Quote:
Originally Posted by jkv45
This video is painful to watch, but shows what can go wrong in a hurry when trying to teach someone to operate a motorcycle for the first time -
https://www.visordown.com/motorcycle...horribly-wrong
This is why I always suggest a small dirt bike as the best way to learn to operate a cycle. Even a R3 can take off very quickly (heard the tire squeal when she revved and dropped the clutch) and get away from a new rider super easily.
You would also want a completely empty parking lot.
There are plenty of other things you would want them to know before turning them loose (like practicing how to pull in the clutch and apply the brake), but having plenty of open space might have helped.
Hopefully she was OK. |
I always cringe when I see people teaching new riders how to ride. I've been teaching little kids and new riders for a long time and what most people do is give too much information. It should be broken down into simple steps and worked on one thing at a time. For example. I have the riders sit on the bike and without it even being on i teach them how to roll on the gas and roll it OFF (this is probably the most important part) as you always want their first reaction to be rolling OFF the gas.
From there I turn on the bike and put it in neutral and have them feel/hear how the bike sounds when the gas is rolled on. I have them roll it on and off a bunch of times. Then on and off a bunch more times without them looking down at the throttle. Then I have them practice holding it steady (as if they were riding slowly) and then rolling off again.
After that I have them put it in gear and practice letting out the clutch JUST until they feel it engage and then pulling it back in again. I have them do that a bunch of times so that they know they can always pull the clutch in to stop it moving forward.
THEN i stand in front of the bike and have them slowly work on adding throttle while they let out the clutch and have them move slowly forward before pulling in the clutch again. I have them do this a bunch of times before even letting them go 10 feet or so.....its a controlled gradient that allows them to really get a feel and understanding of how to ride.
I've taught kids as young as 4 as well as adults that have never ridden and this method seems to work really well with no issues. Whenever I hear people talking about learning to ride I'm always like, "Hey! I can help!"
I love it (but have a hard time watching others throw people to the sharks!)
One thing at a time. Practice. Gradient. Stay safe.