- This topic has 12 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 6 months ago by Candice.
Beginner…Some Questions
-
AuthorPosts
-
October 4, 2008 at 7:37 pm #2199HollywoodParticipant
So I’m a freshman in college & I just moved to a much larger city than mine and I see motorcycles everywhere. For some reason this just sparked my interest and I googled some beginner motorcycle sites and found this one
.After reading the Guides & Reviews the owner of this site posted, along with the first 15 straight pages of the forum, I’ve become obsessed and fell in the love with the idea of getting my first bike. I found out through reading that it’s not too smart to start with a 600cc or larger bike , and that has my mind SET on getting either a 2008 or 2009 Ninja 250R (I loved em the first time I saw pictures on here).
Anyways.. I know taking the MSF course is HIGHLY recommended and luckily by doing a quick search I found courses in both cities I live in. So my first question is
Q1: Do I just call and sign up for the MSF course even with ZERO previous experience of riding? And if I can, will they cover just about all the basics with me? Because I’d like to take the course BEFORE I actually purchase the bike.
Q2: If and when I complete the MSF course, and it’s time to take the tests to get my state license to operate the bike, will it be a written test? And I’m pretty sure I’ll need the bike by this point in order to complete the driving portion of the licensing test??
Thanks…These are just some eearly stage questions that have been worrying me … Cause I’m VERY excited about pursuing this new hobby and I want to get into it as quickly and safely as possible.
October 4, 2008 at 8:08 pm #13296Sangria7ParticipantFirst let me say welcome.
Here are some answers that you seek.
Q1: Yes, just call up the MSF course provider. You will be surprise how many people have 0 experience with riding. The whole purpose of the MSF basic is to give you the fundamentals and the basic skills. I think it varies from state to state but the MSF replaces the driven test for the most part for the licesnse, provided you pass the MSF. I had no riding experience when I took the MSF.
Q2: Again, I believe this is state to state, but for the most part the MSF will replace the driven portion of the test. For Texas, all I had to do is turn in my MSF certificate and do my written test to get my final motorcycle license. So you wont need an actual bike to complete it.
Hope that helps
October 4, 2008 at 8:10 pm #13297HollywoodParticipantThanks a lot… one more thing
Do they go over the shifting before actually getting on the bikes too?
October 4, 2008 at 8:13 pm #13298Sangria7ParticipantYou will do a lot of “walking” the bike while playing with the clutch. Then you will do the clutch + shifter.
The MSF is taught as you have no experience with motorcycles. Dont worry about the course too much, just have fun with it, ask a lot of questions, and relax.October 4, 2008 at 10:44 pm #13302dcJohnParticipantLike Sangria said, the MSF is oriented toward folks who have absolutely no experience on a motorcycle. You’ll be fine. You didn’t mention what state you’re in. Here in Maryland, the MSF course meets all requirements for a license (both written and skills tests). Bring in the course completion certificate, take the eye exam, and you’re good to go.
October 4, 2008 at 10:58 pm #13303HollywoodParticipantThanks for you guys’ input… I’m from Arkansas. I searched but couldn’t find any MSF info pertaining to my state though
October 4, 2008 at 11:07 pm #13304Sangria7ParticipantStart with your local Dept of Motor vehicles..they can probably point you in the right directions
October 4, 2008 at 11:25 pm #13305HollywoodParticipantas far as the license is concerned?? alright will do
but I think I’m going to take the MSF before I do anything else
October 5, 2008 at 12:07 am #13306Sangria7ParticipantOctober 5, 2008 at 1:12 pm #13323WeaponZeroParticipantI can tell you this much about the MSF course: If you don’t get the hang of the shifter/clutch on the first day, they may not let you come back for the second day. One thing I can not stress enough is for people who haven’t driven one before to sit on a running motorcycle (not ride it, just sit on it) and practice with the clutch/shifter before taking the class. Some people will try to tell you that practicing on a stick shift car will prepare you for it and that may be enough for some people but it wasn’t for me. I had to practice in an empty parking lot for two days before I was able to start it well without stalling it.
Here in PA you have to have your motorcycle learner’s permit before you can take the MSF course, and completing it will essentially upgrade you from a learner’s permit to a full license.
October 5, 2008 at 3:09 pm #13326MunchParticipantHere in NC you don’t need experience or permit for MSF. To get permit and endorsement you HAVE to take the written, MSF cert or not. Get the cert. and you get your endorsement, it only by passes the riding test.
I am not sure on various locations but in my MSF course our instructors had us in the “text” part of the class go through and do the “claw procedure” for a couple of minutes. Meaning hold your hand out like your gripping the clutch and slowly let your fingers un curl in a drawn out 5 count. It kind of conditions your mind to slowly releasing in small movements before you get on the bike.
This is a great illustration for many because usually with friends and their riding tales the simulated movements are always over exaggerated, but thats all some have to go by.Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a prediction, but today…… is a Bi**h
October 6, 2008 at 1:54 pm #13390AndrewParticipantI don’t drive a manual and I had problems with shifting, or stalling, the first and second days. I guess I had good teachers because they were not phased and just kept slowly reminding me what I should be doing. When I started I assumed I could start the bike moving with the engine just idling without giving it gas. Once they told me I would need to slowly roll on while releasing the clutch it helped. Then it’s just about muscle memory. I spent the whole riding section only being worried about the one skill, shifting. The rest came pretty natural.
October 6, 2008 at 8:07 pm #13412CandiceParticipantThey teach you everything. I had no experience on a motorcycle and I have never driven a shift stick car and I passed. I did have a small amount of trouble the first hour, I kept stalling and couldn’t figure out why. But then the light bulb went on and I was on my way. Now I am riding to work which is about 30 miles and I love it, it makes going to work fun!
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.