How I Learned to Ride: My MSF Course Experience

I’ve all the time been inquisitive about bikes—however not as a result of I needed to cruise the open freeway or gather chrome. My gateway was electrical. Particularly, I needed to check experience BMW’s CE 04 electrical scooter—an ultra-modern, zero-emissions two-wheeler that appears prefer it got here straight out of a sci-fi film. However to try this, I wanted greater than curiosity. I wanted expertise. I wanted a license.

So I signed up for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Basic RiderCourse, hosted on the Harley-Davidson Using Academy in Villa Park, Illinois. I figured it might be a weekend of studying to experience. What I didn’t count on was how a lot I’d study myself—and the way a lot enjoyable I’d have within the course of.

Earlier than the First Trip

Like several good system, the MSF course doesn’t simply throw you on a motorcycle. Earlier than even setting foot on the vary, you’re required to finish a three-hour on-line eCourse, targeted on principle, security, and driving fundamentals. It’s self-paced however necessary—and might’t be achieved greater than 30 days forward of your first session, otherwise you’ll need to redo it.

You additionally want an Illinois M-Class Learner’s Allow to take part—until you’re already licensed in one other state. That is non-negotiable. The State of Illinois doesn’t provide waivers for the highway check both, so everybody within the course is there to genuinely put together for a DMV examination. Fortunately, I aced the examination on the primary attempt although I heard the failing charge is kind of excessive. However spend per week studying the e-book, do some on-line quiz checks and also you’ll be wonderful.

Day One: From Nerves to Impartial

I confirmed as much as class feeling each excited and greater than slightly nervous. I had by no means ridden a motorbike earlier than—not even a dust bike. And once I first laid eyes on the Harley-Davidson Avenue 500, it felt large. This wasn’t some pleasant little scooter. It was a authentic machine, with weight, presence, and energy. For somebody with zero expertise, simply sitting on it was intimidating.

Our instructors—licensed RiderCoaches following the MSF curriculum to the letter—welcomed us with an off-the-cuff classroom session contained in the dealership. It was three hours of guidelines, danger administration, group dialogue, and fundamental highway technique. Nothing flashy, however it laid the groundwork for what was coming.

We additionally had a little bit of time to take a look at among the Harley bikes on the ground. Sure, there was a contact of salesmanship—however truthfully, sitting on just a few new Harleys was extra enjoyable than I anticipated. It made the entire thing really feel much less like a course and extra like getting into a brand new world.

Day Two: The First Clutch Pull

This was the actual deal: our first day on the bike. From 8 a.m. to five p.m., we lived within the parking zone—what MSF calls “the vary”—the place cones, chalk traces, and stopwatches grew to become our second residence.

After a fast security briefing and equipment verify, we have been launched to the Avenue 500 once more, this time as our coaching bike. It’s particularly designed for newbies—with decrease suspension, beginner-friendly throttle tuning, and protecting crash bars—however it’s nonetheless a giant bike for a newbie. Particularly for the smaller college students within the group, stability and luxury have been particular challenges. Even I discovered the clutch difficult at first. It took me some time to really feel the place the friction zone was, and a number of other stalls later, I lastly started to determine methods to feather it correctly. It felt awkward, even unnatural.

However that’s the purpose. The MSF course is designed to fulfill you the place you’re. And with every driving train, my confidence started to meet up with my enthusiasm. Each session constructed step by step on the final:

First, it was simply beginning, stopping, and utilizing the friction zone
Then got here shifting, fundamental cornering, and throttle management
Ultimately, we progressed to lean initiation, tight turns, and fast stops

These have been damaged up by frequent “Roadbook” breaks—possibilities to relaxation, hydrate, and chat along with your classmates. There was no rush, no strain to carry out. Regardless of the time administration (sure, they do use stopwatches to remain on schedule), the pacing by no means felt unfair. It was structured in a method that allow the fundamentals sink in whereas giving every pupil a good shot at mastering the basics.

By the top of the day, we weren’t simply studying—we have been driving. Not properly. Not confidently. However we have been doing it. And that’s an enormous leap from the place we began.

Day Three: Trip Like You Imply It

If day two was about understanding how the bike labored below you, day three was about making ready for the highway forward—each actually and figuratively. This was a very powerful day of the course, and it felt prefer it. The curriculum grew to become extra superior, extra reasonable, and extra mentally demanding. However by then, one thing had shifted: the stress within the group was gone. Everybody appeared looser, extra talkative. The nervous laughter from day one had turn into camaraderie. We had began to really feel like riders.

We started the morning with some assessment workout routines—tight turns, slow-speed clutch management, fundamental cornering—and from there, we moved into situations that mimicked real-world highway conditions. It wasn’t nearly maneuvering anymore; it was about decision-making. For instance, there’s the “braking in a flip” train which it’s much less targeted on how briskly you may brake in a nook and extra about several types of braking in a nook. There’s the gradual cease the place you apply extra brake strain as you stand the bike upright and the straighten-then-brake train, the place you straighten up the bike first, then you may brake with extra strain since you’ve got extra traction.
Additionally, you’ll be taught what do you do when a automotive cuts into your lane or how do you react if you out of the blue need to swerve.

These weren’t hypotheticals. We did them—time and again—on a course arrange with cones, curves, and shock cease cues. The Avenue 500, which felt so intimidating simply 48 hours earlier, now felt like one thing I might truly management. I wasn’t simply surviving the workout routines—I used to be studying to experience with intention.

Some of the revealing drills was the fast cease and swerve maneuver. You speed up to a average velocity, then a coach indicators both a tough cease or a quick directional swerve. It’s meant to simulate what occurs when a automotive brakes in entrance of you or an impediment seems in your path. At first, I overthought it—grabbed the brakes too exhausting or didn’t lean sufficient. However ultimately, one thing clicked. My physique began doing what my mind had realized. Positive, there have been some mishaps, however for this reason the security bars assist lots.

One other drill that stood out was braking in a curve. You’re driving via a delicate flip, and midway via, it’s a must to brake easily whereas nonetheless leaned over. It teaches you to handle weight switch, stability, and throttle management unexpectedly. It’s more durable than it sounds, particularly when your instincts scream “stand the bike up!” However once more, with apply and training, you begin to belief the method—and your self.

The instructors, who had been nice all through the course, actually got here into their very own on this closing day. Their suggestions was extra customized, extra focused. One coach observed I used to be nonetheless hesitating barely earlier than leaning into sharper turns. He pulled me apart between drills and gave me a fast tip about head place and throttle stability. Only a few phrases, however they made a distinction. The following lap across the curve, I felt smoother, extra in sync with the bike.

After which got here the check.

The MSF Ability Check consists of 5 scored workout routines:

A cone weave
A fast cease
A flip from a cease
A U-turn in a field
A swerve maneuver
And a closing cornering move

It’s move/fail, however each transfer is graded. You will get factors taken off in case you run too sluggish on one of many checks, or in case you anticipate, like decelerate earlier than the swerve or fast cease. You get two possibilities at that, however in case you nonetheless do it, you get factors. Watching your classmates go earlier than you, it’s straightforward to psych your self out. However the instructors offer you one final pep discuss: “You’ve already achieved each one among these workout routines a number of instances. You already know what to do.”

And so they have been proper.

My check wasn’t excellent—I dropped some extent on my U-turn for coming too near the road—however I handed. And so did a lot of the class. The grins have been greater than ever. One pupil who had struggled with the clutch on day two let loose an precise cheer after ending his swerve. We’d all been rooting for him.

After the check, the coaches handed out completion playing cards and talked us via the DMV scheduling course of. In case you handed the course, you have been eligible to return to the dealership on a scheduled day and take the official Illinois DMV highway check on the identical bike you skilled on. No methods, no surprises—simply familiarity and a closing step towards your license.

However what mattered most was that feeling: the satisfaction of getting realized one thing that when felt unattainable. We didn’t simply be taught to experience—we grew to become newbie riders.

Was It Price It?

The parents at MSF gave us a coupon for this course which prices $350, however I instructed them the assessment will probably be purely based mostly on my expertise and what I “really feel” through the class. In case you’re paying for it, I can say with confidence that this is without doubt one of the finest investments you may make if you wish to experience bikes. Not simply by way of studying a brand new talent, however in confidence, self-discipline, and perspective.

Most significantly, the course gave me a stable basis for ultimately driving the form of electrical bikes I’ve all the time needed to check. The BMW CE 04 continues to be on my radar—however now I’m prepared for it.

What You’ll Study: MSF’s 14 Core Using Workouts

Bike Familiarization – Study the controls, posture, and security checks
Friction Zone Management – Grasp slow-speed clutch work
Beginning & Stopping – Study throttle-brake coordination
Shifting & Stopping – Apply clear gear modifications and halts
Primary Ability Apply – Tremendous-tune low-speed dealing with
Initiating Lean – Perceive physique place and steering
Fast Stops & Tight Turns – Grasp management below strain
Stopping Distance Demo – See how velocity and distraction impacts security
Restricted-Area Maneuvers – Study U-turns and stability
Stopping in Curves – Handle braking whereas leaned over
Curve Judgment – Navigate a number of turns with precision
Lane Adjustments – Apply shifting safely via site visitors
Impediment Crossing & Swerving – Study evasive maneuvers
Remaining Ability Apply – Mix every little thing in a single session

Gear Necessities: Don’t Present Up Unprepared

The MSF and state pointers are clear: it’s good to put on full protecting gear otherwise you gained’t experience. This consists of:

A DOT-approved helmet
Eye safety (visor or glasses)
Over-the-ankle boots
Lengthy sleeves and full-length pants
Full-fingered gloves (ideally motorcycle-specific)

Trending Merchandise