Motorcycles are becoming one of the most common means for daily commute. But they also allow you to enjoy a long and high-speed ride on a highway. However, riding a bike is not as easy as it may seem.

The mechanism of riding a bike is somewhat similar to driving a car. Keep reading further to know how to ride a bike.

Check out the following steps and other essential aspects if you are wondering how to ride a motorcycle.

1. Get the Right Gear

Safety equipment is essential when riding motorcycles. The minimum is a DOT-approved helmet, which should fit well and not move when you shake your head. If you shop for a helmet, select the full-face helmet for enhanced safety. For the upper extremities, consider getting a motorcycle riding jacket made of leather or synthetic material with armour on the elbows, shoulders, and back. 

Wear strong gloves whose construction gives one a good grip while protecting the hands from impacts. Wear trousers made from abrasion-resistant material such as Kevlar-ware denim or leather for your lower body. To reemphasise, appropriate equipment dramatically lowers the risk of getting injured in the event of an incident.

2. Get a Motorcycle Safety Course

Prepare yourself for owning a bike. One of the most beneficial things a new rider can do is take a motorcycle safety course. These comprise motorcycle courses and organised learning programs that may be conducted in local community colleges or by a motorcycle organisation. In most schools, rider training is done in class, with introductory lessons on motorcycle functions, traffic rules, and safety measures.

Then, you will get to the controlled practice area, where trainers teach you how to handle practical exercises. Some states allow exemptions or reductions in license requirements when completing these courses, including insurance rebates.

3. Learn the Controls

Any new rider must gain at least a basic understanding of specific motorcycle controls before riding. The left handlebar generally has the clutch lever and horn, while the right handlebar has the front brake lever and the throttle.

The rear brake pedal is right by your right foot, and you control the gear shifter with your left foot. Sit on the stationary bike and choose each control until your hands master the seat. This will generally take less than three minutes. It’s basic knowledge; one cannot ride safely without ensuring they comprehend the position and purpose of each control.

4. Practice with the Clutch

In truth, controlling the clutch is usually the most revelling aspect as one masters the primary coaxial control. It is responsible for the engagement of the engine and the transmission system through the clutch. Begin by positioning the bike in front of you with the engine turned off. Squeeze out the clutch lever and try to look for the ‘friction zone’ or when the clutch plate begins to grab. 

Once comfortable, turn on the engine and use the low gear to move the bike forward without using the throttle. This exercise, commonly known as a “power walk, " explains how to engage and disengage the clutch.

5. Switch on the Engine and ‘Power Walk’

When ready with the clutch, the next thing to do is start the engine. Check if you are neutral, and then you twist the starter button. While the engine is on, perform the “power walk” exercise. Gradually ease off the clutch while shifting the gear until the bike moves forward, then rerelease the clutch.

Stroll beside the bike when it is in motion. This will help you understand its weight and trim and how the bike reacts to clutch action. It is advisable to practice this until you can regulate the forward movement of the bike through the clutch alone.

6. Commence to Drive Along a Free Straight Line

Having chosen a starting point, try to get to an open space free of traffic. Select first gear. As you slowly ease off the clutch with your right hand, give the bike a little throttle with your left hand. Relax your feet on the pedals as the bike continues moving forward in the right direction to be ready to countersteer if the bike tips over.

Specifically, one needs to pay considerable attention to the speed and balance while riding the bike. Riding in a straight line is the most basic exercise, and it should be performed incrementally as the rider becomes comfortable.

7. Practice Shifting Gears

Once you are rested and satisfied with what you did to the bike, and you’re sure you can ride it only in first gear, the next thing to do is learn how to shift. To shift up, roll off the throttle with your right hand, pull in the clutch with your left hand, shift up with your left foot, and then ease the clutch out while applying the throttle steadily. Continue to do this until you can bend and change leg position without having to look at your feet.

Also, use downshifting as you decelerate. Some essential things to remember include ensuring the clutch movement is smooth and that shifting is done without necessarily causing jerky movements.

8. Learn Turning Techniques

Swerving a motorcycle and changing its direction involves so-called countersteering. At speeds below about 10 mph, you steer just like you would on a regular bicycle: counterintuitively, you lean in the direction you want to go towards. Thus, to turn left, you have to gently push the left handlebar backwards and vice versa for turning right.

This causes the bike to tilt in the left direction, which is the start of the turn. While turning, recall that your eyes should look through the turn to where you are headed.

9. Master Slowing and Stopping

Braking is fundamental to every ride, so its execution must be mastered. Practice using the front and rear brakes to ensure effective braking. Ease the brakes and maintain a steady pressure – abrupt staking on the brakes will lock the wheels.

Remember to change to a lower gear depending on the vehicle's current speed when slowing down. It is also essential to rehearse an emergency stop on a safe, clear road without skidding or locking the wheels.

10. Pursue Regular Training and Try to Develop It

To ride a motorcycle effectively, one requires considerable practice and lessons. Once you feel confident with your manoeuvring, you should continue practising in low-risk environments. Practice in areas such as gentle acceleration, proper and accurate gear shifting, and curve handling. 

Pursuing higher-level riding lessons to enhance your abilities might also be beneficial. It is also important to acknowledge that each rider, no matter their level of experience, is constantly learning and refining their skills on bikes.

Ensure that you always wear the safety gear and ride safely!

Once you learn how to ride a motorbike, consider some safety measures. The safety measures to know while riding a motorcycle are listed below.

• Similar to driving, you should not drink and ride a bike.
• Invest your money in a bike that you can handle.
• Check your bike’s overall condition thoroughly before you start riding it.
• Do not ride in bad weather conditions, especially in the rain, thunder and storm.
• Choose a gear according to the terrain.
• Keep a conscious mind, and do not be on a phone call while riding your bike.
• Buy insurance for your two-wheeler.
• Always turn the indicators before taking a turn.
• Keep checking your surroundings carefully while riding.
• Obey traffic rules and do not exceed the speed limit.
• Once you speed up, keep your feet on the footpegs.

The steps and points above say everything about bike riding and the safeguard to follow. Now, you can learn how to ride a bike by following those easy steps.