Hello everyone!

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darek · #1 Unread post by **darek** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 7:33 am

Hey everyone, I just signed up. Im 15 years old, I live in colorado, I ablsolutely love bikes,sport bikes in paticular.

Johnj · #2 Unread post by **Johnj** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 7:39 am

Howdy, I like all kinds of bikes. Welcome to the forum.

darek · #3 Unread post by **darek** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 7:48 am

Thanks for rolling out the welcome mat. Its good to be here!

Sun Dec 03, 2006 8:04 am

Do you ride yet? Dirtbiking maybe? When it's time to get out on the road, be sure to take the MSF course.

Other than that, enjoy the forums.

darek · #5 Unread post by **darek** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 8:10 am

No I do not ride yet,and yes, I will of course take MSF. Is it any different/better than just going to the DMV?

ill'n · #6 Unread post by **ill'n** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 9:28 am

The difference between MSF and DMV is sort of like learning to swim with an instructor at the shallow end of the pool versus jumping right into the deep end of the pool... alone.

MSF and DMV are very different. The MSF is an instructor taught course; they cover the basics in motorcycle handling and safety. They will answer all your questions and concerns during the one day classroom session. Then they will guide you through two days of course riding and point out any corrections you should make to your riding technique.

DMV is just a testing facility. They will not teach you, they will not lecture you, they will only pass or fail you.

Besides, the MSF is a fun course, and as a 15 year old, you will get a substantial discount (at least in California you would have).

Oh, and welcome to the forum.

darek · #7 Unread post by **darek** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 9:34 am

I figured it was something like that. Would it be smart to learn a wee bit about riding before you go into MSF? like how to shift and what not? or does it matter?

ill'n · #8 Unread post by **ill'n** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 9:47 am

I would be nice to do some research beforehand, but not required. The first thing they have you do is to sit on the bike for awhile, then they have you walk the bike while sitting.

Before I took the MSF course, I never even sat on a motorcycle before, and I did fine; although I did read a lot of books. A good book for total beginners is Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough. That's the one I read before going to class, and I highly recommend it. MSF also has a beginner book of their own called The Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Guide to Motorcycling Excellence: Skills, Knowledge, and Strategies for Riding Right. I've never read that one, but I've seen a few recommendations on this site for it.

darek · #9 Unread post by **darek** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 1:42 pm

I was just wondering, because my moms boyfreind has been on bikes since he was my age, and Im sure he could teach me a lot of basics.

t.c.rider · Sun Dec 03, 2006 1:53 pm

For the class I went to it wasn't needed to know a single thing before hand. I have loved bikes for awhile so I knew almost everything they taught the first day and it was quite boring...