I'd suggest taking a local course with an instructor unless you have someone that can really help you. Not that you probably couldn't handle it on your own. I don't really find them (motorcycling and TT riding) all that similar. Yes, they both have 2 wheels and need a sense of balance, but it's different power and control in many aspects. I had a friend die on one when he ran out of lean with too much corner to navigate and plowed into a grove of trees. Yup, a lot of the physics are the same but responses to things are different. Take the lessons. If anything you will be ahead of the ball and spend some cash, but I doubt you will regret taking the extra time to do the course.

There is definitely some cross over, but for the most part you should expect it to be like learning a whole new skill. I'd say it would be dangerous to assume because you can ride a bicycle well that you would also ride a motorcycle well without proper training and practice.

Most if not all states have a state-run motorcycle safety course that I highly recommend you take. I've seen people who have literally never ridden a motorcycle before take these courses and leave a few days later competent enough to ride safely on the roads.

Best of luck and be safe.
Antonio G

First, this is more lavendar room material.

Second, I got my first motorcycle last year (don't have it anymore) after riding bikes 'competitively' since age 17 (I'm currently 32). There was definite crossover. I didn't take any lessons, but would have had I had the time before moving across the country. I felt pretty safe driving it around town, but would not have taken it canyon carving, so to speak.

Crossovers include (but are not limited to):

1) Situational awareness (ideally you are good at this because you bike, but I've met a lot of triathletes that bike that have zero situational awareness)

2) You assume nobody sees you and everyone is trying to kill you

3) There are two wheels

The motorcycle (I got a SV650n) is significantly heavier and the dynamic of its movements are consequently very different. There is obviously a LOT more power available that you don't have to work hard to utilize. A 650 is not an especially big bike, but it could still go 0-60 in 3.5 seconds (not that I tried) so the power:weight ratio is unbelievable and scary at first.

You feel certain things more on a moto, like counter-steering. That's something you probably do on your bicycle without really being aware that you do it but when you get on the moto the increased weight makes certain movements significantly more obvious.

They are not safe, but I actually think they are safer than bicycles (in a way) because cars at least treat you somewhat like a vehicle. You also have more power and in general are traveling the same speeds as the cars so they are more aware of you. I'd also recommend getting armored gear, real boots, and don't slack on a helmet.

Having had this exact experience myself, yes, riding a motorcycle for a few years will indeed have a positive effect on your 2-wheeled skills, but you likely won't be able to use your new skills on most typical tri bike courses.

If you have a few years of experience on a smaller motorcycle on twisty, highly technical roads, then that will definitely help you in your cornering skills on a bike, say, while descending at high speeds on a winding mountain road. I noticed a big bump in my bike cornering skills when that happened to me. But, as stated above, most triathlon bike courses are, unfortunately, far too mundane to utilize those skills.

Another thing to very seriously consider: if you ride a motorcycle on the US roads for a few years, you should also consider the enormous risk that you are putting yourself in. Any significant accident with some distracted driver will change your life and your athletic aspirations forever. Not that driving a car is 100% safe either, but the risk to your body while motorcycling after being hit or run over by some slob in an SUV goes to a whole different level ...

---

Advanced Aero TopTube Storage for Road, Gravel, & Tri...ZeroSlip & Direct-mount, made in the USA.
DarkSpeedWorks.com.....Reviews.....Insta.....Facebook
--

I've ridden a TT bike since 2012 and have expert plates in motorcycle road racing. In my opinion, handling a TT bike in high winds/speed translates into very little in riding a motorcycle. It's a much heavier machine that is vastly more capable in acceleration, braking, and cornering (due to suspension). Being able to ride a TT bike well won't make you a motorcycle genius out of the gates. I suppose it may make you less likely to drop it though. Be safe.

I would say completely different skill set, I have had many motorcycles from race dirt bikes to 1000cc race bikes, rode from 10 years old to my mid 30s, I stopped riding on the road when I got married, still have dirt bikes. I would love to have another road motorcycles but to me the risk is just too high, I have known a number of people who have died or been seriously injured riding motorcycles, very little margin for error.

I would almost say completely different, apart from the balancing two wheels. Road positioning is different, motorbikes handle differently and other road users treat you with far more respect. I feel far safer riding my Harley than my bicycle.

I took lessons and was very glad I did. Eliminating the skills-transfer argument, it did 2 big things for me;

1. It taught me to ride defensively and raised my awareness of situations where I'd be the most vulnerable.

2. Really showed me how having been taught to drive by a parent, and having never taken any type of professional driver training had made me a pretty shitty driver (my observation, this wasn't something the instructor said).

You won't regret doing the training, and for a few added bonuses:

3. You may end up with a discount on your motorcycle insurance (depending on company and jurisdiction).

4. If you use their bike and drop it, you drop their bike, not yours, and

5. It will make your significant other feel a lot better about you being on a motorcycle.

Like many have said take a motorcycle safety course first it is time and money well spent. I would also take the time to read "Twist of the Wrist" by Keith Code. Although this book is a road racer handbook the skills involved translate directly to proper road riding. Many things on a motorcycle are counter-intuitive and this book clearly illustrates them. Ride safe and remember "all the gear all the time"

I have been riding motorcycles for 20+ years and am an adept road racer, crit monkey and overall cyclist. Forget a TT specialist or triathlete.

In my opinion (and others) there are very little crossover "skills". 2 wheels is about it. I do like the situational awareness comment maybe (but the "recovery" skills when danger is apparent is then completely different again). The balance and what you think about high speed on 2 wheels (your comments) will have almost no crossover (especially high speed cornering on a motorcycle).

It is nothing to fear. Take a beginner class and enjoy! I just sold my Ducati last year and mostly I'm on a big Harley now (1690 cc).

---

____________________________________
Fatigue is biochemical, not biomechanical.
- Andrew Coggan, PhD

I did not take any lessons. When my son went to get his scooter licence he took some lessons. I followed along one of his lessons and I learnt more about safely riding a motorbike in that hour than I had in 3 years of riding by myself.

Definitely take a couple of lessons.

I was going to suggest this - and/or for everyone, the bicycling version of that book, "A Gear Higher."

I've never ridden a motorcycle, but am fairly sure the visual skills and decision-making skills you'll get from learning to do it properly it will help with cycling. "A Gear Higher" helped me a lot.

---

http://www.jt10000.com/

I'll go against the majority and say there is some skill transfer, mostly for descending: things like selecting the proper line through a curve, adaption to high speeds, looking where you are going, reading other motorists, etc.

But obviously the best way to learn how to descent well on a bike is to do a lot of descents on your bike :)

On today's descent I caught and overtook motorcyclists, cars and other cyclists :)

I learnt to ride as a I turned 30

I am a pretty well coordinated individual but the initial learning process - 1 days on 125, 1 day on 250, 2 days on 500 had me all over the place

On day one the clutch, gears, braking co-ordination had me so focused on what my right hand and left foot were doing I did not know whether I was coming or going

By day 2 the motor-control was better and I was less of a liability on the road - nothing like heading towards something and instead of being focused on the danger / risk, you are still focused on which limb does what

Day 3 and 4, the coordination aspect was second nature and we covered a couple of hundred miles each day in various conditions and various types of roads

I then did 6 weeks training with a group called ROSPA - its a british group but primarily staffed with police bike riders who give lectures and then ride with you every week for 2-3 hours

It completely changed my riding - road position, entering corners e.g. not hitting apex with you head in the other lane - that can have unfortunate conseqences

road position for hidden entrances, cars exiting, covering the vanishing point, acceleration, deceleration, using the full road, using tree's / hedges / overhead lines to see road shape etc

riding on the road and riding on the track are different - lines in to corners will be different - on the track its optimising speed, on the road balancing safety and speed - nothing is coming towards you on the track (in theory)

there are some good supporting books and lots of video's - I appreciate he is on the wrong side of the road but these sorts of video's are the basis of the training

good video with commentary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOrZbWGN71o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3niqkN4u22I


with commentary


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1ImaRj6H7A


one of the things that this covers in training is the continuous narration of the ride - awareness of hazards, road position etc


anyway - I'm not sure how much translates to road bikes - the speed, ability to remove yourself from trouble and the responsiveness of motorbikes does not translate well - large hydraulic brembo brakes versus rims on carbon in torrential rain are not really comparable :)

Look at this site and see if it is offered in your area: http://www.msf-usa.org/brc.aspx

I took this exact same sponsored course in my neck of the woods (MN). Got my license through here too (read further and you'll find out the benefits).

But, the course teaches better techniques for riding, not only just for that but car driving too more than the normal "driver's ed" courses ever will. I already knew this stuff ahead of time being a car enthusiast but it was an eye opener for many who never knew of such techniques.

For transferable skills...I agree the basic techniques for taking a line, look where you want to go, road awareness (along with knowing your "outs" in case of a oh $hit moment) and braking techniques (concepts) would translate.

I don't ride anymore because it's a time thing for me as I live in MN so there is a limited riding season. Wasn't comfortable enough to ride in non-perfect conditions (i.e. sunny, not too hot, not too cold, potholes patched, street cleaners getting ride of the sand..etc). I ended up only riding on the weekends for the most part at first but did eventually graduate to commuting to work a couple of times a week in the summer for a short period of time. Bike is gone once I started getting into Tri's and cycling again though (that is where the time got even more limited for me).

I do still keep my motorcycle endorsement though as I know a few that still have bikes if I ever want to borrow it for the day for a cruise.

Shout out to the SV650N! That was my first (and only) motorcycle. Great first ride and I do miss it at times (sold mine too).

Motorbikes are great fun and great transport in the right places but I would never suggest anyone ride one on the road without getting correct training in the operation of the vehicle - just like you wouldn't want other people on the road driving cars without first getting adequate training. This is said having ridden motorbikes as my only form of transport around London for many years (CB360, CX500, CBR400, CBR Fireblade "Urban Tiger" colors - loved that bike, and R6). Since moving to Houston I would never dream of riding a motorbike in this city. I am also a big advocate of wearing the correct safety gear having put down various bikes by my own fault and being knocked off bikes not my fault and coming away without serious injuries.

Motorbikes are great and I miss owing one.

Finally - a thread about something I actually know about! I might actually be able to add some value for once.

Rode street bikes for about ten years, and have been racing since 2002 - although I doubt I'm nearly as good as number 56.

I've found absolutely no crossover - in fact I've got terrible bicycle handling in a crit. Things like body position, braking, and corner speed are completely different.

I did start cycling to improve my fitness for endurance racing - very common with motorcycle racers. Do believe you'll enjoy motorcycles regardless of what capacity you decide to ride them in.

SV is a great bike - I still own one as a sprint bike.

Never took the MSF class, but have heard great things from those who have. The test for a license is generally tough on a sport bike due to the spacing of the cones.