Alright so last Tuesday I finally decided to tackle learning how to properly get on my buddy’s motorcycle. Sounds simple, right? Nope. Felt like a total newb. Gotta share how it went down, step by messy step.
The Gear Struggle Was Real
First things first, gearing up. My buddy tossed me his spare helmet – thank god – and I dug out my thickest jacket. Grabbed my clunky work boots too, not proper riding boots but better than sneakers. Felt kinda awkward standing there in the driveway looking like a mismatched action figure. Kept thinking: am I really gonna do this?
That First Awkward Attempt
Walked up to the bike, a hefty Suzuki cruiser. My buddy had already kicked down the side stand. Okay, deep breath. Faced the bike head-on like some awkward dance partner. Reached out with my right hand, grabbed the right handlebar grip – solid. Then I tried stepping my right leg over… and almost kicked the damn mirror clean off! Clumsy as heck. Bike wobbled, I grabbed tighter. Laughed it off, but man, that was step one: Don’t face the bike head-on like you’re gonna mount a horse. Learned that fast.
Getting Smarter With the Approach
Second try, I turned sideways, basically standing parallel to the bike’s seat. Felt way more natural. Kept the bike upright with my right hand on the grip. Now, instead of trying to swing high, I just lifted my right leg kinda sideways over the seat. Didn’t try to clear the bike like an Olympic hurdle this time. Just a little hop and shift. Boot landed safely on the other side. Way smoother. Key thing: Stand beside it, lift leg like stepping over a fence.
The Footpeg Thing Nobody Tells You
Planting both feet felt okay, but the bike felt super tall. My buddy pointed at the rear brake pedal on my right. “See that? You just kicked it pushing off,” he said. Oops. Then he showed me how he plants his left foot firmly flat on the ground first. Keeps it planted. Then, swings his right foot straight onto the right peg. Like stepping up onto a low stool. I copied that. Kept my right foot resting on the peg, not stomping on the brake. Game changer! Felt way more balanced immediately.
Finding the Seat Without Looking Like a Fool
With left foot still solidly planted, right foot comfortably on its peg, I just shifted my weight straight down onto the seat. No hopping. No dramatic flop. Just… lowered myself straight down. Left foot stayed planted firmly until my butt hit the leather. Only then did I gently bring my left foot up and onto its peg. Sat solid. Felt stable. Victory!
Took me like five attempts to stop feeling like a giraffe on roller skates, but sticking to those basic points made it click:
- Stand sideways next to the bike, not facing it.
- Left hand? Forget it for mounting. Use your right hand on the grip for balance.
- Plant that left foot solid on the ground first.
- Place your right foot on its peg like stepping on a small box.
- Sit straight down gently, then bring up your left foot.
Simple when you break it down, but man, that first face-on attempt was pure comedy gold. Glad I learned these tips before actually trying to ride anywhere!
