[HarleyVest]

Seeing how @JPark708 was taking a rider's edge course later in the spring. I was just curious on where you guys took the riding course. Maybe we can all shed some light on this top to help new riders and give them some feedabck from your experiences.

Come on it only takes a second

 

[revolution-x]

Called a motorcycle pre-learner course here. Compulsory if you want to get your motorcycle license. Two 4 hour sessions over 2 days.

Would have been great to been using Buell blasts instead of the Honda CB125's that we had.

Once you pass, you can proceed to your motorcycle learner permit. This is valid for 12 months & you can upgrade to your provisional license after 3 months.

If you don't upgrade to "P" license within 12 months you have to do the pre-learner course again.

Because of the long wait for delivery of my Street 500, I will be doing the course again.

 

[HarleyVest]

Called a motorcycle pre-learner course here. Compulsory if you want to get your motorcycle license. Two 4 hour sessions over 2 days.

Would have been great to been using Buell blasts instead of the Honda CB125's that we had.

Once you pass, you can proceed to your motorcycle learner permit. This is valid for 12 months & you can upgrade to your provisional license after 3 months.

If you don't upgrade to "P" license within 12 months you have to do the pre-learner course again.

Because of the long wait for delivery of my Street 500, I will be doing the course again.

That is pretty similar to our graduated licensing system except we have 90 days before it expires or you can take the next license testing.

 

[Dyna7051]

I took my BRC, ERC and ARC courses in Okinawa Japan. The learner bikes were hyosungs (crap). I did all my courses on my 2stroke 250cc KDX. I even did an advanced rider track day on it knobbies and all.

 

[fkystreet]

an empty parking lot



kidding
local college offers courses for cheaper. took it there.

 

[HarleyVest]

I took my BRC, ERC and ARC courses in Okinawa Japan. The learner bikes were hyosungs (crap). I did all my courses on my 2stroke 250cc KDX. I even did an advanced rider track day on it knobbies and all.

@Dyna7051

Are you out in Okinawa for work or..?


How did it feel with the knobbies around the track at consistant speeds?

 

[harleyhoonigan]

an empty parking lot



kidding
local college offers courses for cheaper. took it there.

I can't lie, it's partially how I learned to ride when i first started out thanks to some good friends of mine that allowed me to ride their bikes but eventually i took the course.

 

[Dyna7051]

@Dyna7051

Are you out in Okinawa for work or..?


How did it feel with the knobbies around the track at consistant speeds?

I was stationed there for 3 years in the Marine Corps. On a corner going between gears it would kick out a little but knowing it was gonna happen I was ready for it. They were dot approved 50/50 enduro rubber.

 

[fkystreet]

I can't lie, it's partially how I learned to ride when i first started out thanks to some good friends of mine that allowed me to ride their bikes but eventually i took the course.

I just went out and bought a 125 and rode around a parking lot for a bit

 

[harleyhoonigan]

I just went out and bought a 125 and rode around a parking lot for a bit

haha good job, best way to learn, even with driving thats how i first learned, no need for driving school, take your parents car and go out to some parking lot.

 

[stude]

I never took a course, but I have been riding for well over 30 years. I started on a dirt bike.
I recently saw an ad for a local class, that once you have passed, you apparently automatically get your license without having to go through a road test. I am in NY state.

 

[HarleyVest]

I never took a course, but I have been riding for well over 30 years. I started on a dirt bike.
I recently saw an ad for a local class, that once you have passed, you apparently automatically get your license without having to go through a road test. I am in NY state.

Interesting is that how it works out in NY state.

What are you riding right now? I just wonder how the transition is from a dirt bike...

 

[stude]

Interesting is that how it works out in NY state.

What are you riding right now? I just wonder how the transition is from a dirt bike...

I took my road test on the first bike I had registered for the road... a 1979 Yamaha DT250 enduro. I now ride an 06 1200 Sportster and love it.
The transition from dirt to street wasn't bad. I think there is a lot to be gained from dirt riding before street riding. Truthfully it had probably saved me a spill or two on the street as I "learned my lessons" in a field somewhere instead of on the road.
I had a worse time transitioning from a standard street bike to a crotch rocket. I can remember the first sharp corner on my Interceptor... I about crapped my knickers when my helmet was seemingly only inches from the road, but it stuck. I went over a slight hump on straightaway coasting at 115mph and the bike stayed at the uphill angle over the other side leaving the front wheel hanging in the breeze. It was then I decided that crotch rockets weren't for me. Wheelies and me never ended well.
I will say that the riding position on most rockets is better on the back than slouching on a cruiser though.

 

[HarleyVest]

I guess it all just depends on your back

Anymore pictures of your sportster?

 

[harleyhoonigan]

some back workouts to strengthen your bike might help with long distance riding.

 

[shark nose]

I started riding on the farm at age seven. Never took a riding course, ever. I’ve logged over a million miles on motorcycles so far. And have only been down once when I hit a deer in 2005. I fractured four ribs that day.

 

[fkystreet]

thanks for sharing your experiences shark nose

and how has the recovery been since that accident?

 

[CrankenFine]

Here in PA the cost of attending the MSF Rider Training Course is covered by fees for Motorcycle Learner's Permits. So despite the fact I was riding since the 70's I took the course a couple years ago just to see if I could learn something new. I had not had a bike for more than a decade so I figured better safe than sorry.

It was not a lot of new stuff but a good refresher on basic skills. I kept getting scolded by the instructor for only using 2 fingers on my front brake a habit deeply ingrained. Luckily I never gave up my motorcycle endorsement on my driver's license so they could not fail me...everyone with a learner's permit was required to pass to get the endorsement.

 

[Chevy_man5]

In Idaho you take a written test at the DMV and get a "Learner's Permit" ($15.00 for the permit, and $3.00 for the test) that allows you to ride by yourself, during the day, and no interstate/freeway driving. Then you can take a skills test with a certified instructor for $10.00, or you can do the Stars Course, which is $105. I did the Stars Course, just for the $40 per year insurance break. Easy class if you paid attention. Then to add the endorsement to your license is another $15.00.

I had to look that all up, been a few years since I did it.

A gentleman and his wife were in my class, he had been riding without an endorsement for 40 years, and couldn't pass the $10 skills test due to too many bad habits. His wife ended up passing the class, and he failed. She had never ridden her own, only on the back of his.

 

[Reverend Blood]

I'm actually taking mine this weekend. I've been a motorcycle fan for a long time, and figure having a mid-life crisis at 30 is as good a time as any to get one. I went ahead and signed up for this weekend so I can get my endorsement on my license taken care of while I wait for the 750 to hit showrooms.