Total Motorcycle Community Forums

i am going to take the safety course in march and i am a little concerned with the clutch how hard does it take till you pick up this skill and how hard is it at first?

some people are faster learners than others so it all depends. If you've driven a stick shift car, then it'll be easier to learn since it is the same concept except now your doing the clutch with your hand instead of your foot.

In my class there were people who had never driven a stick shift and didn't find it too difficult.

I never touched a manual transmission until the MSF. I had it down in about 10 minutes. They have a really good exercise they have you do where you just "waddle" the bike while modulating the clutch, and you practice getting the bike to move with smooth clutch actions.

I think you will be fine. If not, you might want to consider something with an automatic transmission

Don't worry about it now. The MSF course works in baby steps. You'll be fine.

Cheers,
Loonette

By the end of the MSF, you'll be clutching like a pro. You'll also feel like you've got Popeye arms from holding the thing in for hours!

--Dave

thanks alot guys now im not so nervous i do drive a stick in my little subaru for a daily driver you guys are a big help thank you

-Eric

Its actually like the second thing you do when you are on the bike. The first with my class was just sitting on the bike(engine off) and leaning it from side to side holding it up with your feet. Next we had the engine on, and rocked the bike a little forward and a little back... never getting to far forward to need to "walk" the bike. Just moved it up a few inches, and pushed it back with our toes to the starting position. You'll learn about the friction zone of the clutch, where along its travel you feel the clutch engage and disengage. Just remember to move that clutch level nice and slow, with a steady pace. As long as you do everything your riding instructor tells you, keep an open mind to his helpful tips and critisims, and never be afraid to ask about anything you don't fully understand... you will have a better learning experience from it all.

Good luck!

Its not too hard. I learned to ride before the MSF course, and basically you will get pretty good at it after a few real rides.

Ive never driven any kind of manual before a motorcycle, so you will be alright.

If you are taking a MSF course before you get a motorcycle, dont even worry about.. they spend 2 hours for you to just walk the bike from one end of a parking lot to another. (not really walking, but opening the clutch half way and letting the bike kind of tug you)