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While I'd thought about riding for years, I finally pulled the trigger the day my youngest kid graduated from high school--at age 51. Did a really stupid thing and bought a BMW F800ST without every having ridden a motorcycle.

I set up a methodical learning and training program for myself, making use of books, DVDs, and my tens of thousands of miles on bicycles. Luckily, I live in an area full of beautiful, low traffic, low speed, winding country roads. I took the MSF course but, to my utter shock, did not pass the skills test. Personally I think I was tubed--the coaches had been giving me nothing but praise and then when I did the exact same thing for the examiner, I failed, mostly for going through the exercises too slowly. Half of the group I was in failed, including every one who had a learner's permit. Then I had to hop on the Interstate and ride 70 MPH back home after flunking the test. I'm trying to find out if I can take the riding part again without the six hours of classroom stuff.

Right now, I have a bit over 1100 miles. While I stay off the interstates as much as possible, I'm pretty comfortable on other types of rides, but still am concentrating on skill development. I plan to use the bike for errands, commuting, and day rides for recreation.

Personally, I'm a research professor, department chairman, and author at a think tank that deals with national security policy. I have a book on Iraq due out any day which, hypothetically, will pay for the motorcycle. I have two kids in college. Both are nice rides away so I plan on using the cycle to have lunch with them every now and again.

So you're still riding on permit? How long can you do that in PA? Our permits here in NJ are good for 90 days, but can be renewed.
I skimmed through your blog a bit, will revisit when I have some more reading time.

How do you like the F800ST? I've never ridden one, have sat on them at the dealer- they feel a little small to me (I'm 6'1" and riding a V-strom 1000).

Welcome to TMW.

jstark47 wrote:So you're still riding on permit? How long can you do that in PA? Our permits here in NJ are good for 90 days, but can be renewed.
I skimmed through your blog a bit, will revisit when I have some more reading time.

How do you like the F800ST? I've never ridden one, have sat on them at the dealer- they feel a little small to me (I'm 6'1" and riding a V-strom 1000).

Welcome to TMW.

Permits are good for a year, and can be renewed after that. I could go to the DMV and pass the regular test any time, but I work on a military installation so can't ride to work without the safety course. Hence I'm going to take it again. I'm trying to find out if I can just do the course part and not repeat the classroom stuff (since I just took it a couple of weeks ago and got a 100 on the test).

I don't have much to compare my bike to since all I've riddens is it and a 125cc Kawasaki "Eliminator" (and aptly named bike) I used in the MSF course.

I'm heavy but have short legs, so it works well for me. I can get the balls of both feet on the ground, but can't get them flat. I think it will do what I want.

to TMW.

Sometimes instructors are not good at communicating information. Good luck next time.