29My motorcycle is loud, dangerous,
occasionally expensive, a source of
anguish for my mom. But I can’t go
back. In an era of car technology that
makes it safer to text while driving,
a bike demands all your attention.
Same as jujitsu or Spartan Races or
cooking, that focus can feel euphoric.
It makes your commute an antidote
to cubicle fatigue. And a feeling of
acceleration accessible only to you
and fighter pilots. Besides, learn-
ing to ride gives you a skill that will
make you feel more capable in daily
life. Because if movies have taught me
anything, when the zombies come, at
some point, you’ll need to make your
getaway on a motorcycle.3
5
6
How to
Make a
Motorcycle
Go1 / Tu r n t h e i g n i -
tion (usually near
the gauges) to the On
position.2 / Pull in the clutch
lever.3 / Turn the start/stop
button to On, and push
the starter, usually a
button with a lightning-
bolt logo. Some bikes
have a safety cutoff, so
make sure the kick-
stand is retracted.4 / Keeping the clutch
engaged, kick the left
foot lever down as far as
it will go, into first gear.5 / Slowly let out the
clutch while twisting
the throttle (right hand)
back toward you. You’re
now moving.@PopularMechanics _ July/August 2019ABOUT
“COUNTERSTEER”
The ride experience
isn’t far off from
a bicycle except
for one technique:
countersteering.
To i n i t i a t e a r i g h t
turn at speed, you
start by pushing
the right handlebar
grip away from you.
This causes the bike
to lean to the right.
The front wheel
angles into the
turn all by itself. It
makes more sense
in practice than
explanation, but
the term will come
up when you’re
learning.4, 2 / When the bike
starts revving hard,
to shift up, close the
throttle, pull in the clutch
lever, and use your left
foot to kick up a gear.6 / To stop, squeeze the
clutch and the front brake
lever (right side).PHOTOGRAPHY BY TREVOR RAAB
WHY THE LOUD
EXHAUST?
The riders who set off
car alarms might justify
this with “Loud pipes
save lives!” referring to
how the noise forces
other motorists to be
aware of them. There’s
no hard research to
say if it works. Even
less scientific rea-
soning: Motorcycles
have always meant a
bit of contrarianism,
and delight in upset-
ting non-bikers. Loud
exhaust achieves that.WHAT’S WITH
THOSE NEW
THREE-WHEELERS?
A motorcycle-like
experience (open air,
speed) with some con-
venience (you don’t
have to hold the bike
up at stoplights). It’s
appealing to an aging
fan base of riders who
care less about image
than freedom.WILL I CRASH?
You might hear the
phrase “It’s not if, it’s
when,” which is useful
if it compels you to
put on all your safety
gear. Statistically,
your chances of injury
or death go up a lot
compared to a car.
A lot (28 times). But
pro racers walk away
from triple-digit-speed
crashes because
they’re outfitted right.
Yes, it’s risky. But that’s
part of the bargain.
Possible consequences
are the thrill.CHAPS?
Modern high-tech
textile or leather pants
or over-pants (worn
over your regular
clothes) with armor
perform the same job.Frequently
Asked
Questions