Motorcycle: A Beginner’s Riding Guide
Riding a motorcycle is not as complicated as you might think. If you’re a beginner, it’s natural to feel a little overwhelmed. However, to overcome your feelings of doubt, you need to start to familiarize yourself with how a motorcycle operates. This entails you understanding its components and functions first.
This guide will help you understand the basic features of a motorcycle and its primary functions, as well as cover some ground on how to ride a motorcycle. To shop for the best brands of motorcycles at exclusive prices, head over to Santa Maria Harley-Davidson in Santa Maria, CA, where we also serve Ventura and Bakersfield.
The Throttle
The throttle handles the engine speed and is located on the right-hand side of the handlebar. This acts similarly to the gas pedal of a car. When the throttle is rolled backward, the engine speed increases, and it causes the bike to go faster. Letting the throttle roll back to its original position makes the engine speed decrease and as a result, the bike slows down.
The Front Brake Lever
This component is located on the right-hand side of the handlebar in front of the throttle and is used to activate the front brake. Do not grab the front brake lever suddenly and tightly. The correct way of using the brake lever is to squeeze it slowly and gradually increase the force.
The Clutch Lever
This is used to operate the clutch and is on the left side of the handlebar. The clutch lever acts like the clutch pedal in a manual transmission car. Squeezing it automatically cuts off engine power to the rear wheel of the motorcycle, causing the bike to slow down. The clutch is used when changing gears or when wanting to use the brake and not having to shift down gears. Therefore, when encountering a situation where you are losing control, immediately pull in the clutch and use brakes.
The Shift Lever
The shift lever is used for shifting and is on the left foot position in front of the left side footpeg. Press up firmly for upshift and press down firmly for downshift. Typically, the shift pattern on motorcycles is 1 down and 5 up (1-neutral-2-3-4-5-6). However, it is best to check your owner’s manual on how the gears and shifts of your motorcycle are set up.
There are a few more things to learn before hopping on a motorcycle, but having a clear understanding of these basic parts is the best way to start. To learn more about motorcycle riding, come and have a chat with the experts at Santa Maria Harley-Davidson. While here, you can also check out some impressive motorcycle models that could fit your needs as a beginner, or as an experienced rider, too. We are located in Santa Maria, CA, where we also serve Ventura and Bakersfield.