Learning how to ride a motorcycle can seem like an impossible task.
Do you risk your life and just buy a motorcycle to learn on? Or do you take the chance of borrowing a bike and learning from a friend? potentially risking your life and a friend’s motorcycle? What about those MSF courses? Are they really worth the money?
Luckily, you have a lot of options for learning how to ride a motorcycle. And the truth is, people have learned how to ride in all of the ways I have mentioned above, plus more.
From the safest option I prefer, the MSF course, to some of the riskier alternatives like learning on your own, here are all the ways you can learn to ride a motorcycle.
1. Take the MSF Course
The holy grail of learning how to ride a motorcycle is the MSF course.
This is usually the state-offered course that teaches you how to ride a motorcycle along with a host of road rules that will save your life.
When I took my MSF course, there were two guys who must have had experience with dirtbikes. They had no trouble with the throttle and clutch, could shift with ease, and were even stopping with their left foot down and their right on the rear brake. One of them was even able to show off a bit by turning and skidding the back tire. I was questioning why they took the course in the first place until we started doing some of the slow-speed drills. When it came to turning from a stop, doing the figure 8, and even emergency braking, they were in the same boat as the rest of us – we sucked. And that doesn’t include all the life-saving skills we learned in the class. They were just as clueless as the rest of us. Right then and there, I realized that every rider should take the MSF course, regardless of experience.
The MSF course is the best way to learn how to ride for a few reasons:
- It’s the safest way to learn how to ride a motorcycle
- It’s the cheapest way to learn how to ride a motorcycle
- It lets you “try out” riding before you commit to a motorcycle
- It helps you save on insurance
- It could save your life
No need to buy a motorcycle, the MSF course comes with a motorcycle for you to learn on.
And you’ll be learning under the guidance of riders who have years of experience riding and teaching other riders.
Every step of the course is made with beginners in mind.
You can take the MSF course like I did, with no experience at all, and still come out as a better rider than some experienced riders who chose not to take it.
And while the classroom instruction may sound boring, every time I ride I am reminded of the life-saving lessons I learned in that class.
Another underrated tip is that the MSF course lets you try out riding before committing to a motorcycle. I was surprised by how many people in my class decided not to continue riding after the class, regardless of whether they passed.
The MSF course is really a no-brainer, it virtually pays itself back in insurance savings, it’s the cheapest way to get started and it could literally save your life.
Plus, most people who take it say it was one of their favorite experiences on a bike.
2. Learn From a Friend
Learning from a friend is the next option I recommend because you will at least have someone there to teach you a thing or two.
This is another popular route for most riders because we are always wanting new people to get started.
This route can be even cheaper because you will most likely be borrowing the motorcycle and the gear.
The only caveat is that you will be learning from someone who may be unfamiliar with teaching or worse, someone who has bad habits on the bike.
Key Takeaways:
- No cost if you borrow the motorcycle and gear
- You’re still getting guidance
- Someone is there to make sure you’re safe
- You may learn bad habits
- It may be harder to learn than the MSF
- You’re risking your safety as well as the bike
3. Learn on Your Own
Learning on your own can be the riskiest way to learn how to ride a motorcycle but I have a guide on how to ride a motorcycle the safe way.
This is still the riskiest option because you may not have someone there in case of emergencies. You also don’t have anyone there to guide you.
Regardless, if you decide to learn on your own, I respect your bravery and determination.
And I offer these tips:
- Stick with a lower cc motorcycle
- Make sure you have all the gear
- Practice in a parking lot or on your local road
- Take time to familiarize yourself with the brakes before hitting the road
Common Questions
Is it hard to ride a motorcycle for the first time?
Although it can be a little challenging at first, riding a motorcycle is not hard. If you familiarize yourself with the controls and take things step by step, you can be riding within the hour.
Do you need balance to ride a motorcycle?
You do need some level of balance when riding a motorcycle but truthfully, the motorcycle does the majority of the work. Once a motorcycle is moving, it will naturally want to stay upright. Balance really comes into play when you are riding at slow speeds, but if you can ride a bike, you can balance a motorcycle.