Riding a motorcycle can be intimidating when you first get started.
Especially when you realize the skills you need to ride well.
I thought I would be dragging knee in no time after skating through the MSF course and doing all this research.
So you can imagine my surprise when I first hit the road and was stiff as a board.
The truth was, even though I was getting in the seat time, I never really had the motorcycle in my control.
And it wasn’t until a tip from the ChampU course that it all started to make sense.
Realizing you’re in control of the motorcycle is the first step in becoming a better rider.
This guide is designed to help you accelerate this process and bridge the gap from a beginner rider to a skilled rider.
Here are 5 essential skills every new rider should practice:
1. 1% Braking
I stole the concept from YCRS’s video on 100 Points of Grip, where they demonstrate how a motorcycle can take a tremendous amount of load, but NOT AN ABRUPT LOAD.
The drill is to focus on being smooth with your initial pull and release of the brakes, every time you come to a stop.
Riding a motorcycle is all about being smooth. Smooth on the gas, smooth on the brakes, smooth on the handlebars.
It’s what allows these racers to do incredible things like brake so hard the back tire lifts off the ground, or lean so far over they can almost kiss the pavement.
How to Do The 1% Braking Drill
Do this every time you are coming to a stop on your motorcycle:
- Start braking earlier than you think you need to.
- Apply the first 5-10% of braking pressure in 1% increments.
- Once the tire and suspension are loaded, gradually build stronger braking pressure, slowing the motorcycle down faster.
- As the motorcycle comes to a stop, release braking pressure in 1% increments.
- Try to release the brakes so smoothly upon stopping, that the suspension doesn’t “bounce” back up.
- Do this EVERY TIME you stop your motorcycle.
When done correctly, this perfectly loads and unloads the motorcycle tire and suspension, keeping the motorcycle settled and under control.
I call this 1% Braking because your initial pull on the brake will be in 1% increments building up, and as you release the brakes coming to a stop, you will release in 1% increments.
I do this every time I stop my bike.
As soon as I need to start slowing down, I build pressure at 1,2,3,4,5%. Once I get to 5%, I can start building a lot more braking pressure.
And when the bike is coming to a stop, I apply that same 1% increment input on release, preventing the suspension from “bouncing” back when I stop completely.
2. Emergency Braking
If I could pick one drill that every rider had to do, it would be Emergency Braking Practice.
I’m not kidding.
There is no drill out there that makes you feel more in control of your motorcycle than practicing with your brakes.
It doesn’t matter how large your bike is, how powerful it is, or how new to riding you are. If you spend, even just 10 minutes, practicing braking drills, you will feel like you are riding an entirely new motorcycle.
How to Do Emergency Braking Practice
Braking practice is something you should practice often and consistently, here is how:
- Find an empty parking lot or road
- Start going 10-15mph
- Pick a point ahead of you where you plan to start braking
- Start braking once you reach the spot you chose
- Try to slow down as smoothly, but as fast as possible
- Keep practicing until you can stop at a shorter distance
- Slowly increase the speed when you start braking
- Practice often
Why This Matters
There’s a reason the first two drills involve braking.
It’s because they give riders the most bang for the buck when it comes to getting better on the bike.
Braking is also one of the best skills for keeping you safe on the motorcycle.
And it helps you improve your confidence in your motorcycle dramatically.
But other than safety, braking drills are some of the best to get started with because they help new riders increase their skills without increasing their risk.
Getting better on your motorcycle can be intimidating, especially when you have to push your comfort zone to get to the next level.
Braking drills are great because they allow you to learn how to be smooth, without adding the risk of lean or speed.
And once you do start to expand your comfort zone, you already have a few tools that you can carry over from your time learning how to brake better.
3. Figure 8’s
This article is all about building confidence and control of your motorcycle.
And other than braking, one of the best skills you can learn is how to control your motorcycle at slow speeds.
Enter, the Figure 8.
The Figure 8 is one of the best slow-speed drills because it incorporates a variety of skills you need to ride well.
You need good vision, good throttle control, good brake control, good balance, confidence, and trust in the motorcycle.
How to Practice Figure 8’s
These are best practiced in a parking lot since you have space and reference points, but you can also do this on an empty street.
- Find an empty parking lot or road.
- Slow your motorcycle down to 5mph or less.
- Try to complete a figure 8, taking up as little space as you can.
- Counterbalance the motorcycle to turn more sharply.
- Use the parking spaces or another reference point to see how sharply you can turn without falling or putting a foot down.
- Practice until you can do a figure 8 within the space of 2 parking spots.
Why This Matters
Remember, riding a motorcycle is all about being smooth and figure 8’s are a great way to hone that smoothness.
When you’re doing slow-speed maneuvers like the figure 8, you’re kind of forced to be smooth on the throttle, brakes, and handlebars.
And the more time you spend practicing, the smoother you get.
That smoothness translates well once you start picking up speed.
And the finite control you learned at slow speed, will make you that much smoother once you start riding fast.
Not to mention, you will feel that much more in control of the motorcycle because you learned it from the ground up.
4. Vision Practice
Vision is the final piece of the puzzle and it’s easily the most important.
Even as an experienced rider, I have to consistently work on my vision.
The rule is to always look further ahead than you think.
When it comes to riding a motorcycle, you will have a tendency to go in the same direction you are looking.
This is why target fixation is so dangerous.
Luckily, it’s one of the easiest things to practice every time you swing your leg over a motorcycle.
How to Practice Good Vision
As I said, practicing good vision is easy because you can do it every time you ride your bike.
- Look further ahead every time you ride.
- Scan the road constantly.
- Look as far as possible through every turn.
- Look with your helmet, not just your eyes.
Smooth Takeoffs on a Hill
With the skills mentioned above, you have just about all you need to transition from a new rider to a skilled rider.
But there is one last drill you can practice to make yourself more complete.
Practice taking off on a hill.
One of my first bad stalls happened when I was taking off on a hill.
I didn’t give the bike enough throttle and it stalled. It threw me off guard and I almost dropped the bike.
How to Practice Taking Off on a Hill
Luckily, you can avoid any trouble out on the road with just a few minutes of practice.
- Find an empty road or parking lot with an incline.
- Position your motorcycle uphill.
- Keeping your foot on the rear brake, start to apply throttle and release the clutch.
- As you feel the motorcycle want to move, slowly release the rear brake pressure.
- Release brake pressure completely as the throttle pulls the bike forward.
Conclusion
Mastering these exercises isn’t about becoming the next MotoGP champion (unless that’s your goal – then full send!).
It’s about building confidence, control, and a solid foundation that makes every ride smoother, safer, and way more enjoyable.
The more you practice, the more second nature these skills become. And before you know it, things that once felt intimidating – like emergency braking or slow-speed maneuvers – will feel like just another part of the ride.
So, take your time, be patient with yourself, and enjoy the process.
Every rider starts somewhere, but the ones who put in the reps? They’re the ones who ride with skill, confidence, and a whole lot more fun.