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That 70 cc bike was probably a two stroke engine, which is also a different breed. Throttle control is not as easy on a bike where you sort of have an all on, or all off power band. Street bikes in general are more forgiving, if you don't pick a 600cc or higher sportsbike.

The MSF literally has you start by walking the bike across the parking lot. Followed by power walking, where you just barely ease the clutch out and let the bike walk you across the lot with your feet down. By the time you are done with that, you get the clutch control pretty good. These 125 to 250cc bikes they use in the MSF are very forgiving, and also not a bad way to start riding on your own. I started on a 250 Rebel myself.

Good luck and don't let it frustrate you too much.

Matt54987 wrote:Rode a bike for the very first time today. Rode my friends dirt bike. its a 70cc. I sucked.

Is this normal? How long does it usually take?

Yep. That's normal.

If you are taught to ride by a trained professional in a MSF class, you'll do a lot better. If your friend tries to teach you, you're gonna suck.

Motorcycles are not "bicycles with engines" but people always treat them that way - like powered little toys.

Learn from a professional teacher and you'll stop sucking.

I took the MSF course, man, 7 years ago? Then for the past 3 to 4 years have not so much as sat on a bike. I bought my first bike two weeks ago and hopped right on it and did just fine.

My point being the MSF course is very effective. And I'm taking it again this summer. So sign yourself up!

thanks guys! i was so frutstrated, all i want to do is learn! and im going to buy a Ninja 250r for my first bike when i learn to ride.

I know what you mean by all on or all off thing, that was the problem! I either killed it with no gas or lost control with too much.

Maybe I will take that course. Unofrtunately, there is a two month waiting list here

Matt54987 wrote:thanks guys! i was so frutstrated, all i want to do is learn! and im going to buy a Ninja 250r for my first bike when i learn to ride.

I know what you mean by all on or all off thing, that was the problem! I either killed it with no gas or lost control with too much.

Maybe I will take that course. Unofrtunately, there is a two month waiting list here

Then sign up *right now* and take the course in two months.

That'll give you two months to learn some more about bikes and do some shopping for a used Ninja.

2 months, you're lucky.

Courses within a morning's drive of Chicago are full for the YEAR. There are a couple wait list spots in October.

Wow thats crazy. I called for the MSF course on a friday and got offered a spot the next day, but I decided to take it a week later.

Tower- Illinois sounds like a mess! Can you maybe take a Harley-Davidson Riders Edge course instead? (same curriculum as the MSF course).