided to give you insight on the |
| squeezing the clutch (the level on the left handlebar) | | | | mechanics of riding a motorcycle. Do not neglect to |
| and shifting the shifter (the level near the left footpeg) | | | | seek professional instruction as you start out on your |
| to neutral with your left foot (usually, neutral is one-half | | | | journey of becoming a motorcycle rider. |