Future biker here for advice

Message

cobaltbluechaser · Thu Jul 27, 2006 8:01 pm

Hey all, my younger brother is a biker. He has a Kawasaki Ninja 500 and probably has been riding for a year now. I always thought about riding but never really committed. Well this year I want to surprise him. I looked up the 3 day class you can take for motorcycle training and want to take this. My plan is to take this class in secretacy and come back buy my bike and surprise my brother on the road. I just want to hear from you experts that this class is worth it. This is where I was looking at the class www.msf-usa.org/. It looks great to me and I believe after I'm done with this program I should be pretty confident on the road. Also I've looked at some of the sport bikes out and all I really want to ride at first is a little 250 or maybe a 500 (probably a 250 as a beginner). Please let me know your input and if you have taken this class before..thanx
chase

#2 Unread post by **dr_bar** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 8:04 pm

I think the answer will be unanimous, go for the course.... You're definitely on the right track... Good luck and enjoy.

Doug

Dash Riproc · Fri Jul 28, 2006 12:23 am

+1 to dr_bar...that would be a great surprise...definatly take the course.

If he has been riding for a year or so, I would only caution you to ride within YOUR limits, not his. It's VERY easy to try and keep up, or ride like others do...especially if your just starting out. I found myself doing this on the interstate when I just beginning...not a good idea. Fortunatly for me, God protects the stupid...sometimes.

If you take it slow and use your head there will many good years of riding together...don't make your first experience with your brother a trip to the E.R.

Fri Jul 28, 2006 1:02 am

The class is more than worth it, especially if you've never riden before. Just keep in mind that it might take alot more practice after the class to head out on the road safely to "suprise" you brother. Good luck and let us kow how it goes.

kabob983 · #5 Unread post by **kabob983** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 1:09 am

Dash Riproc wrote: Fortunatly for me, God protects the stupid...sometimes.

+1!

Definately take the BRC course. Some places have a better staff for this course than others do (I've heard complaints before, I personally thought mine was fantastique!).

And +1 to what Sweet Tooth said. Take the course but you're not going to be an expert rider by any means after taking it. After you take it and get a bike fine a nice parking lot or something and just practice your basic riding skills. Just doing this will teach you alot!

Good luck!

younggun · #6 Unread post by **younggun** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 1:27 am

yup take the course, also i started out on a 250 glad i did got some good xp and didnt have any worries of losing control of the bike

Flting Duck · Fri Jul 28, 2006 1:27 am

It looks great to me and I believe after I'm done with this program I should be pretty confident on the road.

The class will only make you confident to go to a parking lot and practice what you've learned. You did not become a confident car driver in 2 days, did you? And the physics and coordination required for MC riding are much more complex than a car.

Take the course for sure then get some practice.

And mind what the earlier poster said about riding your own ride and not trying to keep up with your brother. In fact, when riding with your brother, he should ride behind you. That way he can watch what you're doing and give you pointers. Not that a one year rider is the best motorcycle coach to have but he does have more epxerience than you and it will avoid a situtation where you're trying to keep up with him and riding beyond your skill/experience level.

(And besides, if you can't keep up with him, you can always just beat him up later since he's your younger brother.

)

sharpmagna · Fri Jul 28, 2006 1:30 am

That would be a kewl suprise! Definitely take the MSF BRC. When you get the bike, take some time to get used to it before "suprising" your bro. Just ride it around the neighborhood and smaller side streets to get the feel of your own bike.

#9 Unread post by **bok** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 2:41 am

take the course, your bike choice seems realistic.

after you surprise your brother, keep in mind that if he has taught himself how to ride and didn't take a course, he might have a bunch of bad habits and may try to impart those onto you as sage advice from someone who has been there.

have fun with the course and the sport of riding

cobaltbluechaser · Fri Jul 28, 2006 3:02 am

Thanx everyone for the advice and i'll take all of it into consideration when I start. I'm really excited to take this course. I live in the panhandle of Florida. By any chance has anyone taken the course in Pensacola or Tallahassee, Florida? I just want to see if someone knows how well the instructors are.