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Five Things You Should Keep In Mind Before Learning To Ride A Bike In India
Featured Stories by Team Drivio | 16 Mar 2023
Right from practicing riding the motorcycle, to being safe on the road, here are things you should never forget.
- It’s extremely important to know your bike. Having basic knowledge about its main parts like the clutch, brake, throttle, etc is super important.
- Fine tuning your wrist to find that perfect spot where you dump the clutch and the bike moves forward comes with practice.
- Always very important to know the gear shifting pattern of your motorcycle.
Riding a two-wheeler provides an unparalleled sense of freedom. It is also one of the most convenient modes of transportation, freeing you from traffic jams and erratic public transportation. So, if you want to learn how to ride one, this is the article for you.
These simple instructions will teach you the fundamentals of bike riding and will prepare you to obtain your own driver's licence.
1- Choose the right two-wheeler
You must exercise extreme caution when purchasing a new two-wheeler for yourself; after all, not each and every one is suitable for you. A light-weight, easy-to-handle one is preferable for a beginner, as against a full-blown superbike. So, choose the best one for your needs and abilities.
2- Become acquainted with the basic controls
Understanding the primary controls of a two-wheeler is the most fundamental aspect of learning to ride a bike. Here are the primary motorcycle controls.
| Equipment | Utility |
| Throttle | It is located on the right side of the handlebar and is used to control the speed. The engine speed increases when you squeeze the throttle, and it decreases when you roll the throttle back. |
| Brake levers | Both ends of the bike's handlebars have two levers. The front brake lever is on the right side of the handlebar, and the clutch lever is on the left. The rear brake is located beside the right front footpeg on the right foot position. To engage the rear brake lever, use your right foot. |
| Clutch lever | As previously stated, the clutch lever is located on the left side of the handlebar. When you fully depress the clutch lever, power is cut off to the rear wheels. It is mostly used when changing gears. The clutch lever is essential for controlling the bike. |
| Gear-shift lever | It is located on the left foot beside the left-hand side foot peg and is used for shifting gears. Press up to shift up and down to shift down. On motorcycles, the shift pattern is typically 1 down and 4 up. The gear sequence is as follows: 1-neutral-2-3-4-5. |
| Turn indicator switches | These represent turning or changing lanes. The button is usually located on the left side of the handlebar, next to the right-hand grip. When you press the turn indicator to the left, the left turn indicator will flash, and when you press it to the right, the right turn indicator will flash. |
| Kill switch | It is located on the right side of the handlebar, next to the throttle, and is used to turn off the bike's engine. |
| Starter switch | It is used to start the motorcycle's engine and is usually located below the kill switch, though both may be integrated switches. |
3- Gear shifting
After we've mastered the clutch and first gear, we'll move on to downshifting and upshifting. The first gear is typically used to propel the bike from a standstill and for slow-speed manoeuvring.
Roll down the throttle, then depress the clutch lever and press the lever firmly upwards with your left foot to upshift. To complete the upshift, slowly release the clutch lever while simultaneously squeezing the throttle.
4- Learn braking
Now that you have a basic understanding of shifting gears, you must learn about braking to come to a complete stop. To come to a complete stop, release the throttle, depress the clutch lever, and simultaneously press the front and rear brake levers.
Make sure your left foot touches the ground so you can use your right foot to apply the rear brake. Additionally, for optimal performance, use both brakes.
5- Wear riding gear
We have repeatedly emphasised the importance of wearing safety equipment while riding. Helmets, gloves, jackets, and sunglasses are examples of basic safety equipment that you should always wear while driving. It not only saves you in an accident, but it also protects your skin and eyes from sunburn and harsh weather conditions.
In general, these can be divided into three categories: street, touring, and track. Here’s what each one of them has to offer.
| Kind of Gear | What it has to offer |
| Street | It’s more about comfort than safety, so it will have more ventilation and comfort than the safety parameter. |
| Touring | It’ll be more resistant to environmental factors such as dust, rain, and overall durability, prioritizing long-distance touring while also providing comfort and protection |
| Track | Most protective equipment of the lot; is intended to cushion the impact as much as possible; not comfort-oriented, but it will keep you safe from injuries. |
All and all, we urge you to follow road rules properly when you’re out on the road & wish you many safe miles on it.
