How much will MSF teach me?

[molamann]

Before anything, I've never rode a bike in my life.

I'll be taking my MSF course in 2 weeks and I'm wondering if 2 days worth of class is enough for me to ride a bike from the dealership to my apartment safely on the street.

How am I supposed to get some practice if I can't even get the bike to my parking lot? D;

[flw]

For riding a new or used bike home, get someone else or pay them to do it. I made it part of the deal before I signed the dotted line.


The MSF course

You'll learn how to ride in a parking lot. I really mean this. This is not a bad thing as you have to start in a safe place for you and others.

You'll know in your head the basics of riding on the road but not really how to do it. That's where riding within your limits and not your ego come into place.

As you gain experience you can become more of a threat to yourself because you will be going faster and in riding conditions that you would not have before when you where in the parking lot.

All that said, I really do suggest all new or returning riders take the MSF course and do so with a open mind. Some technique's can only be practiced on the road and in certain conditions but must come after your license depending on what state you live in.

[Brackstone]

MSF Course has saved my life at least 3 times since I started riding.

[jstark47]

If the bike you bought is bigger than the 125s/250s used at MSF... or if the ride home has any traffic at all....... I agree totally with FLW, get someone to ride it home for you. Most dealerships are pretty accommodating if you ask.

A little story: I was at the local Triumph dealership a few weeks ago. A guy with a permit bought a new Speedmaster (Triumph 800cc cruiser). He had been riding & according to his buddy already had significant road time on a smaller bike. So he starts off on the Speedmaster - first thing he does is dump the clutch, stall the bike... over it goes in the parking lot. We help him pick it up, tell him to relax... no real damage to the bike. 5 minutes later I look up -- and there he is, trying to push it out of the ditch across the road from the dealership!! Now there's some damage: bent pegs, bent handlebars, some scuffs. A shame for a beautiful bike to be abused that way - not to mention how he could have hurt himself or others. We pulled it out of the ditch, pushed it back into the dealership, and mechanics started fixing the damage then and there. Bottom line: his more experienced riding friend finally rode it home for him, which is what should have happened in the first d@mned place!!! Idiot!

Don't be like him.

[jonnythan]

Before anything, I've never rode a bike in my life.

I'll be taking my MSF course in 2 weeks and I'm wondering if 2 days worth of class is enough for me to ride a bike from the dealership to my apartment safely on the street.

How am I supposed to get some practice if I can't even get the bike to my parking lot? D;

What kind of bike are you getting?

[molamann]

Thanks for the replies

Before anything, I've never rode a bike in my life.

I'll be taking my MSF course in 2 weeks and I'm wondering if 2 days worth of class is enough for me to ride a bike from the dealership to my apartment safely on the street.

How am I supposed to get some practice if I can't even get the bike to my parking lot? D;

What kind of bike are you getting?

I have my mind dead set on a 08 Ninja 250R. Going to go pre-order one sometime next week.

[jonnythan]

Thanks for the replies

Before anything, I've never rode a bike in my life.

I'll be taking my MSF course in 2 weeks and I'm wondering if 2 days worth of class is enough for me to ride a bike from the dealership to my apartment safely on the street.

How am I supposed to get some practice if I can't even get the bike to my parking lot? D;

What kind of bike are you getting?

I have my mind dead set on a 08 Ninja 250R. Going to go pre-order one sometime next week.

Personally, I'd ride it home, assuming I didn't have to get on any busy highways.

The MSF gives you plenty of good experience at low-speed maneuvering and handling. Higher-speed stuff is easier. If you can stick to roads that don't have tons of traffic and don't have speed limits over 40, you should do fine.

Course, if you don't feel comfortable doing it, don't do it.

My first ride after MSF was about 30 minutes and 8 or 9 miles. I went through my neighborhood, up through the center of town, and on a 55 mph state route out of town before turning around and heading home. It was exhilarating, but fun and pretty straightforward. Just like MSF, but I actually got into fourth and fifth gear.

[siralienj]

I have my mind dead set on a 08 Ninja 250R. Going to go pre-order one sometime next week.

If you can pick a time of day with lighter traffic and roads that aren't too terribly busy for your route home from the dealer you should be able to navigate that bike home no problem.

I took the MSF course a few weeks ago and road my first bike home from the seller's house, about 13 miles, this week. I avoided the interstate and had my wife follow me. I suggest getting a friend/spouse to follow you home. They can act as a blocker for your backside. Also, at stop lights and signs in case you dump the clutch they won't be laying on the horn while you restart the bike. Thankfully, that didn't happen to me but it was nice having the safety blanket behind me.

[molamann]

Lol, I just found out there is a Kawasaki dealer just 2 blocks away from my house. I guess this isn't going to be a huge issue, just on a smaller scale since I could already imagine myself dropping the brand new bike on the first throttle

[Thumper]

Two blocks on a 250 is very doable after the BRC Once you have the bike, spend a few minutes in the parking lot becoming friends with the clutch, get a feel for its particular friction zone, and practice some braking before taking off for home.

You've picked a really good first bike...don't worry about dropping it right off the bat. Tons of people never drop a bike, and some of us waited for our second bike for that particular embarrassment.