{"id":12909,"date":"2024-03-12T15:33:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-12T22:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/?p=12909"},"modified":"2024-03-11T12:30:14","modified_gmt":"2024-03-11T19:30:14","slug":"how-to-ride-a-motorcycle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/how-to-ride-a-motorcycle\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Ride a Motorcycle with Confidence in 7 Steps"},"content":{"rendered":"<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a world of self-driving cars, keyless entries, and automatic transmissions, <strong>the simple art of how to ride a motorcycle is fading into history.<\/strong> But the lure of the open road remains&ndash;<em>and you want to chase it.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The problem is that all the talk of <strong><em>first gear, second gear, clutch, throttle, front brakes<\/em><\/strong>, and so on can make operating a motorcycle sound daunting&ndash;especially if you&rsquo;ve never even ridden as a passenger before. <em>So, how much skill is involved exactly? And what kind of training will you need?&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Truth is, there are some things you have to learn by doing<strong>&ndash;and riding a motorcycle is one of them. <\/strong><em>But that doesn&rsquo;t mean you shouldn&rsquo;t at least <strong>try<\/strong> to get a handle on some of the terminology.<\/em> That&rsquo;s what we&rsquo;re here for.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"key-takeaway\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Takeaway<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>No amount of knowledge replaces practice. <strong>The best way to learn how to ride a motorcycle is to take an MSF Course<\/strong> in your area. <em>(Note: When attending this course, you won&rsquo;t need gear or even a bike of your own. They provide that for you, in addition to teaching you the basics). <\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"step-1-gear-up-for-safe-riding\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step #1: Gear Up for Safe Riding<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You aren&rsquo;t ready to twist that throttle or feel the wind in your face until you have the <strong>proper motorcycle gear.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a rider,<strong> your gear is your armor<\/strong>. It protects you from wind burn, the gravel flying off the dump truck ahead of you, and the pavement beneath you&ndash;<em>should you come face-to-face with it in an accident.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your safety gear should include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"1-a-helmet\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">#1: A Helmet:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>True, many states don&rsquo;t legally require you to wear a helmet. <\/strong><em>But with all the reckless drivers out there, are you really willing to leave your life in their hands?<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It doesn&rsquo;t matter how good a driver <em>you <\/em>are if the other guy isn&rsquo;t paying attention. With this in mind, invest in a motorcycle helmet like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motosport.com\/product\/?code=SS-M-G-P-NA-PLA-STREET&amp;key=ICON-Airflite-Battlescar-2-Helmet&amp;cc=us&amp;variant%5BICN00PB%5D=ICN00PB-X001-Y003&amp;cc=us&amp;product_id=ICN00PB-X001-Y003&amp;variant%5BICN00PB%5D=ICN00PB-X001-Y003&amp;utm_source=bing&amp;utm_medium=pla&amp;gclid=b5b1f91da5d6131927e19cf48be27839&amp;gclsrc=3p.ds&amp;msclkid=b5b1f91da5d6131927e19cf48be27839&amp;variant=ICN00PB-X001-Y003\" target=\"_blank\">this one.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"2-gloves\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">#2: Gloves:&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Are they really that important? <em>Take a drive without them, and you&rsquo;ll see why you should <\/em><strong><em>never ride without gloves<\/em><\/strong> <em>(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclegear.com\/gear\/fox-racing-bomber-gloves-2020?utm_source=bing&amp;utm_medium=cse&amp;utm_campaign=CGD-PLA-Fox%20Racing-Products&amp;utm_id=bing_328806534_1230353752645781_76897249630899_pla-4580496733357547_c&amp;utm_term=4580496733357547&amp;msclkid=f9f05b8520db1ae277af3e6c0eb676e0\" target=\"_blank\">like these<\/a>)<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You see, there are small particles in the air that we don&rsquo;t see with our eyes. Sand, dust, and pollen are all innocuous at normal speeds. But <strong>when you&rsquo;re driving 50 mph, those particles feel like a sandblaster <\/strong>against your skin. <em>Not cool!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"3-boots\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">#3: Boots:&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your boots serve a dual purpose. <strong>They provide the proper traction <\/strong>to keep your feet from slipping and are a <strong>protective layer in case you wipe out.<\/strong> <em>It&rsquo;s better for your boot to skid across the ground than your ankle.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Don&rsquo;t have a pair of riding-friendly boots? Check out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclegear.com\/gear\/forma-adventure-low-boots?utm_source=bing&amp;utm_medium=cse&amp;utm_campaign=CGD-PLA-Forma%20Boots-Products&amp;utm_id=bing_328806521_1225955615613265_76622300360454_pla-4580221854496552_c&amp;utm_term=4580221854496552&amp;msclkid=e622caef5b76127251c8af067475d873\" target=\"_blank\">these<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"4-motorcycle-pants-and-jacket\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">#4: Motorcycle <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Motorcycle-Motocross-Overpants-Adventure-Waterproof\/dp\/B08NPRWNZ5\/ref=asc_df_B08NPRWNZ5&amp;mcid=1f606e0e32d13630ac282d0c5ab2ea07?tag=bingshoppinga-20&amp;linkCode=df0&amp;hvadid=80333178202351&amp;hvnetw=o&amp;hvqmt=e&amp;hvbmt=be&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvlocint=&amp;hvlocphy=&amp;hvtargid=pla-4583932711905033&amp;psc=1\" target=\"_blank\">Pants<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teammotorcycle.com\/basic-classic-biker-leather-motorcycle-jacket?sku=VL516S-48&amp;cmp_id=429500667&amp;adg_id=1328211500446910&amp;kwd=&amp;device=c&amp;msclkid=5475150c786e13a9cd3d70e557ec6076&amp;utm_source=bing&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=*Shopping%3A%20Jackets%20(no%20Varsity)%20-%20JF&amp;utm_term=4586612759876002&amp;utm_content=Catch-All\" target=\"_blank\">Jacket<\/a>:&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Ever wonder why black leather was always associated with biker gangs?<\/em> Well, that&rsquo;s because<strong> leather is tough<\/strong>. At the time, leather was the <strong>best material to protect against flying particles <\/strong>on the road and to prevent you from getting scraped up in the event of a crash.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even now, leather is a <strong>good abrasive-resistant option,<\/strong><em> but there are also Kevlar-reinforced jackets,<\/em><strong> <\/strong>which are much better. Check out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teammotorcycle.com\/basic-classic-biker-leather-motorcycle-jacket?sku=VL516S-48&amp;cmp_id=429500667&amp;adg_id=1328211500446910&amp;kwd=&amp;device=c&amp;msclkid=5475150c786e13a9cd3d70e557ec6076&amp;utm_source=bing&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=*Shopping%3A%20Jackets%20(no%20Varsity)%20-%20JF&amp;utm_term=4586612759876002&amp;utm_content=Catch-All\" target=\"_blank\">this option<\/a> if you&rsquo;re still shopping for the right leather jacket. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The road is unpredictable.<strong> By wearing the proper safety gear, you protect yourself <\/strong>from&hellip;less capable drivers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<html><body><div id=\"in_post\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/search?storing=Trailer\" onclick=\"rudderanalytics.track('press editorial cta button', {location: 'first in post', version: '2.0'}, () =&gt; { console.log('track call'); });\">\r\n  <div class=\"first-in-post-cta\">\r\n    <header>\r\n      <h2 id=\"how-neighbor-is-changing-storage\">How Neighbor is changing storage<\/h2>\r\n    <\/header>\r\n    <section>\r\n      <div class=\"service-option\">\r\n        <div class=\"service-option-icon\">\r\n          <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"60\" height=\"60\" viewbox=\"0 0 60 60\" fill=\"none\">\r\n            <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M13.125 9.375C11.0539 9.375 9.375 11.0539 9.375 13.125V46.875C9.375 48.9461 11.0539 50.625 13.125 50.625H46.875C48.9461 50.625 50.625 48.9461 50.625 46.875V13.125C50.625 11.0539 48.9461 9.375 46.875 9.375H13.125ZM28.125 16.875C28.125 15.8395 28.9645 15 30 15C31.0355 15 31.875 15.8395 31.875 16.875V20.625H35.625C36.6605 20.625 37.5 21.4645 37.5 22.5C37.5 23.5355 36.6605 24.375 35.625 24.375H26.25C25.2145 24.375 24.375 25.2145 24.375 26.25C24.375 27.2855 25.2145 28.125 26.25 28.125H33.75C36.8566 28.125 39.375 30.6434 39.375 33.75C39.375 36.8566 36.8566 39.375 33.75 39.375H31.875V43.125C31.875 44.1605 31.0355 45 30 45C28.9645 45 28.125 44.1605 28.125 43.125V39.375H22.5C21.4645 39.375 20.625 38.5355 20.625 37.5C20.625 36.4645 21.4645 35.625 22.5 35.625H33.75C34.7855 35.625 35.625 34.7855 35.625 33.75C35.625 32.7145 34.7855 31.875 33.75 31.875H26.25C23.1434 31.875 20.625 29.3566 20.625 26.25C20.625 23.1434 23.1434 20.625 26.25 20.625H28.125V16.875Z\" fill=\"#005EB8\"><\/path>\r\n          <\/svg>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n        <h3 id=\"transparent-monthly-savings\">Transparent monthly savings<\/h3>\r\n        <p>Renters save 30-50% on vehicle storage, on average. No rate hikes.<\/p>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"service-option\">\r\n        <div class=\"service-option-icon\">\r\n          <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"60\" height=\"61\" viewbox=\"0 0 60 61\" fill=\"none\">\r\n            <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M31.2776 52.4974L31.7666 52.0417C32.0789 51.7503 32.527 51.3317 33.0706 50.8224C34.1576 49.8041 35.6276 48.4224 37.158 46.9698C40.1682 44.1127 43.5576 40.8461 44.596 39.6282C46.7163 37.1414 48.1719 34.1468 48.8127 30.9251C49.5529 27.204 49.173 23.347 47.7211 19.8418C46.2692 16.3366 43.8105 13.3407 40.6559 11.2329C37.5015 9.12514 33.7942 8 30.0001 8C26.2061 8 22.4973 9.12504 19.3428 11.2329C16.1882 13.3407 13.7295 16.3366 12.2776 19.8418C10.8257 23.347 10.4458 27.204 11.186 30.9251C11.8268 34.1468 13.2824 37.1414 15.4027 39.6282C16.4411 40.8462 19.831 44.1128 22.8415 46.9698C24.3721 48.4224 25.8422 49.8042 26.9294 50.8225C27.4731 51.3318 27.9212 51.7504 28.2336 52.0418L28.723 52.4979C29.4428 53.1672 30.5579 53.1668 31.2776 52.4974ZM28.723 52.4979C28.723 52.4979 28.7232 52.498 30.0001 51.125L28.723 52.4979ZM30.0001 51.125L31.2776 52.4974C31.2776 52.4974 31.2771 52.4979 30.0001 51.125ZM30 33.3125C33.6243 33.3125 36.5625 30.3744 36.5625 26.75C36.5625 23.1256 33.6243 20.1875 30 20.1875C26.3756 20.1875 23.4375 23.1256 23.4375 26.75C23.4375 30.3744 26.3756 33.3125 30 33.3125Z\" fill=\"#005EB8\"><\/path>\r\n          <\/svg>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n        <h3 id=\"keep-your-toys-nearby\">Keep your toys nearby<\/h3>\r\n        <p>Hosts in your neighborhood means that your items are always close by.<\/p>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"service-option\">\r\n        <div class=\"service-option-icon\">\r\n          <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"60\" height=\"60\" viewbox=\"0 0 60 60\" fill=\"none\">\r\n            <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M30 7.5C25.5499 7.5 21.1998 8.8196 17.4997 11.2919C13.7996 13.7643 10.9157 17.2783 9.21272 21.3896C7.50975 25.501 7.06417 30.025 7.93234 34.3895C8.80051 38.7541 10.9434 42.7632 14.0901 45.9099C17.2368 49.0566 21.2459 51.1995 25.6105 52.0677C29.975 52.9358 34.4991 52.4903 38.6104 50.7873C42.7217 49.0843 46.2357 46.2004 48.7081 42.5003C51.1804 38.8002 52.5 34.4501 52.5 30C52.5 24.0326 50.1295 18.3097 45.9099 14.0901C41.6903 9.87053 35.9674 7.5 30 7.5ZM41.5295 26.7545C42.7193 25.5646 42.7193 23.6354 41.5295 22.4455C40.3396 21.2556 38.4104 21.2556 37.2205 22.4455L26.7061 32.96L22.7795 29.0334C21.5896 27.8435 19.6604 27.8435 18.4705 29.0334C17.2807 30.2232 17.2807 32.1524 18.4705 33.3423L24.5516 39.4234C25.123 39.9948 25.898 40.3158 26.7061 40.3158C27.5142 40.3158 28.2891 39.9948 28.8605 39.4234L41.5295 26.7545Z\" fill=\"#005EB8\"><\/path>\r\n          <\/svg>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n        <h3 id=\"storage-made-simple\">Storage made simple<\/h3>\r\n        <p>Don't settle for stone age tech and long contracts. Neighbor makes it easy.<\/p>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/section>\r\n    <footer>\r\n      <button>Search nearby options <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"25\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 25 24\" fill=\"none\">\r\n          <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M11 2.90625C9.4981 2.90625 8.02993 3.35162 6.78114 4.18603C5.53236 5.02044 4.55905 6.20642 3.98429 7.594C3.40954 8.98157 3.25916 10.5084 3.55217 11.9815C3.84517 13.4545 4.56841 14.8076 5.63041 15.8696C6.69242 16.9316 8.04549 17.6548 9.51854 17.9478C10.9916 18.2408 12.5184 18.0905 13.906 17.5157C14.4508 17.29 14.9646 17.0029 15.4382 16.6618L19.5132 20.7368C19.9892 21.2127 20.7608 21.2127 21.2368 20.7368C21.7127 20.2608 21.7127 19.4892 21.2368 19.0132L17.1618 14.9382C17.2137 14.8661 17.2645 14.793 17.314 14.7189C18.1484 13.4701 18.5938 12.0019 18.5938 10.5C18.5938 8.48601 17.7937 6.55451 16.3696 5.13041C14.9455 3.7063 13.014 2.90625 11 2.90625ZM14.7493 14.0398C14.9463 13.8311 15.1264 13.6054 15.2873 13.3647C15.8538 12.5167 16.1562 11.5198 16.1562 10.5C16.1562 9.13248 15.613 7.82096 14.646 6.85398C13.679 5.887 12.3675 5.34375 11 5.34375C9.98019 5.34375 8.98328 5.64616 8.13534 6.21273C7.2874 6.77931 6.62651 7.58461 6.23625 8.52679C5.84599 9.46897 5.74387 10.5057 5.94283 11.5059C6.14178 12.5061 6.63287 13.4249 7.35398 14.146C8.0751 14.8671 8.99385 15.3582 9.99407 15.5572C10.9943 15.7561 12.031 15.654 12.9732 15.2638C13.5557 15.0225 14.086 14.6777 14.5398 14.2493C14.5699 14.2108 14.6028 14.1737 14.6382 14.1382C14.6737 14.1028 14.7108 14.0699 14.7493 14.0398Z\" fill=\"#EFF5F8\"><\/path>\r\n        <\/svg>\r\n      <\/button>\r\n    <\/footer>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/a>\n  <\/div><\/body><\/html><h2 id=\"step-2-run-a-quick-check\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step #2: Run a Quick Check<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are six main areas of your bike that you should check everything before you take a ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>T &ndash; Tires and wheels<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check your air pressure and tire tread. Make sure your front wheel brake is functioning, and check the pads on your rear brake as well. Be sure the wheel rims aren&rsquo;t bent, and the spokes are clear.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>C &ndash; Check the handlebars.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Work the front brake lever and pedals, and visually inspect all hoses and connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>L &ndash; Lights and Electronics<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Switch on the lights and turn signals. If your blinkers don&rsquo;t work, be sure to use hand signals when turning.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>O &ndash; Oil and Fluids<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Just like when you&rsquo;re driving a car, you want to be sure you have enough gas to get you where you&rsquo;re going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>C &ndash; Check the Frame and Suspension <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once you&rsquo;ve mounted the bike, make sure it feels right with no extra squeaks or creaks. This should include a visual inspection of the chains to make sure everything is clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A good safety check takes less than five minutes before you start up your bike, so stay safe and keep your bike in good shape.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"step-3-get-on-it\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step #3: Get on It!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img  decoding=\"async\"  src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABAQMAAAAl21bKAAAAA1BMVEUAAP+KeNJXAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAApJREFUCNdjYAAAAAIAAeIhvDMAAAAASUVORK5CYII=\"  alt=\"Mounting a motorcycle\"  class=\" pk-lazyload\"  data-pk-sizes=\"auto\"  data-pk-src=\"https:\/\/lh7-us.googleusercontent.com\/trdAXGGbYImno1E9IDtlwdLxLY976F2o5VpN_r4u45U73GIafb6ax9fh_n9tdGXGiwDApsjxPTxw24sxGX4O_3XH0QJYaECZW9ZgYyJZhWEYqItKtrI4PhpEqxQ6eAcYklDl6K1GRF7B6rkFsUTzU7M\" ><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, it&rsquo;s time to get on your bike. If you&rsquo;ve ridden a regular bicycle before, this is easy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>You plant your foot firmly next to the bike, grip the handlebars, and swing your right leg up behind you and over the bike.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Congrats! You&rsquo;ve mounted.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>(Obviously, if you&rsquo;re left-handed, complete this step the other way around to avoid feeling awkward.)&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An important note about fit: if your toes barely touch the ground <em>(and you have to lean from one side to the other to feel in control of your bike)<\/em>, you need a different fit. <strong>You should be able to rest both feet flat on the ground for maximum control.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"step-4-start-your-engines\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step #4: Start Your Engines<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most bikes nowadays have an electric start, so you just press a button. But some bikes have a <strong>safety feature called a kill switch<\/strong>. If the kill switch is pulled when you&rsquo;re riding &ndash; <em>say if you get thrown from your bike<\/em> &ndash; then your bike will automatically shut off.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So if your bike has a kill switch, make sure you have that engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"step-5-engage-brakes\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step #5: Engage Brakes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As bikes use a manual transmission,<strong> you&rsquo;ll start in first gear, so engage your brakes, put it in neutral, <\/strong>then turn the throttle to rev the engine and give it some gas.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once it&rsquo;s purring, you&rsquo;re ready to go.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"step-6-get-going\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step #6: Get Going!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, you can let off the brakes, open the throttle to give the engine some gas, release the clutch, and shift down to first gear.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For new riders, who have never driven a manual transmission, <strong>shifting gears is the most confusing part.<\/strong> And that&rsquo;s mainly because the more you try to explain it to someone, the more opaque it gets.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Shifting gears is something you have to learn by doing.<\/strong> You get a feel for <strong>when to shift to second gear,<\/strong> when to give it gas, when to release the clutch, and when to engage the clutch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That&rsquo;s why, as a new rider, the best thing you can do is find a buddy who knows how to ride a bike, go to an empty parking lot, and<strong> start riding!&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"step-7-learn-how-to-stop\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step #7: Learn How to Stop<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On a motorcycle, you have two brakes: <strong>the front tire brake <\/strong>and the <strong>rear wheel brake. <\/strong>The <strong>front wheel is controlled from your right handlebar<\/strong>&mdash;<em>sorry, lefties<\/em>&mdash;just like on a bicycle. The rear brake is the pedal on your right side.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>If your goal is to decrease your speed all the way to a stop, <\/strong>you want to pull and press these breaks together gradually<em>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>If you pull the front brake without pressing the rear,<\/strong> you could flip your bike. So take it slow and practice that process until it&rsquo;s second nature.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"step-8-practice-how-to-turn\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step #8: Practice How to Turn<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img  decoding=\"async\"  src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABAQMAAAAl21bKAAAAA1BMVEUAAP+KeNJXAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAApJREFUCNdjYAAAAAIAAeIhvDMAAAAASUVORK5CYII=\"  alt=\"Motorcycle braking techniques\"  class=\" pk-lazyload\"  data-pk-sizes=\"auto\"  data-pk-src=\"https:\/\/lh7-us.googleusercontent.com\/HOeGwRVS1NbIzArtc4dLCf9JLf16KKXbLeDBNyL0sqqNkW7ohqTBnp3G9AE5d6gppGggCvuvvRap64leuTLO8j0aJ1j2TXm2o6gbsteSIzijKR8t7O54gZt0wxEF7MSe2cE10lt5qg75W-zF_Mr_K6c\" ><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keeping your throttle steady, look through the turn to where you&rsquo;re going.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Note that your bike naturally leans when it turns because<\/strong>&hellip;<em>physics<\/em>. So be prepared for it, and don&rsquo;t fight it.<strong> Lean into the turn <\/strong>with your bike to keep your balance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"step-9-learn-the-law\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step #9: Learn the Law<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Motorcycles have some specific laws to obey and other rules that are just smart. As an example,<strong> learning how to position yourself in a lane <\/strong>to remain visible to cars around you is a skill you should learn.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You should also <strong>learn the hand signals for stopping and turning<\/strong> in case your lights stop working. This is another reason why motorcycle safety courses are a good idea.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Enrolling in a motorcycle safety course, like those offered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF),<\/strong> provides a structured environment to <strong>learn the rules of the road,<\/strong> the subtleties of bike handling, and the life-saving practices of defensive riding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"summary\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now once you&rsquo;ve learned how to ride your first motorcycle, you also need a place to store that motorcycle.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Think about it.<strong> Your bike is not a small investment. So where are you going to store it?<\/strong> Do you have a place that&rsquo;s out of the weather and secure against theft?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your home garage is always an option. But if you already have two cars parked in your two-car garage, it&rsquo;s a tight fit.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thankfully, there&rsquo;s a way to store your motorcycle close to home &ndash; without tossing it in the backyard or shoving it between your daily drivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Neighbor is a peer-to-peer vehicle <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/garages-near-me\"><strong>storage marketplace<\/strong><\/a><strong> where you&rsquo;ll find vehicle storage options <\/strong>in your own neighborhood (available in all 50 states) at prices 50% lower than traditional motorcycle storage options.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>It&rsquo;s convenient. It&rsquo;s safe. It&rsquo;s affordable. It&rsquo;s Neighbor.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"frequently-asked-questions\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"how-easy-is-it-to-ride-a-motorcycle\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Easy Is It to Ride a Motorcycle?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once you learn the motorcycle controls, riding a motorcycle is not as difficult as it may seem. If you&rsquo;re already comfortable on a bicycle, you&rsquo;re halfway there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"what-is-the-most-important-piece-of-safety-gear-for-motorcycle-riders\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is the Most Important Piece of Safety Gear for Motorcycle Riders?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most important piece of safety gear for motorcycle riders is the<strong> helmet<\/strong>, as it offers comprehensive protection for the head and neck. When choosing a helmet, it <strong>should meet safety certifications like DOT and ECE.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"what-should-i-check-during-a-pre-ride-inspection\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Should I Check During a Pre-ride Inspection?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During a pre-ride inspection, you should check your<strong> tires, wheels, lights, fluids, battery, chain, brakes, and mirrors<\/strong> to ensure your motorcycle is safe to ride. It&rsquo;s important to use the T-CLOCS checklist for a thorough inspection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"is-it-necessary-to-take-a-motorcycle-safety-course\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is It Necessary to Take a Motorcycle Safety Course?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Taking a motorcycle safety course is <strong>highly recommended<\/strong> as it provides structured education on safe riding techniques and laws, even though it may not be legally required.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In a world of self-driving cars, keyless entries, and automatic transmissions, the simple art of how to ride&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":40,"featured_media":12910,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"csco_singular_sidebar":"","csco_page_header_type":"","csco_appearance_grid":"","csco_page_load_nextpost":"","csco_post_video_location":[],"csco_post_video_location_hash":"","csco_post_video_url":"","csco_post_video_bg_start_time":0,"csco_post_video_bg_end_time":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[199],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12909","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-motorcycles","cs-entry","cs-video-wrap"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How to Ride a Motorcycle with Confidence in 7 Steps - Neighbor Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Want to learn how to ride a motorcycle? Once you learn the motorcycle controls, riding a motorcycle is not as difficult as it may seem.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/how-to-ride-a-motorcycle\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Ride a Motorcycle with Confidence in 7 Steps - Neighbor Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Want to learn how to ride a motorcycle? 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