im 19 and i wanna ride a motorcycle im about 5‘8 and 130 lbs i was thinking of getting a 400cc as a starting streetbike i dont really feel like taking the MSF course. i wanna learn how to ride a motorcycle on my own, is that a good idea? i kinda get how a bike works u twist the throtle shift with your feet and then brake im guessing i can learn/crash the rest on my own
I bought my first bike during the Johnson administration (Lyndon, not Andrew). In those days, you just bought a bike, climbed aboard, and rode the thing home. Just to make it interesting, when I got my first bike, it was at night! You can learn to ride by yourself. In fact just the fact that you want to start out on a 400 makes me think you're moderate enough, mature enough to learn on your own. Just ride it around on some quiet residential streets until you have the controls sorted out, so you when someone pulls out of a driveway right in front of you, you don't have to take a few seconds to think Hmmm. Now which of these doodads is the brake? But I would still recommend the MSF course. For two reasons. One is that it teaches you how to deal with certain unforseen situations (you only have one body!) And the other reason is that if you take it you don't have to take the riding test at the DMV. The DMV makes you do what's called a 'keyhole test'. In the parking lot there are two concentric circles. You have to ride into the stripe between the circles and go around between them without touching either line or putting down your feet. There are people near DMV places that will rent you a dinky 50cc bike to take the test because it really is nearly impossible on a big bike. I know people, experienced riders, who couldn't get it the first time. If you have an MSF cert, they skip this and you just have to take the written test. BTW, be wared that the written test for bikes is not like the one for cars. The one for cars is about rules of the road--making left turns, the meaning of street signs, etc. The new one for bikes is about defensive riding and safety. All these years I've been riding, the last time I took this test they had changed it, and I flunked! Luckily, the woman correcting the test took another look at my record. You're a good driver, she said, so you didn't have to take the written test. Good luck!
Currently, the State of California requires anyone under the age of 21 to take the course. Even if you are over 21, it is a very good idea to take the course. It is a great experience AND you will be allowed to skip the stupid DMV keyhole test. Good Luck and ride safe.
MSF will teach you how to stay alive. the vast majority of fatalities are people who didn't take the course. You can survive a while. but your a fool not to take the course, and I'm betting a lot of people unless they are arrogant teenagers will refuse to ride with you. If you don't take the course your a danger to yourself and others on the road. How can you teach yourself what you don't know. Whats counter steering, which brake do you grab first, ordo you. Which brake has most of your stopping power. how do you go over an object in the road. How do you swerve, how do you cross railroad tracks that are running parallel down the middle of your lane. when in a turn, when do yo brake and when do you accelerate? Even knowing the answers, but not being taught how to do it will take you three times longer. If you don't want to take the course because of a money issue, then ask yourself how much your life is worth. Oh, and up here in Oregon, they are trying to pass a law that says all first time motorcycle endorsements must have the Team Oregon safety class. if it passes, you can be sure california will follow.
