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Hey all, im interested to get started in motorcycling and my dad has a 500cc honda. I scheduled an appointment with MSF but its in late july. Im 5'9ish and around 130lbs. My question is, would it be safe first practicing the basics and riding it around town while waiting for the course, or wait until the course then start riding it?

tresallday wrote:Hey all, im interested to get started in motorcycling and my dad has a 500cc honda. I scheduled an appointment with MSF but its in late july. Im 5'9ish and around 130lbs. My question is, would it be safe first practicing the basics and riding it around town while waiting for the course, or wait until the course then start riding it?

Well, the problem is that you don't know the basics. That's why you're taking the MSF.

So, you'd be riding around, practicing all the wrong things and learning all sorts of stuff you will have to work twice as hard to unlearn when you take the class.

I waited a couple of months for the class. You can too

jonnythan wrote:

tresallday wrote:Hey all, im interested to get started in motorcycling and my dad has a 500cc honda. I scheduled an appointment with MSF but its in late july. Im 5'9ish and around 130lbs. My question is, would it be safe first practicing the basics and riding it around town while waiting for the course, or wait until the course then start riding it?

Well, the problem is that you don't know the basics. That's why you're taking the MSF.

So, you'd be riding around, practicing all the wrong things and learning all sorts of stuff you will have to work twice as hard to unlearn when you take the class.

I waited a couple of months for the class. You can too

+1

MSF not only teaches you how to ride a motorcycle but employ basic strategies and emergency procedures that will pull your bacon out of the fire. I'd wait for the class or if you really can't resist the bug, stay in a parking lot. Riding around town is asking for trouble... especially if you don't have a license yet.

It is good you have a bike. Wait. I had to wait 9 months for the MSF and the last 2 months we had the bikes in the garage, waiting for us.

It is hard, but I'm glad I waited.

Take the class Luke, take the class Luke

tresallday wrote:Hey all, im interested to get started in motorcycling and my dad has a 500cc honda. I scheduled an appointment with MSF but its in late july. Im 5'9ish and around 130lbs. My question is, would it be safe first practicing the basics and riding it around town while waiting for the course, or wait until the course then start riding it?

I'd suggest you and your Dad take the bike to a school yard or other large un-used paved area each Saturday and Sunday and practice. At least you'll get the balance thing down as well as the stopping and starting. (the clutch for a newbe can be a bugger) This will prepare you for the MSF.

Stay off the roads until after the MSF course, then proceed with caution on less traveled roads.

Good job on signing up for the MSF course. I didn't get a walk-in slot on the very last weekend of last year, so I had to wait five months until classes started up again.

Sounds like you're pretty excited about learning to ride, so why not take the time to talk to a few riders, read books on motorcycling and even take a bicycle out around your neighborhood and town to scope out the road conditions.

This should give you plenty to do and before you know it you're class will be coming up soon. Do you have the all the street gear recommended for when you pass the MSF and are ready to ride?

Wait until you get to the MSF class and enjoy learning to ride with other first timers.

I would wait as well. I took the msf course and then waited another 2 or 3 months (cant remember) before I was even able to get my motorcycle.

if you are confident and beleive you can handled the bike, there should be no problem, but if you have a significant amount of fear, you will be bitten.

I am with bubbas_brother; take the bike to an empty lot and learn how to start, stop and get through a couple gear changes, you'll be surprised how much will come natural.

I don't think the MSF will teach you how to ride, it will just show you how to be safe, riding technique comes with experience and experience comes with saddle time, get on it!