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I started riding again several years ago, and it was exciting, but frustrating:

• Which motorcycle should I purchase?
• What’s the best way to learn to ride?
• What’s the difference between: touring, sport-touring, standard, cruiser, dual-sport, and scooters?
• Which one should I purchase — based on my riding goals?
• Can I really reduce my risks of injury, or am I just a statistic?
• Who should I listen to… the loud guys on certain forums?
• Is 600cc too small… is 1300cc to large?
• Should I start with a small bike, and move up?
• Where can I turn for answers… from riders who actually RIDE… that I can respect!?

Let’s face it, finding someone with an opinion for these questions is NOT the hard part. Finding answers from mature riders that actually ride *more* than 100 miles [to the local pub] each year — now that’s a different story. Often times, the most vocal riders are not the most experienced and knowledgeable.

I read it all. Misguided advice on proper braking techniques… suggesting that you should avoid using the front brake at highway speeds, to misguided advice on how you should learn to ‘lay-er-down’ for minimum stopping distances — just to name a few.

“Who should I listen to?”

You see, this time around I was a bit older, a bit wiser, a bit slower to heal… with family that wants me [needs me] to stick around. I wanted to ride motorcycles — the right way!

My Motorcycle Mentors …

I was lucky. I found two riding mentors willing to help me through the process of purchasing and riding a motorcycle. Looking back on my first year, I realize they didn’t tell me everything at once. They waited until I was ready to process the information.

In one email to Fred I described an uncomfortable feeling I had when entering a corner at highway speeds. I wrote, “Fred, I feel weird when I’m entering a tight corner. I don’t feel confident and things look odd.” His response, “Are you keeping your head level with the road.” I said no.

He then emailed me pictures of motorcycle racers in tight corners. Guess what… they all had their heads tilted so their eyes were level with the horizon. I started doing this, and everything felt much better.

My relationship with them has been a major catalyst for this site.

My goals are simple: to bring experienced riders together with beginning riders … so both can benefit. Isn’t this the case for mentoring relationships?

If you are a beginning rider follow these 5 Steps — Now.

Step One: Sign up for our Riding Tips email Newsletter.

These free riding tips will help you get started the right way. Several rider coaches have volunteered to share examples from their coaching experiences. And it’s also the best way to stay informed about site news and upcoming events.

When you sign up, we will also send you a free copy of the MotorcycleMentor Beginning Rider Quick Start Guide. Don’t worry, we don’t give your email to ANYONE! And, you can easily remove your name from the list at any time. I promise. Simply put your first name and email address in the form [in the right column on this page under FREE NEWSLETTER] … and hit the “Sign Me Up” button.

Step Two: Send us a question.

Several motorcycle instructors have volunteered to answer your questions. Instead of doing this via forum, I’m asking riders to submit questions. I’ll post the answers on the site, so everyone can benefit. Over time, this will become a beginning rider FAQ of sorts.

And don’t worry, no question is ’stupid’… and no one will laugh or put you down. I’ve received all kinds of great questions since I started this site. But, I need more. We will use your first name, city, state in the article post. If you are more comfortable with a ‘made-up’ name, that’s fine too. What are *you* struggling with the most? Ask your question here.

Step Three: Tell others about this site.

A great way to do this is to post a link in your favorite forum, or send an email to your riding buddies. This site depends on beginning riders who are willing to ask questions. And it depends on experienced riders who are willing to share. One leg will not work without the other.

Not sure what to say? Copy the contents below and paste into your favorite forum or send via email or text.

Hey... I found a cool site that links experienced riders with beginning riders. MotorcycleMentor.com is for beginning and intermediate riders. They also need experienced riders to help out. They have a free Riding Tips Newsletter with exclusive tips. Sign up info is on their site: http://motorcyclementor.com

Step Four: Post a comment at the end of an article.

If you have a thought or opinion, we would love to hear it. Remember, there is always *someone* that is LESS EXPERIENCED than you… that could benefit from your ideas and experiences.

Step Five: Let us know how we could help.

Do you have ideas for articles? Do you have a topic that *you* would like to write about that others might find beneficial? Is there something you learned that might help others? Contact us here.

Learning to ride and experience the pleasures associated with motorcycling is not something that happens over night. Experienced riders will tell you they never stop learning. So, in that regard, this site is for all riders who take motorcycling seriously.

Thanks for stopping by, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,
David Mixson
Founder MotorcycleMentor.com

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Just the other night I did just that. I don’t even recall what I was looking for but I found something that really moved me.

Watch the video below and see what you think. Note: for smoother operations, pause the video after you start it to allow it to fully load … then hit play again.

Truth be told I was so moved by this one video that I contacted the guy who produced it, Jeff Pennock.

Not only does Jeff have great videography skills … he also has a great story. Jeff was in a serious motorcycle accident years ago. So serious that his doctors wanted to amputate his leg.

He said NO — but has had to suffer through several operations and a long recovery that continues to this day. He has all the details (pictures included) at his site.

Motorcycle Travel in Canada

Would he ever ride again? Heck, would he ever *want* to ride again?

Well, the answer to both is YES!

Jeff is not without physical struggles, but he continues to pursue his passion … exploring and filming the beautiful scenery in Canada.

I asked Jeff if he still enjoys riding as much ‘post accident’…

David:
Are you able to ride OK now? Did the accident take some of the pleasure away from riding?

Jeff:
I consider myself very fortunate, for so many reasons, and I am very thankful. Yes, I am ok to ride, I still walk with a noticeable limp and a level of pain that increases with the more I do, but I see it as the trade off for being alive, having been able to keep my leg, and do the things I do.

When I bought my current bike I was still in a wheelchair part time, and when I was able to ride again I fabricated a mount for my cane. I love riding, and have been doing so since I was seven.

“Did the accident take some of the pleasure away from riding?” No, I can honestly say it’s better…

What a story. Truth be told, I’m a little jealous of his gig. He has a great excuse to ride on some of the prettiest roads in the world … for the enjoyment of *us* the viewer!

I’m planning on interviewing Jeff in the next few weeks. In the meantime, take a look at his site and give him a shout-out if you like what you see.

PS. If you have a question or comment for Jeff, post a comment below and make sure to look at his site VRIDETV.com… where there are a bunch more videos to watch!

David

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He somehow makes it through (this should be a clue: he ain’t exactly Nicky Hayden now is he?)… but, now warned, what do you do?

First, you’re not right on his tail, correct?

Slow a little and assess your options. If the stones are few enough to count, you can probably ignore them since they’re primarily a visual distraction, posing little loss-of-traction potential.

If not, assertively modify your line so you avoid the most dense part.*

If you see you still must ride through the gravel, straighten the bike and brake firmly prior to the patch; then release the brakes and ease through on a neutral throttle, delaying the completion of your turn until you’re back on clean asphalt.

Then pull over and talk. What have you learned?

* If you are in a blind turn, do not consider the opposite lane part of your avoidance strategy. If oncoming traffic suddenly appears, your chances are zero to none.

Pete Tamblyn

If you received this Motorcycle Riding Tip from a friend, and would like to receive it freee, enter your first name and email in the form below. Your name and email will never ever ever be sold or given out under ANY circumstances.

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1. Motorcycle Riding Tips — Ride Relaxed

The MSF Rider course combines classroom instructions with hands-on motorcycle training.

For the basic MSF riding course, motorcycle ownership isn’t required. They provide the motorcycle (usually in the 250cc class) for the hands-on riding portion of the training. No worries, all riding is done on a closed course, often a roped-off parking lot.

Want to get the most out or your motorcycle training?

Here are 3 tips that helped me.

One: Take the MSF Motorcycle Training Seriously.

In many states, formal motorcycle training is a part of getting your motorcycle license. In other words, no training … no license.

Because of this, many riders approach the training with the wrong attitude. While it may be a ‘check-the-box’ requirement, it is also instruction that WILL make you a better motorcycle rider. Approaching the training with the right attitude can make a huge impact on how much you learn.

Pay attention, ask questions, and concentrate on improving your riding skills.

Two: Find an MSF Class with Only a Few Students for Each Instructor.

To increase the amount of personal instruction, consider joining a class with a low number of students per instructor.

When I took the MSF training course years ago, a riding buddy and I contacted the instructor and inquired about ’small classes’. For a slightly higher fee (approximately $100 each), one of the senior instructors conducted a class ‘just for the two of us’.

According to our instructor, we were able to perform each riding exercise many more times than the typical student. Another advantage… we felt comfortable asking ‘less than brilliant’ questions. We also took the class during the winter, which helped us find a ‘willing’ instructor.

Three: Take the MSF Training Class in Another City.

If your finances allow it, consider taking the MSF training class in a nearby city… close enough to be an easy drive, but far enough away to ’stay the night’.

This is exactly what we did.

Instead of focusing on rushing home to face the responsibilities of ‘life’, we concentrated on the task at hand — learning how to more proficiently ride a motorcycle. For an extra $50 each, we stayed at a hotel near the training facility.

Another bonus: our discussions at dinner focused on the riding lessons that day, and on a list of questions for the next.

In summary: Approach the MSF training with the right attitude. Concentrate on becoming a better rider, and ask lots of questions. In addition, try to find a class with a small number of students… in a nearby city.

The most experienced, skilled motorcycle riders I know all have one thing in common. They take improving their riding skills seriously, and are constantly seeking ways to improve them.

Let’s follow the leaders.

MSF training is conducted at over 1500 locations across the United States. A quick search on their website will highlight a location — with contact information — near you.

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1. Women’s Motorcycle Gear — 4 Tips to Selecting the Right Gear

Motorcycle riders know that being butter smooth when shifting is difficult. Fred, over his decades of riding [being an Engineer by trade probably helped him find a solution too] developed a nearly fail-proof method of shifting a motorcycle transmission smoothly.

Motorcycle Quick Tip:
Fred shares his technique for how to shift gears on a motorcycle smoothly…

Are your shifts clunky?

I’ve found that most modern motorcycles respond very well to the following technique for shifting:

For each upshift to a higher gear, take up the slack in the clutch lever and gently preload the foot shifter with your toes before shifting. At the point you have the slack taken up in both controls, shift!

The shift will usually be butter-smooth and you should have fewer mis-shifts.

Fred Applegate

Note: I’ll have to admit I was a bit skeptical when Fred first mentioned this method. But IT WORKS. For me, I’m not successful 100% of the time, but with practice my shifting is noticeably smoother. I’ve tried it, and with a little practice, it works great (on cars too)!

This was originally published in the Motorcycle Riding Tips Newsletter.
If you would like to receive our free Riding Tips Newsletter, enter your first name and email in the form below.

We hate spam as much as you do! Your name and email will never be sold or rented under ANY circumstances. Unsubscribe information is sent with each Tip.

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1. Better control of the bike (immediate).

2. Less fatigue during the ride (today).

3. Prevention of damage to your body (tomorrow).

Yet, still, when you do a posture check, you discover your elbows locked, your hands tight on the grips and your shoulders up around your ears.

Why can’t you remember to ’stay loose on the bike’?

You know that for some reason the bike’s handling instantly improves with a slight bend in the elbows and an intentional decrease in tension.

Make a habit of consciously relaxing as you encounter any road conditions which seem to make you tense: poor road surface, a sharp turn, steep downhill. You can do it when you are aware you will become tense, and learn to predict when it is most severe (and most disadvantageous).

See a steep, downhill gravel section coming up?

You have three options:

…grit it out with a death grip on the bars, arms straight

…relax and ease through the section, keeping your eyes far ahead

…turn around.

Your choice partner.

Pete Tamblyn

Related posts:

1. How to Ride a Motorcycle on Gravel in a Turn
2. Women’s Motorcycle Gear — 4 Tips to Selecting the Right Gear

Other than riding with your chain adjusted too tight (and, unlike valves, chains tend to loosen with running) or the rear wheel mis-aligned in the swingarm, the worst form of neglect is to run it without lube.

“But wait; the nice salesman said I wouldn’t need to bother lubing the O-Ring (or X-Ring) chain,” you protest.

I won’t expound on a conspiracy theory that sales folk get a commission on every chain/sprocket replacement by their Service Department (absolutely untrue), but I might wink that the “no lube” argument makes selling you a chain-drive motorcycle one step simpler.

Figure it out: it’s moving parts, dry rollers on dry sprocket teeth.

Unless you’re turning hot laps in a sand pit and using molasses for chain lube (essentially plating your chain with abrasives), cleaning and lubing the chain will have more positives than negatives.

That said, what’s an inexpensive, readily-available product that sprays on and leaves no sticky residue?

I find DuPont Teflon Multi-Use Lubricant, under six bucks at any Lowe’s, to be the answer.

Industrial tests indicate an increase in chain life five times greater than other brands.

Nuff said.

Pete Tamblyn

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“With training and experience, women can and often do become as good or better than men with the same training and experience. — Joanna Murray”

Now, let’s look at how long women have been involved in the sport.

Is it a new phenomenon?

A review of history reveals that women have been in the sport of motorcycling from the very beginning. One of the pioneers of the early days, when roads were gravel and dirt trails, is Della Crewe of Waco, Texas.

During the summer of 1915, Della rode her Harley Davidson over 5,000 miles on a trip to see America. Friends and family tried to dissuade her but Della could not be stopped. She proved a point — motorcycling does not have to be a man’s sport. A motivated, adventurous woman is completely capable.

Need further convincing? Pick up the just published book “Women in the Wind: Fearless Women of the 20th and 21st Centuries” by Jasmine Bluecreek Clark of Colorado. A great read.

Are there studies which conclude that men are truly better suited to the sport of motorcycling?

For decades men have hit the open road with little training. Are they naturals? Do they have an intuitive advantage or perhaps just a ‘leg up’ because of exposure in childhood?

Meet Jennifer Hooper, an instructor with Florida’s Motorcycle Training Institute Inc. Jennifer reports that no one ever said to her, ‘Girls can’t ride motorcycles.’ In fact, her parents said the opposite. They gave her a bike at a young age and supported her interest in riding with the boys and the big kids in the neighborhood. Both her parents and grandparents rode.

Jennifer has never had any doubt about her ability to be a highly skilled motorcyclist. Today Jennifer not only trains new riders, but she also trains riding instructors. She is a motorcycle coach trainer.

It’s not a man’s sport in Jennifer’s world.

But do men learn the sport more easily?

Meet Joanna Murray, co-owner and instructor with Atlanta Motorcycle Schools, has observed — first hand — these differences in men and women riders.

“Close to 40% of our customers are women — compared to only 10% of the riding population. In general, women tend to have a slower learning curve than men. I believe this is due to the mechanical complexity and the associated risk of riding. However, since riding a motorcycle is much more about mental skills and technique than it is about size and strength, women tend to focus more on the technique. With training and experience, women can and often do become as good or better than men with the same training and experience.”

Do more men ride motorcycles than women? Yes.

Can women become just as skilled at riding motorcycles as men? Yes.

Can women experience the passion and enjoyment of motorcycling? Yes.

Do women have a significant economic impact on the sport? Yes.

Is motorcycling a man’s sport? NOT ON YOUR LIFE!

Donn

Related posts:

1. Are Motorcycles Just for Men? — Part 1