Learning basic motorcycle operation is similar to learning how to drive. Both can be a little intimidating at first. But if you approach riding a motorcycle with care and caution, you can make the learning process less intimidating. Once you've settled on the type of motorcycle you want to ride, purchased adequate safety gear, including a well-fitting helmet, and taken care of licensing and insurance, you're almost ready to ride. While there is no substitute for a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course, these 10 tips will help reinforce what you learn.

01 of 10 Before You Get Started Hero Images / Getty Images Make sure to give your motorcycle a thorough inspection before hitting the road. Let the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's acronym for their checklist, T-CLOCS, guide you. You want to make sure the following are in good working order, and not just the first time you hit the road but every time you go for a ride. T: Tires and wheels

C: Controls, including levers, pedal, cables, hoses, and throttle

L: Lights, including battery, headlights, turn signals, mirrors, etc.

O: Oil fluid levels

C: Chassis, including the frame, suspension, chain, etc.

S: Stands, including the center stand and/or kickstand

02 of 10 Safety Gear Hero Images / Getty Images Even at parking-lot speeds, it's easy to seriously scrape yourself up in a motorcycle accident. Make sure you're protected by wearing as much safety gear as possible, including gloves, armored clothing, and boots. Even if you don't live in one of the states that require some or all motorcycle riders to wear a helmet, it's always a good idea to wear one. Once you're dressed for the part, you're ready to get on the bike.​

03 of 10 Mounting the Motorcycle Getting on a bike can be a great test of flexibility, but don't let this stage intimidate you. This is the most you'll have to bend your body during the riding process. © Basem Wasef Depending on how tall you are, mounting a motorcycle can be awkward the first couple times you do it. With a bit of practice, this will soon be second nature. Stand on the left side of your bike with your knees slightly bent and your weight centered over your legs. Reach over and grab the right handle with your right hand, then place your left hand on the left handle so that you're slightly leaning toward the front of the bike. To mount the bike, shift your weight onto your left leg, then kick your right leg back and then up and over the bike. Be careful to lift your leg high, or it might get caught before reaching the other side of the bike. Once you're straddling the bike, sit down and acquaint yourself with the motorcycle's controls. Note the foot peg position and the location of turn signals, horn, and lights. Remember to make sure your mirrors are adjusted—you'll rely on them quite a bit while riding.

04 of 10 Throttle and Brakes tillsonburg / Getty Images When riding a motorcycle, your right hand is responsible for two crucial functions: acceleration and braking. By twisting the grip toward you (so that your wrist moves down), you apply the throttle. A little twist goes a long way, so be delicate with this control because revving the engine can lead to instability or cause the front wheel to leave the pavement. Your right hand also controls the front brakes, whose lever is located in front of the throttle, much like on a bicycle. Smoothness is crucial here as well. Yank the brake lever too hard, and the front brakes can lock up, causing the bike to skid and even crash. Though most brake levers only require two fingers to operate, some require you to use your entire hand. Your right foot, meanwhile, controls the rear brake. Which brake is the best to use? Safety experts say that, in most situations, gently applying the rear brake first, then easing off and slowly applying the front brake is the most effective means of stopping. But braking safely also depends on the kind of bike you're riding. If you're on a sport bike, you may be able to get away with just using your front brake most of the time. If you're on a heavy cruiser, you'll rely more on your rear brake.

05 of 10 Clutch The top half of the image shows a two-fingered clutch technique (which is common with sportbikes), while the lower half shows a four-fingered technique that is usually employed with other types of bikes. © Basem Wasef The clutch is the lever just ahead of the left-hand grip. Most sport bikes require only two-fingered operation. Touring, cruising, and other motorcycles often require the whole hand to grab the lever. The clutch on a motorcycle does the same thing that a car's clutch does; it engages and disengages the transmission and engine. When you squeeze the clutch lever, you're effectively putting the bike in neutral (even if the shifter is in a gear). When you let go, you're engaging the engine and transmission. Practice pulling the clutch with your left hand slowly. Imagine it's a dial with a range of power, rather than an on/off rocker switch, and you'll be able to engage gears more smoothly.

06 of 10 Shifting Stephan Zabel / Getty Images Motorcycles shift differently than cars. While operating on the same principle, motorcycle shifts are executed by moving a lever up or down with the left foot. A typical shift pattern, called "one down, five up," looks like this: Sixth gear (if applicable)

Fifth gear

Fourth gear

Third gear

Second gear

Neutral

First gear Finding neutral with your left foot takes some getting used to. Practice by clicking the shifter back and forth; look for a green "N" to light up on the gauges. While some motorcycles can be shifted without using the clutch, make it a habit of using the clutch every time you shift. As with the manual transmission on a car, begin by disengaging the clutch, then shift gears and slowly re-engage the clutch. Feathering the throttle with the clutch adds smoothness to the shifting process. Be sure not to over-rev in each gear and to shift before the engine starts to work too hard.

07 of 10 Starting the Motorcycle Thomas Barwick/Getty Images Unless you own a vintage motorcycle, your bike has an electronic ignition that makes starting the engine as easy as starting a car. Your bike won't start unless the kill switch is in the "On" position, so flip it down before you turn the key (the kill switch is usually a red rocker switch operated by the right thumb). Next, turn the key to the "Ignition" position, which is typically to the right. Make sure you're in neutral, then use your right thumb to push the start button, which is typically located below the kill switch and marked by a logo of a circular arrow surrounding a lightning bolt. Many bikes require you to disengage the clutch while you start the engine. This is simply a precaution to prevent the bike from accidentally lurching forward because it's in gear. As you hold the start button, the engine will turn over and start to idle. Carbureted bikes might need a slight twist of the throttle as the engine turns over in order to get fuel into the cylinders. Fuel-injected bikes don't need this.

08 of 10 Warming Up the Engine Basem Wasef The practice of warming up car engines has largely become obsolete, but warming up a motorcycle engine is still a crucial part of the riding ritual, particularly when a bike is carbureted. Doing so ensures that the engine will provide smooth, consistent power as you begin your ride. You should idle for anywhere from 45 seconds to several minutes, depending on factors such as ambient temperature, engine displacement, and oil capacity. Use the temperature gauge as a general guide, and avoid revving the engine.

09 of 10 The Kickstand or Centerstand Basem Wasef Most modern bikes automatically shut off if the kickstand is still down when the bike is put into gear. If your bike isn't equipped with this feature, make sure you retract the kickstand by literally kicking it up with your left foot and allowing it to tuck underneath the underbody of the bike. Not doing so can be a serious safety hazard. Center stands, mounted beneath the motorcycle, require the bike to be rocked forward. Stand to the left of the bike, place your left hand on the left handle and straighten the front tire. Place your right foot on the center stand's tang to make sure it's flush on the ground, then push your bike gently forward. The center stand should then click and pop up.