Would I have trouble learning to ride a motorbike if I’ve never used a conventional bicycle?
As a child, I never had much of an interest in riding a bicycle (much to my parents’ disappointment, seeing as they’d bought me a shiny new one one Christmas which never got used!), but I’m now in my 20s and thinking about getting a motorbike.
Do you think I’d be fine just getting stuck in with learning the ropes on a motorbike (a low powered one to start with), or would I be better off mastering a bicycle.
Thanks!
May 31st, 2010 at 9:02 pm
wouldnt have anything to do with it look into phon ebook ro stop by any motorcycle dealer many will know where to take classes
May 31st, 2010 at 9:34 pm
Depending on where you are, the MSF Basic RIder Course will cost somewhere between Nothing and $250. Take it. They will have you up on two wheels in a weekend or two.
A pedal bicycle is too controllable by shifting your weight, so it wouldn’t really be that useful toward riding a motorcycle, IMHO.
May 31st, 2010 at 10:23 pm
I don’t know anyone who tried to ride a motorcycle without knowing how to ride a bicycle. In my opinion it doesn’t sound like a good idea. I don’t think any instructor will put you on a motorcycle if you cant ride a bicycle. I suggest you learn to ride the bicycle first and than escalate to a motorcycle.Good luck.
May 31st, 2010 at 11:22 pm
Think of it this way.
Your motorcycle is going to cost you thousands of dollar, and have a great potential for injury if you fall and it crushes your leg.
Go buy a used mountain bike at a garage sale for 20 bucks, and see if you can ride that, THEN go and learn to ride a motorcycle.
Some people just cant ride bikes, I would find out if your not one of them on a bicycle before you invest thousands into a motorcycle.
If you cant ride a bicycle, you WILL NOT be able to ride a motorcycle. Find out if you can or cant first.
May 31st, 2010 at 11:31 pm
riding a motor bike is really just a question of balance and control. Just because someone has had a pushbike does not mean that they will be able to ride a motorbike. Make sure you go on a decent cbt course and you will be fine. You can get different types of courses. Some are just one day for around £110 and others are a whole block of lessons for around £300. The more expensive ones are by far the best. They teach you riding skills up to driving test standards.
My wife has just done a 10 lesson course for her cbt and now has passed her full test no problem.
Good luck and ride safe.
May 31st, 2010 at 11:42 pm
The bicycle definitely helps you in learning balance and control of the motorcycle.
June 1st, 2010 at 12:01 am
It would be like learning to run before you could walk. Get yourself a push bike first and spent at least 6 months riding it on the road. That way you will see the sort of idiots on the road that motorcyclists have to avoid every day.
June 1st, 2010 at 12:20 am
Ride a bicycle for a year before even taking a motorcycle off of the side stand.
The simple operation of balancing on 2 wheels with both feet on the ground can be confusing for a new rider.
June 1st, 2010 at 12:31 am
I’d suggest you get yourself a cheapo push-bike first to do your falling off with. There are a lot of “transferable skills” which carry forward to a motorbike, including finding out how to balance, remembering to put a foot down when you stop, progressing up and down gears and even getting used to riding on the correct side of the road!
Won’t take long to get your confidence on two wheels then you can progress much more easily to something motorised.
June 1st, 2010 at 1:26 am
I would have to say….you have to learn how to walk before you can run…so in my opinion…YES, learn the bicycle first.
June 1st, 2010 at 2:24 am
No problem at all, there is so much difference that the only advantage of riding a pushbike is that you know how to use the brake levers. The balance and operation are so different that one does not follow the other.
If you know how to operate a (non-automatic) car it will be of slight advantage understanding clutch/throttle use. However, since you have to do a CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) course they will train you in the basic operation and make sure they are satisfied that you are competent and safe before they give you a pass to go on the roads.
June 1st, 2010 at 2:58 am
You don’t need to be able to ride a bicycle. With proper instruction and caution go straight to motorcycle.
Important differences –
a bicycle has to be pedaled. This not only alters the dynamics, but also presents a different set of motor and cognitive skills that are not relevant to a motorcycle.
the controls are different. No clutch on a bicycle, different gears and breaks, and the weight alters the momentum equations.
One similarity – steering. both types of bike use counter-steering. But you’ll learn this quickly enough. Weird though it is, our brains manage it really well.
Your first bike should be low powered – and so should the next one (albeit with a little more). Don’t rush it, let your skills develop, get some miles under your belt.
June 1st, 2010 at 3:05 am
I may be in a minority here, but I never had a pushbike before I bought my first motorbike.
I did start with the RAC/ACU training scheme, which shows how long ago it was. I would, however agree with others, that you should search out a rider training school with their own bikes and premises. That way you can learn the basics off road on someone else’s machine.
June 1st, 2010 at 4:02 am
Hows your balance? Can you lean sideways from the hip with your head straight?
Take a safety course to decide.
June 1st, 2010 at 4:30 am
Look, nothing is impossible. I’m sure that you can learn to ride a motorbike without knowing how to ride a pushbike.
But learning to ride a bicycle will take you a few hours, and it will certainly help when you get on the motorbike. Get a little saddletime before you add a motor. I’m not saying six months or a year, but some.
June 1st, 2010 at 4:49 am
definately not they have a different feeling the bike is a lot heavier so if it is in motion it will stick straight. but your CBT will easily teach you how to ride
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