Learn How to Ride a Motorcycle

I receive a lot of questions from people who want to learn how to ride a motorcycle but don't know where to start or what steps they should follow.

There is no magic process to learn how to ride a motorcycle. Every rider follows a different plan to learn how to ride a motorcycle.

I have written a 5-part article that tells you what you have to do to learn how to ride a motorcycle.

Part 1 is an introduction to motorcycles.

Part 2 tells you how to get started learning to ride a motorcycle.

Part 3 discusses getting the training you need to ride a motorcycle.

Part 4 talks about buying your first motorcycle.

Part 5 discusses becoming a motorcyclist.

This article gives you my viewpoint on what it takes to become a proficient motorcyclist. Check out How You CAN Learn to Ride a Motorcycle

Consumer Reports and Motorcycles

Well, I've been a subscriber to Consumer Reports (CR) for longer than I can remember. I even pay for subscriptions for my three adult children. Today, I saw that CR is now possibly getting into the business of evaluating entry-level motorcycles and scooters.

Here's an excerpt from an article Motorists Move to Scooters and Motorcycles to Save from the Consumer Reports Blog:

"Consumer Reports is researching this segment and is looking into developing a test protocol to evaluate scooters and entry-level motorcycles. We approach these products with grave concern for rider safety and caution readers against a hasty decision to move to two-wheeled transportation without proper training and safety gear."

Motorcycles and Consumer Reports. I can hardly believe it, but I'm happy at the same time. Let's hope they spend lots of time talking about Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) training and wearing proper apparel. We certainly don't want a whole new segment of riders who are only riding to save on gas money.

Transportation Secretary, Mary Peters, Wants to Lower Motorcycle Deaths

Today, Transportation Secretary Mary Peters has announced new initiatives to support motorcyclists. Peters is, herself, a motorcyclist. According to USA TODAY, she has proposed a new plan that includes:

• Training. DOT will develop national standards for entry-level motorcycle riders to achieve what Peters calls "a baseline of competency."
• Enforcement. DOT will create a training program to teach police officers about specific efforts to reduce crashes.
• Education. Public Service Announcements will feature Peters on the importance of helmets and other protective gear. A "Share the Road" campaign will remind drivers to be alert for motorcyclists.

Check out the complete story and offer your comments on this new plan, below.