Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Shorts wrote:Why do people always equate riding a motorcycle with driving a stick shift car?

Because they are both manual transmissions, and most people don't drive trucks . To the topic starter, yea, it wasn't the smartest thing ever to ride out in traffic before practicing anything, but you lived . Just practice basics in the parking lot before you head out on busy streets again. I don't believe in the "don't ride at all until you take the msf course" stuff. Yes, it helps a good amount and gives training, but there is plenty you can do by yourself to improve. I did learn stuff on the MSF course, but it wasn't something I couldn't have learned by practicing in a lot and reading some books and the internet.

Shorts wrote:Why do people always equate riding a motorcycle with driving a stick shift car?

Because it is the same theory. For me, understanding how it works makes it easier to know what to do. I can correlate my actions to what's going on with the engine/transmission. True, it's very different in that you use different limbs to do different actions, but at least for me it helped.

I have no problem with people hopping on motorcycles with no training or experience and trying to teach themselves to ride.

But do it in an empty parking lot.

[quote]Why do people always equate riding a motorcycle with driving a stick shift car? [\quote]

I don't know. Seems to be the best comparison from those below

Stick shift car.
Clutch in. Shift to 1st. Ease out clutch while applying throttle. Accelerate. Press in clutch. Shift to 2nd. Ease out clutch while reapplying throttle. Accelerate. Press in clutch. Shift to 3rd. Ease out clutch while.....

Motorcycle.
Clutch in. Shift to 1st. Ease out clutch while applying throttle. Accelerate. Press in clutch. Shift to 2nd. Ease out clutch while reapplying throttle. Accelerate. Press in clutch. Shift to 3rd. Ease out clutch while.....

Automatic car.
Shift from Park to Drive. Accelerate.

Bicycle.
Start pedaling. Shift randomly with dual gear selectors trying to figure out what ratio works best. Fall to ground and secure road rash.

Feeding fish.
Sprinkle a small amount of fish food into bowl. Fish dies from overeating anyway. Buy new fish. Repeat.

Sweet Tooth wrote:You don't need to learn how to ride in a straight line and turn...you need to learn how go get out of potentialy dangerous situations and avoid a fatal crash. It's not the speed, it's the sudden stop!

I'd say park the bike until you get the MSF class, but since I know that's not going to happen, pick up a copy of "Proficient Motorcycling" in the mean time and stick to practicing in an empty parking lot.

Ditto on the MSF and the book! You would have been in a world of hurt if another vehicle had been going the other way in traffic when you crossed over the divider lines. Count yourself lucky, for today.

Well, I didnt take the MSF and I havent died yet either, although that course would have ben quite helpfull. If you arent going to be taking the copurse, or its going to be a while and you want to learn, like others have said find yourself a parking lot, or empty streets and have at it. take it safe and easy buddy and enjoy the ride.

Lots of people have said stuff about your decisions so I wont repeat. I am glad you made it through without incident.

The first time I got my bike up to 3rd gear (35MPH) I had a huge "poop" eating grin on my face when I got back to the house. My wife thought it was the funniest thing.

Let me say this though: with about 2 months of experience my front tire blew out at 65Mph on a two lane rode in a gradual right hand turn. If I had not taken the MSF I would have grabbed the break and killed myself in a high side fall. Moral of the story is:

Please get some training and some parking lot experience, then send us some pictures! Oh and dont forget to have fun!

Uhh, thanks for the clarification on the whole car thing


I haven't really thought about problems with shifting.

Hell, I took the MSF course and still probably wouldn't react well if my tire blew out at 65mph

Lol I'm glad I didin't get yelled at but got constructive criticism instead ^_^. Yeah i was very much more likely to take the MSF course but it's way out in AUGUST! yeah i know it's just a month but I'm pretty eager lol. I'm gonna be riding only in nearbystreet and in parking lots until I feel very comfortable. I won't go into traffic at all most likely and I'll see how well I fare until the MSF courses are available. In the meantime, is there anything youg uys could tell me I should practice on? I'm gonna try and dos ome figure 8's and some slow tight tu rnings. I'm also gonna get that book proficient motorcycling as well but we'll see what happens =D