As the date for my class gets nearer, I'm starting to feel a like I should know a little something about riding. I have been reading all I could on the subject of beginner riding.......but it's starting to feel like learning to drive a car by reading. I don't get the bike until July 19th, my birthday, and the course starts on the 28th. Is it best to start the class without any hands-on-experience (except book study):confused:
AND.... The Idiot's Guide to Motorcycles is a good book. Even if I didn't want to ride, it was really interesting. :coffee: I sat in Borders for 2 hours reading it.

To answer your question, YES, people have failed the MSF course but don't sweat it! Relax and enjoy yourself. There are two tests, written and skills. The written part you can pass if you pay attention in class. The skills portion is more difficult than the state exam but don't worry. People who have failed the MSF course have gone to the highway department and passed their exam easily.

And that is the important thing to remember. You are learning skills in the MSF course that will save your life and make you a better rider! If you don't feel like you have mastered those skills, practice at home or retake the course (many people do as a refresher). Even after you have ridden for a while, there is another course that you can take on your own bike to teach you advanced skills for the road.

Life is an ongoing process of learning...the more you know, the better rider you are.

:moto:

Two years ago I wanted to start riding again. I had not been on a bike since I was 14 years old. I am 45 years old now ... you do the math. I couldn't believe how much the technology has changed and improved the motorcycle. It was the best money I’ve spent. I started with the beginner class to make sure it was something I wanted to do and followed up with the intermediate course. MSF keeps you on your toes. Good luck and let us know how it was.

I don't know how much you already know but...

Have your friend go over the controls with you, how to start the bike, friction zone and how the gears work. Many first time riders have a problem with all the controls but you won't think anything about it after a while.

Another thing to play with is the clutch. Start off just rocking the bike by letting out the clutch slowly until it catches and then pulling it back in. After you can do this repeatedly without killing the bike (you have to give the bike some gas or it will kill), try letting the bike travel for several feet or more before stopping it.

Practice stopping the bike. Learn to use the front and rear brakes. Then use both at once. Stopping the bike can be difficult for people. They forget to pull in the clutch and they can't stop. I know one guy who ran his bike through his kitchen door.

Practice these skills and you should be well ahead of many of the people there. :thumb:

:moto:

I didn't know anything before I took the MSF course. Zero saddle time. I paid attention, practiced and passed. Yes, there were people who did not pass the course, but the instructors knew the students were stuggling even before the tests and even gave them extra instruction and one-on-one time.

Unlike a car, not everyone can drive a motorcycle. It requires both hands and both feet to do it properly. :whatever:

That being said, I'm sure you'll do fine. It's hard, but not rocket science. Good luck, have fun, take what the instructors tell you to heart, and you'll do fine. Once you leave the course, keep practicing. Learning never ends!:thumb: :moto:

Thank y'all for the words of encouragement. I'm going to keep reading and studying. Next weekend I'll have the bike and get a little hands on before the class. This is truly the most exciting thing I've ventured into since 1995! :)

I PASSED the MSF course!! The classroom part posed no problem. Being out on the "range" at 7:45am - 3:00pm (in georgia heat) and learning how to shift gears and not stall, get the bike up to speed as not to wobble and manuver the turns, well let's say...... by 10:30 saturday morning I was ready to cry from sheer frustration and beginning to wonder if I'd should have gone to a cooking class instead. But being my mother's daughter (that's what my daddy calls it) I stuck it out.

The instructors were most patient and encouraging. 1 of them even spent a little of the lunch hour to help me with maintaining the friction zone. Through the sweat, physical exertion and mental exhaustion, I know the proper techniques for the basics - the IMPORTANT STUFF.

I know at my current skill level, i'm qualified to ride my bike in the parking lot.... LOL! I now know what to practice and how it should work and i can't wait to get on that ninja! Certified, Licensed and Legal.

:yourock:

Way to go!

Today, the parking lot. :thumb:
Tomorrow, the WORLD!!! :D

Congratulations!!! :moto: