Learning to Ride a Motorcycle

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Motorcycles

Motorcycles: modes of transportation, personal statements, or ways of life? Most likely, they are a little bit of each. The motorcyclist is long entrenched in American mythology, but just what are motorcycles—and motorcyclists—all about? There are resources on the Web to shed light on all of this and help out any rider or aspiring rider looking for motorcycle advice, places to buy, or other riders to commune with.

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Motorcycle Basics

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Learning to Ride a Motorcycle

Most states require bikers to get a special motorcycle license (often referred to as an “endorsement”). And unless you grew up riding them, you’ll also most likely need some training before you can get a bike going without falling down or stalling. Don’t embarrass yourself trying to make it happen all alone—there’s a vast array of courses that can get you and your bike up and running gracefully. Find these and many other resources for advice and information in this section.

Dulcinea's Insight

We know, you’ve heard it before, but it bears repeating: motorcycle riding is very, very dangerous. Safety is something that demands a rider’s constant attention. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider course, discussed in the first site below, is universally necessary for any rider.

Even if you have been riding for years, it’s always smart to take a refresher course—laws change, and so do the rules of the road. Don’t get left behind.

Motorcycle laws, including lane-sharing laws, helmet laws, insurance and licensing laws, and even upkeep laws differ from state to state. Make sure you know what your state requires. This chart of equipment laws for each state comes courtesy of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

Dulcinea's Picks

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation is the premier rider training and certification organization in the United States. Through local chapters, it runs rider courses for new riders, or for those wanting to improve their riding and safety skills. In most states successful completion of the beginner course qualifies you for a motorcycle endorsement on your license, saving you the trouble of a DMV road test, as well as a discount on your insurance. Click on “Rider Course Info” at the top, and then “Rider Course Locations” on the left to find a course near you, or explore the site further for downloadable riding and safety guides, as well as descriptions and interactive tours of the courses.

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The Master Strategy Group’s Motorcycle Tips and Techniques site is probably the most valuable online resource for motorcycle riders. Articles are posted by veteran riders who offer a vast amount of impressive and wise advice. These tips and discussions are a collection of years on the road.

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Motorcyclist Magazine’s How-To section is not extensive, but you will find some good quick tips here on useful topics such as how to ride downhill.

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Motorcycle Views has a number of quick “How To’s,” as well as an overview beginner’s manual called “You can ride.” The site’s navigation jumps around a bit, but the content is to the point. There’s also a link to the author’s motorcycling blog.

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Road Star Clinic provides a top-notch article about how to pick up a fallen bike. Yes, this will happen to you.

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Who knew?

WikiHow has this amusing guide called “How to Look Like a Dirty Biker.” FYI, if you listen to glam rock bands like Poison, you are not a dirty biker.

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