I just did an intro course to motorcycling, never been on one in my life and got to putter about for a few hours. On the bright side, I never dropped the bike (largely because I was dragging my feet at slow speed to stay upright), but never felt really in control of the bike except for a few long, straight stretches. Balance was a chronic problem, looking ahead instead of at the front wheel, and shoulders locked while trying to steer. Is this a practice makes perfect kind of thing? I'm still debating advancing to the M1 exit course at a local school unless this just isn't for me. I can live with that if that's the case. Anyone else struggle with this stuff in the early going?
Intro course
- Thread starter Bobby55
- Start date
leon_nerd
Well-known member
Have you ever ridden a bicycle? If yes, then these are temporary problems. Steering and balancing the bike at low speeds involves more or less the same kind of experience as riding a bike. Don't worry about steering. Just look where you want to go. Keep your shoulders loose. Also, to maintain balance speed up a bit. Speeding up a bit helps you balance the motorcycle.
If you have never rode a bicycle then you should first ride one. Borrow from your family or friends. Ride it for a day. You will be able to ride the motorcycle then.
I would recommend you going for the M1 exit course. I recently did one. There was a student who had never ridden a motorcycle. After two days she passed her test and got M2. If you have problems riding the motorcycle, the course instructors will help you fix the problem. Practical help is always better. It is a bit expensive but you will be happy you took the course. There are some institutes, I think motorsoul and Learning curves, who are giving $25 discount to this forums' members.
If you have never rode a bicycle then you should first ride one. Borrow from your family or friends. Ride it for a day. You will be able to ride the motorcycle then.
I would recommend you going for the M1 exit course. I recently did one. There was a student who had never ridden a motorcycle. After two days she passed her test and got M2. If you have problems riding the motorcycle, the course instructors will help you fix the problem. Practical help is always better. It is a bit expensive but you will be happy you took the course. There are some institutes, I think motorsoul and Learning curves, who are giving $25 discount to this forums' members.
So balance is not an issue - definitely take that M1 exit. There are numerous courses offered in the GTA.
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/gradu/motocourse.shtml
Also don't forget to do the written test with the ministry. Only 17 bucks.
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/gradu/motocourse.shtml
Also don't forget to do the written test with the ministry. Only 17 bucks.
flameboy182
Well-known member
Just choose the one that's closest to home and most convenient for you.
I did mine at Centennial College.
I did mine at Centennial College.
RiderTrainingInstitute
Member
Hi Bobby, as with anything worthwhile in life... developing your motorcycling skills requires practice and patience. The issues you're describing are quite common, and covered by the training curriculum of almost any school out there. One important note, there's no rush! Learn at your pace and within your own comfort zone. If you have a friend who graduated through RTI, ask them to keep their ears open for one of our graduate appreciation days, you could come along as their plus 1 and have a chance to learn some basic skills with guidance prior to taking a course.
Good luck!
Was this the course at Centennial ?
Buying a bicycle first, might not be a bad idea.
Practicing very low speed (just barely moving) balancing on a light bicycle that you can drop / easily recover from, will be great balance practice.
Sure, a motorcycle's much heavier, but it's the same principle
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SoulRider
Member
HEY BOBBY!!! So going slow on a motorcycle is one if the MOST challenging things - so what your describing sounds totally normal. HOWEVER, there is a super-duper fun trick that gives the bike MAJOR stability at a slow speed so you dont have to put your feet down (and you look MUCH cooler!!). And FYI - once a bike goes faster, it naturally wants to balance itself!!
They should teach this trick in most training programs so not to worry (although some programs and instructors will emphasis it more or a lot less than others from my experience). At Motorsoul, we focus on this area heavily (along with a few other critical areas). Once you learn proper control at a slow speed - your overall control and confidence improves markedly!! AND its fun too!!!!!!
And its all about practice! You can do it Bobby!!!!
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SoulRider
Member
So instead of sharing the knowledge of this great "trick", you post a "teaser" / commercial for your company
Mstram! Wasnt meant to be a teaser AT ALL .. and it was directed to Bobby specificialy. This "trick" was actually recently mentioned in another thread by Motorsoul- so NO its not a secret!!!!!! (But most riders out there are NOT using this trick). It involves feathering the clutch, riding the rear brake, and bringing up your RPMS. Thats it. But its extremely difficult in the beginning. AND for fresh newbies like bobby, unless someone is with him and showing him - it could "exciting" fast - THAT was reason for not explaining it. Peace.
TorontoLivin
Member
And I wouldn't really call that a "trick".
From what you describe, I've seen it in many books and videos and I would label it as a "standard low speed technique"
Mike
My thoughts as well. During my course (RTI), we spent a good amount of time learning this skill (they described it as an essential basic skill all riders should develop). It wasn't easy, but we were given plenty of time to practice it through the weekend between the other exercises, also during the test practice... If you're having trouble with it, don't feel discouraged. It wasn't until Sunday (after practicing it all weekend), that I finally got consistent with it.
SoulRider
Member
HAHA - Semantics here!! Yup it is a technique.
(And as I said - it is taught at the majority of schools. And, sure, of course you will find it in books etc.) However, I do know some emphasis it more or less depending. (So I would say that is excellent you feel you got lots of practice on your course TorontoLivin - well done!!).
Unfortunately, I have taught many students over the years (coming to me for private lessons, or a refresh course, and many during the M level course) who have zero recollection or say they were never taught this technique or "trick" to stabilize the bike at low speeds. WHATTTT? A shame!!! Actually, a very large majority of riders out there dont use this stabilizing "trick" (and dont even use the rear brake at all!!!) I see this over and over when I examine students for their M.
Continue practicing it!!! You will get better and better at it. And its fun! It IS a very important skill to know .
(And as I said - it is taught at the majority of schools. And, sure, of course you will find it in books etc.) However, I do know some emphasis it more or less depending. (So I would say that is excellent you feel you got lots of practice on your course TorontoLivin - well done!!).
Unfortunately, I have taught many students over the years (coming to me for private lessons, or a refresh course, and many during the M level course) who have zero recollection or say they were never taught this technique or "trick" to stabilize the bike at low speeds. WHATTTT? A shame!!! Actually, a very large majority of riders out there dont use this stabilizing "trick" (and dont even use the rear brake at all!!!) I see this over and over when I examine students for their M.
Continue practicing it!!! You will get better and better at it. And its fun! It IS a very important skill to know .
Why would you recommend the school that's closest and most convenient to his/her home? Not all schools are created equal! A course takes one weekend of your life, it's worth traveling a little for better training. elementary and high school students will travel across the city for specific school specialties, and not just enroll in the closest school, and they are willing to do that everyday for years. Considering its only 2 days, I'd recommend finding the best training and be willing to drive to get it!
SoulRider
Member
SOOOOO TRUE!!!!!!! I totally agree!!1 I would drive father for better! It just makes sense!!!!!
And just how do you objectively measure "better training" ?
The only reports here are from riders who have attended one particular school, and all usually say whichever school they attended was great.
None of the schools publish their curriculum.
From the little info available (heresay / Youtube etc), it seems the course content is similar.
Most of the schools don't publish bio's of their instructors.
And they all charge approximately the same amount.
So "closest location" is as good a reason as any other to choose a school
