[xazraelx_NC]

There are plenty available at CPCC, starting as early as next weekend:

http://schedule.cpcc.edu/myschedule/buildMySchedule.rios?prefix=MIC&number=8780

This coming weekend is valentines weekend, and if I somehow get hurt there that day, I’ll -never- be able to even look at a bike with her around

I think I may strive for taking it in the beginning of March or the end of this Month. And, sadly, none of them offer a class starting at ~4:30-5:00, which is a bummer. But hey, you do what you gotta do.

Will I need to bring safety gear with me? I thought I saw at one point in time requirements as to what to wear, but I can’t seem to find it again. And, speaking of gear, I’ve read some of the reviews on here and other places, but where do you guys go to see what size you need? Or do you just order it and then send it back if it doesn’t fit. And, for a starter…I should be expecting to spend around $600 or so on gear? From what I’ve looked at, everything seems fairly expensive…but the opportunity cost…my life…is well worth it, even if I’m only a newbie and won’t ever go out on the highway (at least for now).

Thanks!

William

[xazraelx_NC]

Thanks so much for all the feedback. I’m quite nervous about doing the MSF, because they say that all you need to know is how to ride a bicycle…but then again, everything I’ve read on these forums and elsewhere states that everyone is overly nervous, and they pretty much drill it into you. I’m almost more worried about the time of day it’s held (MAN, they start early…I’m a second/third shift worker and student, and 8 AM makes life difficult for a couple days hah).

As far as buying a bike goes, I will most certainly wait until the MSF just to make sure that I’m capable. The more I’ve read, the more inclined I am to do what everyone suggests and get a used 250cc ninja. I don’t need, let alone want, anything more powerful than that to start out with, and the surplus of the previous generation seems to leave a decent price (a lot of the ones I’ve seen around here go for 1700-2600 for decent mileage). Also, if I were to get something…nicer..I have a feeling that, like almost every other person out there…I will drop it, scuff it, do something on accident that did not need to be done.

Mechanically, what will I need to learn in order to do safety checks and fix minor problems. I’m not the most resourceful with my hands, but I know how to do the routine maintenance on cars, learn quickly, but have never even touched a bike.

Also…what kind of…security measures…can you do to a bike? For example, I plan on driving it to school. Who’s to stop someone from picking it up and putting it on a truck? Is there any way to prevent something like that from happening?

Thanks a million.

William

[xazraelx_NC]

I’m a senior at UNCC, so I live in Charlotte 95% of the time. My hometown is Winston-Salem, and I visit there every now and then for family. The bike will be purely used for going back and forth to campus and work (campus is ~2 miles, work is ~10 miles..neither involves the highway). I have an accord for daily driving that I use now (and would use if the weather was ever even a little bad) and a 300zx garage queen for joy riding

The main reason I want the bike is to, well…experience it. I’m not sure what words I can put there to explain it, but it’s somewhat of a craving. Anyway, yes, hopefully I will be taking the MSF course on either CPCC campus or Forsyth Tech campus, they both have several upcoming dates.

As for the Riders Edge, is that anything similar to Drivers Edge (A free program teaching you how to, well, drive better by putting you in certain situations and letting you learn how to get out of them in a car, not a textbook). I did the Drivers Edge course with my girlfriend about 6 months ago, and we had quite a great time and it was definitely a good experience.

Thanks for the advice, and the welcome!

Edit: In my original post, “myself out on the payment, ” I meant pavement. My apologies.

[xazraelx_NC]

Thanks for posting this!

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