Learn How To Ride A Motorbike With This Comprehensive Guide
Riding a motorcycle is a completely mesmerising experience unlike any other. However, It can be difficult for new riders to learn how to ride a bike. Motorcycle riding is way different from driving a car as you have to maintain balance and the riding style is also very different.
In this blog, we will be discussing the crucial factors that you need to consider before riding as well as how to ride a motorbike. This blog will help you to maintain your safety on the road as well as for your fellow riders and pedestrians. Let’s begin with your pre-riding stage.
A] Precautions To Take Before Riding A Motorcycle
1. Safety Gear
Bike riding safety gear refers to helmets, riding jackets, boots, gloves, and such. Wearing good quality safety gear whenever you ride your motorcycle is extremely important. You also need to keep checking if your safety gear is up to the standards, i.e. it should not be damaged.
You can buy helmets online as well as other riding gear to find the best brands. The riding gear should also fit you properly and shouldn’t be too big or small. All these additional gear can be a lifesaver in case of accidents. Unlike cars, bikes do not have windshields or airbags to cushion the impact. Your PPE will be your first and last line of protection during accidents.
2. Bike Inspection
Before you begin your ride, first have a thorough inspection of your bike. Tire pressure, fuel level, lights for motorcycles, mirror, horn, Brakes, and battery are all important. You must carefully inspect each part individually and make sure everything is working as intended. Keep your chains cleaned as well using bike chain cleaner.
Even when you are not riding, you must check these things regularly to figure out any potential problems at an early stage. Regular inspection and maintenance can help you avoid a number of problems in the future. Additionally, keeping everything optimised will also help you properly follow traffic rules.
B] How To Ride A Motorcycle?
1. Mounting On The Bike
Once you are done with wearing your riding gear and bike inspection, you are ready to ride your bike. Firstly, you need to mount your bike from the left side and place both of your hands on the handlebar. You need to straighten the parked bike by pulling it via the handlebar.
Push the kickstand up with your foot. Always remember to push the kickstand up before you begin riding or it could scratch through the road, creating friction and making it difficult to control the bike. When you sit on your bike, make sure the bike isn’t too big for you. You should be able to touch both of your feet on the ground when you straighten your legs.
2. Feel The Clutch
The clutch is the lever located above the left handlebar. You always need to pull the clutch whenever you are changing gear. Pulling the clutch puts your bike on neutral which is crucial for changing gears. While riding, you will need to constantly pull and release the clutch to prevent stalling.
Before you start riding, you should practice feeling the clutch and gear together. This will not only help you to be familiar with the process but also check if it is functioning properly. When you pull the clutch while riding, remember to reduce the throttle to avoid jerks.
3. Start The Engine
To start your engine, first, pull the clutch to put it on neutral and turn on the killswitch. The killswitch is a red switch placed on the right handlebar. For most modern bikes this shall do, but some bikes might also require you to kick start. The process of starting the engine can vary depending on the brand and model of your bike.
Rotate your key to start the ignition process. Remember to check your lights and gauges when you turn on your engine. Shift the clutch to neutral and squeeze the clutch while pressing the start button to start the engine. The start button should be below or around the killswitch.
4. Slowly Begin Riding
Next, slowly let go of the clutch to let the bike move forward. As the bike is in the first gear, it will move slowly. You can even place your feet on the ground before letting go of the clutch to better handle. You have to keep your feet steady while doing so.
If you cannot keep the bike upright while pushing the bike forward with just your leg, you should not let go of the clutch. Once you get the hang of your bike, begin riding to some distance. If you have someone on a different bike who is mentoring you, it is a good idea to communicate with them using a helmet Bluetooth headset.
5. Practice Shifting Gear
After you get comfortable with riding your bike, you would like to speed up. For this, you will need to know how to change gears. You can change gears by holding the clutch and pushing the gear pedal up and down. Bike gears are sequential, meaning you have to go from 1st gear to 2nd to 3rd and so on.
To shift gears up, pull the clutch completely and shift the lever up until you hear a click. You will know when to shift gears as your bike will start to rev up at a higher speed on a lower gear. When shifting gears down, you need to ensure your engine speed is lower than the bike’s speed. This reduces jerking when slowing down and prevents your bike from skidding.
6. Know How To Take A Turn
Every new rider should know how to safely take a turn. It may not seem like it, but taking a turn is quite complicated. If you turn too fast, you can drift and get into a different lane or even slip. It is best to slow down when you need to turn. Remember to always indicate which side you are about to turn by lighting the turn signal of the respective side.
While you take a turn make sure to keep your eyes on the road you are turning and slowly turn the handlebar in the direction you want to go. Remember that you should never brake while turning as it can cause you to lose balance and fall on the side you are steering. Also, remember that you can not turn
7. Practice Sticking To A Lane
While riding a bike, it is important to maintain control and balance for a safe ride. To test your skills, try sticking to a single lane. Depending on the traffic and situation, you can ride in any lane that goes in the same direction.
Stick to the lane that maximises your visibility and comfort. As bikes are generally smaller than other cars and trucks, you have more leeway on positioning yourself.
8. Practice With The Brakes
Learning how to brake safely might be the most important skill to learn while riding the bike, even more, important than learning how to start. To apply brakes safely, you first need to slow down to an appropriate speed. You need to shift to a lower gear or you can lose balance.
You need to hold the clutch when slowing down and put equal pressure on both the breaks to slow down and stop safely. Once you are slowed down to a safe speed, engage the brakes completely. After stopping completely, plant your feet on the ground while keeping the brakes engaged.
If you are a newbie rider trying to learn how to ride motorcycle or hone your riding skills even further, it is advisable to join a local riding club. To find riding groups that suit your riding style, you can refer to our blog: Ultimate Guide To Finding Motorcycle Bike Riding Groups In India.
Conclusion
Motorcycle safety is absolutely essential for every rider. While it can be a thrilling experience, every rider must learn how to ride a motorcycle first. Whil you are at it, remember to follow all the traffic rules. Find a mentor or join a bike riding classes to further hone your riding skills.
To ensure your safety while riding, it is important to wear appropriate riding gear and keep your bike in the optimal condition. With these safety tips, you can ride without worrying about any mishaps. To find bike riding gear and bike parts from the best brands in India, visit Bikester Global Shop today!