new rider/first experience

[lank]

the msf course is really worth it. I never had any experience before the class. wanted to take the class before buying a bike to make certain I liked it and could do it. You learn a ton while in the class. I was actually the only person with zero experience in my class so a little intimidating but even then I still caught on to some techniques easier than the others. Guess they were just used to do things differently.

in va it was $100 plus 15$ reg fee. but you bypass dmv testing. got my card from msf then went to dmv and got the M put on my license. plus most insurance gives you a discount after taking the course.

now if I can only get my money squared away so I can actually buy the fz6r instead of just dreaming about it...

 

[JonKerr]

Just got home a bit ago from the first day of the ride portion of the MSF class. Well worth the time and money for the class. I learned a lot. And I watched a few guys who'd never even sat on a motorcycle go from not being able to get the thing rolling to doing full oval turns and speed matching from 2nd to third gear and back down. Tomorrow's the final portion then it's off to the DMV to get my license. :Sport:

 

[Diluted]

Here it's at least $175 for the class at the MVA....elsewhere it starts at like $250-$300 for the darn thing.

 

[JonKerr]

Worth every penny IMO though. Getting ready to head down to my final class right now. Wish me luck.

 

[Diluted]

I still plan on taking it, I know the information from it will be invaluable to how I ride. It just sucks knowing I could go to another state and take it for like $100-$200 less lol.

Good luck!

 

[Manna69247]

I think if somebody laughs at you, they will be the stupid noobs! Congratz with the bike, can't wait to get mine (dreams). I've been riding on borrowed (friends) motorcycles/scramblers since I was 11. Then 3 years ago I had a Suzuki LTZ 400 quad which I had allot of fun on. Then I decide to get something I could use daily not just over weekends. I bought a FZ6, my first and only bike this far. I had to sell it last December. I remember the first day (ever in traffic) when I collect it from the dealer. The moment I got on the free-way I thought 'these barriers looks allot harder from a bike' - and since then always ride with that in mind! Something you almost don't notice in a cage... Keep it slow and safe and enjoy!

 

[JonKerr]

I passed! :steve: Now it's just a matter of waiting for the mail man to bring my certificate to take to the DMV and I can go get my baby!

 

[Diluted]

Grats! :steve:

 

[JonKerr]

Thanks. Went over to my dads yesterday after the class and he let me hop on his Harley FatBoy and take it around the block a few times. That bitch is heavy! 780 lbs! Had to flip a u-turn with it. If I can ride that thing, I'll be fine with the 6R. Heading to the dealership on Saturday!!!

 

[JonKerr]

Finally got her!

I finally picked up my baby today. :sinister: :Sport: Ended up paying a bit more than I wanted but what the hell. :thumbup: Took her out for about 60 miles with my dad. Going for a nice little ride tomorrow with some buddies.

 

[Manna69247]

Congratz! She's a beaut. Dive safe and enjoy:thumbup:

 

[fz6rwolf]

Enjoy and keep the shiny side up.

 

[Allan]

She's a beaut - enjoy...:thumbup:

 

[JonKerr]

Thanks guys. I've put about 160 miles on her since yesterday at noon. Went on a nice little ride up in the mountains with a buddy to a little Indian Casino. Nothing too twisty. Still have a lot to learn before I get on some of the really tight stuff around here. But I'm having a ton of fun.

 

[Tijeras505]

The MSF course is a must. Here in NM, if you pass the MSF course, then you don't have to take a written or riding test for your M/C license. Just take your completion cert to the MVD and pay your money.

Beyond that, there are other courses all over the country that you could take but some can be pretty expensive. Another route is to read some of the excellent books out there, such as:

Proficient Motorcycling - David Hough
Total Control - Lee Parks
Sport Riding Techniques - Nick Ienatsch
Twist of the Wrist - Keith Code
and Others...

I look at my books every so often and I seem to learn something new each time I do.

I have also found watching motorcycle road racing gives me a visual reference on how good riding should look. You can also pick up some tips during interviews with the riders.

I also totally agree with "All Gear, All the Time!" Here in NM where it is a very large (90+%) Harley riders, I seem to be one of a few that actually does this. Yes it can become hot during the Summer, but look at the alternative; Even if you have a low speed lay down, jeans are going to shred like paper on the pavement, then your skin will do the same.

Do some searches on the Web if you haven't had a chance to see what road rash looks like.

 

[JonKerr]

After my first two days and 200 miles on the bike, I can't imagine trying to get out there and ride without taking the MSF course first. There were so many things I could have potentially screwed up in a less than safe environment (busy roads on a Saturday afternoon) that I got out of the way during the course in a much safer setting.

As far as gear, I also can't believe the lack of riding gear I see out there. There's a lot of sport bikers out here in full leathers. But I'd say there's as many or more out there in regular jeans or even shorts, short sleeves, and no gloves. They're only wearing a helmet because you have to in California. (The one that killed me was on TV. A chick on a GSXR600 with a Icon jacket full of armor, and no helmet ) But HD riders seem to be the worst. Even my Dad. It drives me nuts. My first ride from the dealership Saturday was with him. He's in a t shirt with a leather vest (like that's going to do anything) a little skull cap helmet and cutoff gloves. Pointless! I'm a big fan of the kevlar lined jeans and high end textile jackets with CE armor. Still a casual look but a HELL of a lot safe than nothing at all. I really need to get a good pair of high end gloves though. That's my next investment as far as gear goes.

 

[bmw675]

i already got a helmet (illinois doesn't require it either) and i bought a joe rocket jacket. i havent done alot of riding yet, mostly just around back roads. waiting on a msf class that has an opening. right now they are all full and you have to go on standby the day of.

 

[Tijeras505]

After my first two days and 200 miles on the bike, I can't imagine trying to get out there and ride without taking the MSF course first. There were so many things I could have potentially screwed up in a less than safe environment (busy roads on a Saturday afternoon) that I got out of the way during the course in a much safer setting.

As far as gear, I also can't believe the lack of riding gear I see out there. There's a lot of sport bikers out here in full leathers. But I'd say there's as many or more out there in regular jeans or even shorts, short sleeves, and no gloves. They're only wearing a helmet because you have to in California. (The one that killed me was on TV. A chick on a GSXR600 with a Icon jacket full of armor, and no helmet ) But HD riders seem to be the worst. Even my Dad. It drives me nuts. My first ride from the dealership Saturday was with him. He's in a t shirt with a leather vest (like that's going to do anything) a little skull cap helmet and cutoff gloves. Pointless! I'm a big fan of the kevlar lined jeans and high end textile jackets with CE armor. Still a casual look but a HELL of a lot safe than nothing at all. I really need to get a good pair of high end gloves though. That's my next investment as far as gear goes.

A pair of really good gloves is something that I want to get also. They are just soooo expensive, but you get what you pay for with a well known name brand. I wear perforated leather pants and jacket during Summer then switch to textile in the colder months.

 

[JonKerr]

These are the one's I'm looking at.

 

[Tijeras505]

These are the one's I'm looking at.

Those are nice gloves and the price is reasonable. I was also looking at Alpinestars, one of the GP line. I am waiting until closer to Winter when I am hoping to get a bargain on a closeout or super sale.