Starting Out
Think like a rider.
Choose a motorcycle.
Learn basics of Clutch, Throttle and Brakes.

Practice riding
Throttle & Clutch
Parking Lot practice
Sample motorcycle exercises

Low Traffic riding
Shifting gears
Riding conditions
Traffic situations

>Progressive riding
Counter steering
Highway riding
Wind Turbulence

Carry a Passenger
Accelerating
Cornering
Hills

In British Columbia, you must pass the skills test before the speed restriction of 60 km/h is lifted. Then you can practice merging onto and exiting the freeway.

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Live in British Columbia?

Visit Local riding section to read about my experience as a new motorcyclist in British Columbia. Find local information about learning to ride a motorcycle.

CounterSteering

The basics of Counter-steering is using motorcycle lean to steer around a curve.
The faster the speed, the more you must lean to turn.

Before curve reduce speed slightly.

Look through to the exit of turn.

Lean motorcycle by slightly pushing the handlebar in direction of turn.
The amount of push is determined by how sharp of a turn you need to make.

Push left, lean left.
Push right, lean right.

Coming out of the turn, roll on throttle as the bike straightens up.

Have a quick tip?
Got a question?

Comments & Questions

Maintaining safety margins and timing is crucial when riding at speeds of 80 km/h and up. Make sure to do hazard spotting and shoulder checks as always.

Being at higher speed, you have to look further ahead, anticipate traffic and shoulder check frequently before changing lanes. Maintain a following distance of at least three seconds between vehicles. It's important to have an escape route to steer out of a dangerous situation.

Use the on-ramp to accelerate and match speed with the flow of traffic.
The off-ramp is used to slow down, after merging off the freeway.

• Maintain a safe following distance.
• Scan highway traffic for a safe gap.
• Accelerate to highway speed.
• Check mirrors, turn on signal and shoulder check. Merge into traffic when safe.
• Merge into the lane and settle into a dominant position.
• Continue looking ahead and checking mirrors to maintain highway traffic awareness.
• When exiting freeway always mirror check and signal then shoulder check. After merging into exit lane, slow to posted speed limit.

Turbulence

Turbulence isn't something one thinks much about at city speeds, but when riding over 80 km/h it becomes a definite issue. Scanning the road will alert you to obvious turbulent vehicles like trucks. But crosswind gusts (such as when crossing a bridge) can catch you unaware and blow a motorcycle off the road.

Lean forward to reduce wind resistance and grip the handlebars firmly. Steer in the direction of the wind and slow down. Ride in the center of the lane to enable moving in either direction. Don't worry about the dreaded grease strip, the freeway is less likely to have it than city streets.

Allow extra space between you and a large passing vehicle.

Ready for the next level?

Carry a Passenger
Accelerating
Cornering
Hills