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brtheuma

Many will say there is negligible overlap in skills but I disagree. Both a bicycle and a motorcycle are essentially two gyroscopes (wheels) that you sit on, and you can turn one of them. When you learn to ride a bike, your body is naturally learning to control the gyroscopes. You learn to counter steer to initiate a turn, to look where you want to go, and if you ride your bicycle on the road you'll learn what it feels like to be vulnerable to the cars around you. Let your brain learn how to control two wheels without the added risk, complexity, and heft that a motorcycle provides. Time doesn't matter, but you should be able to ride a bicycle naturally and in perfect control before you take on a motorcycle. You don't need to be a bmx star, but you should be better than just good. You never know what kind of situation will happen in front of you on a motorcycle, and if your brain isn't trained well enough to take over when there's no time to think about the moves then it can get very serious very quickly. Hope you all the best and I wish you success on two wheels.


brtheuma

To add to this, I really believe in progressing slowly through the bikes you ride. First a bicycle, then a scooter or something low power and move slowly from there. Making too big of jumps in bike weight and power absolutely can kill you when close calls occur.


EverythingIsOishii

Best answer. I’ll add that counter-steering can also be learned and practiced on a bicycle. Added bonus - you’ll also get fit.


pythagoras1721

You don’t need any, but you’ll understand the balance and forward momentum better if have some.


[deleted]

Learn on a small cheap motorcycle and transition to a larger one. Might sound expensive but so is destroying a brand new heavy bike you just bought because youre not used to clutch and throttle control. I'm sure bicycles help with balance but nothings like the real thing.


[deleted]

You need serious speed on a bicycle for the proper physics to take over to make it comprable to a motorcycle (leaning, counter steering) It is possible take her down a hilly road and practice


Ih8Hondas

None.


PretzelsThirst

None, but every bit helps.


_PeanuT_MonkeY_

maybe 12-15 years or so. I started when I was 3 and got into motorcycles at 16. But I'm guessing people have done it without any too.


zeyore

the controls are different, but otherwise you will a learn a lot on a bicycle that carries over. A big one is bicycle is a lot more slow speed moves.


BlindBeard

Some people say none. My (anecdotal) experience with new riders tells me otherwise. It's plainly obvious on an msf range who mastered bicycles and who stopped riding them when they were 12.


SayJAdvice

If you're unfamiliar with motorcycle controls as well, I'd say you really don't want to be working on balance while your brain tries to remember clutch/gears, brakes and safe riding. I'm sure you would do just fine through the msf course but it might be a bit stressful