A beginner's manual especially geared to the needs of entry-level riders, this book provides all the basic instruction necessary to become a motorcycle rider with an emphasis on the challenges faced by neophyte riders. Starting at neophyte level and evolving into a serious, intelligent expert, How to Ride a Motorcycle tells the reader how to be a motorcycle rider with a strong emphasis on safety and big-picture strategy (think about it this way as opposed to do this.) Topics covered include: What you need to know (like an iceberg, there's much more to riding than you see on the surface) Selecting a bike, riding gear, and insurance How a motorcycle workscontrols, operation, and basic maintenance (not to forget maintaining the right mental additudes) Venturing outfrom your first ride in the practice lot to trouble areas like freeways or gravel roads, everything you should know Getting good and getting involvedwhat to do once you've caught "motorcycle fever" (trading up to new bikes or multiple bikes, finding advanced training and general nuggets of wisdom on participation in the motorcycle community at large)