Switching From Automatic

[peregrine8]

I have a 110 cc automatic motorbike right now. I am having a lot of fun with it but would like onwe with more power and much better shock. How difficult is it to learn how to ride one with gears...

Thanks

[VocalNeal]

Not difficult at all but there is more to think about and they are heavier.

One big thing which is different and you will have to get used to is the use of the right foot for the rear brake instead of the left hand but a lot of us did that in the transition from bicycle to motorbike. You are already half way there.

There is some skill a coordination involved with starting and stopping but that is only a question of practice, not a big deal. As you are currently using your left had to stop in conjunction with your right hand, pulling in the clutch with your left when you come to a standstill will already be almost natural for you.

Gears involve using your left foot but again you will not find it too difficult, just takes a little time to get smooth. If you live in BKK there is a course run by Honda to teach riding.

You don't necessarily have to give up auto to go bigger there are bigger automatic scooters available in Thailand, 250cc , 500 or even 650cc.

I would not however recommend that you buy a motorbike and try and ride it home from the dealer.

Louis Jones is doing the same and learning about gears. Maybe you can share some info.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Beginner-Gear-Plz-t363447.html

Edited May 14, 2010 by VocalNeal

[CMSteve]

Work your way up. Start with a semi-automatic with a little more power, like a Honda Wave 125 or something similar. It has an automatic clutch so you can concentrate on just the diff positioning of the brakes and less on the feeling of the clutch. Later, you can move on to the full manual with 150++++++cc bikes.

Also, don't buy the bike and learn to ride it on the way home. There are so many rental shops here. Use them to your advantage. A daily rental on a semi-automatic is usually less than 200B/day.

[thrilled]

I hate an automatic,they take all the fun out of riding.

[robblok]

It is ok not hard to learn but if you go for a real powerfull bike right away you might have some problems.

[visions]

It is ok not hard to learn but if you go for a real powerfull bike right away you might have some problems.

It certainly is not hard to learn.. Do you have a friend with a "smallish" Manual gear bike?

Or the suggestion of Honda's riding school even better.

But dont start learning on a bike over 200cc. Honda CBR150 or Phantom 200 are ideal depending on your preferences, and can rent them easily to learn on.

You will find yourself riding considerably faster than with ur 110 auto......No problem....untill you have to stop in a hurry. Then its a whole new learning curve. the difference in stopping form 65 or 70kph on a light sccoter is VERY different than a heavier bike from 120kph!! co-ordinating hand and foot braking .....plus the clutch....to get the right balance for the bike you are riding, is a skill that takes a few stops to master. learning to stop is more important that learning to take off

Practice some emergancy stops in a quiet area, before u start hitting highways.

good luck......and once u master it u will wonder why u didnt do before...much more enjoyable riding when u are in control with whats happening.