I think it is time to put a little thought to rest and learn the real reason why learning to ride a bicycle can make you an expert at riding motorcycles. So, Do you need to know how to ride a bike to ride a motorcycle? With this guide, let’s find out.
There’s an overly biased thought out there when purchasing a motorcycle: to ride one, you should start with an engineless bicycle. The connotation is that if you learn on a bike, you’ll be able to drive a motorcycle without difficulty because of the riding skills you’ve already acquired.
Learning to ride a bike is more focused on the skill of balancing, steering, and pedaling. You can quickly learn to ride any vehicle if you have these skills. You can ease the motorcycle riding skill by learning how to ride a bike first. But you should remember that you don’t need to learn how to ride a bike first if you are planning to ride or learn a motorcycle.
Is Bike a Good Training Before Riding a Motorcycle?
I have to admit, I almost didn’t answer this question based on the number of other online answers, but then I read what some of the responses were and thought I should respond.
Basically, A motorcycle requires more attention to the rider, surrounding environment, and equipment.
Bike riding is definitely a great training ground for learning how to ride a motorcycle, but it is not the only way. Many skilled riders started on bicycles before learning to ride motorcycles.
But if you have never been able to ride a motorcycle (successfully), how are you supposed to learn how to ride one? This question is asked regularly by the new students in my class. To answer this, I use something I like to call the “Roll Off Challenge.”
This gets everyone into the right mindset and gives them a tangible step they can take toward riding a motorcycle. The Roll-Off Challenge goes like this:
1. Get on your favorite bicycle,
2. Roll down a small hill (not steeper than 10 degrees with no corners),
3. Stop at the bottom – now look back up thinking you are trying to ride it home!
It is an excellent technique to explain that motorcycle control is more complicated than controlling a car with transmission and gears.
Fundamental Difference Between a Bike And Motorcycle
Understanding the fundamental differences can really help you be a great rider! Although you may be able to learn somewhat well balancing, bikes can’t teach you riding motorcycles at all!
A bike is a small, simple vehicle that balances on two wheels and is ridable anywhere. On the contrary, A motorcycle has a more robust engine and gearbox, larger frame, wider tires, suspension (including forks), horn, and stop lights. Motorcyclists mostly use them for commuting or touring because they’re faster than bikes but less maneuverable than cars.
A case study by science direct has shown similarities between two-unit bicycle and motorcycle crashes. Here are the highlights from this study below:
- Two-unit bicycle and motorcycle crashes have many of the same characteristics.
- The factors affecting fault are primarily similar for these crashes.
- Some differences exist in the type of crashes because the two vehicles differ in usage patterns and travel speeds.
- The number of injuries caused by child bicycling is rising, regardless of their proper use or lack thereof.
- Children, in most cases, are at-fault, which means they will likely not receive compensation until they reach the age of 18 years old.
- While motorcycle riders are less likely to be involved in a crash than passenger car drivers and passengers, they far more often violate road rules.
There you have it, folks. A motorcycle requires more attention than a bike, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn to ride one if you’re determined. Just make sure to take the Roll-Off Challenge first!
Well, Riding Bikes Are Far Safer Indeed
It is an interesting argument. It depends on how you define “safer.” Statistics show that riding a bike is far safer than driving a motorcycle, even accounting for the number of bicycle crashes yearly. Biking is safer than walking in many cases (especially near busy streets).
There are several reasons why cycling is such a safe mode of transportation:
- Cyclists are slow-moving and generally avoid contact with motorists.
- They use lanes rather than the middle of the road, which results in less crashing.
- Bikes have thinner tires which provide more stability in wet or icy conditions.
- Cyclists wear helmets which significantly decreases the risk of head injuries.
Ultimately, it is up to the individual cyclist to take safety precautions such as wearing a helmet and being cautious around motorists. You must take all the necessary steps to ensure your bike’s safety. After all, you can’t avoid unexpected contingencies.
However, by cycling instead of driving, you significantly reduce your chances of being in an accident. There are a few caveats to this argument, primarily that cycling is not the best mode of transportation for all commuters.
Some people find riding in a car or public transport more comfortable and practical. Additionally, cycling can be much more time-consuming than driving, which may not be ideal for some workers who need to get downtown as quickly as possible. However, overall statistics show that biking is the safest way to commute around town.
Four Reasons Why You Should Ride a Bike Before a Motorcycle
We never denied the necessity of riding bikes before motorcycles. In fact, MSF courses in some areas don’t accept students who don’t know to ride bikes. Although it’s never mandatory to know how to ride a bike to ride a motorcycle, experts still highly recommend learning balance and road environment with bikes well and then going for motorcycles.
Below are the fours reasons you should consider if you have access to bikes:
- A bike has always been recommended to get started if you’re looking for a more accessible introduction to motorcycling. Bicycling skills will allow you to conveniently help balance and shift on a motorcycle, which makes it much more beginner-friendly than riding a motorcycle on its own.
- Bikes are cheaper than motorcycles and can be ridden in cities or rural areas where Motorcycles are not allowed by law. This one is a pro of bikes, I think.
- Riding bikes help better balance your muscles while learning how to ride a motorcycle safely and proficiently – this will help prevent falls and injuries when you eventually try riding one on your own.
- Motorcycles are more potent than bikes, so make sure you have the skills and experience to handle them before even thinking about taking your first ride on one!
Motorcycle Riding is Easier if You Know How to Ride Bikes
If you want to get started with motorcycle riding, there is no better way to learn than by actually getting on a bike and practicing. Riding bicycles will allow you to control your motorcycle more simply than riding alone.
Additionally, riding bikes will improve your balance and stability, making riding a motorcycle much more effortless. Knowing how to ride a bike will make riding a motorcycle much more accessible and safer – perfect for the beginner motorcyclist.
There is no better way to get your feet wet than by getting on a bike and learning what you need to know before taking your first ride on an actual motorcycle! That is why riding a motorcycle will be easier than you think if you know how to ride a bike.
How Difficult Is It to Ride Motorcycles in Reality?
Remember that motorcycles are not as easy to master in a short period, at least not when compared with bikes. Motorcycles can be pretty challenging to learn how to ride effectively, especially at the beginning.
According to NHTSA, Riding inexperience is one of the significant reasons motorcyclists get killed in accidents. That means no matter how well you can drive, you have crash chances due to inexperience. You can know more about how experience matters when avoiding crashes.
Therefore, always ride at lower speeds and learn about the riding environment and how the traffic works before you try to increase speed higher for the first time on the open road.
According to experts, motorcycles are challenging to master because they require more attention than bicycles or other vehicles. You must know your surroundings and what you’re doing with the throttle and gears.
Unlike those engineless bikes, motorcyclists will have a wide area to travel from one place to another, with some of the places being unfamiliar. Hence, new contingencies can pop up anytime.
Motorcycles also tend to be much faster than bikes, which makes them more challenging for beginners to control. If you’re not used to moving quickly on two wheels. You may find that you don’t have enough time to react when something goes wrong on the road.
Motorcycle riding mastery means knowing how to ride in all types of weather, on all kinds of roads, and at all times.
Can Someone Who Can’t Ride a Bike Drive a Motorbike?
Yes, obviously. You can learn and ride your favorite motorcycle without having cycling skills. The art of balancing that you will most likely learn from a bike is not the only requirement. You will also need to develop good reactions, balance, and coordination – all of which you can learn with practice.
Motorcyclists confront new realities constantly, and the number of fatalities involving motorcycles is considerably high. In such a situation, only being able to drive motorcycles won’t help you be safe on the road. You need to master the road, too. That way, you can handle any situation with better equipment.
Do you know why the fatalities are increasing nowadays? Because people nowadays are taking their motorcycles as easy as bikes. Consequentially, the lack of experience causes them to crash.
Therefore, don’t try being as reckless as bikes with your motorbike. Learning to control your motorcycle correctly is essential for keeping yourself safe. If you don’t understand this now, you will need to before you ever hit the road.
In the section below, let’s discuss how you can learn motorcycling without having any cycling skills.
Teaching Yourself to Ride a Motorcycle Without a Bike
If you’re determined, there are a few things that you can do to prepare yourself for how to ride a motorcycle. While you can learn from other bikers in person or online motorcycle safety courses, what’s best varies from case to case, and make the right decision according to your situation.
Before proceeding with an MSF course, check to see if the course requires you to know riding a Bike to Ride a Motorcycle.
You don’t have to practice motorcycling mastery right away. Instead, focus on learning the basics step-by-step and tackling the next challenge as soon as you feel confident. Also, You don’t need to be a knowledgeable biker to make your way around a motorcycle, but you need to know the basics.
Before riding a motorcycle on the open road, you must know:
- The basics of motorcycling on roads, such as how to turn, ride in traffic, etc.
- Vehicle control and braking.
- Rules of the road for motorcycles.
- Operation and maintenance of motorcycle safety gear.
- Riding in traffic.
- Zones and limitations of motorcycle riding.
- Emergency measures.
Once you complete the course, take a motorcycle riding test from an authorized testing facility. It will certify that you’re ready to ride on public roads with other vehicles.