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BHPian ExplorerBaba recently shared this with other enthusiasts:
Hi I'm new to the forum and hope this is the ride place to post this.
I've been riding a scooter (Hero Maestro) for the past 6 years and manage it pretty well. I've even ridden it from Mumbai to Pune many times and am very confident with it.
However, I lack practice on geared bikes. I learned it in college (around 15 years back) but haven't ridden one since then. I do have theoretical knowledge though.
I hope I'm not judged much on this, but i recently got a great deal on a BMW 310R, it worked out to be cheaper than the Apache 310RTR. I'm a short rider and the lower seat height + kerb weight made it feel like the perfect fit. I was thinking of going for a 150-180cc bike, but given I'm considering longer distance riding, I felt a 300cc+ could be a better option, and I'll manage learning along the way.
Given I knew some basics + my experience with the scooter, I felt I'll mange riding it low speeds at least from the showroom to home.
I wasn't wrong, I mean, I managed riding it from Thane to Mumbai, but it also showed me how inexperienced I was. I stalled it multiple times and felt a little scared around selecting the wrong gear. I'm pretty sure I under / over revved the engine through most of my journey.
My biggest challenges so far were,
The advice I need
Now, that I've got it home, I'm planning on practicing on an empty road before hitting a main road / highway. However, I want to be sure I'm practicing the right things. As in, I don't build bad habits into my muscle memory. Would like to know some common bad practices to avoid and also some good practices to pick up.
I also would like to hear from the community on any great exercises that would help improve the above areas. For e.g. (I'm making these up), riding at a constant speed while changing gears, managing low speeds with just the clutch (if that's even advisable), going down from 30-10 and then back up to 30 while moving from gear 2-3 etc.
Feel free to also call out any blind spots I'm missing.
Here's what BHPian greyhound82 had to share regarding this topic:
I recently got my first bike, a KTM 250, just a month ago. Even though I work from home, I usually train for about an hour at a nearby ground, focusing on motorcycle Gymkhana sessions. The resources I follow include MotorControl, MotoJitsu, Jerry Palladino, and FortNine.
1. Based on what I’ve learned from these trainers, riding in the friction zone (half clutch) is perfectly fine. I’ve practiced using the friction zone for over 30 hours, and it’s still working great.
2. Practice, practice, and practice. When downshifting, it’s better to slightly blip the throttle before releasing the clutch.
3. Practice slow-speed maneuvers using the friction zone and rear brakes. Try using the rear brake during slow-speed U-turns. Personally, I always rely on the rear brake for slow-speed riding.
For me, slow-speed Gymkhana exercises have been incredibly helpful. They’ve helped me overcome the fear of leaning, taught me the importance of proper braking, and improved my throttle control and power delivery to the rear wheel. These sessions really help you become familiar and comfortable with your bike.
Meanwhile, here's what BHPian AlphaLamb recommended:
I would recommend < Moto Control - @MotoControlEn > on YouTube as a very good resource not just for beginners but also for advanced riding skills on two wheelers, just have to get used to the mild accent of the presenter.
Incidentally there is a brand new video which might help,
"How To Ride a Motorcycle: First Video You Need to Watch!"
Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.