First time rider: Buy bike, learners permit, then MSF??

[ButtersDad]

I'm looking at purchasing my first motorcycle (a '12 KLR). I'm not scheduled to take the MSF basic course until late June (no earlier classes available). However, I would like to get started like now-ish.

NH has a 30 day learners permit. It has restrictions (i.e. daytime only), but would permit me to ride the back roads until I can get to the class. I will avoid rain, traffic (pretty easy to do...I live in a rural area), etc. in the mean time.

http://www.dmv.org/nh-new-hampshire/...le-license.php

The other benefit to this is that it would allow me to take my bike to the course. It would be nice to receive formal instruction on my bike, rather then a generic bike that may or may not have the same feel (i.e. seat height, weight, etc.). Thoughts? i.e. Wait to buy one until you see how the course goes. I don't see me disliking it...but you never know.

Oh yeah...the other driver is that the dealer down the road has the bike in stock and I would like to go take it off their hands.

[geocadGMZ]

When I took the MSF Basic Course they did not allow riders to use their own motorcycles. The Experienced Course, however, is done on your own motorcycle.
Also here, the MSF Course counted as the riding portion of the test, but I still had to go to the DMV and complete the written test. So, you may be able to take the written test and get a temporary permit then after completing the MSF Course you will need to go back and pay for the endorsement.

[ButtersDad]

Originally Posted by geocadGMZ

When I took the MSF Basic Course they did not allow riders to use their own motorcycles. The Experienced Course, however, is done on your own motorcycle.
Also here, the MSF Course counted as the riding portion of the test, but I still had to go to the DMV and complete the written test. So, you may be able to take the written test and get a temporary permit then after completing the MSF Course you will need to go back and pay for the endorsement.

Around here...it's optional to use your own motorcycle. They will provide one though. The way they put it...

Q: If I have my own motorcycle, can I use it in this course?
A: Yes, if it is in good condition, insured, registered and inspected, you can use it for this course. Course fee remains the same. No one else in the course will be allowed to ride your motorcycle during any course activity. You can also use a scooter with these same guidelines. We will have a training motorcycle available for you should you become uncomfortable with your larger motorcycle.

In NH...if you complete this course...you take the certificate to the DMV. They then give you the endorsement. They don't make you take the test if you've passed the course. This would bypass the need for a learners permit.

[Supnacho]

Here in Ohio, I had to have my learners permit or endorsement to take the MSF course, then took the certificate to DMV for endorsement (since I didn't have mine yet). I would suggest using their bikes tho, just because if you drop it, it's theirs anyway. Go ahead and get your KLR too especially if you have open places to practice and get used to it. I liked empty warehouse lots where there was nobody to see me if I dropped my bike though. lol

[ButtersDad]

Originally Posted by Supnacho

Here in Ohio, I had to have my learners permit or endorsement to take the MSF course, then took the certificate to DMV for endorsement (since I didn't have mine yet). I would suggest using their bikes tho, just because if you drop it, it's theirs anyway. Go ahead and get your KLR too especially if you have open places to practice and get used to it. I liked empty warehouse lots where there was nobody to see me if I dropped my bike though. lol

Haha. Yeah. That's the great thing about this area. There are umpteenzillion flat back roads with no traffic whatsoever. I'm in the same boat...I don't want there to be any witnesses.

[geocadGMZ]

Sounds like NH has a little bit different setup for motorcycle licensing than UT.

I don't know if you have any riding experience, or how comfortable you are on a motorcycle, but one thing to consider is that you would rather drop one of their bikes instead of your new KLR. You will practice quick stops and swerving, which should not be too difficult, but one woman did drop a bike in my class, during the final test, which was an automatic fail. Also, the bikes they provide are lighter weight and easier to handle/maneuver than the KLR.

[ButtersDad]

Originally Posted by geocadGMZ

Sounds like NH has a little bit different setup for motorcycle licensing than UT.

I don't know if you have any riding experience, or how comfortable you are on a motorcycle, but one thing to consider is that you would rather drop one of their bikes instead of your new KLR. You will practice quick stops and swerving, which should not be too difficult, but one woman did drop a bike in my class, during the final test, which was an automatic fail. Also, the bikes they provide are lighter weight and easier to handle/maneuver than the KLR.

I have zero motorcycle riding experience. That's the other obvious choice, I guess. I could do the learners permit now (so that I can ride over the course of the next month) and use their disposable bike for the course.

Edit: Another thing. As I've never ridden a motorcycle before, it would be nice if the first time I rode was wasn't with a class full of witnesses.

[MSGT-R]

Don't worry about the class of witnesses. It's better than popping the clutch and going for a run-away brain freeze ride into the side of a parked car. That would screw up your license record before it ever got a chance to start. Self-taught is not a good way to start. It's called the school of hard knocks for a reason.

The class is based upon building block skills.

Control manipulation (you can find it without having to stare at it)
Starting and stopping the engine
Friction Zone (clutch manipulation)
Duck-walking
Riding under power (feet up)
Riding the perimeter (riding straights and corners)

.. it gets better from there.

No one in the class will be making fun of you nor anyone else. The class is a whole lot of fun, and you'll make a couple of new riding friends in the process. Their bike, controlled atmosphere, no pressure. Just fun. Then you go out and get your bike and ride it home from the dealer in comfort.

I've been an MSF Ridercoach since 2002. I teach Marines and Sailors. They have just as much fun as you will.

[ButtersDad]

Originally Posted by MSGT-R

Don't worry about the class of witnesses. It's better than popping the clutch and going for a run-away brain freeze ride into the side of a parked car. That would screw up your license record before it ever got a chance to start. Self-taught is not a good way to start. It's called the school of hard knocks for a reason.

The class is based upon building block skills.

Control manipulation (you can find it without having to stare at it)
Starting and stopping the engine
Friction Zone (clutch manipulation)
Duck-walking
Riding under power (feet up)
Riding the perimeter (riding straights and corners)

.. it gets better from there.

No one in the class will be making fun of you nor anyone else. The class is a whole lot of fun, and you'll make a couple of new riding friends in the process. Their bike, controlled atmosphere, no pressure. Just fun. Then you go out and get your bike and ride it home from the dealer in comfort.

I've been an MSF Ridercoach since 2002. I teach Marines and Sailors. They have just as much fun as you will.

Thank you. Yeah...that's definitely the safe way of going about this. Substitute a tree for a car and that would be my environment.

[Nbtstatic]

I was in your position not too long ago, a couple of things I can mention.

I took the class on their shitty little rattle-y bike. It was a real piece, would not neutral shift without killing it, which you have to do all day long. After 10 hours on that thing, my cheap-ass KLR felt like a Rolls Royce motorcycle, really made me appreciate it.

I was actually glad though, to take the class on a super light bike. Learning the fundamentals on a light bike is easier IMO, then when you move over to the KLR you can make adjustments for weight. Starting on something lighter though, even if just for the class, will give you more confidence when learning the basics.

It's almost like the condensed version of starting out buying a 250 bike, then upgrading to a 650, but all in a weeks time.

NB

[wiZZer]

I got my bike, went and got a learner permit, rode the s##t out of it for a month, then went to the DMV took the test and passed. If your a dumb as#, you'll get hurt on the bike. If your a smart as#, you'll get hurt. If your cautious, you'll get hurt. Use
your common sense. Expect cars to cut you off, pull out in front of you and not use their turn siginals. Hope that helps.

[bug klr]

Originally Posted by wiZZer

I got my bike, went and got a learner permit, rode the s##t out of it for a month, then went to the DMV took the test and passed. If your a dumb as#, you'll get hurt on the bike. If your a smart as#, you'll get hurt. If your cautious, you'll get hurt. Use
your common sense. Expect cars to cut you off, pull out in front of you and not use their turn siginals. Hope that helps.

This is close to what I did only I got my permit and rode the heck out of my bike until a car turned in front of me, totalled the bike and had to have major knee surgery. I dont know if taking the MSF would have prevented this wreck but I did learn some things that I still use while riding and I wish I would have taken it first.

[MSGT-R]

The training does not promise to make you Superman, nor bullet proof. What it does is make your reactions more fluid, predictible, and after repetition, an unconscience and immediate act when most needed.

I was traveling down a wide empty boulvard @ 40 mph when a mini van turned left in front of me at something like 100 feet away. I initiated a swerve but had no room. He impacted the left side of my Goldwing with his front bumper and stopped it dead. Spun it around. I went over the bars and through the Wing's windshield as I tumbled down the street.

Had I not initiated that swerve, I would have impacted the side of that mini van and gone into it or under it. I might not be here typing this if that happened.

Brake then Swerve, or Swerve then Brake. Never combine the two.
I didn't have to think about that when I did it.
I've been riding for 38 years.

[wiZZer]

The older riders all have stories, I have a few. If you think you need the class to learn to ride then take it.
Riding in Calif is diff than riding in the midwest or east. I learned in and around Houston. Way diff than WVa Utah or Ak., places I've lived.

[Clutch Witch]

I got bitten when I was young, like most I guess, but being a young girl in the 70's, the idea was laughed at by my parents and friends. In the early 80's I was "allowed" to buy a second hand moped and used it all summer on my 20km round trip trek to work. Flash forward to adult hood and a wonderful relationship with an adventurist. He rode a KLR 650 and while we were together he bought a beautiful KTM 950. We dreamed of trips together but I needed to learn to respect first, ride second. I bought a Scorpion full face helmet first then a Fieldsheer jacket with armour and winter linings, followed by the Fieldsheer pants then riding boots then gloves. He trained me a little but sadly we split up before we could do any serious training. But now the bite had become so itchy, that I knew I had to make this happen for myself. I knew I wanted a KLR650, it was what I knew - albeit not much, but it offered the kind of riding I knew I wanted to do. Next was to wait for my bike to show itself to me...and eventually, it did just that.Last weekend I bought a beautifully maintained, immaculate 1993 KLR. What a beauty! Blue tank and fairings, and seat, with hot pink lettering - perfect for me!! I had to get a buddy to drive to a city 2 1/2 hrs away to ride it back home for me, because although I had prepped well - I neglected to take the final step of getting my license. Which brings me to how I relate to your query.

Here in New Brunswick, Canada, I had to first write the written test - it was in three parts - basic rules of the road, motorbike, and road signs. From all three - I was only allowed to make 4 errors. I scored 85%, 100% and 100% for an overall average of 95%. I felt pretty confidently that I could pass the road test. But having respect for the bike and the kind of riding I wanted to do - there was no question. Learn from qualified instructors. I enrolled in a course called Motorcycle Safety Quest. It isn't mandatory to take a course here, but again, it was a no-brainer for me. These guys and gals bring years of teaching experience and obviously riding experience as well. It was a two day course, costing about $500, and within the first couple hours, we were riding 5 different bikes under 500cc. Day two was over 500cc and another 5 bikes. It was basic training, yes, but it was also vital safety measures and healthy habit installments. They taught us to do things that the brain would otherwise never have done in quick reaction that could save our lives. On day three, the driving examiner was there and the road test was administered. To anyone it might seem a simple test: ride at the examiners walking speed in a straight line, complete two right hand turns and two left hand turns, with hand signals, ride thru a serpentine line of cones both ways, complete two right hand circles and two left, and then two complete figure eights. (I could give you the measurements of all these, but us Canadians only speak metric, and I lost the old Imperial language years ago) I passed the test and got my license.

Believe me, I was as anxious as anyone to ride, and I did, as soon as I got home. But I did so knowing I had acquired better skills than I would otherwise have had. Does it make me safe? No - I will always have to be reading the minds of every other driver, rider, walker, animal that shares the road with me. But I am safe-ER. I have better skills. I have even more respect for my KLR and other riders.
Ultimately, no matter how good I am or think I am, sometime, somewhere, something WILL happen and I can only hope and trust that the things the instructors at MSQ taught me might keep me alive.

Personally, now that I have my license, my next step is to learn basic bike maintenance and then I'm going to do some dirt bike training, then possibly take the advanced skills course from the MSQ crew. But in the meantime, I want to get as many kilometers under my belt as possible in New Brunswick and Maine and enjoy the great outdoors and camping adventure style on my beautiful blue KLR.

Hope this helps and encourages you to slow down and enjoy the ride - you will enjoy the ride that much more if you do this for yourself because its the right thing - not because you have to.

Safe riding!

[ButtersDad]

My MSF class went well. I finished that up this afternoon. I had a great time. As many said in here....after taking that class...I can't imagine just running out, buying a bike, and winging it to teach myself. I learned a LOT this weekend. Many things that no amount of self-instruction would have accomplished. Thank you for the great advice.

I need to hit the DMV tomorrow to get my 'M' endorsement on my drivers license. Going to hit the Kawasaki dealer to check out a KLR tomorrow evening.

[MSGT-R]

I love a happy ending!