Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Where did you guys get the bike you used to learn on before getting your license? None of my friends or close relatives have one that I can borrow. I guess it sucks to be the first to start these things :p

I'm under 18 so I'll have the learners permit and would like to have a little more experience than JUST the MSF course before buying my first bike.

I'll probably be starting everything this summer, and then get my first bike maybe a year from now.

--
Also, when you got a bike.. did you only pay insurance for the bike and not insure the car until fall/winter? What happens when it's storming out or some stuff like that.. call up a friend to give you a ride?

good luck to you!

My neighbor has a 600 I think. Sounds like a V-twin though ( ). Who knows, I doubt he'd let me learn around a little bit and use it for my test to get my license. Maybe if I flashed him some $100's

Wait.. I think if I do the MSF course, I won't have to do a skills test to get my license. This'll be easier then I thought. I'm still going to need practice though

Oh well, I still wonder about insurance. I'll have no social life after paying off the bike and insurance and riding all the time

Thanks anyways guys, sorry about the double post.

Dirtbike.

Best learning tool for any new rider ever invented.

Absolutely unbeatable.

And the most fun you can have with out going to jail afterwards.

And that applies for the rest of your riding days.....

Yup. Dirtbike.

So anyways yah if you pass the MSF you get a voucher that says you don't have to take the riding portion at the DLB, only the written.

Which was, surprisingly, a lot harder than I thought it'd be. I got a 70% on it.

Lots of formation questions and how you should pass in formation, who goes first, etc.

But after that you're a fully licensed motorcycle driver in the eyes of the law.


I'd recommend a few hours in a parking lot first, though. That's what I intend to do. That and take the MSF over again since it'll have been so long since I last took it (october) and the time I get my bike (fall...ish).

Shiv wrote:So anyways yah if you pass the MSF you get a voucher that says you don't have to take the riding portion at the DLB, only the written.
Which was, surprisingly, a lot harder than I thought it'd be. I got a 70% on it.
Lots of formation questions and how you should pass in formation, who goes first, etc.
But after that you're a fully licensed motorcycle driver in the eyes of the law.

I'd recommend a few hours in a parking lot first, though. That's what I intend to do. That and take the MSF over again since it'll have been so long since I last took it (october) and the time I get my bike (fall...ish).

Thanks man. I really hope all this comes true.. I've been wanting a bike since forever. Now all I need is someone to help me practice this summer

kberkel wrote:Where did you guys get the bike you used to learn on before getting your license? None of my friends or close relatives have one that I can borrow. I guess it sucks to be the first to start these things

Also, when you got a bike.. did you only pay insurance for the bike and not insure the car until fall/winter? What happens when it's storming out or some stuff like that.. call up a friend to give you a ride?

You are exactly the kind of person I made this page for:
www.CaliforniaBikeNights.com/learn

That will answer all your questions step-by-step.

I only took an MSF course. Then I bought a bike. I didn't practice on anything beforehand.

As for only insuring in the Winter, you might want to do that since you live in Ohio. My condolances. I lived in Ohio most my life.

When it is raining, um, no, you don't call someone to pick you up. You ride in the rain, man. Unless you're the Wicked Witch of the West, a little water isn't going to hurt you.

thats pretty admirable that you are able to plan things out up to a year from now, being as young as you are. im about your age, and i know i sure as hell couldnt do it.

definitely look into the msf, honda also offers a rider safety course for around $250 (give or take) which is a two and a half day course taken on a 250cc nighthawk or rebel. the course "teaches basic riding skills, mental strategies, and the advanced skills found to be lacking in accident involved motorists." verbatim.

once youve gotten the basics down they also offer a one day course called the ERC, which works on enhancing the skills mentioned above. a valid motorcycle license, and 3,000 miles road experience is required.

other than that, i really cant think of any other ways you could practice without owning your own bike, unless you go ahead and get your motorcycle permit now, and find a friend who is willing to let you take his bike out for a spin.

good luck to ye

Thanks for the site Dragon I thought you really did need your permit before taking the MSF class.

And Dirty, the reason I'm planning so far ahead is because I don't turn 17 until the summer and I know my parents are definitely warry about it now, so I have a year to open them up to the fact that I WILL be getting a motorcycle

(also gives me more time to come up with a bunch of money )