Have you seen the films Top Gun and/or Top Gun: Maverick and always wanted to be as cool as Tom Cruise when riding that motorcycle?

Tom Cruise in the film Top Gun: Maverick riding alongside a fighter plane into the sunset on his motorbike.

Join the ride!

Why not follow some basic steps to finally become just that person?

Time to get started on your two-wheeled adventure.

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1. Prepare for the Ride

Before hopping on a motorcycle, it's crucial to ensure you have the right gear.

Safety should always be a priority.

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It's not only important to protect your head and wear a helmet but to protect your entire body, you'll also need:

  • a proper motorcycle jacket from Cordura or Kevlar with padding on the shoulder, spine and elbow

  • textile or leather pants with Kevlar panels for extra protection in key areas

  • over the ankle sturdy boots with nonslip soles

  • full-fingered leather gloves with built-in knuckle protectors and

A child on a dirtbike wearing protective gear. The text reads,

2. Know the Parts of Your Motorcycle

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The clutch is responsible for transferring torque from the engine to the transmission.

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The throttle increases the engine RPM to prevent the engine from stalling when rolled.

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The brakes ensure that you can stop the bike at any time.

Learn more about using the clutch properly in this video:

3. Mount and Start the Motorcycle

Once you have your gear on and understand the main equipment, it's time to mount and start the motorcycle.

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To be fully comfortable on your motorcycle, you should follow these simple steps:

  1. Put your feet firmly on the pedals after balancing the motorcycle with your thighs

  2. Hold on tightly to the handlebar. You'll get the right feeling soon enough and will become an expert in no time!

A motorbiker doing a jump and flicking his motorbike around while mounting it . A suprised man looks on.

  1. Familiarize yourself with the controls

  2. Practice using the clutch, throttle, and brakes before hitting the road

4. Learn Basic Riding Techniques

Now that you're comfortable on the bike, focus on some basic riding techniques.

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One essential skill is maintaining balance,which you can easily achieve by relaxing your body and not putting weight on the handlebars.

Another crucial aspect is understanding how to shift gears smoothly. Move the gear and slowly apply the throttle before releasing the clutch. You'll be a pro in no time with practice!

Image showing a funny older man shifting gears while seated on a standing bike and making funny faces

Last, it's essential to master braking techniques. Remember to brake steadily and avoid harsh braking.

Quiz

Helen will just have her first lesson as she would like to learn how to ride a motorcycle. What should she do before starting the engine? Select all that apply:

Take Action

Learning to ride a motorcycle requires practice and experience.

Image showing a man racing with his motorbike on a race course who is almost touching the ground Photo by Max Frajer on Unsplash

By following these steps and practicing regularly, you'll soon be cruising on two wheels with confidence.

Stay safe and enjoy the ride!

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