Beginner and Advanced Motorcycle Skills Everyone Must Master

While cleaning up my garage, I was looking at 5 motorcycles sitting there waiting for a ride. I realized that I have been riding for 20+ years. My best investment is the best protective equipment, which has saved me countless times. One of the things I get from motorcycling is a sense of balance, awareness and a feeling of accomplishment. Oddly I am not a steadfast advocate of motorcycling. In fact, I really push back on people who want to learn to ride. I have known several people who have been hurt or killed riding. What I really want to encourage is that people learn to ride from experts on a track or area away from cars and other hazards. One of my good friends (B2) wants to learn to ride. My friend (DM) and I, with 40+ years riding experience between us, are going to take her and show her some simple skills and drills. The problem is that she just wants to get out and ride, and in my experience that is a recipe for getting hurt. We are insisting that she can ride only after she masters a few simple skills. Now put on all the proper gear: Helmet, gloves, eye protection, pads, leathers etc. Here is a list of these static skills that she will have to master before the bike rolls one inch. The bike is not running, but you are on the bike.

1. Learn how the clutch works and where the friction points are
2. Learn how to use the clutch for power and safety
3. Learn how to use the throttle for power and braking
4. Learn where the front and rear brake controls are and how to use them
5. Proper foot placement on the pegs – use the balls of your feet
6. Balance skill**
7. How to get the bike in neutral gear
8. Learn how to shift – pattern up and down
9. How to manage the throttle AND the brake
10. Ass placement – where you sit is critical
11. Squeezing the tank with the knees for control
12. Steering with the pegs not the handlebars
13. No death grip – relax the hands and arms
14. Standing for obstacles – getting up and down smoothly
15. Heads up! – Look where you want to go, not at what you want to avoid!
16. Heads up! – Look through the turns and pick your path 30M ahead!
17. How to start the bike – cold start, hot start, flooded engine
18. How to pick up a fallen bike without getting burned or straining
19. How to drop a bike and stay clear of injury
20. Always remember the kickstand or how to stand the bike!

These all things that everyone can practice whether they are a rookie or a professional. You can practice through these without even starting a bike, and if you don’t have your own bike you can borrow a friend’s. So before you get too excited learn these skills, learn them from a professional, master them and build up your confidence and competence. They may not protect you from injury or death, but they will give you an edge in a wonderful and exciting sport…with a lifetime of learning ahead. Happy Riding!

**Balance skill – with the bike off the kickstand, turn the handlebars all the way left or right and firmly apply the front brake, but only lightly put any pressure on the handlebars. Now smoothly get yourself up on both pegs and stand with your ass a few inches off the seat. Try and balance yourself nicely by making tiny pressure adjustments to the pegs (balls of your feet). Be sure to put a foot down when the bike starts to fall! Repeat. Do this drill for 30 mins a day for a week. I dare you! Try and balance the bike for 3 sec, 10 sec, up to a minute. Enjoy!