How to Ride a Motorcycle

Transcript Hi, guys. My name is Joonil Park and I am the motorcycle expert for Howcast.com. I’ve been a motorcycle instructor in New York seven years. I also work as a product specialist for Ducati Triumph New York in Manhattan. I have worked as a motorcycle journalist, as a motorcycle courier, as well as escort. …

Transcript Hey Howcasters, this is Joonil Park, with how to get your motorcycle license. Now rules and regulations vary depending on state and even country, on getting your motorcycle endorsement. Here in New York State the test is a two part program. Once you get your motorcycle permit with a quick multiple choice knowledge test …

Transcript Owning and parking a motorcycle in a city like New York leaves it vulnerable to lots of incidentals like thieves and parking mishaps. Resist the urge to park your motorcycles between two tightly spaced cars. A lot of people are not used to looking out for motorcycles and may accidentally or purposefully knock it …

Transcript I don’t mean offensively in the term that you are giving people the bird, or cutting people off. The term refers to moving forward in relation to surrounding traffic. Many motorcyclists believe this is safer than riding defensively. I feel it depends on the situation. However, there are certain instances where moving forward through …

Transcript My name is Joonil Park, and here are some tips on how to ride a motorcycle defensively. When riding defensively, you want to make sure that you position yourself with enough space cushion to allow for variations in traffic and changes in road terrain. If you are too close to the car in front …

Transcript Here are some hand signals when riding in groups that’ll help communicate with your fellow riders. We have stop, and keep in mind that you always use your left hand for signals. Always throwing it to the left as your right hand will need to be used for the throttle hand to keep moving. …

Transcript Having friends with motorcycles and riding together is one of the most rewarding experience for a new motorcyclist. But keep in mind when riding in big groups, some of the benefits of safety are lost. Being nimble and agile can be cumbersome and restricted when riding with other motorcyclists. Riding in formation or staggering …

Transcript When touring or riding long distance on a motorcycle, preparedness is the name of the game. You want to make that sure you run through a list of things to pack, and secure them properly on your motorcycle for the trip ahead. When riding, make sure you plan stops for gas and refreshments. You …

Transcript This is Joonil Park with some finer tips for riding your motorcycle on the highway. Scary proposition for a lot of newbs on motorcycles. When getting on the highway for the first time, try to stay focused and relaxed, make sure you’re geared appropriately. A large, loose fitting jacket will flap in the wind …

Transcript Juno Park here. Here are some tips for riding your motorcycle in the rain. Keep in mind, like the apparel that you wear when riding at night still apply for low visibility conditions like riding in the rain. You want to make sure that your gear has retro-reflective materials as well as bright and …

Transcript One of the biggest things you can do for yourself to stay safe while on your bike at night is the gear that you wear. The temptation to wear all black and be cool motorcycle guy is of course great. However, there’s plenty of motorcycling apparel out there that will include retroreflective materials that …

Transcript Joonil Park here for Howcast. This next video is to give you some points about how to ride in the city. Now as overwhelming as that task may seem, as long as you stay focused and smooth as always on a motorcycle, riding in a city can be one of the most rewarding and …

Transcript This is Joonil Park, and here’s a video referring to the term steering versus counter-steering. Now, counter-steering is a term used a lot in motorcycling and motorcycling education. The term counter-steering comes from the act of leaning, or initiating lean and go of a motorcycle. A motorcycle traveling above eight, nine miles per hour …

Transcript Hi guys, I’m Joonil Park, and here’s a video with shifting a motorcycle’s gears without the clutch. Now, the term power shifting, or shifting without the clutch, refers only to upshifts. Ask any qualified motorcycle technician, and they will tell you, downshifting without the clutch is very bad for your motorcycle’s transmission. Power shifting …

Transcript This is Joonil Park with Howcast and this is video is how to ride a motorcycle with a passenger. There are certain considerations to make when taking a passenger on a motorcycle. Because of the added weight and momentum, you want to allow for added distances for breaking, as well as make considerations for …

Transcript Cornering is arguably the most rewarding experience in motorcycling. To properly do so, keep some things in mind. You want to make sure you slow down before the turn while you’re still straight. Any reduction in speed on a motorcycle inherently destabilizes it, so you want to make sure you do that while you’re …

Transcript This is Joonil Park, and here’s some tips for leaning a motorcycle. Motorcycles change directions with lean angles at speeds faster than nine or ten miles per hour. To properly do this, you want to use your posture or body English to help maintain the bike’s stability and traction while cornering. When leaning a …

Transcript Hi guys, this is Joonil Park for Howcast, and this video is to help you avoid hazards while riding your motorcycle. Hazards are something you will inevitably encounter while riding your bike. It is important to remember rule number one when riding a motorcycle, always look where you’re headed, not where you’re going. What …

Transcript Hi, I’m Joonil Park for Howcast, and this video will help you to do figure eight maneuvers on your motorcycle. The figure eight move is utilized in many states’ motorcycle licensing tests. However, after this test you’ll probably never have to do a figure eight again. Still, an important technique to master. You can …

Transcript This is Joonil Park for Howcast, and this video will show you how to properly do a U-turn on a motorcycle. U-turns are a necessary maneuver when riding a motorcycle in streets. Couple pointers to look out for, make sure you pull over completely and safely, and before you attempt the maneuver, make sure …

Transcript I’m Joonil Park and this video will help to keep you from stalling your motorcycle. Stalling a motorcycle happens when the engine slows down because of insufficient throttle application. To remedy that you can give it more throttle. As a motorcycle instructor I advise my students to roll the throttle open and hold the …

Transcript Hi guys! This is Joonil Park again for Howcast. This video is to show you how to use the clutch on your motorcycle. Once you get acquainted with the controls of your bike, it’s important to know what a clutch does and how it works before you use it. The function of a clutch …

Transcript Hi guys! I’m Joonil Park for Howcast and here are some motorcycle shifting basics. Motorcycle shifting is done with the left side of the primary controls. The left hand operates the clutch and your left foot operates the shifter. Never use the shifter without proper application of the clutch. You want to squeeze your …

Transcript My name is Juno Park and this video will help you learn to walk a motorcycle. Walking a motorcycle is a great technique for a new rider to transition from, being at a standstill, to eventually riding your bike. Once you get your engine started, you’re going to put the motorcycle into first gear, …

Transcript Hey guys, it’s Joonil Park again. This Howcast video is to show you how to start and stop on a motorcycle. Once you’ve learned how to start your engine, you want to squeeze in your clutch, put it in first gear. Make sure you keep your eyes up and on the horizon, looking where …

Transcript Hey guys, it’s Joonil Park again, this video’s to show you how to turn on and turn off your motorcycle. Now, depending on your bike, there are certain things you want to check for. One being a fuel supply valve. Newer fuel injected motorcycles, like this Triumph Street triple R, is fuel injected and …

Transcript Hi guys, it’s June L. Park, and this next video is how to properly mount your motorcycle. Now some motorcycles can be very heavy, so it’s important that you mount properly. A lot of aspects of motorcycle riding came from horseback riding. So, just like mounting a horse, you always get on from the …

Transcript Hi guys. I’m Juno park and this video is to show you how to properly push your motorcycle. Now for whatever reason you have to push your bike, whether it’s moving it around your garage or, god forbid, you run out of gas, you want to make sure you do it safely and properly. …

Transcript Hi, my name is Joonil Park for Howcast, and this video is about motorcycle controls. A motorcycle has two types of controls. Primary controls, which control the operation of the motorcycle. And secondary controls, things that control lights and electrics. The primary controls on the right side essentially are everything that make you speed …

Transcript Motorcycles are more than just two wheels and an engine. So, to point out the basic parts of a motorcycle, we have here a 2013 Triumph Street Triple R, all new for this year. You can see that it does have two wheels and an engine, but there are a lot other things that …

Transcript Hi guys, my name is Joonil Park. I’m the motorcycle expert for Howcast and I’m here to show you some things to look for when gearing up to ride a motorcycle. Difference between motorcycles and cars is that cars have secondary safety, things and features there to help keep you safe if you have …