Saddle Up for Adventure: How to Learn to Ride a Motorcycle

Riding a motorcycle can transform even a trip to the grocery store into an adventure. Mike Raabe/Getty

When someone straddles a motorcycle and sets off down the road, even if it’s their main mode of transportation, they join a club of free thinkers who experience the world up close. Sometimes, that experience includes bugs in the face or being rained on, but that goes with the territory, and there are ways to mitigate those as well as other less-than-pleasant aspects of riding.

The Appeal of Adventure

There are two reasons to ride a motorcycle, which often merge into one. Firstly, getting from Point A to Point B, and, secondly, experiencing adventure. In some cases, a motorcycle, most commonly referred to as a “bike,” is simply an affordable way to get around. For others, it’s an adventure machine; seeing a motorcycle roar past on the highway, carrying a couple wearing helmets and leather jackets, elicits the thought “They look like they are having fun”—which is probably the case unless it’s snowing or raining heavily.

Movies and television romanticize motorcycles, showing characters ranging from “The Fonz” in “Happy Days” to the “Sons of Anarchy” roaring down the highway. Once a person becomes comfortable riding a motorcycle, it’s only natural to develop a bit of swagger climbing aboard. The preferred way to make that happen is to focus intently on learning how to ride. Choosing the right gear and clothes should always come in a very distant second to learning the rules of the two-wheeled road. Because there’s a very fine line separating an adventure from an ordeal, proper preparation is cheap insurance.

Getting Started

Being able to ride a bicycle is a good start. Riding a motorcycle has several things in common with operating a bicycle; they both have two wheels, need to be moving forward to stay upright, and are steered via handlebars. But the similarities end there. Bicycles don’t have the same ability to start off with a big burst of speed, and they’re much easier to pick up if they fall over. But rather than approaching a motorcycle full of fear and trepidation, a better option is to instead learn how it’s operated and what’s required to get underway.

There are plenty of videos that provide very informative demonstrations of the operation of a motorcycle, but there’s no substitute for actually climbing aboard and riding. It’s similar to a boat in that respect; it’s impossible to learn how to operate a boat until it leaves the dock and the throttle is applied. But this isn’t meant to suggest simply finding a motorcycle and roaring away—that’s absolutely the worst thing to do and a recipe for disaster.

Similarly, it’s best not ask to a friend or relative who rides for instructions. Just as car drivers sometimes have developed bad habits, many riders also have habits they have developed over the years, some of which aren’t good—often due to not receiving proper instruction—that shouldn’t be passed along to new riders. The most prudent way to learn to ride is to attend classes.

Ongoing training is the key to motorcycle safety; the best riders seek out classes on city riding skills, group rides, and more. sonsart/Shutterstock

Learn From the Best

There are many organizations offering instruction, such as the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) and many others, that combine time in a classroom with hands-on actual operation of a motorcycle. These courses are typically taught by experienced, certified instructors who ride, making them a great choice to closely supervise new riders in the process of discovering how to start up and actually ride a motorcycle on their own.

Look for one taught within the confines of a closed course instead of on public roads. The bikes provided to the students in these classes tend to be small, making them more approachable and easier to operate. The mechanics of riding remain the same regardless of whether riding a small motorcycle (or even a scooter) or a large “bagger” Harley Davidson or Indian motorcycle that’s capable of carrying one or two people and a load of gear across the country.

In many states, a motorcycle endorsement must be added to a driver’s license in order to legally operate a motorcycle, meaning that a new rider not taking one of these courses wouldn’t be able to rent or borrow a bike on which to develop and practice skills. These organizations sometimes offer virtual classes that provide a good foundation for learning how the basic controls of a bike work before a rider actually straddles the saddle, including the clutch, lights, throttle, turn signals, and how to use the front and rear brakes. The goal is to attend a class taught by instructors that inspires confidence and uses bikes in good condition on a closed course. Check references and ask around at motorcycle dealerships to determine which course might be a good fit; most areas will have several programs to choose from.

Once a rider has earned the endorsement, the only way to keep learning is to keep riding. MSF and others offer continuing education classes, as do many dealerships and motorcycle owner clubs. Renting a variety of motorcycles makes it easy to decide which style and make you prefer and might possibly purchase. Use social media to find groups organizing local rides. And, most of all, enjoy the adventure—while riding safely.