Motorcycles are loud, fast, and thrilling ways to travel. While definitely not for everyone, riding motorcycles provides access to a culture and experience unlike any other. It may seem intimidating to drive a motorcycle for the first time, but you can increase safety by taking your time and researching proper etiquette and techniques before hitting the road.
While motorcycles can be fun, they aren’t to be taken lightly. Motorcycles are significantly less crash-worthy than traditional automobiles, and it’s important to practice defensive driving skills and avoid reckless behavior while operating one. Motorcycle crashes are quite common and deadly, so safety is key here.
Steps to Operating a Motorcycle
- Familiarize yourself with the different parts of a motorcycle. Memorize what buttons and switches control long before getting on the road. Most importantly, remember the location of the throttle (controlling the speed), the brake levers (what stops the motorcycle), and the clutch (what engages the engine). You don’t want to be caught without any of these controls.
- Consider taking motorcycle lessons or training classes. They will teach motorcycle safety, operation, laws, and techniques that will prime you for road travel. They typically are not costly and are widely available. Motorcycles are dangerous, and formal training is highly recommended.
- Wear protective gear. Helmets, protective vests, and other safety clothing can be the difference between life and death in some cases.
- Get familiar with blind spots on motorcycles, using turn signals, pressing the horn, and other handy features. Just like cars, motorcycles do have blind spots.
- Familiarize yourself with the gears, what they do, and how to shift them with your foot. You typically use your left foot to push the gear shift down or up to the correct position, and then push up or down slightly to select it depending on the direction your foot is moving to a gear. This is called upshifting or downshifting.
- Start the bike. Turning the key, just like in an automobile, turns on the dash. You don’t want to start the bike in gear; be certain to use the shift lever to put it in neutral. Pressing the kill switch starts the engine.
- You’ll want to start in the first gear to practice using the clutch. Before switching gears, you need to pull in the clutch lever and hold it. You’ll want to release the clutch slowly after switching to the first gear. The bike will start moving slowly.
- You can release the clutch all the way once you get a feel for the movement, and use the throttle gently to adjust speed. Note that beginners commonly stall the bike as they’re getting used to it; this is totally normal.
- Remember to lift your feet and place them on the bike once the bike starts moving, as dragging your feet along the ground can cause injury, especially when speeds are higher.
- You should already be familiar with downshifting and upshifting before the motorcycle is in motion. You will need to switch gears depending on speed. As speed grows, your shift should as well. As you slow down, you will lower shifts.
- Braking is important at intersections, stoplights, or when you arrive somewhere. To slow down before stopping, rolling off the throttle and clutch lever before gently squeezing the front brake will do the trick. Similar to a car, you don’t want to suddenly press the brake too fast, as this will be a sudden and dangerous stop. Typically, the front brake is used, but the rear brake is also useful for stopping and avoiding accidents.
Choosing a Motorcycle
Motorcycles come in many different shapes, sizes, and brands. Sportsbikes are known for their sleek look and higher speed capacities while sacrificing size and cargo space. Standard bikes are average in size and speed, ideal for any type of travel. Tourers are heavier, roomier bikes that typically have small cargo spaces, ideal for long trips. There are many other types of motorcycles. Your riding style, budget, and main use for a motorcycle should be factored into your purchase decision.
Motorcycle License
Motorcycle operation requires a separate license for most motorbikes with the exception of small scooters like mopeds. These are obtained at your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) after a skills test and identity verification.
Motorcycle Accidents
The risk of accidents and injuries while operating a motorcycle is quite high. Many motorists fail to check for motorcycles due to their smaller size. This can increase the risk of collisions, especially on busy streets, inclement weather, or hazardous roads. Motorcyclists need to understand and assume these risks before operating a bike. Despite the higher risk of accidents, you can still be eligible for personal injury cases after an accident. Contact an attorney about pursuing your motorcycle accident claim to see if your case is eligible for compensation.
Conclusion
Motorcycles are quite simple to operate due to their limited controls and small size. However, defensive driving skills and protective gear are crucial for increased motorcycle safety. Formal training is also a great idea since motorcycle licenses are required for most motorbikes. Understand controls, blind spots, and gear-shifting techniques before starting the bike. Understand the risk of accidents and know when to contact an attorney.
