OK LET'S LEARN TO RIDE A MOTORCYCLE

OK , so you are ready to learn to ride a motorcycle. If you plan to try and learn on your own put your safety first. You will be taking small steps at a time until you acquire the skills to ride.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO LEARN ON THE HIWAY !!This is not the place to learn, you should find a empty parking lot or a open field. Never attempt to learn to ride a motorcycle on a public road.

The first thing you need to do is familiarize yourself with all of the controls and learn what they do. After doing that, you need to sit in the seat make sure you can reach all the controls.

Make adjustments to the mirrors, adjust handlebars this can be done by loosening four bolts on the risers.

OK! Stand the bike up and let up the kick stand, feel the balance of the bike. Next we are going to let the stand back down and let the bike rest on the stand. We are now ready to start the bike.

First make sure it is in neutral look for a light on the instrument cluster, when you are sure it is we will start the bike, turn the key to the on position and turn kill switch to the run position and press the start button. When the engine starts be sure you have the clutch depressed and put the bike in first gear. On most bikes you press down with the front of your foot on the shifter lever...

Alright if you have it in gear we want to get a feel for the clutch. Slowly release the clutch till you feel it pulling on the bike and squeeze the clutch lever.You want to do this several time to get a feel for the clutch. OK we are now ready to get rolling........

This next step will take a bit of practice. Put your foot on the rear brake slightly while releasing clutch slowly until it pulls the bike ease up on brake while giving it a little throttle until you are rolling. At this point ride slowly till you get a feel for riding. At this point I would like to point out you should never apply the front brake with the wheel turned. If you do you will fall. Learn to ride with a little pressure on the rear brake at slow speeds.

We are now going to talk about the friction zone. This is between the clutch being released and engaged. You should practice riding in the friction zone. This best learned practicing the slow race which is riding at a very slow speed with out falling over. To start put the bike in first gear hold the rear brake while let out on clutch till it pulls now ease up on brake giving it enough gas to get rolling.

You should control your speed with the throttle and dragging the rear brake. Practice this until you feel comfortable. After you have that down start practicing turns. With a bit of practice you should be able to learn to ride a motorcycle.

If you feel this more than you feel comfortable with check to see if the Motorcycle Safety foundation has classes in your area. Check you phone book or call your area tech schools.