Notes for new manual motorbike riders

Practice using the manual clutch, using the right gear, and not letting the clutch go downhill are the rules that new manual motorbike riders should remember.

Manual transmission motorbikes require the driver to move both hands and feet flexibly and in coordination with each other. If you are proficient in driving a manual transmission motorbike, it will create joy in driving, but for those who are not proficient, it can lead to ironic and even dangerous situations. To be able to control a manual transmission motorbike smoothly, new drivers should note the following points:

1. Practice using the clutch

New drivers are afraid of stalling the engine so they pull the throttle as soon as they release the clutch a little. This action makes the engine roar but the vehicle cannot move because the clutch has not released the required distance.

To practice, choose a spacious, flat place away from public roads. In 1st gear, release the clutch with your left hand and do not pull the throttle. Release it very slowly until the vehicle starts to roll slowly. Remember this clutch range and practice again the next time, increase the speed of releasing the clutch but do not release it all the way, keep the same distance as before. After many times of practicing, the driver will know at what point the clutch release will make the vehicle move, from there adjust the throttle accordingly.

This practice step is really important when starting on a slope. If you release the clutch too quickly, the engine will stall. If you don't release the clutch enough before accelerating, the car will not move and will roll down the slope without braking.

2. Go in the right gear

When driving a manual transmission vehicle without a clutch (automatic clutch), you can run in any gear while the vehicle is rolling. Of course, an inappropriate gear will damage the gearbox, and the vehicle will quickly become sluggish over time. But when driving a manual transmission vehicle, running in a high gear at low speed can cause the engine to stall.

Now, shift to a lower gear. Know that you are in the wrong gear by listening to the car, if it makes a grinding sound and the car jerks, you are in a gear higher than the rolling speed.

3. Do not cut the clutch when going downhill

Many young people riding manual motorbikes have the idea that cutting the clutch off when going downhill will take advantage of inertia and save gas, but that is a misconception. When cutting the clutch off, the vehicle can go faster because there is no more engine braking, but because of that, the vehicle loses traction, the brakes are less effective and are dangerous if the road is winding and has many turns.

Only use the clutch to change gears and operate the clutch when driving in low gears and at slow speeds. Disengaging the clutch while going downhill is a dangerous game.

4. Start in N, stop the car in N

Some people when riding a manual motorbike to a stop often leave it in 1st, even 2nd, 3rd gear and release the clutch to let the motorbike turn off automatically or turn the key to turn it off. This way of driving is dangerous because if another person who is not yet proficient gets on the motorbike, it will be difficult to control the situation.

Similarly, when starting the car, always stay in N then shift to 1, do not leave it in 1, 2 and start the engine, a moment of distraction and loss of control of the clutch and throttle can make everything complicated. Go to N, start the engine, make sure everything is ready then shift to 1 to start.

5. Number 1-0-2

The rule of the clutch gearbox when riding a manual transmission motorbike is to step on 1, then hook up to 2 but with a gap at 0. When at 1, hook the gear lever half force to go to 0, hook hard to go to 2. Conversely, when at 2, step back half force to go to 0, push hard to go down to 1.

According to VNE