How do I learn how to drive a motorcycle?

hop on one, start out slow and work your way up.

I’m guessing you’ve ridden a bicycle before, so you at least have the basic balance thing down. Do what I did, go and get a cheap motorcycle, $500 or so, nothing too powerful. And go to a big parking lot, or dead end street and hop on and take your time learning. Don’t get discouraged, I almost took out a couple of mailboxes the first time I got on, now I’ve been riding 2.5 years and I am very comfortable on them, and even felt comfortable enough to buy a new one.

Go to your local motorcycle dealer and ask about learn-to-ride classes. Alot of dealers (esp Honda) do this.

Search Yahoo Answers in this category for the tons of answers already given to this question.
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Listen to AceZX7. I was just cranky.

Knowing how to operate a clutch is a big help, but if you don’t, it’s not a show stopper. The key is the MSF course. You’ll learn all you need to know there.

Many community colleges offer courses for cheap. Also if you can drive a stick, it’s easier to learn to ride a bike because you already understand how the gears work.

girl, it take years to learn how to ride a bike so i suggest you stop thinking about it if you don’t no nobody about a motorcycle.

First off, if youre gonna be a motorcyclist, you need to know – you never DRIVE a motorcycle. YOU RIDE ON.

With that out of the way, the best thing you can do is learn to drive a manual transmission car. Once you know how to do that, figuring out how a bike operates is easy. Then, enroll in an MSF Course (Motorcycle Safety Foundation). They can teach you for like $80, on THEIR bikes, so you can drop it all day long!

Good luck. Stay safe, and ALWAYS wear protective riding gear.

from a friend

My best suggestion is to take a class. They will usually supply lower power, easy to handle bikes, require little to NO riding experience, and you get 15% off of your motorcycle insurance when you pass. I took a class to learn to ride, and I’m glad that I did. Good luck!

Yes, a class is great. I agree with everyone else. CHP offers classes (for California, anyway).

But know this, falling off a bike hurts and you WILL fall. Everyone falls (including me). Hopefully, it won’t be at high speeds. It’s not a question of IF you’ll fall, it’s WHEN. Be fearful of the asphalt… it’s hell. A fall at 30mph gives great road rash. Practice, practice, practice. Don’t be in a rush to get anywhere. Don’t worry about how you look when on your bike, just concentrate on riding well. And DEFINITELY wear protective gear (full face helmet, jacket, gloves, ankle covering boots/shoes).

Hopefully, I’ve given you a dose of reality. I love riding. I’ll ride forever.

Remember one other thing: most people drop their bikes at low speeds during u-turns or in parking lots. Master the low speeds first when no cars are around, then start driving around town. Sometimes in town riding is more dangerous than the freeway.

Safety first.