Learn to Ride a Motorcycle: A Comprehensive Guide

Motorcycling offers a unique sense of freedom and exhilaration, but it also demands a high level of skill, responsibility, and awareness. This guide provides essential information for aspiring and current motorcycle riders, covering everything from basic controls and riding techniques to safety gear and advanced strategies.

Is Riding a Motorcycle Hard?

Motorcycles might seem intimidating, but anyone can learn to ride one. It's about finding the middle ground between chaos and control and adapting to the motorcycle's weight and controls until it becomes muscle memory. You don't have to be physically fit, a certain weight, or a particular height. However, it's crucial to approach riding with a responsible mindset.

Gearing Up for Safety: The Essential Motorcycle Gear

Wearing the right gear is crucial for motorcycle safety. Statistics show that a rider's head, legs, and arms are most likely to be injured in an accident, which is why proper gear makes a difference. Always remember the acronym A.T.G.A.T.T.: All The Gear, All The Time.

The All-Important Helmet

Your motorcycle helmet is the single most important piece of equipment. It protects your head from injury if your motorcycle goes down. The helmet must fit well while maintaining your field of vision.

Safety Standards: Look for helmets that meet Department of Transportation (DOT) or Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) standards. These standards ensure rigorous testing for safety on public roads.
Additional Features: Additional safety features add to your protection and comfort.
Finding the Right Size: Get a professional fitting at a store specializing in motorcycle equipment. Alternatively, measure around your head about 0.5 inches (13 mm) above your eyebrows. Compare your head measurement to the measuring table of the brand you wish to buy.
Finding the Right Fit: The correct fit puts the eye port just above your eyebrows with a very tight fit, allowing only a finger's width between your head and the helmet. It needs to have a snug fit to protect your head properly.
Helmet Styles: For the most comprehensive protection, consider full-face or modular helmets.

Jackets, Pants, Boots, and Gloves

Motorcycle Jacket: A motorcycle jacket protects your torso and internal organs in an accident. Look for jackets made of leather or manufactured materials like Kevlar with impact-absorbing body armor. The best fit is snug through the torso with free motion in your arms. Jackets also provide protection from environmental conditions.
Pants: Jeans often shred in accidents, so opt for pants made from the same materials as your jacket.
Boots: Proper motorcycle boots cover your ankles, have non-slip soles, and feature an integrated metal toe. Use the grab the toe and heel and twist test to assess their crash performance.
Gloves: Gloves protect your hands from insects, flying debris, and the elements. Look for gloves that allow for maximum dexterity and have a retention strap around the wrist to keep them on in a crash.

Getting Started: The Basics of Motorcycle Controls

Before your first ride, familiarize yourself with the basic controls. The left side controls the gears, while the right side controls acceleration and braking.

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Brakes

Unlike a car with one brake pedal, motorcycles have both a rear and a front brake. The front brake is controlled by the lever on your right handlebar, like a bicycle. The rear brake is a pedal on your right side, controlled with your foot. Stopping or slowing involves the even use of both brakes. Avoid slamming the brakes; aim for a smooth movement to maintain balance.

Throttle

The throttle, located on the right handlebar, is your "go" button. Practice using it gently.

Clutch

The lever on your left handlebar is the clutch, which engages and disengages the bike's transmission and engine. Practice squeezing it gently for smooth gear changes.

Shifting Gears

Motorcycles shift gears by moving a lever up and down with your left foot. Most motorcycles operate in a “1 down, 5 up” shifting pattern.

Pre-Ride Check: Ensuring Your Motorcycle is Ready

Before every ride, give your bike a once-over to ensure it's safe and up to code. Check for fluid leaks and make sure the brakes, throttle, and clutch lever are all good to go. You can also test the chain tension and the tire pressure.

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The Learning Process: Step-by-Step Guide to Riding

Mounting the Motorcycle: Face the motorcycle from the left side. Grab the left handlebar and swing your right leg over the seat.
Finding Your Fit: Get a feel for how you fit on the motorcycle. Grip the handlebars, clutch lever, and brake lever. Ensure you can reach these controls comfortably with a slight bend in your elbows. Make sure you can easily plant your feet on the ground.
Understanding the Clutch: The clutch releases the engine from the transmission. Think of it as a dimmer switch. When starting, pull in the clutch lever and put the bike into 1st gear by pushing down on the gear shifter with your left foot.
Starting the Engine: Pull the clutch lever in and locate the kill switch (usually a red switch on the right handlebar). Flip it down into the “on” position. Put your bike into neutral. With your right thumb, push the “Start” button.
Straight-Line Riding: Once the engine has started and warmed up, you can begin to ride. As you let the clutch out and slowly roll the throttle back to pick up a little speed, continue riding in a straight line.
Stopping: When you are ready to stop, pull in the clutch lever and slowly apply the front and rear brakes simultaneously. Use your left foot to steady the bike at a stop.
Shifting Gears: Get a feel for the "friction zone" - the area of resistance created as the clutch becomes engaged. This area allows for the transfer of power from the engine to the rear wheel. With your bike on, shift all the way down into 1st gear. Very slowly let your clutch out until the bike starts moving forward. To get to 2nd gear, pull the clutch back, ease off the gas, and pull up firmly on your shifter to move through neutral. Let the clutch out and engage the throttle again. To downshift, release the throttle, squeezing the brake lever slightly. Pull your clutch in and press down on your shifter.
Turning: At about 10 mph or higher, a motorcycle is turned by countersteering. Push down on the handgrip on the side of the bike you want to turn. As you enter your turn, remember to slow down. Don’t apply the brakes during your turn. Keep your head up and look through the turn. Find a point at the end of your turn to aim for and keep your eyes on it. Press on the side you want to turn. Lean with the bike and slowly roll on the throttle to slightly increase your speed. As you come out of the turn, keep the throttle steady or add a bit more gas while you lean back up.

Advanced Riding Techniques and Considerations

Countersteering

When rounding a corner, lean with the bike rather than fight it. Riding a motorcycle in a straight line is fairly simple, but turning requires the use of your body's weight and momentum.

Braking Techniques

Apply pressure to both your front and rear brake as you slow down and begin braking. Make sure you aren’t pulling back on the throttle. Once you are at a stop, keep the front brake engaged, and plant your feet firmly on the ground.

Riding in Different Weather Conditions

Rain has a big effect on bike riding. Drive slowly, take turns with ease, and brake earlier than you normally would. Your tires won't grip a wet road as easily, so make sure to account for it. A waterproof outer layer is an excellent way to stay warm during those wet rides.

Staying Alert and Aware

As motorcycle riders, you'll need to be on high alert.

Avoiding Highways

Until you're a more confident rider, freeways should be avoided. You're still getting used to shifting gears and changing lanes, so don't make the mistake of going beyond your skill level.

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Practicing Safety First

Always practice safety first and be sure you have appropriate safety gear for the type of riding you will do.

The Importance of Motorcycle Training Courses

A course gives you the best instruction to learn proper riding techniques and safety. It is highly recommended as a starting point for all new riders.

Basic Rider Course (BRC): New riders with little or no experience can take a basic rider course.
California Motorcyclist Safety Program (CMSP): The CMSP provides great information for new and existing riders. The program consists of a 15-hour classroom and on-cycle Basic Rider Course (BRC). The BRC is mandatory for those under the age of 21 but is also recommended to those 21 and older who are seeking to obtain a motorcycle license. The CMSP also offers the Premier Program, which is an extended BRC consisting of 7.5 hours of classroom and 13.5 hours of on-cycle time. Riders can refresh or enhance skills at a Basic RiderCourse2.
DMV Skills Test Waiver: Students who pass the course will receive a DMV skills test waiver that allows you to skip the riding skills test at the DMV.
Course Availability: Check your local government's department of motor vehicles and transportation to see if courses are available in your area. A training course may provide you with a motorcycle to use if you don’t have one.

R.I.D.E. Right: Responsible, Informed, Disciplined and Equipped

Learn how to R.I.D.E. Right by taking a California Motorcyclist Safety Course. The course gives you hands-on experience that will teach the necessary skills so you can be a Responsible, Informed, Disciplined, and Equipped rider. Become a better rider now and R.I.D.E. Right. Be accountable for the safety of yourself and others. Make informed decisions and choices before and during every ride.

Licensing and Insurance

Motorcycle License

Requirements: After completing the requirements of the motorcycle safety course, you will be issued a Certificate of Completion of Motorcycle Training (DL 389) by the motorcycle training facility. You must complete a motorcycle rider training course approved by the CHP, provide a DL 389 form to DMV to be issued your permit. You must hold the class M1 or M2 permit for six months prior to getting a motorcycle license.
DMV Skills Test Waiver: DMV may waive the skills test for a person presenting a valid DL 389; however, you may be required to perform an observation test for a motorcycle-only license. You may either choose to complete the motorcycle safety course approved by CHP and provide the DL 389 or schedule an appointment online with DMV to take the driving test.
Standard Licensing Requirements: The above requirements are for motorcycle safety training only; standard licensing requirements (application fee, proof of residency and identity and SSN, having your photo taken and fingerprint scanned, etc.) can be found on our motorcycle licenses page.

Motorcycle Insurance

In Australia, it's compulsory to have motorcycle insurance. The policy you get will depend on things like your age, gender, the bike you ride, and how often you use it. You'll also need a valid motorcycle license to purchase insurance. Because people who have completed a motorcycle safety course are less likely to be involved in an accident, most insurance companies offer discounts to these riders.

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