How to Ride a Motorcycle Downhill

Riding a motorcycle is an exciting adventure, but also scary if you have to run down deep slopes. Forget the horror stories you hear – driving downhill is perfectly safe as long as you’re cautious and practice hard. We’re here to answer all of your questions, so enjoy every time you take the wheel.

Table of Contents

How should I sit when driving downhill?

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Shift your body weight to the back of the chair. Do not push your body weight forward. Your weight will then be on the steering wheel and you will lose control. Instead, push yourself to the back of your seat to balance your posture. ^{[1] X Research Source}

How should I put my hands on the car?

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Continue to firmly grasp the steering wheel, front brake and clutch. Place 2 fingers on the front brake lever, the rest of your hand on the handlebars. Then, put 1-2 fingers of the other hand on the clutch – this grip will help the car not to stall. ^{[2] X Research Source}

How should I put my feet?

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Use two legs to clamp the fuel tank. When you use the gas tank clamp, you are locking your body in one position. This way, your body weight won’t shift forward and you’ll have better control of the vehicle. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

This technique also makes braking much easier on steep roads.

Where should I look when driving downhill?

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Look at the road ahead. People have a habit of looking down at the front of the car when starting to go downhill. However, you should look ahead to see the obstacles ahead. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

What gear should I put the car in when going downhill?

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Choose a gear that has a slightly higher engine rpm than usual. Don’t put it in first gear because the revs will be very high, and make you have to brake continuously. You should choose a gear that allows running within the speed limit but does not increase the number of revolutions too much. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

For example, number two is a good choice when you are running downhill with a curved arc. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

How should I drive downhill?

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Drive slowly while gently applying the brakes. Depress the brake lightly to slow down a bit without locking the front wheels or activating the ABS system on the motorcycle. When driving downhill, you should start at a very slow speed or at a standstill. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Should I brake hard while running downhill?

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No, absolutely not. Driving downhill can be intimidating when you’re new to it, and it’s easy to see why people always want to slam on the brakes. However, always apply the brake slowly so that the wheels do not lock suddenly. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

How can I be more confident when driving downhill?

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Start with moderate slopes. Practice driving uphill at a speed you’re confident in. You should not choose large mountains or hills to practice running for the first time; instead, get used to the small slopes and increase the difficulty gradually. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Driving on steep and winding roads like?

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Keep the car in second gear and use the front wheel brake before approaching the bend. Number one does not create enough force for the car, you should choose number two. Squeeze the brakes before you approach the bend to slow the car down a bit. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Click the clutch and release the handbrake when the car is going through the bend. When the car is going through a bend, release the front brake. Then, click or release the clutch while the vehicle is moving around the bend. After the car goes through the curve, apply the front brake again. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Should I change gears while the car is turning?

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Should not. If you shift gears midway, the rear wheel can rotate or come to a complete stop and cause the entire vehicle to skid. Instead, experts recommend changing gears before the car enters a bend. ^{[12] X Research Source}

Should I lean over and the car while making a turn?

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You should do that. Reverse steering is the term for tilting the vehicle in the direction you are turning. When you come to a left or right turn, lean slightly in the respective direction. This will cause both the person and the vehicle to tilt in the direction of the turn. When you come out of a bend, accelerate and the car will straighten itself again. ^{[13] X Research Source}

Reverse steering is a skill that requires a bit of courage but is not too difficult.

How to ride a motorbike uphill?

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Balance your body weight to the center or front of the vehicle. Do not push the weight to the rear of the vehicle, or you will have difficulty controlling the steering wheel. You should put your feet on the footrest and keep your weight in the middle of the saddle. ^{[14] X Research Source}

Quick number change. Put the vehicle in second gear when approaching a ramp. When the vehicle is going uphill, shift into third gear. When the car loses power, you should return to second gear to maintain uphill thrust. ^{[15] X Research Source}

Either way, don’t shift into first gear – the wheel will spin and you’ll be stuck in the middle of the ramp.

Steps