Mastering Motorcycle Riding: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide

[@DanDanTheFireman]

🕘 Timestamps: [00:00] Intro [00:23] How To Start a Motorcycle [02:34] Clutch Control & Friction Zone [07:39] Motorcycle Braking Basics [14:28] Basic Motorcycle Throttle Tips [16:00] Motorcycle Shifting Explained [20:49] How To Turn a Motorcycle

[@ArtisanAlli]

BEST training video on YT for this

[@doug3512]

The best "beginner lessons" take nothing for granted. I appreciate the small incremental steps you give in this lesson. My son wants to learn how to ride. This video helps take the mystery out of the controls for a new rider. I bought my first bike at 20 years old, and just jumped on and started riding. I had no clue what I was doing. I was lucky, and I learned a lot of lessons on dirt first.

[@billygould9362]

I’m new. I appreciate this. Tomorrow is the day! My driveway is a hill, challenge accepted because of your hill video.

[@antwertangodavid]

Almost four years into riding bike now. I think this is a good video for starters: covers the main issues you have to deal with. Great work.

[@jhc38]

thank you so much. im getting my licence here in denmark, and your tip with counter balance just mad me corner so much better

[@assassinarch6745]

I appreciate this video. Just recently got a motorcycle but it’s been about a year since I’ve last ridden, so this is a good refresher for the MSF course. I’m sure muscle memory is gonna kick back in, but it’s good to just refresh every season. I also read my MSF handbook twice before I watched this. Feeling ready for putting this into practice in the slower neighborhoods and easing myself back into riding.

[@FTRnRhome]

great video man, and sweet bike, love what you do for the community.

[@sciguy8524]

Mention this in a reply but thanks for making all of these videos. I'm 40 years old and always wanted to ride. The geniuses in my state shut down almost all of the MSF courses within 5 hours of me. I really appreciate your teaching so I can do some practice in a parking lot while I have some experienced riders help me learn.

[@JSpyx]

I have my first exam next Wednesday. I'm so anxious about it, but your videos have helped me so much these past months practicing. Thank you Dan!

[@rickyfinn2763]

You'll boss it. And if not? You defo won't be nervous next time cuz you'd have done it before 👍🔥 all the best bro

[@JSpyx]

@@rickyfinn2763 thank you so much! you are right, that makes me feel a lot more confident!!

[@rickyfinn2763]

@JSpyx no problem! Hey, you always get another chance! I know the exams aren't cheap, but then neither are the bikes 😆 but more experience is always a good thing, you only learn and get better 👍🔥

[@JSpyx]

@@rickyfinn2763 Just wanted to say I succeeded my exam! I went into the exam pretty neutral, but everything went perfect haha. Now I'll have to prep for the exam that lets me drive on the highway etc :) ty again for your words!

[@rickyfinn2763]

@JSpyx YES MATE! Congratulations!! I am so happy for you! You should be proud. Well done man, and hey, you are very much welcome. If you get nervous about your road exam, feel free to reply, but again, all I said stands, and I'm pretty sure you this next one aswell. Halfway there man, then welcome to the club! 🏆 🥇

[@DuncansTravels]

This video is so helpful for me as a new rider thank you so much for making this.

[@buffalodebill1976]

Just a side note - with a hydraulic clutch, the friction zone is typically between 4 and 5 (closer to 4). I have this on my Suzuki Boulevard C90T and I have notiece similar characeristic on a few other Japanese cruisers I have had the pleasure to try.

[@LynnJones-l5t]

Excellent video for the new bike rider. I started riding over 60 years ago. Learned all of this in the school of hard knocks.

[@JediCore]

great stuff as always! Been watching for few years and your content is helping me be a better rider every day. Been riding on a little 125cc, but I passed my full license and I am getting a big boy bike in few months. My plan is to go to a parking lot and train the basics on a new one like I've never ridden a motorcycle before

[@beepbop6697]

If someone needs to watch this, I really hope they are signing up for the 3-day MSF class.

[@DanDanTheFireman]

Some people can't make it to a class. I agree though. If they can go, go.

[@Mister13]

This whole idea of "don't even swing your leg over a bike until you take the MSF" is ridiculous. If someone is taking the time to watch a video like this, they're clearly more inclined to improve and be aware of the risks involved as opposed to a squid on a ninja 300 who took the msf course, had there brain shut off for 80% of the in class portion, bought the bike and turned themselves Into spaghetti Obviously MSF is important, but people need to stop acting like it's far fetched to want to learn how to ride what they bought. If you've got the gear, and a good head on your shoulders, no reason you can't get a buddy to take your bike to the closest parking lot. I practiced the friction zone in my driveway, practiced coming to a stop with no throttle applied rolling down the driveway, and made my way to the parking lot at the end of my street (lucky placement) 2 hours later I had practiced low speed turning, emergency braking, figure 8s and even got a chance to practice picking up the bike after I dropped it during my figure 8s lol! Full gear, no msf and 3 times a week for the first month I owned the bike. When I actually took the course, it was much less intimidating showing up the first day, and can honestly say I learned more in the month of my own practice than the one night class and 2 days of 2nd gear riding. It was merely a way to get my license graduated and an insurance break at that point. Nothing wrong with wanting to take the course first. But people should really stop trying to put the fear of God into those interested in riding, stating every worst case scenario as something that WILL happen, not if, but when. This is supposed to be fun, acknowledging the dangers while not harping on them to the point people can't see past them

[@xaviergonzalez9315]

​@@Mister13 I agree with every singal word

[@rcannon409]

I like this video. I would also add you do not go out into traffic until you have every skill here committed to muscle memory. The cars that hit you don't recognize the difference between a new rider or an experienced one

[@user2C47]

I'd like to add that if you _have_ ridden a motorcycle before (such as a dirt bike), the one day course may be more appropriate than the 3 day one.

[@BUGBYTE_]

It's pretty cool video for people to become more informed on controls and the basics before they take a MSF or practice by themselves. I wish they had KZbin when I was learning to ride in the '90s.

[@stevem9788]

Been waiting for this from DDtF forever!! Thank you!

[@MaryK4242]

This is brilliant. The shifting coordination will be tricky... luckily I can drive a manual car, so I get the concept. Just learning new muscle memory.

[@mr.sophistication3232]

Awesome bike 🏍️ Dan. Great video too thank you for helping the motorcycle community.

[@JoshTaylorJP]

Had my first lesson the other day in Japan and saw you posted this! It couldn't have been more timely to refresh after doing it for the first time. Thanks for all the great information you constantly put out Dan!

[@BlackCloud2469]

Really beautiful bike

[@renedejong2064]

Very informative for the new riders here of which i count myself too having my motorlicence for just a year and havib 4000miles ridden.

[@vallentyn2007]

Great learning guide , we need more of these from you . That ftr looks amazing

[@DanDanTheFireman]

Thank you!

[@ytr8989]

Great stuff. Already got my full face helmet. Now for gear and bike, 😊

[@zenstatic2007]

great video!

[@ashpunting]

I call the frictions on the biting point when the engine starts to bite the same thing

[@laneptrsn]

What gloves are you wearing? I like that style but I've had trouble finding some with that side of palm protection

[@jonathanbarrett7628]

DDTF, the Klim outfit rocks. What type of Klim jacket is it? Pant?

[@painpeace3619]

Amazing video

[@knifetoucher]

You should check out the new FTR 1200s if that one is too tall for you, the new one's have almost 2" less seat height

[@jpgabarra13]

Nice video! What is that square accessory under your insta360?

[@imag1ne852]

THANKS !

[@ViViBaricMeow]

Question, when it comes to lane position on a crowned road what is best lane position to be in on a curve and straight stretched

[@ejm922]

hi in the video of getting to 2nd gear, you contradict yourself- is it roll of throttle first or friction xone first before ptiing in 2nd gear?

[@ProfileP246]

Here in the UK we’re told never to let the clutch fully out in first gear, always slip the clutch. The clutch only ever fully released from 2nd onwards. Great vid though.

[@lodorf7006]

can you tell me why my motorcycle stalls when I twist in the free play zone while holding down the clutch? Only happens when I'm not moving and makes me stall. I can't give it a little gas not to stall it. My motorcycle has fuel injection system.

[@ZinoAmare]

Since when do you own a that FTR, damn that looks clean!

[@bulasturubula3660]

You guys are not required to do any formation before you get to the driving ? In france (probably in western europe, since i believe we have the same licence) we are required to do at least 20h of formation : 12h of "closed road" driving, learning slow manoeuvres, acceleration, emergency braking, swerving, riding with a passenger (the exam is a mix of all that, you're allowed 2 passes unless you do a critical error like letting the bike fall) 8h on open road before you can pass the open road driving exam. For me i had to do a little bit more of closed road because the exam is not easy ! Open road was pretty straightforward, exam was super windy so we cut short. You have to do all that to be able to handle up to 50bhp motorcycles (~500CC, anything above would have to be clamped down). Needless to say the moto school has to provide the motos, the closed road place, some of them only have super small spaces where it's super hard to learn, i was lucky to get into a school with an "ok" closed road, tho there were a lot of gravels, potholes, it was super scary for the emergency brakings and swerving at times lol. (the closed road for the exam was pristine, so that was nice lol)

[@TheNomadluap]

Nope! Here in Ontario I can sit a 20-question multiple choice test, then immediately climb on a liter-bike and launch myself into the nearest intersection.

[@robertarton6141]

You’re a Good Boy Charlie Brown. Oh I mean Dan Dan 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@bringmusktomarz749]

I passed my msf in September thanks for the refresher sadly i haven't been able to ride im drowning in snow :(

[@rickyfinn2763]

I was heinously nervous first time! Second time i owned it. The the road exam passed just barely 😂 but a pass is a pass!

[@Santiago-zm9um]

16:12

[@DerekOQuinn-tf5my]

When i got my first bike i did figure 8s in my laneway for 5 hours before even touching the road. I knew slow speed was harder and balance was important. I also had a cbr and lived on a dirt road with large crush stone that had tractor ruts so i was kinda scared of hitting the road and not being able to balance.

[@elpablo6268]

What os the bike n'aime ?

[@DanDanTheFireman]

2019 Indian FTR1200s

[@ytr8989]

You simply don’t learn to ride in 26 minutes, unless you want to end up as road kill.

[@calvincooley1074]

Im a paraplegic as a result of a motorcycle accident 35 yrs ago. Five years ago I taught a kid how to ride while I sat in the drivers seat of my car. I think i did a better job.

[@skillfuldabest]

I think I’m gonna go for an automatic scooter 🛵 for now lol

[@janettcotton4161]

That's what I started on. I have a Suzuki Burgman 400 - Its been almost 3 years now and I'm ready to move over to a manual

[@skillfuldabest]

@@janettcotton4161 But a regular motorcycle doesn't have good storage for your helmet etc. Much more impractical for going shopping etc.

[@janettcotton4161]

@@skillfuldabest so true - I can pack my scooter out under the seat as well as the side bags - eggs, milk, ice cream. Pick up a to go order on the way home. But, I would like to have a lighter bike. The Burgman weighs 489# and is a challenge to pick it up for me when I've laid it down.

[@skillfuldabest]

@@janettcotton4161 Honda Forza 350 maybe?