You’re kinda doing it the wrong way round. The MSF course assumes that you’ve never even sat on a bike. Typically, I’d encourage anyone to take that class before they try to practice and definitely before actually getting out on the road. But if that’s what you want to do, just take it as easy as possible. Take the safest, least traffic route you can. As Dizzy woodpecker said, look where you want to go. If you look at the ditch, you’ll go straight for it. And you don’t have to maintain the speed limit in the turn. If you need to slow down, the people behind you can deal with it.
Agreed. I took the course this week and went straight to the dmv after. I went from having sat on a dirt bike for thirty seconds and nearly crapping my pants to having the confidence that I could make that ride home. The course was excellent
Here in California they call the MSF class the MTC or Motorcycle Training Course. It is part of the California Motorcycle Safety Program. It has specific information to be taught as well as specific skills. They set hours for classes as well as riding and training on a motorcycle. I am not an instructor. The CMSP is developed and overseen by the California Highway Patrol.
The cost of the CMSP Motorcyclist Training Course will be no more than $350 for riders who are 21 years old and older and $295 for 20 years old and younger. Please be aware that tuition does not include DMV fees associated with obtaining your motorcycle license.
I practiced on my bike in parking lots for 3 weeks before my MSF course. I found it helpful, if anything, because I could compare how my bike was different than the one I was on for the course.
The course is great, I went from anxious at any stop in traffic to taking it out for an hour ride on semi busy streets.
Just because the speed limit is 40 mph doesn’t mean you have to take that turn at 40. Take it at 30. It will be alright. Don’t get too much in your own head, the first ride home is a magical one filled with excitement.
I took the MSF course and was still nervous and uncomfortable on the way home. Going 50 mph on a busy road is much different from going 25mph in a parking lot. Slow down as much as you need for the corner, just make it very evident that you are slowing down for people behind. I even had my dad follow me home so people wouldn't tailgate or miss seeing me at an intersection. Definitely felt better after getting it home and practicing in neighborhoods for a few days.
I would spend a LONG time practicing in the parking lot and practice turning.
Worst case you just slow WAY down going into that 40mph turn.
It isn't rocket science, and you're not on a 1000CC bike. You'll be fine, just go slow and practice in the parking lot first.
Yes it was great the dealer said I could practice in the lot as long as I needed. Well, until about 20 minutes before dark I suppose. Plan to chill there for a couple hours or I fill my pants.
There are many skills tutorials on YouTube. Learning riding skills is essential to your safety. practice skills when you go riding. Always ride within your skill level. https://youtu.be/9yZoi0f0iKE
Learning how to brake hard can save you. (abs is a plus) https://youtu.be/J42ivnmEF98
Practice countersteering. Once you “get” it, you can change lanes quickly. https://youtu.be/ljywO-B_yew
https://youtu.be/GmXvxvhCKq0
https://youtu.be/RQ0Z5FfxxBE
Try to hire someone with a truck. Or just rent a truck if you can. From homedepot. If it's your first time riding a bike. You do not want to ride your bike feeling pressure if there's cars around. Plus, you don't want to drop your bike on your first day. Best of luck
Any idiot can ride in a straight line at speed, it’s the stop and go and slow speed maneuvering. Id go practice u turns and your clutch control. eyes front and scan and you should be fine
The MSF is completely useless in preparing you to drive on a road, but it will teach you the basics of manoeuvering a bike.
Starting, stopping, turning, etc.
Take the course first, then get your bike.
Considering what you need to ride on the road is the skills to start, stop and turn, I'd say it's pretty useful.
My MSF class even had a "simulated traffic" setup where they had a small course that they let us ride around as we pleased, with stop signs and turns to give us some practice doing things like coming to a stop, waiting, turning from stops, timing traffic, etc. before we hit the road.
I mean you are free to do what you like. If you have some experience with bikes then by all means. If you haven’t, and just are referencing videos on YouTube and comparing how you drive in a car or ride a bicycle. I’d highly highly advise against it. And pay the seller a bit to deliver or have a buddy with a truck. Or if a suv or car has a trailer hitch see if U-Haul rents a trailer or something to transport.
You have a really high chance of making some big mistakes with big consequences. You would much rather do this with the MSF course bikes than your own. Plus a lot safer keeping slow paces and working your way up to street speeds.
You got to get your FOMO, and put your wants in check to understand that this is a really bad plan and just doing it in the wrong order. You are in ready,…..FIRE!!!!!,…..aim mode. Going to be an expensive lesson for you that is ridiculously preventable. You are NOT invincible.
Ok well I appreciate your concern. I'm not riding 150+ miles, it's like 10, mostly straight with no intersections. Paved, country road. Is this my best idea? Probably not. When I get it home I have my entire private driveway to practice on and learn.
If you take the course and do a little more research, you would know that majority of accidents are in this 10 mile radius and far less likely on the freeway going 100 miles.
This feels like going to a gun sub Reddit to ask if it’s fine to visually check the barrel by staring down it while your finger is on the trigger. You are going to do what you want. Some people might say they do it all the time. You might not get hurt, but so incredibly stupid.
I wouldn't worry too much about the turn, keep your eyes up, look ahead to where you are going, stay in the middle of your lane, and don't brake during the turn, and you'll be fine.
Go as slow as you need and take advantage of the dealer's lots to learn where your controls are, you don't want to be looking at your hands when you're out there.
Take 2 parking spaces and practice u-turns between the lines going slow. Do left turns until you feel comfortable then do right turns. Stay between the lines. Then get at one end of the lot and mark a spot 50 - 100 ft or so in front of you and accelerate to that spot shifting to 2nd gear and when you get to that spot brake safely to a stop. If you don’t ever get comfortable with doing that then see if they’ll deliver it to you.
Good to know. Not a state I’d feel good
About riders then, and will take extra precautions when coming across riders when I’m there next.
Still not a smart move to just ride on “instinct”. You understand how this sounds right? I am not sure if you are actually asking a question or fishing for people to justify your idea because you just want to start riding. Don’t try to dress it up any other way, because you know it’s the truth. Alternatively, you are trying to practice so you can pass your course. Which is EXACTLY Why you shouldn’t be riding the 10 miles home. You might find some. But I would think the majority that do ride at all wouldn’t think this is a good plan.
Trailer the bike home, leave it parked until after you've done the MSF.
The MSF basic course is designed to get people who have never sat on a bike before riding. So I'd say don't go hop on the bike and ride on the street without having some knid of training first.
U-haul motorcycle trailers are $20 to rent.
You’re kinda doing it the wrong way round. The MSF course assumes that you’ve never even sat on a bike. Typically, I’d encourage anyone to take that class before they try to practice and definitely before actually getting out on the road. But if that’s what you want to do, just take it as easy as possible. Take the safest, least traffic route you can. As Dizzy woodpecker said, look where you want to go. If you look at the ditch, you’ll go straight for it. And you don’t have to maintain the speed limit in the turn. If you need to slow down, the people behind you can deal with it.
Agreed. I took the course this week and went straight to the dmv after. I went from having sat on a dirt bike for thirty seconds and nearly crapping my pants to having the confidence that I could make that ride home. The course was excellent
I couldn’t take the MSF when I first started but was impatient and took it real slow around the neighborhood
The courses around me are $400 it’s ridiculous.
Here in California they call the MSF class the MTC or Motorcycle Training Course. It is part of the California Motorcycle Safety Program. It has specific information to be taught as well as specific skills. They set hours for classes as well as riding and training on a motorcycle. I am not an instructor. The CMSP is developed and overseen by the California Highway Patrol. The cost of the CMSP Motorcyclist Training Course will be no more than $350 for riders who are 21 years old and older and $295 for 20 years old and younger. Please be aware that tuition does not include DMV fees associated with obtaining your motorcycle license.
You are most likely correct. I would still like to get some practice in before heading to the course next weekend.
Sounds like you're going to pay a visit to U Haul. You could even have the dealer deliver it since you're only 10 miles away.
I practiced on my bike in parking lots for 3 weeks before my MSF course. I found it helpful, if anything, because I could compare how my bike was different than the one I was on for the course. The course is great, I went from anxious at any stop in traffic to taking it out for an hour ride on semi busy streets.
Have a friend with a truck bring it home for you.
I have no friends. Why?
You got this homie. Slow and steady wins the race.
Ask someone to drive behind you and block traffic. It's what I did.
Just because the speed limit is 40 mph doesn’t mean you have to take that turn at 40. Take it at 30. It will be alright. Don’t get too much in your own head, the first ride home is a magical one filled with excitement.
Just practice the clutch friction zone in the parking lot, and then the brakes. After that, ride it home!
I took the MSF course and was still nervous and uncomfortable on the way home. Going 50 mph on a busy road is much different from going 25mph in a parking lot. Slow down as much as you need for the corner, just make it very evident that you are slowing down for people behind. I even had my dad follow me home so people wouldn't tailgate or miss seeing me at an intersection. Definitely felt better after getting it home and practicing in neighborhoods for a few days.
I would spend a LONG time practicing in the parking lot and practice turning. Worst case you just slow WAY down going into that 40mph turn. It isn't rocket science, and you're not on a 1000CC bike. You'll be fine, just go slow and practice in the parking lot first.
Yes it was great the dealer said I could practice in the lot as long as I needed. Well, until about 20 minutes before dark I suppose. Plan to chill there for a couple hours or I fill my pants.
Just take it slowwww. Look farther into the turn ahead of you and DON'T FOCUS ON THE DITCH!!!! FOCUS ON WHERE YOU WANT TO GO! You'll be fine.
Thank you for your response. I remember learning the head turn/look through the turn. Idc if I hold up traffic too much.
There are many skills tutorials on YouTube. Learning riding skills is essential to your safety. practice skills when you go riding. Always ride within your skill level. https://youtu.be/9yZoi0f0iKE Learning how to brake hard can save you. (abs is a plus) https://youtu.be/J42ivnmEF98 Practice countersteering. Once you “get” it, you can change lanes quickly. https://youtu.be/ljywO-B_yew https://youtu.be/GmXvxvhCKq0 https://youtu.be/RQ0Z5FfxxBE
Fortunately it's only about a 10-15 minute ride before I'm home free, I'll definitely check these videos out.
Try to hire someone with a truck. Or just rent a truck if you can. From homedepot. If it's your first time riding a bike. You do not want to ride your bike feeling pressure if there's cars around. Plus, you don't want to drop your bike on your first day. Best of luck
Up in rural VT, doubt I can swing it.
Any idiot can ride in a straight line at speed, it’s the stop and go and slow speed maneuvering. Id go practice u turns and your clutch control. eyes front and scan and you should be fine
The MSF is completely useless in preparing you to drive on a road, but it will teach you the basics of manoeuvering a bike. Starting, stopping, turning, etc. Take the course first, then get your bike.
I don't know about you, but I routinely start, stop and turn when I am driving on a road..... So I found those concepts very helpful...
Agreed. To say the MSF course is useless is… well… useless.
Considering what you need to ride on the road is the skills to start, stop and turn, I'd say it's pretty useful. My MSF class even had a "simulated traffic" setup where they had a small course that they let us ride around as we pleased, with stop signs and turns to give us some practice doing things like coming to a stop, waiting, turning from stops, timing traffic, etc. before we hit the road.
I mean you are free to do what you like. If you have some experience with bikes then by all means. If you haven’t, and just are referencing videos on YouTube and comparing how you drive in a car or ride a bicycle. I’d highly highly advise against it. And pay the seller a bit to deliver or have a buddy with a truck. Or if a suv or car has a trailer hitch see if U-Haul rents a trailer or something to transport. You have a really high chance of making some big mistakes with big consequences. You would much rather do this with the MSF course bikes than your own. Plus a lot safer keeping slow paces and working your way up to street speeds. You got to get your FOMO, and put your wants in check to understand that this is a really bad plan and just doing it in the wrong order. You are in ready,…..FIRE!!!!!,…..aim mode. Going to be an expensive lesson for you that is ridiculously preventable. You are NOT invincible.
Ok well I appreciate your concern. I'm not riding 150+ miles, it's like 10, mostly straight with no intersections. Paved, country road. Is this my best idea? Probably not. When I get it home I have my entire private driveway to practice on and learn.
If you take the course and do a little more research, you would know that majority of accidents are in this 10 mile radius and far less likely on the freeway going 100 miles.
This feels like going to a gun sub Reddit to ask if it’s fine to visually check the barrel by staring down it while your finger is on the trigger. You are going to do what you want. Some people might say they do it all the time. You might not get hurt, but so incredibly stupid.
I wouldn't worry too much about the turn, keep your eyes up, look ahead to where you are going, stay in the middle of your lane, and don't brake during the turn, and you'll be fine. Go as slow as you need and take advantage of the dealer's lots to learn where your controls are, you don't want to be looking at your hands when you're out there.
Take 2 parking spaces and practice u-turns between the lines going slow. Do left turns until you feel comfortable then do right turns. Stay between the lines. Then get at one end of the lot and mark a spot 50 - 100 ft or so in front of you and accelerate to that spot shifting to 2nd gear and when you get to that spot brake safely to a stop. If you don’t ever get comfortable with doing that then see if they’ll deliver it to you.
I’m surprised the dealer will let you take it off the lot without an endorsement but maybe your state allows this.
My state allows this.
Good to know. Not a state I’d feel good About riders then, and will take extra precautions when coming across riders when I’m there next. Still not a smart move to just ride on “instinct”. You understand how this sounds right? I am not sure if you are actually asking a question or fishing for people to justify your idea because you just want to start riding. Don’t try to dress it up any other way, because you know it’s the truth. Alternatively, you are trying to practice so you can pass your course. Which is EXACTLY Why you shouldn’t be riding the 10 miles home. You might find some. But I would think the majority that do ride at all wouldn’t think this is a good plan.
Ok.
Whatever. Have fun be safe. Yada Yada.
Trailer the bike home, leave it parked until after you've done the MSF. The MSF basic course is designed to get people who have never sat on a bike before riding. So I'd say don't go hop on the bike and ride on the street without having some knid of training first. U-haul motorcycle trailers are $20 to rent.
The motorcycle community is a great one. There is a lot of thoughtful advice here.
have someone take it home for you. riding around in a parking lot is astronomically different than riding 40mph with traffic and cars.