If a person can ride a bicycle, learning to ride a motorcycle would be easier.

This article, would concentrate on instructing a student, how to ride a manual motorcycle.

In such a vehicle, the rider changes the gears himself. Foremost, remember a motorcycle is powered by petrol or fuel. It is therefore dangerous.

A slight twist of the throttle, will cause the machine to surge forward.

Before teaching a rider how to ride, it’s important that we introduce him to the controls itself.

A new rider, assuming he or she has never ridden a bike before should know:

i) The handbrake is on the right side of the handle. Use the right hand / fingers to depress it.

ii) The foot brake. Also situated o the right hand side where your right foot rests.

iii) Then there’s the gear control on the left side of your left foot.

Smaller motorcycles today have no clutch control. The gears are changed automatically, without the help of the clutch.

Let’s proceed then to the gear control.

Gear Control

Normally, a motorcycle has the following gears: Free gear, gear 1, 2, 3 and sometimes 4.

To make it easier for riders, the latest models of motorcycles, have “gear and free gear” denominations on the handle bars. You can look at the handle bar denominations to help you.

Today’s bikes use electronic starters. Upon switching the ignition switch, press a “starter” button to start the machine.

The steps are:

i) Ensure first of all, the motor is in free gear.

ii) Gear one is engaged by stepping down or forward with your left foot once.

iii) Accelerate slightly the throttle on the right hand side of the handle bar.

iv) With this, gear one will move the machine forward.

v) Keep accelerating the throttle and when the machine has moved approximately 10 – 20 meters, step the gear down, with your left foot for the 2nd gear and thus move faster.

To step, pull the handbrake and simultaneously step the foot brake with your right foot.

Next, is to free the gear. Look at the gear mechanism on your handle bar for help.

Learn to switch off the ignition key.

Start all over from step (i) to (v) and soon enough you’ll be on your way to riding a motorcycle eventually.

Gear 3 and 4 can be learnt at a later stage, when you mastered gears free one and two.

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If one were to list down all the mistakes usually made by motorcycle rides, I believe it would take an extremely long time to finish them all. What is suggested is to pick a few of the mistakes normally made by most riders and highlight them.

1) Involved in illegal racing or “merempit”. Merempit or to be involved in it is an offense. In reality, you have gone against Section 81 of the Akta Pengangkutan Jalan ’87. The fine is RM2000 or a 6 months prison sentence. Or you might even get both. Your license may even be suspended.

2) No helmet or helmet not tied properly. Not wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle is “wrong”. Wearing a helmet but not tying a helmet properly is also an offense. You could easily be fined to the tune of RM150 for it.

3) Driving without a license. Sometimes, some drivers forget to bring their license with them while they are driving. As a matter of fact, having no license at the time the authorities stop you is deemed an offense. You could be summoned under Section 26 (1). The summon is RM150.

4) L.D.L. (Learner’s Driver’s License) ferrying passengers. “L” drivers are prohibited from bringing passengers. If you should be caught for the above offense, you could easily be fined a tune of RM200.

5) Carrying or ferrying more than the permitted number of persons. A motorcycle is meant for 2 persons. Normally we observe parents bringing 2 – 3 children with them on their motorcycle. This is indeed an offense.

But anyway, the Police in this country are a kind and friendly lot. From my observation, not many police personnel relish summoning the wrong doers.

6) Not using the “P” or the “L” plate. If you are in possession of an “L” or “P” plate, failure to affix the “P” and “L” plates on your motorcycle would be considered an offense. For your information, this offense carries a fine of RM150.

7) Front and rear lights are not “on”. In Malaysia, motorcyclists must have their front as well as rear lights on no matter day or night. That’s the law.

If you happens to be arrested by the authorities for the above offense, you will definitely be fined for it. So do remember, put on both the front and rear lights.

The better idea would be to align the lights with the ignition switch to enable it to be automatically switched on when the motor is started.

8) The right hand side handle mirror is considered a compulsory item for a motorcycle. While the left hand handle mirror is optional, the right hand side mirror is something “compulsory”. Not having the right hand side handle bar mirror will therefore become a offense.

9) Using of the hand-phone while riding a motorcycle. Believe it or not, some do use the hand phone while they are riding a motorcycle. It’s dangerous. In case you don’t know, it is actually an offense, just like cars. It’s dangerous, let me repeat!

If this is your habit, mark my words one fine day, you’ll be landed up knocking into someone else’s back! It’s a matter of time. So, stop by the side of the road if you need to talk.

10) Not remembering to bring along your license along while riding your motorcycle. Not remembering your license is something very normal. Human beings are a little bit “absent minded”. It’s something that is not unusual.

Whatever it is, your action contravenes Section 26 (1) of the A.P.J (Akta Pengangkutan Jalan ’87). The following section actually reiterates you have “no license” or “do not possess a license to ride”. You actually posses a license. But at the time the Police or J.P.J. stopped you, literally you do not have a license on you.

This article contains some of the most frequent and common mistakes that are committed by motorcycle riders, not only in Malaysia but other countries as well.

As you read this blog, remember what you have read. It might very well assist you to avoid being “summoned” by the Police, no matter whether you are in Singapore, Australia or Hong Kong. As it is, the law is approximately the same all over the world.

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Seeing a Malay boy at the institute one day, I inquired if this was his first attempt at the motorcycle test. He replied this was actually his third attempt. The boy appeared down hearted. He lacked confidence. In fact, angry. He said if he were to fail again this time, he would go to the authorities to complain.

Having some time to spare that day, I engaged the boy in a conversation. According to him, he had done whatever was needed. He did everything he had been asked to do. Yet, he failed. He felt unfairly penalised.

After some 25-30 year experience in this field, I feel capable enough to offer some advice. First, one should be able to ride a motorcycle steadily.

Testers, who are most well trained and experienced can spot a wobbly and unsteady rider when they see one.

Therefore, learn to handle the machine well. You have to ride confidently and well. Therein lies the key to success.

Helmets worn should have no more than 2 fingers leeway between the helmet and your face. As such, learn to tie your straps correctly.

Among the many obstructions and maneuver confronting the candidate is circling the 2 round abouts. Ideally, put the machine into 2nd gear. Make the necessary revolutions needed.

Ensure however, that you maintain the left side of the roundabout. Avoid riding in the center. A left hand ride is suggested.

After the roundabout, one approaches the 2nd maneuver, crossing the 7-8 meter long so called “bridge”. Some instructor advise that you ride along with the momentum gained thus far, using 2nd gear.

Others feel you should stop first, enter first gear, then proceed up the bridge. Either choice is yours. Only remember though, the crossing of the bridge should take at least 7 SECONDS.

The third section of zig-zag among the various cones is not much problem. After finishing the cone test, next, stop at a line, getting ready for the hand brake and foot brake.

Most fail this section, forgetting the application of the hand brake.

DO NOT leave the hand brake after stopping. Hold on to it tight until your tester finished observing you.

Get the idea? Good.

After finishing this section, you go on to the second section, which tests your hand signals and bike control ability.

Completing your initial checkings of the headlights, signals, horn, brake tails and so forth, ensure both your mechanical hand signals are on and most importantly that yours manual hand signals are on to, before moving off.

The important thing to remember is this. BOTH mechanical hand and your manual hand signals have to be applied simultaneously.

This is the key to success.

Do remember manual hand signals are to be applied CONFIDENTLY and the bike to be ridden steadily and well.

The test ends with a “slow-down” hand signal maneuver.

After stopping, disembark from the bike. Put the bike on “double stand”.

Using a one stand parking would entail the candidate a one or two point deduction. Remember, maintain a left hand side ride all the way to the finishing line.

Most people think the route/road used for the motorcycle test which is about 5 feet wide, permits the candidate to ride in the MIDDLE section of the road.

This isn’t the case. The moment the tester sees you using the middle portion of the road, you’ve had it.

This is my observation anyway. After years in this field, I think I should know what I am talking about.

By the way, the Malay boy mentioned earlier surprisingly passed the third time around. You should see him smiling and me – I felt tremendously wonderful.

No threats to the authorities and untoward incidents were necessary.

Only the above tips.

So, best of luck.

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