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Motorcycle Rider Tips

All of the information, instructions, and recommendations on this Web site are offered on a strictly "as is" basis. Remember "Murphy's Law." Please take the proper precautions before attempting any of the tips or modifications listed here.

Contents

Classes / Lessons / Training

Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Basic Rider Course

The first thing to do, after getting your motorcycle permit, is to take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Basic Rider Course (BRC) (800-447-4700).

The BRC was developed by the Motorcycle safety Foundation as a complete riding program for the beginning rider. The program consists of seven hours of classroom instruction and eleven hours of hands-on riding instruction all taught by MSF certified instructors. The two-and-a-half day, 18 hour course provides beginning motorcyclists with the basic mental and physical riding skills necessary to minimize risk on the street. Topics covered include: straight line riding, shifting, braking, turning and swerving techniques as well as motorcycle dynamics.

You will learn important skills that could help you stay safe in tough situations. What better way to get additional experience and learn techniques that will make you a better rider.

MSF Courses are available in the New York City area at: Motorcycle Safety School and Trama's Motorcycle & Auto School.

Videos

• Ride Like a Pro by Jerry "Motorman" Palladino
• Twist of The Wrist II DVD by Keith Code / California Superbike School

High Performance Courses

After you've gotten at least a year/3,000 miles of street riding experience, you may want to take your skills to the next level. Check out:

• Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic
• California Superbike School (Motorcyclist Magazine article)
• CLASS Motorcycle Schools
• Penguin Roadracing School
• American Supercamp

Trackdays

• Sportbike Track Time (STT) (Note: has training classes for novices to the racetrack, but not to riding)
• Team Pro-Motion Sportsbike Club (TPM) (Note: has training classes for novices to the racetrack, but not to riding)
• Northeast Sportbike Association (NESBA)

Books and Articles

I recommend the following books for learning valuable riding techniques:

• Sport Riding Techniques: How To Develop Real World Skills for Speed, Safety, and Confidence on the Street and Track: by Nick Ienatsch
  • Available from: Amazon.com, Buy.com
    
    
• A Twist of the Wrist, Volume 2: The Basics of High-Performance Motorcycle Riding: by Keith Code
  • Available from Amazon.com, Buy.com
    
    
• Total Control: High Performance Street Riding Techniques by Lee Parks
  • Available from Amazon.com, Buy.com

Articles & Stories

• 50 Ways to Save Your Life
  
  
• The Pace: Separating Street From Track, Riding From Racing by Nick Ienatsch
  
  
• Articles by Keith Code
  
  
• Slow Dancin' by Tara "zukigrrl" Walker
  
  
• Safety & Training Links

Performance Tips

Suspension

• The most important performance enhancement that should be done to your motorcycle is to get the suspension (front forks & rear shock) upgraded and adjusted properly to your weight, with full gear, and riding style.
  • More horsepower won't help you ride better, especially if the motorcyle isn't handling optimally.
  • Suspension tuning is not easy. Ask around to find a professional that really knows what they're doing.

Tire Pressure

• Check and set, if necessary, your front and rear tire pressures everytime before you ride.
  • Too much or too little pressure is dangerous and will affect the handling of the motorcycle.
    • Too much pressure may cause the tires to not warm up enough to give you optimal traction.
    • Too little pressure may cause the tires to get too hot, causing them to get greasy, also reducing traction.