骑车日记 #1

Just completed my first motorbike lesson, in a way my first ever time operating a real big ass bike and I thought to post about it as keepsake. 

Learning how to mount, dismount, start the engine, clutch in, turn the throttle, change gear, both feet off the ground, learning how to balance, how to brake and how to park. Basic but definitely giving me my first taste of how it’s like to ride and it has been unforgettable. 

It’s a total different feeling from driving. I mean the comfort and danger level are at two extremes. Driving feels as though I’m being insulated, cushy chairs, aircon, comfy space between me and other moving vehicles. But riding, on the other hand, feels like I’m raw riding on a lion. Powerful, and I can feel the heat, the vibration of the moving machine on my bare skin. 

Though safety measures are in place (I believe), I can’t help feeling that I can be injured any time. It can be really daunting seeing people fall off their bikes, tumbling on the ground and being so close to getting knocked into by other wobbly bikes. Not to mention the tough work of having to move and lift the super heavy bikes too. My god, my whole body was aching immediately after. Now I get why there’s a need to have mandatory stretching exercises before each motorbike lesson.. it’s really tough work.. 

Despite the danger, somehow the thrill, the way the wind sweeps along my skin was just so therapeutic even when I was moving like a snail in the circuit. The instant joy that kicks in. 

I can’t really put a finger to it but it left me so hooked. So much that I’m looking forward to my next lesson, looking forward to be brave, to not be deterred by this machine and looking forward to be better at mastering some new skills. Borrowing the words of the instructor, just be brave and we will be fine. 

And bravery, is like a muscle that needs to be trained. 

So go on, go forth chen. You can do this!! 

Alright, experience jotted down. Some technical notes for my own keepsake below: 

Clutch in, gear 1, hold clutch, throttle to 30%, slowly release clutch, feel the biting point and that’s when the bike starts to move. Hold the throttle, clutch in + push back throttle to change to gear 2, release clutch, hold throttle, repeat for gear 3. Then down to gear 1 before stopping. 

Clutch sequence 1, N, 2, 3. Neutral sits in between gear 1 and 2. So to start, left foot press down to gear 1. Move off, then the rest is up gear.