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Motorcycle How To Ride - How to Drive a Motorbike, How to Ride a Motorcycle for the Very First Time, How to Ride a Harley Davidson, How to Ride a Dirt Bike, How to Safely Ride a Motorcycle at Night
How to Drive a Motorbike
from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can EditDo you want to feel the wind in your hair, or are you just in the midst of a mid-life crisis? Follow these instructions to begin riding a motorbike safely.
Steps
- Take a professionally-operated class. In most European countries, this is a requirement. In the United States the Motorcycle Safety Foundation often offers low cost classes.
- Start learning with a small or medium displacement motorbike.
- Control the speed with the throttle or accelerator.
- Use the clutch to ease the gear shift as well when you apply the brake.
- Always apply both the brakes simultaneously.
- Switch on the ignition and start the engine either by 'kicking' or pressing the start button. Do this when the engine is in Neutral or 'gear 0'.
- Hold the clutch lever to the minimum position (towards the handle bar).
- Increase the throttle gently and release the clutch lever smoothly. Once the vehicle starts moving, continue the throttle rise and let the clutch lever go outwards from the handlebar.
- Once the vehicle obtains the required torque, you can apply the step 7 and 8 to get the desired speed.
- While learning, avoid busy or high speed areas.
Video
Tips
- Attend training at a professional school or with a private instructor.
- Read the manufacturer's guide for the gear and clutch mechanisms.
- Turning can be counter-intuitive. You must use a technique called counter steering. It's the same as riding a bike, you lean into the turn and steer away from the turn. Many learners treat it like a car and want to steer into the turn, rather than away from the turn.
- "Where you look is where you go" so if you look down on the ground, a common problem with learners, then you WILL dump the bike. If there's an obstruction in your path, try not lock your sights onto it, or you are more likely to hit it. Look where you want to go. It's important to glance all around, to be aware of what's in every direction, but it's a dangerous habit to lock sights in a direction you don't want to go.
Warnings
- Learn under supervision of an experienced adult.
Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Drive a Motorbike. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.
How to Ride a Motorcycle for the very first time
How to Ride a Harley Davidson
from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can EditRiding and owning a Harley Davidson motorcycle is an honor and a privilege. There are some basic tenets that you should remember to keep the ride safe and memorable.
Steps
- Find a suitable and rideable Harley Davidson motorcycle. Not every Harley is suitable for 'cruising' or riding distances shorter than a few blocks or miles. If you really want to enjoy all a Harley has to offer, find a Harley that runs well, is comfortable, and one that you can handle. If you find the bike too heavy, drop down a level or improve your riding skills on another, smaller bike first. In general, the bike "heaviness" runs in the following order, from heaviest to lightest:
- Road King
- Softail (includes Fatboy)
- Dyna Glide
- Sportster
- A note about the Sportster: Some consider it the most difficult to ride, despite its lightness. This is due to its relative unbalance and high placement of the gas tank thus raising the center of gravity. Despite this, it remains one of the most fun Harley's to ride, and is exemplified in carrying the honor of being the longest running production motorcycle in United States history.
- Decide how you're going to get your Harley, either by borrowing, renting, or buying. Sometimes renting or borrowing (provided that you have a motorcycle license) is the best way to introduce yourself to the world of Harleys without a huge financial commitment.
- Observe the bike. Look at the subtleties and richness of the chrome, or lack thereof, and special features unique to the design of the particular Harley you are going to ride. Prep the bike for ride by checking the gas level, tires, lights, and any obvious flaws or defects.
- Get on the bike. Remember, "right is wrong." Get on the bike from the left side, as it is good etiquette. Feel the handlebars, feel the weight of the bike underneath you. Pull the choke if need-be. Then...
- Start the bike. Listen to it. Feel it underneath you. Let it warm up as you warm up to the bike.
- Ride the bike. See the road scurry underneath you. Feel the wind in your face and on your body. See how it's just much better when on the bike. Feel the rumble in between your legs. Lean back. See the blur of the side road as you look straight ahead.
- Enjoy the ride. Harley Davidson motorcycles enjoy a rich and storied tradition. Riding one is not about the speed or handling of the bike per se, but rather, the enjoyment of the feel and embodiment of the entire experience. Look at the scenery, hear and feel the engine. Look to your right... to your left. Even look up at the sky - all the while making sure to keep another eye on the road to stay safe. Beware of 'cagers' ie. car drivers.
- Find a road all your own (preferably deserted and without any traffic), and ride until you feel good. Then ride some more. Stop at a tavern (no alcoholic beverages,please). Visit a friend. Enjoy the freedom of riding a Harley Davidson. When you're done, bring it back and ride again another day.
- WEAR YOUR GEAR!!!
Tips
- Be safe. Wear a helmet and watch for traffic and cell-phone lobotomized drivers. They're not looking out for you. Look out for them.
- Riding a Harley is like enjoying a fine wine. Take care to notice the make, model and strengths and weaknesses of the particular model you're riding. Enjoy the ride, and look not to the destination.
- When you ride a Harley, that grants you entrance into the biker family. When not using your left hand to clutch, always acknowledge other bikers by simply extending a cool, waist high wave. It is acceptable to suspend this practice at rallies or events where there is very high bike traffic.
- "Not all who wander are lost."
Warnings
- Take a motorcycle safety course if you can. While riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle is possibly the greatest thing you can experience, it can be dangerous. Know how to ride over a piece of lumber. Know how to handle the bike. Join a motorcycle riders club or the "HOG" organization if need be (HOG = Harley Owners Group). You'll meet everlasting friends.
Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Ride a Harley Davidson. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.
How to Ride a Dirt Bike
from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can EditAre you itching to hit some wicked turns, hang some huge air, glide over whoops, and gain some insane speed? Read this article and prepare to get dirty.
Steps
- Get a dirtbike. Avoid borrowing one from a friend, because as a first-time rider you risk damaging someone else's property. A two stroke would not be great for your first bike, they are much harder to control as the powerband can kick in and give too much power when you least expect it. You will fall off a 2 stroke quickly and could be detered from learning.Fourstrokes are easy and fun to ride, and have great power. Make sure you get a bike that is the right size for you because you don't want something too big that you can't handle-your dealer or whoever you are buying from will help you with that. I would suggest a 100-250cc older,cheaper bike, its preferable to dropping an expensive brand new bike. It all depends on your height and weight.Just sit on some bikes in the store and you will feel what is most comfortable for you. Talk to your local dealer for more information but do not buy right away. Some dealers might lie or scam you for more than you're worth! Always do research first.
- Speed: When you are riding down a nice straightaway and you feel like goosing it, try to start in a low gear. Work that gear to its full potential, and then shift up (if you have an automatic bike, don't worry about this). Once you get up to your speed, slant your back at a 45 degree angle, bend your arms at a 90 degree angle and stand up. When standing up your legs and arms act as additional suspension when going over bumps. This keeps you in better control and will conserve energy.
- Turning: The trick to getting maximum speed and the best setup in a turn is control. When coming into a turn, pick a good line that isn't going to run you off the track. Stick with it and keep steady power. Keep your outside elbow up and your inside leg out. Have your leg sticking straight out in front of you by the fender. This will help you keep your balance, and you can dab your foot on the ground if you slide out. Once in the turn, look where you want to go. Also keep your butt on the outside of the seat and apply a little pressure to the outside foot peg, this helps put more weight on the outside of your bike, giving you more traction. Remember to finish your braking and shifting before you enter the corner so you can concentrate all of your attention on getting through it. Sometimes using the clutch while exiting a corner will give you a short burst of power.
- Jumps: Hitting big jumps can be scary if you are not comfortable with your riding ability yet. Try little table tops at first; they are very easy and provide a steady landing almost everywhere. Lift up your handlebars and stand up a little. Once you get skilled with that, try a double. Take off the bottom of the face sitting down. By the time your front wheel is off the dirt you should be standing up. Once in the air, position yourself comfortably but sturdily for a landing. If your front end is straight up and down, don't panic! Hit the back brake and it should lower gradually. Before you hit the ground, give a little gas so your bike will flow smoothly.
- Whoops can be tricky and require lots of practice as all other things do. There are 3 main ways of hitting them: going slow and steady, doubling or tripling them (this can be very useful in a very technical track because you can get into a new line every time), or just blazing through them (very fast and hard to master; your back wheel skims over the tip of the whoops giving you less control). Stand up over whoops and keep your weight just behind the center of balance towards the back of the bike. Practice keeping your knees and elbows bent before you go crazy on them. More than 60 percent of all crashes on a track happen on the whoops. Hold on tight and flow with them. Don't freak out and overcorrect if you get into a wobbly state. Just ride it out.
Tips
- Always be aware of speed limits, crossing points, and pedestrians. They have the right of way.
- Always ride with a camelback or fender pack...keep sparkplugs, tools, energy bars, water and a cellphone with you at all times. You never know when you will need it.
- Magazines such as Motocross Action and Transworld MX give great tips on making adjustments to your bike.
- Don't get cocky about what you can do on your bike. You will likely get brought back to earth pretty quickly.
- When jumping from dirt ramp to dirt ramp over a gap make sure to get the right speed. Going too slow, just like going too fast, might be painful.
- If your a first time rider, don't push yourself too hard, learning to ride a dirtbike is like learning to ride a peddle bike.
- Watch for arm-pump ( forearms/hands getting extremely tired) could be potentially dangerous!
- When building jumps, start small and work your way up. Try the jump before adding on to it.
Warnings
- Always wear MOTORCYCLE protective gear. A hockey helmet might save you from the puck, but not from falling from a motorcycle. Similarly, knee/elbow pads for rollerskating aren't sufficient for riding a motorcycle. If you fail to follow these directions, it may result in serious injury or DEATH.
- Don't let your friends ride your bike. If they crash, that's just one more part you have to buy!
- If you're going to do tricks, make sure you know what you're doing and are not going to kill yourself. Don't try to impress your friends with something you can't do because chances are you will crash and they will laugh.
- Know your limits.
- Make sure that where you are riding is safe and you are allowed to be there
Things You'll Need
- Bike
- Gear (Helmet, proper shirt and pants, boots, gloves, chest protector, knee and elbow pads) and also your courage to risk breaking some bones, if you take it easy, then you will not likely get hurt.
- Good medical insurance, you will get hurt.
Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Ride a Dirt Bike. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.
How to Safely Ride a Motorcycle at Night
from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can EditNight riding is one of the most enjoyable experiences you will encounter on your motorcycle. However, night motorcycle riding can also be an extremely dangerous activity as it is difficult for some motorist to see you and respond by avoiding you. This article includes helpful hints that can make your night motorcycle riding safer and more enjoyable. Safety comes through increased road presence. While your bike is 1/12 the size of a typical SUV, there are some steps you can take to increase your visual road presence to something much larger. It's a proven fact that larger vehicles are easier to see and avoid. With the steps herein, you can greatly improve your road presence and help avoid an accident with another motor vehicle. The most common cause of accidents and death for motorcyclists is a motorist turning left and into the pathway of the biker. Other types of common accidents is at intersections and rear end collisions. The techniques herein are designed to improve your day and night presence and help other motorist see you.
Steps
- Wear bright clothing. Those black leather jackets look good in the day, but for the night, you might want to consider wearing something that reflects light. Consider adding a fluorescent highlights on the back of your jacket, a smart message maybe. Your helmet is also a nice place for the same.
- Motorcycle Lighting: Good lighting is a crucial factor in your safety. In the quest for stylish lighting, many manufacturers use undersized brake lighting and most will aim the headlight lower to the street than the legal angle allows. Your first step is to examine your front and rear lighting. If you have a tiny brake light, consider replacing the light with a larger model. If this is not possible, J.C. Whitney sells a halogen brake lamp for about $10.00 that is 30% brighter than stock bulbs. You can also buy super bright LED lighting that is much brighter than the typical automotive bulb. However, this lighting should be purchased from a specialty company and not the "garden variety" LED arrays you can find at some stores for $15.00 or less. UltraBright LED's are expensive when using true Ultrabight LED (light emitting diodes). Expect to pay more if you want a truly bright LED system. Custom Dynamics is one such supplier of premium LED lighting.
- Check your headlight aiming angle. Check your state regulation on aiming. Raise the beam to the maximum angle allowed by your state. You can do this without special tools by uprighting your bike and casting the headlight on the wall of your garage. Measure from the ground to the exact center of your headlight, then adjust the beam projected on the wall (high beam). A rule of thumb is to drop 2" for every 10 feet (5 cm every 3 metres), but you should check with your state to conform with their regulations.
- Ride with your high beam on always during the day!
- Add dual running headlights to your motorcycle. Three properly aimed headlights are much more noticeable than a single headlight.
- Consider replacing your headlamp bulb with a super bright DOT approved model. Some bikers have been known to replace their headlight bulb with a non-DOT approved off-road lamp which is 40-50% brighter than the brightest legal lamp.
- Add reflective tape to your bike. You can also purchase reflective decals and add reflective flame decals to your helmet.
- Consider your driving technique: Are you speeding so fast you will not be able to stop in time? Are you driving between vehicles waiting at a red light to get in front of the traffic? Are you racing with other motorcylcist? Are you trying to show off in front of a large group of people?
Tips
- Stay near the center of the lane when practical. This is where you are best seen. Riding on the edge of the road causes you to blend in with street lighting. Riding on the center of the lane is also dangerous, as this usually is the dirtiest and most slippery part of the road. However always give yourself plenty of room when passing other vehicles traveling in the next lane in case they decide to change lanes while you're passing. This will give you more time to react. And never stay in their blind spot.
Sources and Citations
Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Safely Ride a Motorcycle at Night. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.
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