[Snehal Sekhar]

Originally Posted by Revved Soul

Fellow BHPians,
In my opinion :
- A riding school should be available regularly which teaches at least the very basic skills(clutch and brake control, friction point, etc.).
- Creates awareness about safe riding.
- Should teach at a nominal cost.
- Should issue certificates which will then help the person to get a separate motorcycle license.

Pros :
- Less hooligans on roads
- Improved traffic etiquette due to less lane splitting, etc.
- More awareness regarding powerful motorcycles and how to use them

Cons :
- People experimenting with their skills on public roads.

So what`s your opinion about this?

+1 The Pros far outweigh the cons. If you have your skills in place and follow rules, people wouldn't want to experiment their stunts on public roads. There will still be nuts who will want to act like hooligans on the road, but at least the rest of us will have better sense prevail.

[Revved Soul]

Yes, I agree, the pros definitely outweigh the cons. Also, it`s high time India should have separate licenses for cars and two wheelers. Gone is the time when motorcycles meant commuting only. Today, it is also seen as a recreational activity. Needless to say, the variety and power options available are enough to entice people into buying.

[Jeroen]

Originally Posted by Revved Soul

Also, it`s high time India should have separate licenses for cars and two wheelers. .

Well, im not sure who it works for all of India, but I have a two wheeler license only here in Delhi.
Jeroen

[Deblovestodrive]

Dear BHPians, this is probably a very silly topic but need tour help in this matter. I have always been a car guy. The moment I got my first job, I bought a car. After that, I never had the urge to ride a bike. I have been driving for the last 15 years. However, recently, owning a bike / scooter has become a necessity. I have shifted to a new place in New Town, Kolkata and here having a 2-wheeler is a lot more convenient. I have seen some driving school cars and had contacted them. However, they mentioned that they do not teach anyone, they can just provide the license if you bring your own bike. So, if anyone has any idea, could you please let me know one of the following:
A) are there any centers in Kolkata (preferably in Saltlake / Newtown region), where they teach you the basics of bike riding, and / or
B) are there any place where they allow you to rent a bike (by the hour/daily)

Its a bit embarrassing to ask such a basic question in this forum, but hope everyone understands the predicament I am in.

Thanks
Deb

[Schoudhury]

Hi Deb.
If you know how to ride a bi-cycle, then it should not be an issue at all. As riding is all about balance. But if you don't then first check if you can try riding a bicycle and then you move to a two-wheeler.


Now coming to riding schools or centers, I will suggest, if you know anyone who has a two-wheeler then just borrow the two wheeler and request that person to come along with you to a nearby ground or empty road ( early mornings) for small rides for a couple of days.

Otherwise, buy a new or a used two-wheeler and ask any of our friends, who knows how to ride and have a valid driving license, to accompany you for a few days during practice runs and you should be all set.

Also please do make sure to get proper riding gears. I know its very uncomfortable during summer over there in kolkata to wear riding gears, but its always better to sweat then bleed.

Hope it helps.
Cheers

[alter.e.go]

I suggest you go through some of the material on motorcycle safety- MSF. That will give you some good grounding especially regarding the safety aspects.

When I first learnt from a friend some of the things I was told was exactly opposite of what should be done.
Top on the list was not to use the front brake, later I found the exact opposite was true - 70% braking front brake.
These are not intentional mistakes-he just didn't know any better.
SO make sure you chose the right 'friend' to teach you.

[Rajeevraj]

Couple of questions
Do you have balance. Basically means do you know to cycle and have you spent a lot of time riding cycles in your childhood?
Are you keen on a bike only? From your requirement, a scooter would suit your purpose well. Are you ok with a scooter?

If answer to both is yes, don't bother about finding a teacher. Buy a scooter- new or 2nd hand, take the help of a friend to take it to a ground/ open space, and practice for a couple of hours everyday. You should get comfortable in no time.

If you do not have cycle balance, then it is a little tricky. You will need someone sitting behind initially. This is tricky as it can be a little dangerous for the guy in the back. You can still slowly do it by yourself, but will need a lot of patience and practice. If you want a bike as opposed to scooter it becomes a little more difficult.

Note: riding in traffic filled roads in the middle of all other vehicles requires a lot of confidence. My relative was in the same situation, wanted to learn. So got a scooter, learnt to balance, then learnt enough to pass the driving test. But when it came to taking it out on the road, till this day she has not gained the confidence to do it.

[Marauder]

Re-Bumping up the thread.

Don't the IDTR schools of Maruti teach motorcycle riding in the country? Their website mentions a two-wheeler programme.

[P.S.]

There is one by hero in Gurgaon behind Crowne Plaza hotel.

The place is run as a formality. Timings are less than regular office, and they always say 'corporate booking, please come back' wait for it...... "after 3-4 months"

[farhadtarapore]

The crazy way people drive these days, a course in defensive driving should be a MUST before getting anyone a license. And auto drivers need to undergo it every year.

[Jeroen]

As some of you might recall, when I came to India mid 2012 I bought a fully restored Royal Enfield, 1975 Bullet, not having ridden a motor bike ever in my entire life!

So I decided it would be a good thing to get some basic tuition. In my home country the Netherlands driving lessons for motor bikes are as common as for cars. Nobody would even attempt to take a DL test without having at least 30 - 50 hours of tuition.

So I found myself an instructor and we spend two or three afternoon (some 5-6 hours in al)l when I happened to be back home on the basic of motor bike riding. I found it extremely usefull and worthwhile. Of course, nothing prepares you for Delhi traffic, but at least I was reasonable confident on the basic handling when I got onto my Bullet one early Sunday morning.

To get my Indian bike driver license I had to take a multiple choice test (10 out of 10 score). For the practical bit I was told to drive to the end of street (about 100 meters), turn around and drive back. I did this quite well apparently, hardly hit anything/anybody, did not fall over, so a straight pass!

Jeroen

[ashwinprakas]

I'm surprised no one mentioned the below link:

http://www.dansmc.com/MC_repaircourse.htm

Personally I feel Dan’s MC to be the bible of online motorcycle DIY guides.

[parambyte]

I know I am replying to a really old post but am looking for a 2 Wheeler Training Class in Mumbai. Does anyone know of any?

Hero Motors has one, but not in Mumbai.

OneMoto is based in Delhi.

Throttle Wide Open is not in Mumbai.

FirstGear is for Women Only, though in Mumbai.

I am aware of the popular advice 'learn at home, take a friend's bike' etc. I can cycle fairly well. I tried that approach but after a couple of bad falls, and with friends reluctant to share their bikes for training, that approach has died its natural course.

I am looking at a proper guided approach with some dedicated time and instructors.

[KayEss]

There is eaglerider academy in Gurgaon too.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DDZGnUpg93Q