How do you operate a motorcycle?

Answer 1

A motorcycle can seem like a daunting proposition to ride at first but it will soon become as easy as riding a bicycle.

First I'd recommend having someone who knows how to ride a motorcycle there to teach you.

Beyond that the first thing to do is hop on and get used to controls.

The lever on the left hand is the clutch and controls the power of the engine reaching the rear wheel.

The lever on your right is the front wheel brake.

The right hand handlebar grip is the throttle and it rotates counter clockwise, basically when opening the throttle your wrist should go down.

The right foot lever is your rear wheel brake.

The left foot lever is the gear changer.

The next step is to make sure all the levers are within easy reach and not awkward to use, especially the foot levers, if they cannot be adjusted then make sure you are at least comfortable with using them.

The next item is setting the bike in neutral, assuming its not an automatic. Push the gear lever down several times then push it up once gently. Take the bike off its stand and push it forwards or backwards. If the rear wheel locks then it is still in gear and the above step needs to be repeated.

Now get on the bike and it's time to start the bike. Put up the kickstand and turn on the ignition, if the bike has a stop switch make sure it's set to run, if the bike has a fuel tap(old motorcycles) set it to on.

Starting a motorcycle can be a bit of an art form, especially with a kickstart dirtbike. If its an electric start push down the start button and the engine should start, if not try twice more, if that doesn't work turn on the choke, again if your bike has one, dont leave the choke on once you've got the bike running. It should start.

With a kickstart bike, flip out the kickstart lever and rest your foot on it, with most bikes it's easiest if your sitting on the bike. Push down on it until you feel it stop, the bike is now at top dead center, now kick down and the engine will turn over, beware of lashback, this may take several tries to get the bike started, if it's cold turn on the choke, again don't leave it on after the bike is warmed up or if you give up.

Now you've got the bike running, experiment with the throttle a bit.

The next step is to pull in the clutch and hold it there. Now push down on the gear change once.

Slowly, and gently let out the clutch. You should feel the clutch start to bite and the bike will try and move forward and the engine will start to bog down, pull the clutch back in. Now that you've found the biting point give the bike a few more revs and try again and see if you can get the bike going.

The key to a good launch is to be smooth and gentle, if you just dump the clutch, the bike will either stall(annoying) or wheelie off the line(terrifying and really hard to control).

Now that you have the bike moving, just wander around and get used to all the controls. When you want to stop dont forget to pull the clutch in along with the brake.

Don't let out the clutch, knock the gear lever gently, up one. This should put the bike in neutral, ease out the clutch. if it bites do it again.

The next step is changing gears most bikes operate a one down, 5 up system, first gear is a down click, the rest are up. Dont worry about hitting neutral on the way up. the bike usually has to be stopped to get into neutral.

To change up gear, pull the clutch in and click up then let the clutch out.

To change down a gear, clutch in, click down and blip the throttle before letting out the clutch.