Starting Your Motorcycle

Check your owner's manual for details about starting your motorcycle. Most motorcycles use a kick-start system.

• Check the following conditions before starting.
  • The fuel is on.
  • The ignition is on.
  • The motorcycle is in neutral.
  • The key or switch is in the “Start” or “On” position.
• If the engine is cold, use the choke until it runs smoothly. Then move the choke to the “Off” position.

Accelerating

• Keep your hips over or slightly in front of the footpegs. Lean your upper body forward.
• Press your feet down and back into the footpegs, which will help you counter the force pushing you rearward.
• Practice shifting until you can coordinate the throttle, clutch, and shifter into one smooth, quick motion.
• Run through acceleration drills to improve your control skills.
  1. Accelerate hard until you reach third gear.
  2. Stop accelerating.
  3. Apply the brakes.
  4. Come to a complete stop.
  5. Repeat steps 1-4. As your skills improve, you will notice the following.
  • Step 3 comes closer to Step 2 until they occur at the same time.
  • Step 4 occurs much closer to Step 3.

Riding Uphill

Braking

As with other functions, keep your weight forward for better braking control.

• Ease up on the throttle.
• Keep your weight forward and over the footpegs.
• Press your knees against the gas tank to keep your weight forward and balanced.
• Although the front brake is most effective for stopping on most surfaces, practice using front and rear brakes on all surfaces.
• Use the engine stop/kill switch during normal and emergency stops.
• After stopping, turn off the ignition key or switch to save your battery.

Riding Downhill

Turning

• On slow turns:
  • Shift your weight away from the turning direction.
  • If necessary, brake, shift, or throttle, depending on the speed and sharpness of the turn.
• For quick turns to avoid unexpected obstacles:
  • Lean quickly in the direction you want to turn.
  • Push on the inside of the handlegrip on the same side (to turn right, push right).

Riding at Night

• Always use your lights.
• Slow down to give yourself more time to react.
• Increase the distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you.