Learning to ride a motorbike is fun, but it should be done in a safe and controlled way. Always put safety first and make sure you have the right safety equipment to ride a motorcycle. Beginners can take riding classes to be able to ride a motorcycle well.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Setting Up the Right Equipment
Step 1. Prepare your helmet
Helmet is the most important driving tool and you must have. If you have an accident, a helmet can protect you from head injuries. The helmet you wear should fit snugly on your head but still wide enough for you to see the surroundings. Choose the helmet that best suits you.
- So that your head is well protected, buy a helmet that is designed with riding safety standards. No need for the most expensive helmet. Indonesian law requires that the helmet you wear when driving is of SNI (Indonesian National Standard) standard. Imported helmets are usually also marked with a DOT (from the United States Department of Transportation) or ECE (European Economic Commission) standard. These standards are worthy of your safety benchmark, so that your head can be protected in an accident. The three standards have also been tested according to the situation of driving safety on the highway. There are also other helmets that include more safety and comfort features. Some riders also prefer the Snell helmet brand because it has higher safety standards (as regulated by the Snell Memorial Foundation), i.e. good performance at high speeds and rougher surfaces.
- Measure the helmet fit with your head at a riding supply store. In addition, you can also measure your own head with a cloth tape measure, 1.5 cm above the eyebrows. Compare your head measurement with the size chart of the brand you want to buy. Also note that each brand has different measurements, so make sure you look at the measurement chart for each brand you plan to buy.
- Make sure the helmet you want to buy can fit well on your head. The right eyelet for your head starts just above your eyebrows and your fingers can barely fit between the face and the helmet. Different helmets are made for different types of heads. If your helmet is the right size but is uncomfortable to wear, try a different helmet. For the best safety, buy a full face or modular helmet.
Step 2. Buy a jacket
A motorcycle jacket will protect your upper body as well as your internal organs. Motorcycle jackets are usually made of leather or synthetic materials such as kevlar. Look for motorcycle-specific jackets designed with body protection to absorb collision energy. If a jacket is marked with the CE (Certified European) logo, the jacket design has met the requirements of European standards.
- A properly sized jacket will fit snugly on your upper body while still allowing your arms to move freely. Consider the conditions of your riding environment so that the weight and features of the jacket match your needs. For example, a jacket you will wear in a hot country will have more zippers and ventilation to keep the wind flowing.
- If you want to wear a jacket made of leather, make sure it is designed specifically for riding. An ordinary leather jacket is not enough to protect you.
- In addition to driving safety, a jacket can also protect you from environmental conditions such as hot sun, wind, rain, and cold temperatures. If you feel comfortable while driving, you will be able to concentrate better.
Step 3. Get your boots, gloves, and other gear ready for the ride
Boots and gloves can give you additional comfort while riding. Boots can protect your feet and knees. Special pants can protect your calves and thighs.
- When driving, your feet will be under a lot of pressure. You have to protect your feet well. Boots designed specifically for riding are usually knee-high and have special non-slip soles with well-fitted metal toe guards. When buying, test the shoe by gripping the toe guard and back of the shoe, then twisting it in a squeezing motion. If the shoes are hard to turn (hard material), they are more likely to protect you well in an accident.
- Gloves protect your hands from flying insects and dust/debris, and can also warm your fingers. Choose gloves that still allow your hands to move freely. It is better if the gloves are equipped with Velcro ties at the base. This bond can hold the glove in place even when exposed to great pressure (in an accident, for example). Kevlar gloves can protect your hands, while still allowing your fingers to move freely.
- Special driving pants are a driving tool that people rarely pay attention to. Jeans are generally designed for style rather than protection and will usually tear in an accident. A better option is pants that are made from the same fabric as your jacket. This material is usually designed to withstand sharp pressure in the event of an accident.
Part 2 of 3: Learn to Ride a Motorcycle
Step 1. Take a driving course
In driving courses, you can learn about safety techniques and proper driving techniques. This kind of course is highly recommended for all novice riders, although as of this writing, this kind of course has not yet become a requirement for taking a driver's license.
- New riders who are completely inexperienced should take a beginner rider course. You can find classes like this on the internet. In Indonesia, courses like this are usually held by the private sector.
- If you don't have a vehicle yet, this course will lend you a motorbike. You will be taught the basics of operating and driving safety.
- Driving courses are usually divided between theoretical and practical sections. At the end, you can take the exam to receive a Driver's License.
Step 2. Learn motor control
Familiarize yourself with the basic motor controls before starting to ride. When you drive, you will have to think fast. You can get into an accident if you don't know how to control the motor properly.
- The clutch lever is usually located to the left of the handlebars of your motorcycle. This clutch lever is used to release power from the rear wheels when changing gears.
- The gear shifter is on the left foot and you can use it to increase or decrease gears while pulling the clutch lever.
- The gas handle on the right functions as a gas regulator. You can use this gas handle to speed up the motor. The lever to the right of the handlebars is the front brake.
- Use the right step lever to pull the rear brake.
- In general, the left side of your motorcycle is for controlling gears and the right side of your motorcycle is for controlling the gas and brakes.
Step 3. Get on the motorbike
The right way to ride a motorbike is to face the motorbike from the left side. Grasp the left handlebar, then raise your right foot over the top of the bench until it reaches the right side of the bike. Place both your feet on the ground.
- The best way to know the operation of a motorcycle is to sit on it and try the various controls before starting it.
- Feel whether the size of the motor is suitable for your body size. Grip the two handlebars, clutch lever and brake lever. Make sure your fingers can reach both levers easily. Your arms should be slightly broken at the elbows as you grip both ends of the handlebars. All switches should be easily reachable with your finger.
- Make sure you can hit the ground easily. Get used to the weight of the motorcycle you are riding. In addition, you also need to be able to control gear shifts and brakes without having to let go or shift your foot off the footing.
Step 4. Familiarize yourself with the clutch lever
The clutch lever is used to change gears. When you pull that lever, you release the engine from its gear. This way, your motorcycle will be in neutral and you can shift gears.
- Think of this clutch lever like a dimmer switch, not like a two-way (off-on) switch. You need to pull it slowly and precisely so that your motorcycle doesn't stop suddenly.
- After starting the motor, pull the clutch lever and enter first gear by pressing the shift lever with your left foot. You may have to step on it a few times. You know you're in first gear if you don't feel any resistance from your bike or any indication that the gear is moving.
- Most motorcycle gears have a "1 down, 5 up" pattern. In contrast to the motorcycle gear patterned N-1-2-3-4, motorcycle clutch pattern is usually 1-N-2-3-4-5-6, and so on. When changing gears, you will see the gear number light on in the indicator on the motorcycle handlebar.
- When driving, change gears by pulling the clutch lever with your left hand to release the rear tire. While pulling the clutch lever, reduce the gas. Gas reduction is done so that your motorcycle does not vibrate violently when you put it back into gear. Continue to change gears with your left foot. Keep speed with your right hand to keep the gear shifting smoothly. Finally, release the clutch lever.
Step 5. Start the machine
Pull the clutch lever and find your motor switch. Usually this switch is red, located to the right of the motorcycle handlebar. Move it to the "on" position. Most modern motorcycles don't need to be "dislahed," but if your bike is old, it may be. The "slah" leg is behind the right foot of your bike.
- Turn the key to the "ON" position, and make sure the lights and indicators are on.
- Put in neutral. The easiest way to do this is to downshift into 1st, then raise it to neutral. Pay attention to whether the N light on the motor indicator screen is lit.
- With your right thumb, press the "Start" button. This button is usually located under the motor switch. The start button is usually marked with a circle with a lightning bolt in the middle.
- After the engine starts, preheat your motorcycle for 45 seconds before use.
- With your feet completely on the ground, pull the clutch. Then lift the front of your foot (resting on the back of your foot), and repeat until you get used to the clutch pressure.
Step 6. Try "carrying" the motor
Start with your feet in front and on the ground. Slowly release the clutch until the motorcycle starts to advance on its own.
- Using only the clutch, move the bike forward and make sure it is balanced with your feet.
- Repeat until you can run the motorcycle upright without your feet on the ground. Make sure you feel balanced on the motorcycle.
Part 3 of 3: Riding a Motorcycle
Step 1. Start driving
Once the engine is started and warmed up, you can start driving. You can do this by lowering the gear to 1 and releasing the clutch lever while adding gas.
- Make sure your motor standard is not out.
- Release the clutch slowly until the motor starts moving forward.
- You may have to pull on the gas slowly so that your bike doesn't jump when you pull the clutch lever.
- Once the motor starts moving, slowly add gas and raise your feet onto the footrests.
- Try driving in a straight line. While releasing the clutch lever and pulling the gas to make the motorcycle move faster, continue riding in a straight line. When you are ready to stop, pull the clutch lever and slowly pull the front and rear brakes together. Use your left foot to hold the motorcycle when it stops. When you stop, put your right foot on the ground.
Step 2. Practice changing gears
Once you can ride in a straight line, start practicing changing gears. Try to find out and feel the "friction zone" of the motor you are driving. The friction zone is the resistance zone that appears when the clutch is pulled. Your motorcycle transfers power from the engine to the rear tires in this zone. Motorcycle gear shifts are regular; You need to raise or lower gears one by one. You need to practice feeling and listening when it's time to change gears. Your motorcycle will growl at a higher RPM when it's time to change gears.
- When your motorcycle is running, lower gears to 1st gear. You will know you are in 1st gear when the shift lever can't be lowered anymore. You will hear a slight 'click' sound when it is in 1st gear.
- Very slowly, release the clutch until your motorcycle starts moving forward. When you want to go faster, pull on the gas slowly while releasing the clutch lever.
- To get into 2nd gear, pull the clutch lever, release the gas lever, then pull the shifter until it moves past the neutral position. Make sure the neutral light is not on. Release the clutch lever, then pull the gas back. Repeat to switch gears to higher gear.
- After 2nd gear, you don't have to pull the shift lever up as hard as you're no longer trying to get past neutral.
- To downshift, release the gas, then slightly pull the brake lever. Pull the clutch lever, then step on the gear shift lever. Then, slowly release the clutch lever.
- Once you know how to downshift, you can stop while you're still in 2nd gear. Then, when you've stopped completely, lower back into 1st gear.
Step 3. Practice turning
Like a regular bicycle, a motorcycle can be turned (after moving more than 15 km/h), by steering in the direction you want to turn. Pull the motorcycle handlebars in the direction you want to turn. While turning, keep your eyes straight ahead.
- Reduce speed while turning. Do not apply brakes when turning. Release the gas and brake if necessary, before turning.
- Keep your eyes on the front and watch the direction you are turning. Pull the motorcycle handlebars in the direction of the turn. Then, continue accelerating as you turn, to keep the movement going.
- When moving slowly, turn your head to see the end of the turn. Let the motorcycle follow your line of sight. Find the point at the end of the turn and keep your eyes on that point. Do not look at the ground or at the tires. While you may feel the need to pay attention to the turns of the motorcycle, it is still dangerous and may make it difficult for you to complete the turns.
- Apply pressure on the turning side. If you turn left, push the right side of your motorcycle handlebar. Thus, your motorcycle will tilt to the left. Follow the incline of your bike and increase speed slowly. When you're done turning, release the gas, and then add the gas again while turning the motor back to 90 degrees. Let your motorcycle straighten itself and don't force it by moving the handlebars.
Step 4. Practice slowing down and stopping
Finally, once you have successfully started, changed gears, and turned your motorcycle, practice slowing and stopping the motorcycle. Remember that the lever on the right handlebar is used to operate the front brake and the step lever on the right foot operates the rear brake. Start braking with the front brake and use the rear brake to help stop.
- When you want to stop, start with the front brake and apply the rear brake once you have slowed down the motor.
- While slowing down the motor, lower gears. You don't always have to lower down to gear 1. You can lower down to gear 2 and stop, before finally lowering into gear 1.
- Pull the clutch lever while braking and downshifting.
- Operate the front and rear brakes as you slow down and start to stop the motor. Make sure you don't add speed. The structure of the motorcycle also means that you have to slow down before your hand can reach the brakes.
- Slowly apply pressure to the brakes. Do not apply brakes all the way as this may cause your motorcycle to stop suddenly and jump.
- After you stop, keep the front brake depressed, and keep your feet on the ground. Left foot first, then right foot.
Tips
- Find a friend who already knows how to drive. He can teach you.
- Look for driving safety courses in your area. These courses are usually held by private parties. You will learn how to drive safely and properly and get discounted insurance after completing the course.
- Always wear all your safety equipment. Helmet, gloves, eye protection, boots. Remember: "Always wear all safety equipment when driving."
- Familiarize yourself with your motorcycle. Make sure you are familiar with each control and that you can reach them comfortably and without looking down. This is very important. When you're on the road, you can't look for a second just to change gears.
- Find a large, wide-open space for exercise. For example, the school parking lot when everyone has gone home.
Warning
- Do not operate the motorcycle without adequate safety equipment.
- Do not operate the motorcycle while under the influence of any substance.
- Almost all motorcyclists will experience a collision. Riding a motorcycle is dangerous and can cause serious injury. Always use the right technique.
