New to bikes, read the stickies now time for questions

[Bx RedBull]

Since this will be my first time actually getting on a motorcycle and driving it, will they go through what to do and such? I dont want to look like an idiot not knowing what to do.

MSF - BRC is awesome. They go through EVERYTHING from the most basic components to handling a motorcycle. Don't worry about looking like a total novice. The first time you sit on the bike, you spend about half an hour in neutral and simply walking back and forth in a straight line. And this is after a few hours in a classroom going over things like, what all the buttons and switches do and where they're located.

Honestly, the class is great and a thrill. Instructors are class acts and everyone signed up is there for the same reason...to learn. And in most cases, everyone will have the same worries and concerns about looking the most clueless.

The classes do fill up super fast. I know NY and CT are booked through July, so you may want to get on it and check out places that over the course.

[Rehab Ralphy]

Sweet, thanks for the link. Apparently the place near me that I was talking about DOES provide the bikes. I went to the site and read up on it. The class is $210. If I dont pass the first time, does that mean I have to go back and pay another $210 to try again?


Nevermind. I read the site. They said if I dont pass the skills test (or if i do), i can take the additional riding BRC in order to get the certificate ($125). BUT, it doesnt say what the additional BRC is. Is it more of the skills testing? DO you have to pass it to get the certificate?

Sorry for all the questions guys. I'm just excited

[Bx RedBull]

If I dont pass the first time, does that mean I have to go back and pay another $210 to try again?

Not sure if you have to pay the entire fee again, but just to give you a bit of confidence going in: Everything they teach you in the 3 day course is on the actual riding test at the conclusion of the course. So you really get to practice everything you'd need to know as many times as you need to practice it. You can fall as often as you like during the instruction part, just DON'T fall during the actual test, as that is an automatic failure of the test. The only other way to fail is to get a certain (high number) of points off for test violations. But to reach this number (I can't remember what it is) you need to essentially screw up like 5 or more times on various different parts of the test. So virtually its impossible to fail in this manner.

What many people do mess up on is the dreaded Figure 8 where you have to travel within a small rectangle box and make a complete figure 8, without going outside the lines of the box. People fail to realize that going outside the box is only like a 2-point deduction and not very critical for your overall grade. Instead, they are so busy trying to make the tightest figure 8 and not go outside the lines while traveling at 5 mph, and end up falling over, thus failing the entire test. If they just accepted defeat, went outside the lines, then they'd have like 18 points to spare. (Of course you could just perfect the damn figure 8 and laugh your way to a perfect score)

The test and class really is less of a nerve-racking thing and much more of a very beneficial learning tool. Plus, you get a discount on insurance and are exempt from having to take the DMV's torturous road test.

So go sign up for sure.

[Scoutmedic]

Stupid Figure 8! Those were the only points I missed on the entire class! Even passed the written with 100%....

I can only speak for the PA class and, fortunately for me, it's free here. We had 2 people not complete the riding portion and 1 that failed the written. They were told to come back during another class and simply retake the portions they failed. (ie; riding for riding and written for written.)

I agree with the comments earlier. The class was awesome. I went in with 2 minutes prior riding time. Literally. The only motorcycle I'd ever been on was a dualsport when I was 16. I popped the clutch, wheelied and smashed it into the back of a pickup truck. Never got on another one until my MSF class 18 years later.

The hardest thing for most people (besides the 8) seemed to be shifting (I didn't have any problems with it this time!).

Good luck and, be sure and ask your questions to the place where you'll be taking the course to get solid answers since every place is different.

[ninja79]

I wouldn't recommend a 250cc cruiser. (can you even fit on one?) You'll get bored of it very quickly. However, I also don't recommend 1100cc -- those are very heavy and difficult to manuever in the parking lot. You want to buy a bike that is easy to ride (so you can learn faster) but still has enough power to satisfy you. I'm not familiar with cruisers, but for the sport bikes the two de-facto starting models are EX500 and GS500, both 500cc twins. They are easy to learn on, and if you decide to sell them after a season or two, they will lose very little value (compared to the more powerful supersports). So based on that, my guess is that a 500cc cruiser will do just fine.

Do *not* try to get a bike beyond your skill level because you want it to last longer. Plan on riding your first bike for 1-2 seasons and then moving up -- you'll be safer, learn faster, and pay less in financing, insurance, etc.

[Rehab Ralphy]

I would like a sport bike, but being 18 and all, insurance would be a pain in the butt.

[camthepyro]

Well, neither of those bikes are sport bikes. They're both pretty much just standards with fairings slapped on (well, the GS500E doesn't even have fairings). Insurance companies won't charge much for either of those bikes. If you're worried about insurance, get an older bike (I only pay $212 a year, and I'm 17).

[ninja79]

Well, neither of those bikes are sport bikes. They're both pretty much just standards with fairings slapped on (well, the GS500E doesn't even have fairings).

Well, I guess it depends on your definition of "sport". Kawasaki classifies EX500 as "sport" and zx-6r as "supersport". But hey -- I've seen some "sport" minivans.

[Rehab Ralphy]

Isnt he talking about a kawasaki EX500 and a suzuki GS500? The kawasaki looked like a sport bike to me.

http://www.gdlcycles.com/images/Kawasak ... iEX500.jpg

and the suzuki sort of did

http://www.sportrider.com/bikes/2004/20 ... 5-02-2.jpg

Hmm only $212 a year? Thats pretty cheap. How often do you have it insured? Is that why its cheap because its only insured for a few months out of the year?

[Rehab Ralphy]

What classifies it as a sport, crusier, etc.?