How To Ride a Motorcycle at RevZilla.com

How To Ride a Motorcycle for Beginners
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If a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, then a great motorcycle ride gets rolling by kicking up the sidestand and flipping the ignition. Needless to say, there are quite a few more steps that follow thereafter as well. Here at RevZilla we are obviously very passionate about motorcycles. If you’re the kind of person who digs really cool things, then perhaps they’re something that you might be passionate about too. While no single video can teach everything there is to know about riding a motorcycle, in this How to Ride a Motorcycle video for beginners, Lemmy walks through basic motorcycle controls, firing it up, putting it in gear, and getting it in motion.

[@123linable]

How do you know what gear you're in?

[@RevZilla]

+Daniel Lee Some bikes have gear indicators, but otherwise, act like the Count on Sesame Street: One! Two! Three! Third gear AH AH AH! -DrewZilla

[@123linable]

+RevZilla Thanks!Also, does the shifter physically move when you shift it? Sorry. I'm new to this territory

[@aramidps3]

+Daniel Lee Moves up or down, then returns to the resting position after each shift.

[@coast2coast00]

+Daniel Lee it moves a couple inches then goes back to the middle. If you are in the highest or lowest gear it won't move up or down.

[@randycragun]

+Daniel Lee With experience you will also quickly learn to know what gear you are in based on the engine noise and current speed. If you ever get confused, you can always just apply the clutch, shift all the way down to 1 and then shift back up to whatever gear is appropriate for your speed. Edit: don't do this. See below.

[@steelfoe]

Anyone else been riding for years and only watch this cause big lemm was teaching.

[@unionpacific8267]

Yep

[@lilmango6281]

yeah

[@MozzaBurger88]

Guilty as charged =D

[@Steelbluebrick]

of course lol.

[@coyote102076]

+Damion Lawson More just to see Big Lemm on a tiny Grom! :-D

[@pauld5812]

Been riding 28 years but still watched it

[@RevZilla]

+Paul Davis Much appreciated! -DrewZilla

[@mrrebel5150]

I'm 48, been riding since I was 15. this is by far the best instructional video I have ran across on the internet. good job...

[@peartree2170]

I wish my instructor were as good when I did my safety course. They were completely assholes

[@lexx9443]

He didn't really show how to turn

[@naraendrareddy273]

Time flies eh!

[@russmode]

Forgot downshift back to stop..stay in first or down to nuetral...?

[@nushankodikara]

Hey just checking, are you still alive?

[@joevidya]

4/5 stars - Wanted Lem to show me how to do some dank grom wheelies then it'd be 5/5.

[@coopertilma9119]

joetca 😂

[@bobbymcjunior]

DANK WHOOLIES BRAH

[@benkovacboy2544]

Mega dank nooners

[@joaosoares3719]

I've been riding for 13 years and racing competitively for 4. Why am I watching this? BECAUSE YOU GUYS KICK ASS, that's why.

[@rodrigobastos5804]

João Soares és profissional de que desporto?

[@tommymac7700]

UBERBAD on dirtbikes?

[@tommymac7700]

UBERBAD if so then I've been riding for 11 years since I was 2

[@nickcroslyn3033]

Yep

[@nomanhossain7294]

João Soares f

[@MrRubyyyy]

In Holland, you have to pay around $600 to get your license when you are 18. You will then be allowed to ride 125cc bikes. When you are 20 you can pay another 400 to be able to ride 35 kW bikes. When you are 23 you will spend another 400 for an unlimited license. And in America you watch youtube😂

[@minecraft1232311]

same here but it's minimum 600-700 eur (depends on how many hours you do, if you fail theory etc)

[@MrQwerty2524]

400 hundred? What are you crazy? The exams themselves are 400$ alone. Fortunately, they changed the law recently.

[@beerdedwanderer]

In Russia, bike rides YOU!

[@lukejenkinson9937]

We have a similar system in uk 125cc at 17, 35KW at 19 and unrestricted at 24

[@AyamPhoenix]

In Malaysia , at the age of 16 you can pay RM750 (around 184USD) and get an unrestricted motorcycle license.

[@jackmoore313]

Any rookie will quickly find where neutral is, every time they try and pull away from a traffic light. 😠

[@HJZ75driver]

Or false neutral when shifting

[@rudebwoy8]

+HJZ75driver they're a bitch if you've got a bit excited with the throttle aren't they? nearly as bad as traffic light stall, when not paying attn!

[@HJZ75driver]

+Jay C Pain in the arse.

[@joevidya]

Every year thousands of new riders are embarrassed by shifting into neutral when the light turns green. Make sure to give it a good FLICK.

[@jessjones2777]

😂Yup.

[@vialactea5549]

I thought this was how to ride a Grom on a skatepark.

[@LilSakei]

That what I thought

[@zeemeo3323]

They changed it to a grom i got all excited

[@galaxygod9962]

Same

[@grumpysquid]

LMAO

[@johnnnewmex]

I like how quick you talk in your videos. It makes it far easier and more enjoyable to watch. So many motorcycle videos and people talking kinda slow because they are distracted while riding their bikes.

[@tankjohnson5857]

U DRUNK

[@mrteacher101]

If you can't ride it without killing it then you can't ride it. What he was teaching from around 9 Minutes on is so very important practice easing into your throttle and letting off on the clutch before ever taking it out on the road. This is a great video! I was very intimidated when I first started riding by the gears it always helped me to remember one-down four-up when you're in neutral to get into first gear you press the shifting foot lever down to get in the first then you pull your shifting foot lever up to get in the 2nd through 5th or 6th depending on your bike.

[@nickg1387]

A great practice is to slowly let the clutch out without throttle and just allow the bike to die. This gives a sense of how the clutch feels and works and moves the bike a little, without having to take off the very first release. :)

[@normanm11]

You could've played Bobby Munson in Sons of Anarchy without any problem.

[@snakevergil]

Norman Sigurðurson lemmy is too tall to play a young Munson :(

[@drewsivao9926]

If Bobby had a son.. Probably his son lol

[@VespertiliKildem]

Honda MSX125. I've owned a Yamaha YBR125, this video brought me back, I remember the feelings of first riding a motorcycle. My first try alone, I almost hit the wall. Steered at the last second, just the handle hit the wall, turning my wheel and making my bike fall (I had the agility to stand up from the saddle before going down with the bike). Nice memories ahah!

[@frankerck]

+Vespertili Kildem, I think that's one of the things newbies and probably everyone really need to work on is turning, carrying speed through the turn, not panicking.

[@wolfpackhd5002]

+frank erck I agree, I've seen learners and new riders struggle with small things like roundabouts and some simple bends purely because they doubt themselves and start doing all sorts of crazy stuff, you've never seen people's hands and feet move around so much on a bend

[@frankerck]

And once you get comfortable, it's one of the most enjoyable parts of road riding, WolfPackHD​​​​​, feeling that centrifugal force in the curve (largest part of the contact patch on some tires) and doing your best to maintain a good line.

[@liamobrien8935]

im only 14 sooooo i added it to my watch later lol

[@eduardoaldaco8792]

Liam O'Brien i started when I was 13, I'm just watching cause Lemmy 😂😂

[@andrashoffmann7522]

Liam O'Brien omg same butni just realized i wont have the money for it 2 years l8r

[@tyjones2160]

same i just wanted to learn for later, cuz where i live you need to wait 3 years for your full car license, but for a motorcycle license you gotta wait a month and 14 days. so im not really wanting a car since my parents have to be with me for 3 years when im driving.

[@JohnSmith-bt9bo]

TERMINATOR27 shit that sucks where I'm at you have to be at least 15 for a permit

[@Holypiston878]

Liam O'Brien same dud im 14

[@GoneKiffen]

Im really glad I learned how do drive with a stick shift. If I hadn't then all this shifting business would sound like french to me and kill the appeal of a motorcycle. Thanks Dad...

[@manofqwerty]

Yeah! I am glad that it is standard to learn with a manual car here in the UK!

[@MAGirlable]

Definitely a good skill to have.

[@dimebagdarrel7190]

Gone Kiffen i had to learn my self im only 17. its pretty simple though. just a heavy dirt bike in my eyes

[@chriscuc1602]

Never ride a manual but I know how to ride a bike, I'm scare to ride a manual now.

[@bakerXderek]

0:23 I know all about showing the ropes

[@thamomentum]

+bakerXderek CHEAAAAAAAA

[@snakewhisperer2010]

+bakerXderek cheah ropes in my gooty today

[@Quardiz99]

+bakerXderek BAKER X GOOTIE DEREK I FKIN LOVE YOUR VIDS MAN, you make me wanna move to Cali (all the way from sweden lol)

[@dt6774]

Been riding a motorcycle for 17 years. .Still watched this till the end. .that's how good you guys are

[@RevZilla]

+Deepak Thompson Hey we appreciate it! -DrewZilla

[@johnsansbury6206]

"But first I gotta get my duds on. Can't ride a motorcycle if you don't look fly." Excellent safety tip there Lemmy. Couldn't agree more.

[@davouchi1]

Ive been riding for 15 years but i still watched this. Love the channel guys!

[@GuiltyParadise]

Thanks for this video. I'm currently thinking about getting a Honda Grom for commute since I'm in my first year of college. This bike is absolutely gorgeous. It'll be my first ever vehicle.

[@Anandroid]

Man...your instructorship and presentation/speaking is flawless!

[@TurteltaubTheDove]

2:17 Automatic drivers are saying “what do you mean?”

[@mukrenol]

that little grom looks so good for learners. low to the ground, light weight, not too fast, more upright sitting. good job!

[@AdamSVT]

nice job on this one, Lemmy. I hope more will try out riding because of it.

[@patricklorran1960]

u guys deserve waaaaay more subs. The production value of every video is impressive

[@Elregris]

Lemmy is such a well spoken individual. I'm looking forward to more videos with him!

[@theamericanaromantic]

Hands down the best explanation I've seen on KZbin on how to ride. No one usually goes through the really obvious stuff like proper start sequence. And people usually fail to show an on screen graphic showing exactly what gear they're in. Good job.

[@Jumbocombo]

The way my dad taught us was that neutral was halfway between 1st and second. For people with no knowledge of how a transmission works telling them that makes it more natural and easy for them

[@CorkKNIFE]

Just came from the MSF Basic Riders Course in Philly last week and I can say this is a very good video for anyone thinking of getting a start. It really is that simple, it does take practice, but it is that simple.

[@mathieuclement8011]

What you said about not starting on a large motocycle... Too bad a lot of people don't do that. They want to run before they can walk.

[@chancejones8366]

I was hella dumb and started off on a 900cc My dad wouldn’t teach me so I taught myself by taking his motorcycle out when he wasn’t home lol FYI I do not recommend

[@chriscuc1602]

I wanna fly.

[@keyboardwarrior327]

Should I get a V-Rod or a Hayabusa for my first bike?

[@otakarlibal]

Great video, I would say however that the best way to start is on a scooter. You can get used to everything without worrying about shifting. Then, when you are comfortable with going around on two wheels in the traffic, you can try going on an actual motorcycle.

[@JPBARON25]

Lemmy - thank you for this video. I watched this video and then signed up for the Motorcycle Safety Course at the Navy Base. I was surprised how ready I was for the course and am now riding and loving it out here in Hawaii. Mahalo!

[@Cool-xx3mt]

Dude your really slow on explaining things which is AWESOME, you took your time and explained everything very detailed, I am so watching this 100 times before I start riding

[@Worgenftw]

Probably the best thing about it, honestly. Most people blitz through explanations expecting you to be a pro automatically.

[@TheHappyRiderX]

I always have fun watching Lemmys videos....seems like a genuine dude

[@jasonbalmut8527]

Looking forward to more of these videos. I'm a new motorcycle rider, but a 14-year scooter vet. I'm intimidated by the manual transmissions and have been looking into DCTs on Hondas to ween myself from the twist-n-go. I passed the basic motorcycle test but never got a chance to put the lessons into practice. The Grom actually looks like a great starter bike.

[@iridewithneil1404]

This actually helped me a lot since I was confused when I first started Vlogging

[@dicebagdaryl]

Lemmy for President!! :D

[@asb1ABLE]

You joke but I thought the same thing!

[@666kipper]

ive been riding nigh on 40 years,still enjoyed this,great job lads :)

[@agentcallisto]

Didn't think it was possible to love you even more, Lemmy. That bit with the rings? Killed me.

[@shawns.6876]

Y'all at RevZilla are great! Actually learned a lot about riding!

[@spodarman3823]

also watch FortNine

[@whatsgood2513]

your right hand is very important ....you could say that again lol

[@mickenoss]

First time I ever got on a bike I almost crashed on the first bend, no one told me you steer with your arse and not the bars (like a bicycle). looooool!

[@AmirChemE]

steer with both your hips and hands(on the bars).

[@mickenoss]

Ye, no one told me that. =)

[@say-cred]

you do steer with your arms first and foremost. I suggest you watch Keith code's video on countersteering

[@vicp1990]

" your right hand does some other things as well "

[@Tulisan777]

The most comprehensive motorcycle driving video I' e watched, so far. Thanks for sharing and looking forward to see more videos.

[@ebikepk]

I know how to ride, but still love to watch your video.

[@TheFLViking]

Lemm on a grom... day is made :) great beginner video as well, I wish Lemmy was my instructor way back when lol

[@the8jrfan]

Lemmy for President!

[@lr90uk55]

Looking at doing my licence this year, this tutorial has been brilliant.

[@MAYOWA.007]

This was my first motercycle video. it got me to take the leep and learn how to ride. i passed the MSF and got my license then got my first bike. Thanks RevZilla!

[@luisronaldofigo]

Next part should be about street safety not a lot of good videos out there bout that, great job with this video

[@korling99]

I agree about a safety part 2, great video for a new rider

[@Wolf-qm2yp]

+AmuroDiaz second part should also include things like Rev matching. I've been riding for a year and still don't know how to do that.

[@HJZ75driver]

+Wolf Clutch in, bit of throttle, click gear, clutch out

[@xex2kok]

+Wolf Much like a car you will eventually just know the right rpm area to pop up to for your specific bike when downshifting to any gear. You really don't have to make it complicated though. You don't need to rev to the exact rpm, just clutch in, select gear, blip the throttle, and go into your gear smoothly with the clutch. It really is that simple.

[@RevZilla]

+AmuroDiaz Other videos are already in the works, so stay tuned! -DrewZilla

[@xINVISIGOTHx]

what? They don't have carburetors?

[@RevZilla]

+INVISIGOTH It's a pretty simple motor, but it does have new-fangled fuel injection. -DrewZilla

[@doopeedoo]

Love your videos man. Well put together. Well articulated. Nice visuals. They’ve been really helpful

[@chelseadasilva21]

New rider looking at the street 750 been watching you guys since december great info thanks RevZilla

[@whyughgeez]

This might be the nicest guy to walk this earth

[@Blackfinity1]

Great vid. Comb in the beard...priceless :)

[@AndrewSKelly]

I really appreciate this video. It shows the basics clearly, something which is actually kind of hard to find.

[@thenomadcoder]

i love this channel!!, im not yet buying my first motorcycle, but im sure that i know more than enough to feel confident during my practices

[@christopherlu4207]

I really like this dude.

[@nicseybold1808]

Gayyyyy lol

[@frankerck]

Add this to my 'positive motorcycle vid' collection. Thanks RevZilla. Perhaps you could cover turning/turning w/speed for new riders as well. I think this is a common fear for beginners.

[@XavierValentine]

He explains everything with the most detail , I like his videos

[@badura.develop]

I was searching for that type of video for long time, thanks man! :)

[@CelticWolfyCub]

I'm so glad videos like these are popping up everywhere. I'm going to be getting a Honda Grom hopefully by the summer. I've ridden dirt bikes through my childhood, but I want to get back into riding and since I need a better mode of transportation besides a bicycle, I figured a street bike is the way to go. I'm planning on taking the basic rider course soon, then shortly after, plan on getting my bike. The learning process of the basics has been fun so far. I so can't wait to really get into it ^-^

[@nightrider3067]

Good video

[@twiceisluv157]

I know this video is old. But I do appreciate it a lot! Thanks for the help ❤️ I’m riding my new 2015 Honda CBR 300R

[@KK11AN]

I've been riding for years and I have no idea why I'm still watching this all the way through 🤣😂 awesome!

[@will_irvin]

You should ride the Grom on the *half pipe*.

[@KONGxZILLA]

I'm glad I wasn't the only one hoping he would do that

[@BryanV6661]

agreed

[@ytascoobs]

There's not too many places that the Grom wont go. Right now the highway is the one spot that it has a problem but when I put in the Finbro 235cc in the highway wont be a problem he he he. 27hp vs 9.5hp 😆

[@RevZilla]

+Will Irvin Parkour Getting the halfpipe insured was hard enough. Who wants to convince them to underwrite Groms?! Any volunteers? :P -DrewZilla

[@thealvaco]

+Will Irvin Parkour I did that last year. Good times.

[@tmcalis566]

LOLOLLLL @ 1:45! Love it! Thanks for the vid :)

[@PhantomFox1]

All of your videos are awesome.. You do excellent reviews and you keep it real.. Thanks from a guy who wishes he could get a bike!

[@arvinvictoria4963]

Thanks Lemmy! This makes a lot of sense now since after I finished my riding course few days ago.

[@jensenmiller6410]

"Some bikes may have a kicker" *Laughs in 91 KTM starter bike*

[@kaylarichardson9682]

Great video. With me being a "newbie" I feel I've learned enough to want to embrace this new profound hobby. Thank you for making this video enjoyable on all levels

[@bradleymathie1167]

So much energy, but better than any instructor I've ever seen.

[@G-probo]

i ride and saw this video and wanted to check it out and it’s insane how much off a help you would have been. it’s an awesome tutorial keep up the good work!

[@roxic1212]

HahaHaha! The skull rings had me going!!!

[@RevZilla]

+Roxic12 ATRATT: All the rings, all the time. -DrewZilla

[@UncleJimboo]

That seesaw analogy for the clutch and gas waa great. Now for turning off the bike, do you recommend using the kill switch or the key? Some say using the kill switch is bad for the motor

[@LynxStarAuto]

It's the same function. When you turn the key, you cut power to the ignition system regardless.

[@Adrastos34]

+kevin7993 It depends on the bike really. It is best to use the key though, as the kill switch is usually meant for when you need to turn the bike off in a hurry. For example certain brands of motorcycles can have issues arise with the ECU when the kill switch is used often. Some motorcycle manuals even warn against it. My bike has a shutdown sequence that should be performed, (it even makes sounds like its trying to communicate with its home planet). If I hit my kill switch that sequence does not happen. To be on the safe side I would just use the key. Additionally using the kickstand to turn off the bike is also in effect like using a kill switch.

[@krofski]

+Adrastos34 Is your bike a Triumph? My Street Triple does make strange alien noises after a few seconds when I shut it off with the key ;)

[@eggsaladactyl]

+kevin7993 I always recommend using your key not because it functions differently than the kill switch, but because it helps as a reminder to not forget your key in the ignition. I only ever use the kill switch if I need to kill the engine while in gear because I need to stop the bike and get off quickly.

[@LynxStarAuto]

Adrastos34 That is interesting. What brands state so in the manual? I have a hard time believing this would damage any components, because all the kill switch does is interrupt the coil driver. It does not disturb power to the engine computer. So essentially it kills spark. The way a coil produces spark is by turning on and off. The only thing you are doing with the kill switch is turning it off permanently. Also, for those bikes that have the driver built into the engine computer, the kill switch is wired after the computer inline to the coil. Again, all you are doing is interrupting the feed to the coil.

[@respawn2449]

Best motorcycle tutorials ever. Leaky is o chill, it makes it easier to learn maaaan

[@Veeziful]

Nice video! I'm a new rider and can't over-stress the value of taking the MSF basic rider course before you hop on a bike. Being taught by a friend or family member raises the odds of having an accident (according to Proficient Motorcycling, which you should also read). I paid about $250 for the MSF course (they provide the bike and helmet) and they teach you the basics of riding and slow-speed maneuvering over the course of two 9-hour days. In my state I also got a voucher to get my motorcycle license without further testing at the DMV. I was able to get my license and buy a bike a few days after the course and I can't imagine a safer way to get started.

[@luizdiaz5196]

When he puts on his rings. WTF?!!! Hilarious

[@RevZilla]

+Luiz Diaz Hey, gotta be prepared! -DrewZilla

[@heathy912]

came here to see lemmy on a grom XD

[@firstime911]

i wish they were some video like this when i first start riding.. very good video for new rider

[@connernamregah6925]

Hands down one of the best vids on how to ride a motorcycle on KZbin

[@Mrmeowgi123]

Am I the only one impressed by the intro? Some next level shit legit. ._.

[@user-ve4qt3uj3r]

Clicked on this expecting a low quality-filmed on a phone monotone video happily supervised it was quite the opposite

[@ralphaelconfer9719]

Great breakdown of how to ride. One of the best I've seen.

[@jeffmonterola]

I love your bike! Thanks for this tip Revzilla!

[@TheLasrboy]

"Your right hand does other stuff though" yeah it does ;)

[@SquidWithGear]

0:23 I'll show ya the ropes, Lemmy

[@Bogmired]

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[@Malicteal]

Fantastic video. The guy talking was very articulate and informative. I'm wanting to get onto riding and this video is a good bit of info overt the basics. Nicely done

[@exciter300]

Excellent, Brilliant and Straight Forward Tutorial....

[@cameronbromley9768]

anyone else come here just to see Lem on a grom? 😂😂

[@ie750]

next i will show you a 360 grom flip on this miniramp behind me..

[@darkfenrir13]

this is the second vid from you that im watching and i really like your way of teaching. very very friendly feel!

[@ErickaWilliamsCC]

thank you. this was extremely helpful.

[@MyMMC]

fuck yeah for honda grom :-D

[@DNHarris]

Lemonator!

[@Kaspurr84]

I need to send this to a friend that just can't seem to grasp the idea of clutch control, He has only ridden CVT scooters and given up on trying manuals out of frustration despite my tips, but I couldn't explain it as clear as Lemmy. I think for a lot of people who struggle on bikes is because they never grew up at least learning how to drive a manual car, the two definitely can go hand in hand.

[@quentinblevins7482]

Thanks dude! Helped me ride my first bike. Keep up the good work

[@sirkingsalot]

GROM GROM GROM GROM GROM GROM. Jake thegardensnake would be proud.

[@topal002]

FANNY PACK

[@MrHankHill]

Lolololol very true sir

[@FatherDinny]

“Your right hand does some other things aswell tho”

[@kriszone8536]

your the best one to visit on youtube when it is about bikes

[@wiggasoup6672]

This is pretty handy because I was confused when it came to the clutch and gears. I have a RM80 2 stroke dirt bike and I'm getting a TC125 so I needed to learn properly how to do it.