What is the best way to learn to ride a motorcycle?

Question

I took a $190 msf class and failed at it and was dismissed because I could not figure out the clutch/gas/go kept stalling :( So how can I learn to ride if I can't learn from them? I want to learn and be safe and don't want to give up but can see myself spendin the money again if I might fail again advice

Answer 1

My gf who took it having never seen a motorcycle up close let alone riding one got the highest score in the class, that's including 2 20 year riding veterans(who of course..got the lowest scores).  You have to want to pass, pay attention and it helps to have the slightest clue such as twist right grip for throttle, left lever for clutch.  That class is designed for the born-yesterday soon to be rider.  I never rode a bike in my life, took the course last november, rode a few friends bikes after and picked up a cbr f4 and after 4000 miles it all comes to you.  If you couldn't get anything from that course then I hate to say it but there may simply be no other hope.  The class is expertly developed and if you can't at least figure out how to ride the least bit from 2 8 hour sessions on a bike and a 4 hour lecture then maybe it's just not your thing.

Hint: Let the clutch out slowly, once you feel the bike pull forward it's a balancing act from there.  Do you know how to drive a standard car?  That may help with the understanding of how a clutch works and then you can realize what you really need to do.  Hope it works out.

most important thing you'll ever need to know about motorcycles: countersteering.  on a bicycle you rarely experience this effect since you rarely go faster than say...15mph but if you think you can turn the handlebars right to go right at 60mph then you'll end up splattered on a traffic sign.

Answer 2

It's easier to learn manual transmission in a car. Find a friend with a stick shift and ask them to show you how to drive it. The concept is the same. Once you have the concept memorized, doing it on a bike will be easy.

You should get a refund, you had a poor teacher. The whole point of the class is that you don't know and need to know. Unless you are just a complete ignoramus, you got jerked and I'd complain to somebody.

Answer 3

get a small bike - play with it till you know whats a clutch and a brake.tell me when you pass.i started off like that..now i ride a goldwing and a vmax

Answer 4

get a lil dirt bike like a 80 or 100 cc and go practice i believe its always easy to learn in a dirt bike no worries about crashing or anything like that i teach a few friend whit my 80 and took them like 3 hr to get the hind on how to use the clutch and gas don't worry about shifting just don't go to fast on same gear try to take off on 2 gear not first and maybe just roll the bike down hill and the let go the clutch while you rolling down on 2 gear the hit the gas slowly keep do in it you learn  

Answer 5

Of course, first familiarize yourself with all the controls before turning the key.

To learn the feel of the clutch, start with 3rd gear. Practice giving slight throttle while engaging the clutch only enough to cause the bike to move slightly. By usung 3rd gear at first, the bike won't jump out from under you. And if it stalls, so what. After comfortable with 3rd gear, graduate to 2nd gear for thesame exercise. Begin to add in the front brake. All of this activity should take place without moving the bike more than a few inches. Finally, practice clutching in 1st gear, let the bike move far enough to actually put your feet on the pegs, then stop with the brakes and bring your feet to the ground. Plenty of practice with this basic exercise will avoid many crashes. Most beginners' crashes occur at starting and stopping.

Once you're finally rolling at 20 mph and above, let the geometry of the bike work for you. What I am about to tell you won't seem to make sense, but it is accurate: ABOVE 20 MPH- When you want to move to the left, gently push the left handlebar forward (or pull back slightly on the right). Vice-versa for turning to the right. Don't think of leaning; the geometry of the bike will cause that to happen automatically.

AND REMEMBER TO PUT DOWN YOUR FEET WHEN YOU COME TO A STOP!

That's the basics. "A moment to learn, a lifetime to master."

Have fun!

Answer 6

Take an instruction class, such as the one from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) of course!  If you seriously cannot grasp the concept of using a clutch, then perhaps motorcycling is not in your future.

Self-taught riders are the ones that usually die in highsides, and if the first answerer is REALLY an expert then he needs to tell me what his Moto GP rider number is!

Answer 7

First learn to ride a cycle and practise driving the same everywhere and become expert in that. You have good balance then driving a bike is very easy since you need not pedal a motor bike and concentrate only in handling gears, clutch and speed. I did that and became expert. Balancing comes naturally.

Answer 8

I'm sorry, but if you can't grasp the basic concept of using a clutch then you should not be thinking of riding a motorcycle.

Answer 9

Find yourself another MSF class to take and keep at it.  Let the instructors know what happened in your previous class.....they should take it as a challenge to help you if they are quality teachers.  You will get the hang of it....keep at it.

Answer 10

ask someone who knows to ride a motorcycle.. its much enjoyable than schooling at a driving school.. ask someone during his or her extra time to help you..

Answer 11

Three words:  practise, practise, and practise