The MSF Basic Rider Class

Unfortunately, my husband and I both travel alot for work. So, it was almost a month before, we (and our neighbor) found a class that suited all of our schedules. It was an agonizing wait and I'm sure the people at the bike shop got really annoyed with us being in there fawning over bikes we didn't have a clue about just about every weekend. But, the day of the course finally arrived. It started at 8am and we had about an hour-long drive to get there. So we woke our poor unsuspecting neighbor at 6am so we could be out the door at 6:30am... wouldn't want to be late right? My husband was mostly excited, I (and my neighbor) were more apprehensive. What if we couldn't do it? What if we hate it?

Well, fortunately the first several hours of the class were all class-room and book type stuff. I've been a student all my life so that was easy for me and gave me time to calm down. Then it was out to the bikes; the MSF course provides 250cc bikes and DOT approved helmets for the course. You must provide your own over-the-ankle boots, full-fingered gloves, jacket or long-sleeved shirt, and long pants. My recommendations: (1) Also provide your own bandana or some other head covering. Even though they "sanitize" the provided helmets, they are still sweaty and smelly on the inside. (2) DO NOT wait until summer to take this class if you live in the south. It was SO hot and you have to wear all of that stuff all the time, which is not so bad when you're actually riding and have the wind in your face, but standing still on the asphalt waiting for instructions will melt you! Do it in fall, winter, or spring if at all possible.

The first day we covered starting the bike properly (FINE-C; Fuel-valve, Ignition, Neutral, Engine kill switch in run position, - Clutch pulled in [disengaged]), shifting between neutral and first gear, finding the "friction-zone" of your clutch, "power-walking", starting, shifting gears, weaving 20' and 30' cones, and stopping. We were all feeling way more comfortable by the end of the day, except for our neighbor. They had put her on the same bike as me, even though she's quite a bit smaller. It was a 250cc Honda NightHawk and seemed to be way too heavy for her. So, they switched her to a 125cc bike for the following day, which seemed alot better for her.

Day 2 started back in the classroom where we finished up our course book and took our written test. My husband aced it with 100%, probably because he doesn't really think and just goes with his gut. I finished with a 96% (you need an 80% to pass so no problems), probably because there were a few questions I waffled on and over-thought.

Then we were back outside on the bikes and we worked on curves, slow-speed U-turns (everyone's nemesis), quick stops, quick stops in a curve, pause-and-gos, riding over obstacles (a 2"x4"), and swerving. I was alot more confident about everything by the end of the day, but worried to death about the test! I knew the test consisted of U-turns in the dreaded box, swerving, quick-stop, and a 135degree curve. I knew I was good on everything except the U-turn and it was scaring me to DEATH... I don't test well anyway as a general rule and I would be so embarrassed if my husband and neighbor passed and I didn't. Got myself all worked up about it, then my time came.

We started with the U-Turn to the left, followed by a U-turn to the right. Going to the left was a disaster! I went accidently hit the throttle in the middle of the turn, ran out of the lines, and put my foot down... UGH UGH UGH! Fortunately, I executed it perfectly going to the right. Overall I lost 6 points on the exercise -- I didn't know until later that you could lose 20 points and still pass. Next up was the swerve, which I did perfectly and lost no points on! Then the quick stop... I thought I did fine, but apparently I lost 7 points for stopping 7' past where I should have. I think this is a crock! There was no way to know where I "should" have stopped. If I had been told, "You must reach 25mph before this orange cone, then execute a quick stop and come to halt before you reach the green cone." then, dammit, I would have done that! Instead it was all voo-doo, "Accelerate until you pass this cone and then stop as quickly as you safely can." followed by, "Well, at your speed you should have stopped in 13' and it took you 20' so you lose 7 points." How the bleeding HELL was I supposed to know that?!?! Anyway, now I'm down 13points. The final exercise was the 135degree curve. We were supposed to accelarate to 15mph, then brake at a cue cone, and then roll on the throttle through the curve. I did that, but apparently I braked too much and didn't roll on the throttle enough. So even though I completed the curve just fine, I didn't do it fast enough so I lost another 5points. A total of 18points off, but I passed! My husband passed as well, I think he only lost 12points (6 on the U-turn and 6 on the quick-stop). And, so did our neighbor (she only lost 10points, but had to re-do the swerve). So we all got our endorsement waivers for the DDS.

I must admit that the class was great fun! We, all three, had a wonderful time. Not only do we feel more confident about getting our own bikes, but I belive we are all better, more aware "cage" drivers as well. I would recommend this class to anyone, even if you don't think you will ever get a bike. For $250 is some of the most fun you will ever have and will make you safer and more responsible on the road no matter what you drive!

First Steps

Two days later we were in our local bike shop (Freewheeling in Douglasville, GA: http://www.freewheeln.com/) looking at motorcycles, asking stupid questions, and trying to feel our way through what we would have to do to get the ball rolling. We went into the shop thinking we would be looking at 250cc bikes and I was convinced that I was getting a crotch rocket. THEN, I actually sat on one of the damn things and knew immediately that if I spent more than 10minutes in that position my back would be in agony! So, it was on the cruisers. Well, as it turns out, there really aren't many cruisers in the 250cc category. The closest you come is a Honda Rebel. Now, look at this thing: http://powersports.honda.com/2009/rebel.aspx Is it not the ugliest? Even as a total rookie, I was not going to be caught dead owning that! I mean, its all about the look right? So, we had to move up a bracket. Well, now you're into 750cc bikes **GASP**GULP**!! But, I instantly fell in love with the Honda Shadow Spirit http://powersports.honda.com/2009/shadow-spirit-750.aspx. I was worried that it was too much for me and I DID NOT want to be one of those chicks on a bike thats too big for her. But, the sales guy, who was actually really nice and didn't pressure us at all, said that its really all about finding a bike that fits and is comfortable for YOU. The Shadow Spirit is lowered and designed more for women riders (evidently an increasingly large section of the market). This was IT, this was the bike for me! Ok, now what?

Well, I had never ridden a bike myself and my husband had only ridden dirt bikes YEARS ago, so we had to learn how to even do this. My husband at least thought he could probably get one into gear, I didn't even know how to turn it on! So, after asking alot of silly questions, we finally ascertained that we could take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Rider Course through the Dept. of Driver Services (http://nm.msf-usa.org/msf/ridercourses.aspx).

And so it began... out of tradgedy springs resiliance.

I've always wanted a motorcycle; I don't even know when it began. But, it was something I supressed, like alot of other things in my life. Motorcycles are dangerous! Everyone knows that... my parents knew some people who had died on them. Riding a motorcycle requires coordination beyond my ability... I can barely drive a car with a manual transmission. I was too responsible and too clumsy to ever ride one.

In college I had ridden on the back of a crotch-rocket a few times with a boyfriend that I had at the time. I always fantasized that someday I would have my own sport-bike and we'd fly down the road side-by-side. But, even at the time I recognized it for the untouchable dream that it was. I was safe within my naive delusions.

Then a day came in April 2011 when I learned that my neighbor was seperating from her husband and contemplating divorce. I invited her over for some girl time. I had a bottle of white wine that I had been saving from a trip to Williamsburg, VA for several years and I figured this was as good an occassion as any to drink it! We popped the cork and started drinking and talking... I don't know how we even got onto the topic but we both admitted that we had always wanted our own motorcycle. We were also both drunk enough to think that it was a fantastic idea! As we were chattering about it excitedly my husband joined us and said that he'd always wanted one too (he doesn't have to be drunk to fall for crazy ideas like this). So, the planning began.