So, you have graduated from motorcycle school and have an understanding of basic motorcycle handling skills. Depending on the efforts spent on training, you either have the most basic skills and know how to manage a motorcycle at low speed, or you have reached a more advanced level and know how to control the motorcycle in a tilt, perform high-speed maneuvering, avoiding obstacles, mastered the techniques of effective (combined) braking. Maybe you’ve even tried your forces on the track and you did something well. But as practice shows whatever success you may have achieved in the motor-school for sure and fast moving along the city streets unfortunately it may not be enough… Although all the useful skills you got in the motor-school will certainly be useful!
First steps. You have motorcycle safety outfit, motorcycle, category A licence and you know how to use it all. Where do you start? Very well, if you already have some car experience and you are sure to move around the city by car, feel the dimensions, know how to maneuver in traffic and “read” the traffic situation.
Where do you start on a motorcycle?
With getting used to the motorcycle itself. You should have no difficulty with steering. Your thoughts should not be loaded with memories – where to push which lever, how to change gears and how to turn on the light. So, for example, if on the training bike turn signals were classic, on the remote control under the left hand one button, and you as your first motorcycle chose a BMW, it is worth getting used to the German three-button turn signal control scheme. A separate topic to get used to the brakes. You should clearly understand where the limit of “seizure” of the brakes, where the ABS on your bike (if it is), when the wheel comes yaw, with what the optimal force to act on the lever / brake pedal.
As a result, you should try to reach a state where while riding in the city to think only about the traffic situation, and not about how to operate the motorcycle.
You can start in the late evening or early morning hours. Empty country roads as an option for immersion in the subject is also good, especially for the practice of overtaking on the motorcycle, but only in the very early stages, when getting used to the motorcycle. Because, having felt yourself an ace of suburban secondary routes, you can experience a shock suddenly getting into the world of traffic lights, intersections and inadequate drivers. So you got used to the place, drove far and wide over the whole district, and at least are morally ready for the “long-distance race to the Smotra”, what are the rules to stick to in the city? First of all, no one has canceled the traffic rules and common sense. But there are some more specific moments, applicable to motorcycles.