Basics of riding a motorcycle... or in my case, a moped

[evident]

my experience w/ motorbikes have been limited to a one day stint with riding a moped in honolulu on some back roads. and i was crapping my pants the entire time because i wasn't used to the dynamics of it, and i almost got into an accident. I am going back there in the fall and there will be a moped waiting for me, which i will try to use as much as possible so i won't have to rent a car.

in particular it was very strange to make turns, i always felt like i was going to fall off, lose control, etc.
are there any basic pointers on how to get used to riding a moped/motorcycle? i know you riders didn't always start off knowing how to ride these things so again plz dont laugh at me

 

[Fenixgoon]

take a motorcycle safety course. that will help you immensely.

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
take a motorcycle safety course. that will help you immensely.

:thumbsup:

You may also be able to get a manual from your state DMV that will go over the basics.

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
take a motorcycle safety course. that will help you immensely.

This. It's money really well spent if you plan on spending any time on a bike or moped

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: evident
my experience w/ motorbikes have been limited to a one day stint with riding a moped in honolulu on some back roads. and i was crapping my pants the entire time because i wasn't used to the dynamics of it, and i almost got into an accident. I am going back there in the fall and there will be a moped waiting for me, which i will try to use as much as possible so i won't have to rent a car.

in particular it was very strange to make turns, i always felt like i was going to fall off, lose control, etc.
are there any basic pointers on how to get used to riding a moped/motorcycle? i know you riders didn't always start off knowing how to ride these things so again plz dont laugh at me

What is it specifically that makes you feel that way? The amount of lean required to turn? The ease at which you can lean it over? Just being out in the open like that without a cage surrounding you (as in a car)?

The most obvious answer to your question is to start slow. Don't hop on and head out into traffic... cruise around in a parking lot and get used to the weight and balance of it. Gradually build up speed until you run out of room in the parking lot. Practice emergency stops, swerving to avoid an obstacle in the road and pin the throttle and get used to the acceleration (assuming you're riding a moped, not a Hyabusa or ZX14 or something else equally insane for a first time rider).

 

[DVad3r]

Don't be scared of turns. Vehicles with 2 wheels lean in turns and have grip, you won't fly off and die or slide out. Many new people like myself get into bike accidents because they go wide in turns as a result of fear of leaning the bike further.

When you ride turn your head and always look at the direction you want to go in. If in a turn don't look straight ahead, look to where the curve goes and follow along, your body will naturally adjust it's balance and help you go in that direction.

But honestly like people have said here, take an MSF course. I had my doubts about how much I would learn from it being the cocky fucker that I am, but I actually learned a lot, came home, jumped on my rod and rode it like it was nothing.

GL

 

[DVad3r]

Oh I should also add that obviously you have to be very cautious in turns when there is sand/gravel/etc. That should be logic though, use your logic!

 

[Muadib]

Here's another vote for taking a safety course. You need to have your permit to take the course. Here's the website for your state. If it's like here though, you waited too late to be able to take it before your trip.

 

[Greenman]

Skip the safety course. Half a dozen Mai-ties will have zooming around corners like a pro.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
take a motorcycle safety course. that will help you immensely.

Agreed.

And you don't steer a motorcycle like you do a car. Turning is a result of getting the bike to lean. To turn left, you push down on the left hand grip, to turn right, you push down on the right hand grip. If you try to steer a motorcycle at speed you'll go right off the road.

Only at very low speeds do you turn the handlebars the direction you want to go to get the bike to turn.

 

[MiataNC]

1. MSF Safety Course
2. Practice in a parking lot (the course is a start, not enough to make you ready for the street)
3. practice practice practice
4. Profit

 

[hanoverphist]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
take a motorcycle safety course. that will help you immensely.

this.


and practice. that "falling over" feeling is just a turn, as long as you arent creeping at 2 mph youll be fine. if you are going 2mph, speed the hell up.

 

[hanoverphist]

Originally posted by: DVad3r
Don't be scared of turns. Vehicles with 2 wheels lean in turns and have grip, you won't fly off and die or slide out.

i tried to make a turn onto a freeway onramp before the light changed one time, took the turn at 38mph or so... hit a patch of antifreeze and slid about 10 ft sideways, put me about 5 feet from the bumpers of the cars waiting to go the opposite direction. it was a lucky trick, but i managed to get my bike into a decent slide, and when the tire finally bit the asphalt i controlled the lift and stayed on. floored it like i meant to do it, left a smoke trail and got on the on ramp. of course i stopped halfway down and sat on the curb until my heart started again.

while i could have wiped hard on that one, the main reason i think i came thru this well was tons of messing around in parking lots and dirt fields when i was younger and learning how to handle a bike.

 

[DVad3r]

Originally posted by: hanoverphist

Originally posted by: DVad3r
Don't be scared of turns. Vehicles with 2 wheels lean in turns and have grip, you won't fly off and die or slide out.

i tried to make a turn onto a freeway onramp before the light changed one time, took the turn at 38mph or so... hit a patch of antifreeze and slid about 10 ft sideways, put me about 5 feet from the bumpers of the cars waiting to go the opposite direction. it was a lucky trick, but i managed to get my bike into a decent slide, and when the tire finally bit the asphalt i controlled the lift and stayed on. floored it like i meant to do it, left a smoke trail and got on the on ramp. of course i stopped halfway down and sat on the curb until my heart started again.

while i could have wiped hard on that one, the main reason i think i came thru this well was tons of messing around in parking lots and dirt fields when i was younger and learning how to handle a bike.

wow dude lol, you were lucky and that must have been scary. Random events like that you can't control, which is something the OP needs to know. Your previous experience/natural reactions saved you.