Motorcycling is one of the great joys of my life. My dad always had at least one motorcycle in the garage, and ever since I was big enough to stand one up on my own, he was teaching me to ride. Luckily for me, I had a great teacher who stressed safety and taught me how to handle a bike even in difficult situations. The experience I gained in my early years of riding prepared me for what I see every day on the road, and made me a safer and more careful rider.

Learning to Ride a Motorcycle

Learning to ride a motorcycle can be a bit intimidating. If you're a little nervous about the idea of balancing yourself on a large, heavy machine with only two wheels, don't worry--you're not alone. Few people get on a bike for the first time without worry about messing it--or themselves--up.

The best piece of advice I would have for anyone interested in learning to drive a motorcycle is this: start small. Inexperienced riders on large, heavy bikes are a recipe for disaster. Until you feel comfortable on a large bike, you should restrict yourself to smaller bikes that you can easily pick up off the ground and balance between your legs.

Starting on a small bike will give you the feeling that you are in control--not the bike. It will also mean that you're riding a bike with a smaller engine, so you don't have to worry about going too fast. Once you feel that you have mastered the smaller bike, try one a little heavier and see how it feels. You'll find that everything you learned from the small bike will translate perfectly.