Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hello,
Just found this site and have learned a lot so far. I`m 37, and want to buy a street bike. I`m going to sign up for the Motorcylce Safety Course, "Basic Rider Course", here in upstate NY. What should I expect? I have not been on a bike in 20 + years, and never had a road bike, just dirt bikes and quads. They offer a waiver for DMV so I wont have to go to DMV for a road test (which saves a lot of headache) Just curious what to expect, how difficult the class is.
Thanks,
Craig

PS I found a 1987 Honda 750 Shadow for a good price, what is the opinion of this bike? What should I look for, lookout for?? Where can I find maint. info, etc....

Check out some of the posts in the beginners threads. A few folks have posted what they went through.

I'd love to help, but my class starts in 2 days.

The class was long but moved pretty well. The DMV written (actually punch a button on a monitor) test was a breeze afterward. Plus, it cut my six-month insurance quote in half. That alone covered the cost of the course.

In my class, they on the first day ran some videos. Talked about safety gear, different styles of bikes, riding safely, etc. Day two and three were familiarizing us with the bikes, teaching turns, braking, swerving, u-turns, etc. We even got a quick lesson in riding in a torrential downpour! Most of us passed the class. Only a couple didn't make it. If they try again they'll get it though. The biggest thing going against anybody is just being too nervous, I think. Just go and have fun, do what they tell you and pay attention. You'll get through it and have fun and meet other people you will be able to ride with after you get your endorsement.......

Most of the people that took the MSF course when I did passed. The only people that couldn't do it seemed to be afraid of the bikes. One girl couldn't figure out how to shift, not matter how much the instructors worked with her. This other dude just seemed really scared the whole time, then dumped the bike twice in a row and quit.

My suggestion would be, relax, pay attention and be confident.

I've got a post going in the newbie section outlining my MSF course as I go. I just did the classroom on Tues and doing the riding portion this sat and sun. The classroom is informative, but I'm really dissapointed with the one I took. I think that has more to do with the people putting on the class though. The classroom is informative and if you've read through this forum a bit and your states motorcylce laws you're going to have a good start on some of the basics.

Street bikes aren't dirt bikes. Dirt, sand and gravel are now your enemies!

Hey Monkers,
By now, you may have already taken the course, but just wanted to let you know.....I'm a 71.5 year old man who hadn't ridden in 29 years. I took and passed the course about a month ago. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I believe that's the key...go with that in mind, and plan on "enjoying" it. Stay loose, and just pay attention. Also, have taken, and passed the written test, (a breeze), and am now a liscensed motorcyclist.....Hoorah!!!

Al P.

Congrats Al, that's Awesome!!!

In my class there are several people who had ridden when younger and were getting back into riding after over 20 years off as well. I think it's great.

I agree about being loose. If you're tense it's going to be hard to do some of the exercises. I went in with the mentality of, if I make a mistake so be it this is the place to learn.

And yeah, I made a mistake. During the quick stop I locked up the rear wheel for 10feet. Oops. It was nice though because I was able to laugh about it but also get direct feedback from the instructor.

RELAX.. the classroom can only teach you so much. It's being on the bike and learning the skills that will build your confidence. My "thing" was to ace a skill... and be so excited, and get great feedback from the instructor, then go to take off, and kill the bike. LOL I never dumped it, i aced the test, and im 42 and never been on a bike before. If i can do it, anyone can, it's all in what u REALLY WANT to do. Now i have that "M" on my license, and i have a 99 vstar in my garage waiting to have spring break in wisconsin.