Once you have your motorcycle license (and a motorcycle), you need to start learning how to ride using a progression strategy. Keep in mind that you should never stop practicing your skills, but you also shouldn’t head right out and ride on a highway at high speeds.
What is the progression strategy for motorcycling?
Just like it sounds, the progression strategy is gradually building on previous skills and progressing to the next level.
I haven’t actually made a chart or broken it down into an infographic like I had when I was teaching my Brownies, then Junior Girl Scouts how to camp, but as a mom who recently taught my teenager to drive can affirm, the best way is to work your way up to the skills you need.
Where should I start?
Since there’s no infographic, I can tell you what I did. I started in a parking lot. I was fortunate, though, that I could have Jason ride my motorcycle to a local school parking lot over the summer (aka empty parking lot). I followed him in the car and then we traded places.
If you don’t have someone to do that for you, you can start in your driveway and a nearby neighborhood with cul-de-sacs.
I was in the parking lot for a few hours over a few weekends. And I needed it. The bike I rode for my class was a Suzuki TU250. The bike I was riding for real was so much larger and more powerful. I needed time to get used to the Triumph. (Read this for more about my “for real” motorcycle.)
I used the progression strategy in the parking lot. I started with my “coach” (Jason) on the sidelines and did circles around the lot; getting a feel for the bike, learning how the bike brakes; becoming comfortable with right turns and left turns, etc.
At some point, I worked on shifting to second gear and then back to first (working that clutch and getting comfortable with the gear shift). And then took some strides around the bus loop where my “coach” couldn’t see me. That was a little nerve-wracking to be honest because I was working on my leans and riding the curves in both first and second gear. Then, I went out on a back road and started working up to 40mph. Then 50mph.
It took a few weeks before I could ride the motorcycle to the parking lot myself, but I eventually did that too. It gave Jason the flexibility to start riding his new motorcycle with me. And that is when my skills really started to progress.
What kind of skills did I work on?
What kind of skills was I working on in the parking lot? Well, during the class I didn’t really have time to master any of the skills they taught us, and being new riders, most of our skills were slow speed riding, throttle control, friction zone control, starting and stopping, etc.
In the parking lot, I really worked on those skills. I did figure eights for friction zone control in between parking spaces working on tighter and tighter turns.
I practiced shifting gears from first to second and then back to first and stopping.
I worked on my leans around the bus loop, my right and left turns in first and second gear, getting used to how much I would need to lean for a turn and if I didn’t want to lean that much, figuring out at what speed I felt comfortable turning.
When I finally got out on the main road, needing to quickly get to 55mph because of traffic, and needing to stop and turn at lights, it felt amazing!
Jason and I rode out to a local park from the school parking lot. It was only about 5 miles away, but I had such a sense of pride for learning all the skills I needed to get there. In the days ahead, we went even further. I earned this photo. And I intend to keep earning them.
Never stop practicing.
You should always be assessing your risk as a rider and keeping your skill levels greater than your need on the road. For example, I don’t purposefully ride in the rain, nor do I ride at night.
That doesn’t mean I won’t one day, but for now, I will stick to roads I have driven and know pretty well to reduce my risk as much as I can since I’m still starting out.
Progression is the best way to slowly build your comfort level and skills. Don’t try to do too much too fast. And never stop practicing!
Progression isn’t just good for your skills, it’s good for breaking in your bike and your physical endurance for longer rides as well.
Do you have an “I earned that” moment for your rides? Tell me in the comments!
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