Riding Standard vs Riding a bike

[CharleneLizette]

Similarities?

Differences?


I'm going for schooling this weekend and I just want to have a better understanding. I know it wont work until i finally get on the bike but knowledge is power!

 

[tricky]

I don't understand the question. Are you asking the similarities between riding a motorcycle and a bicycle?

 

[CharleneLizette]

sorry shoulda clarified.. driving a standard car vs driving a motorcycle the gear switching primarily..my bad..

 

[tricky]

oh ok. I've driven a standard car a few times (after learning to ride the bike first). The principles the same, but the execution is different, so it's hard to say. I taught a friend who drives standard to ride around in a parking lot, he picked it up almost instantly so that might count for something.

Main differences are (obviously) switching the limbs that operate the clutch and shift lever, the gear arrangement (1 down, neutral, 5 up) and the fact that most motorcycles have a wet clutch, so you don't have to worry about burning clutch plates. You use the clutch a lot on the bike when riding slowly.

Other than that, it's the same deal with the friction zone and balancing the clutch and throttle.

 

[conundrum]

Tricky summed it up pretty nicely. For myself (I learned how to drive on a stick), once you get the physical difference down, the hardest part for me was remembering I could ride the clutch. After driving stick for so many years it was ingrained in me to get on and off the clutch as quickly as possible, so I had to (and sometimes still do) make a mental effort to remind myself it is ok (and proper) to ride the clutch when moving slowly in first.

 

[dodgingwrenches]

and the fact that most motorcycles have a wet clutch, so you don't have to worry about burning clutch plates. You use the clutch a lot on the bike when riding slowly.

Good to know! Thanks

 

[CharleneLizette]

amazing... I drive stick i dont remember the last time i drove automatic.. I'm just a bit nervous to ride a bike and get use to the gears so i wanted a thorough understanding of the differences and similarities ... on a side note.. should you ride the clutch or is it okay to ride the clutch. and what are the benefits of riding it?

Thanks for everyones help this forum is sweet.

 

[tricky]

amazing... I drive stick i dont remember the last time i drove automatic.. I'm just a bit nervous to ride a bike and get use to the gears so i wanted a thorough understanding of the differences and similarities ... on a side note.. should you ride the clutch or is it okay to ride the clutch. and what are the benefits of riding it?

Don't worry too much. You'll have it down pat in no time. Another difference between bikes and cars that I forgot to mention is that you only really use neutral on a bike when you are turning it on or off. Some people will put it in neutral at the lights to get some relief for their wrist, but apart from that it's not used when you're on the go.

Outlaw_Justice has an excellent post on riding the clutch, definitely check it out: http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforum/showthread.php?158609-Riding-The-Clutch (all of his other posts are gold for new riders)

The summary is that riding the clutch is needed to control the bike at slower speeds. It is absolutely okay. Think of the throttle as a hose, and the clutch as a nozzle. It refines the power from the throttle into something smoother and more useful. Slow speed maneuvers only using the throttle are really hard, the bike will be really jerky

EDIT: Just some more of my 2 cents.. whenever the bike is in 1st and I'm riding slowly without using the clutch (which I'll do when I'm lazy and riding in and out of my parking garage, for example) I always feel like the bike is taking me for a ride, and not the other way around. When riding the clutch, I'm in total control of it and don't feel that way at all

 

[DSevigny]

The course (Humber) teaches you to ride the clutch for moving slowly. In fact you'll probably end up doing an excercise dedicated to just that! I'm still fighting the instinct to get off the clutch as fast as possible but it get's a little better everyday.

 

[ROQET]

Welcome!!