How easy is it to learn how to operate a motorcycle clutch?

[JohanTheAndro...]

I'm going for my first-ever motorcycle lesson next month, and I'm a little nervous about learning how to properly use the clutch.

Even though I know how to drive a manual transmission car, I've never ridden a motorcycle before, much less used a motorcycle-style clutch.

How long does it usually take to learn how to shift and use the clutch? Is it easier/harder than using one in a car?

[arry]

Depends on whether you're..... umm..... challenged in the mental department.

It's no different in terms of difficulty, just different in terms of application. Clearly, you are going to have to do a bit of learning on the muscle memory but once the controls of the bike become second nature, you'll find it easy. How long that takes - who knows; you're the only defining factor.

[stinkwheel]

Much easier but it'll take a while to get the muscle memory.

The main difference is most motorcycles have a wet, multi plate clutch where cars have a single, dry plate clutch.

The upshot is that you can slip a motorcycle clutch a lot in a way that would damage/wear out a car one. So when you're riding slowly, you don't need to let it all the way out, you can hold it on the bite point and let that pull you along, controlling the speed with the rear brake. This can take a bit of getting used to.

They also have a sequential gearbox so there's a lot less to think about in that regard.

They'll take care of this in the lessons. The usual exercise is repeatedly getting the bike moving forwards then stopping again using the rear brake until you've got the hang of it. Then doing slow manouvers round cones etc. It's all a balance betweenn clutch, throttle and brake.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[JohanTheAndro...]

[Evil Hans]

[RhynoCZ]

It all depends on what you want to achieve. I could operate the cluch of a Jawa 21 (50cc, two stroke, 3 speed gearbox) right away. Taking off on big bikes is an intimidation game at first for all the beginers though. You have to understand what the clutch bite point is and how to controll it and the best way how to get it right is to practice.

Different bikes also have different aproach, just like cars, but the goal is always the same, find the clutch bite point ane controll it accordingly. Once you get going, shifting gears is easier than you'd think.
____________________
'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[Prawny]

I was in the same situation as you when I did my CBT, it blew me away at how easy it was. Absolutely no bother at all.

I did my CBT and then didn’t ride another manual bike for 2 years, did my DAS in the last month my CBT was valid and jumped straight back onto a manual bike with zero issues.

You’ll be fine.
____________________
Yamaha Vity 125 (gone) Kawasaki ER6N(dead) 2022 Royal Enfield Meteor 350 (nicked) 2003 DL1000 V Strom

[Nobby the Bastard]

You're more likely to spend more time trying to get used to the back brake than the clutch.

My experiences of first riding bikes were that pulling away and changing gear was fine with the clutch but every time I tried to stop i forgot that my left hand was a clutch and so reverted to pedal bike thinking and treated them both as brakes.
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Sprint ST 1050

[Easy-X]

Ignoring old British bikes for a moment I think it helps that the same side of the brain is handling the gears. Left hand/foot > left foot/hand. This obviously doesn't apply to grubby foreigners that drive on the wrong side of the road... might be why Americans like auto-boxes due to the mental confusion
____________________
Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[stinkwheel]

What most people forget is that to slow down, the first thing you do is close the throttle. It's easy on a car because you have to take your foot off the throttle to push the brake. You can brake and pull the clutch on a motorcycle with the throttle still open which invariably leads you you stopping and redlining the engine at the same time until you get used to it.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Norts1531]

If you can already drive a car then you already know what the concept of using a clutch is. Remember, you fingers are used for fine motor skills whereas your feet are not. If you can work a clutch with your foot, you'll have no problems when using your fingers.
____________________
Is it beer 'o clock yet?

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

It’s very hard. We’re all geniuses.

[Keithy]

This lot ^^^ might be smart, I really struggled.

30+ years of ‘car brain’ and I could not get used to the revs required or the lack of torque. Very much used to gently letting out the clutch with close to no additional gas. That stalls a bike every time. Hated the 2k of revs required of a tiddly 125 and it felt really alien.

You will, of course, get used to it.

[BRUN]

you will be fine, I did my CBT at 38 years old having never been on a bike before in my life, before I did it I thought it would be the gears would be the thing I couldnt do, and even the start of the CBT I didnt really enjoy, but once out on the road it just all comes together and I could then understand why people have bikes

[blurredman]

I did my cbt on an auto 125cc on purpose,

Then bought a CG125 and learnt to ride with the clutch on my own, and in my own time. It did help that I already knew how to drive a manual car, anyway. I barely needed to bother going to the car park I was destined for to practice, because by the time I got there- I knew it.
____________________
CBT: 12/06/10, Theory: 22/09/10, Module 1: 09/11/10, Module 2: 19/01/11
Past: 1991 Honda CG125BR-J, 1992 (1980) Honda XL125S, 1996 Kawasaki GPZ500S.
Current: 1981 Honda CX500B - 91k, 1987 MZ ETZ250 (bored to 295cc) - 38k, 1990 MZ ETZ251 - 49k, 1979 Suzuki TS185ER - 9k, 1973 MZ ES250/2 - 17k.

[A100man]

.really hard.

Some members have had to buy scooters because of it
____________________
Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600

[Nobby the Bastard]

I found it much harder to learn how to drive a clitoris but i persevered and eventually she sorted herself out.
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Sprint ST 1050

[Howling Terror]

[Nobby the Bastard]

I do know that if you are too cack handed then you'll be pitched off.
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Sprint ST 1050

[Howling Terror]

Thanks...you've saved me from certain chagrin.
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project