Okay, so I’ve always thought motorcycles were cool, the whole “rebel” vibe and all that. But I’m, like, the least coordinated person ever. Seriously, I trip over air. So, the idea of balancing on two wheels at speed? Terrifying. But I decided to give it a shot anyway. Here’s how it went down:
The Beginning (aka Total Panic)
First, I signed up for a beginner’s motorcycle safety course. Figured that was the responsible thing to do, plus they provide the bikes, so I didn’t have to commit to buying one before I even knew if I could stay upright. The first day was all classroom stuff – rules of the road, parts of the bike, basic safety gear. Boring, but necessary.
Then came the fun part…or so I thought. We went out to the training lot, and there they were – rows of small, kinda beat-up motorcycles. My stomach immediately did a flip-flop. The instructor, a super chill dude with a permanent tan, showed us the basics: how to mount the bike (which I almost messed up), how to use the clutch (so many levers!), and how to start the engine (vroom!).
My first attempt at moving? A disaster. I stalled the bike. Like, five times in a row. Everyone else was slowly puttering around, and I was just sitting there, feeling like a complete idiot. The instructor patiently walked me through it again, and finally, finally, I managed to get going without killing the engine.
Baby Steps (Literally)
The rest of the course was a blur of slow-speed maneuvers. We practiced:
- Turning: Which felt super weird at first, like leaning into the fall.
- Stopping: Surprisingly harder than it looks, especially coordinating the front and rear brakes.
- Shifting gears: My nemesis! So many near-stalls.
- Swerving: To avoid imaginary obstacles, which I almost hit anyway.
I dropped the bike once. Luckily, it was at a super slow speed, and I was wearing all the protective gear. It was more embarrassing than anything else. The instructor just helped me pick it up and told me to shake it off. “Everyone drops their bike at some point,” he said. That made me feel a little better.
Getting My License (and Some Confidence)
By the end of the course, I was still shaky, but I managed to pass the skills test! I actually got my motorcycle license! It felt amazing, like I’d conquered Mount Everest or something. I was still far from being a pro, but I could at least ride around a parking lot without falling over (most of the time).
The Real World (and Still Learning)
After getting my license, I bought a used motorcycle – a small, manageable one, nothing too crazy. My first few rides on actual roads were terrifying. Cars seemed huge and unpredictable. I stuck to quiet streets and practiced, practiced, practiced.
I’m still learning, and I still have moments of panic. But I’m getting better. I’m more comfortable with the controls, more confident in my turns, and less likely to stall at every stop sign. It’s definitely been a challenge, but a rewarding one. Would I say it’s easy to learn to ride a motorcycle? Nope. But is it doable? Absolutely. Just be prepared to put in the time, effort, and maybe endure a few embarrassing moments along the way.
