Taking a MSF course to re-instate my license

[Gene]

I"m in California, and have been riding since I was 13. Most of my early riding experience was on a Kawasaki enduro setup for desert riding. My last dirt bike was a Bultaco 250 Pursang, and I sold it about 1980. My first street bike was a Suzuki Titan 500 twin. I sold it about the same time. My last street bike before now was a Honda 550-4. Since that time, I married and raised a family, and had no time or money for another bike.

I am now remarried, my kids are grown, and i got the bug to get another street bike. I purchased a 85 Honda 650 Nighthawk. Shortly after, I passed the written test to get a permit. (I had let my MC expire many years before). I am now close to taking the MSF course for beginners. Of course, I am a veteran rider, and if I pass, I can take proof to the DMV and get my license re-instated.

Any advice is appreciated.

[Northern Rider]

Get plenty of practice in a parking lot riding your bike (if they require a riding test), get familiar and comfortable with your bike BEFORE your go to the test. Practice starting, stopping and making turns (especially U-turns). Get a good night's sleep and be relaxed, as much as you can before the test, and don't forget to use your blinkers and remember how to use hand signals in the event your signals fail. Good luck and welcome back to the open road!

[Northern Rider]

I forgot one more thing, if you're not comfortable with your 650cc bike when you're ready to take the test, I know many people borrow a friend's smaller bike (like a 50cc--175CC starter bike), which is usually lighter and closer to the ground for a more flat-footed stance.

[Gene]

Thanks Northern rider and everyone else for the comments. Remember I am not a new rider. (I started riding when I was 13). I have had the 650 since last May, and been riding it almost every weekend and I am comfortable riding it.

I will not be riding my bike at the MSF course, they supply the motorcycles. My friend said the largest bike used in the course is a 450, with several small bikes, and a sprinkling of Groms.(sp)
What concerns me is them expecting me to be a beginning rider, and I don't want to stand out. According to my friend, (who is a first-time rider) almost all the riders were not doing well on the course.

[mollusc]

I grew up riding on farms and gravel backroads, often on friends' mongrel bikes made from parts.  Had several different street bikes back in New Zealand until I moved to the US.  When I took my MSF, there were a couple of people who had never sat on a bike before.  Everybody passed.  I was clearly the strongest rider there (I was asked if I wanted to do the courses to become a trainer) and even scraped a peg during a turn; there was no problem "sticking out."
The bikes were TU-250s, Groms, or similar.  Most had no turn signals and using them was not expected.  Some hand signals were expected.
The biggest help will be to become comfortable with the bike you're using before you take the test portion of the course.  You want your actions to be smooth and natural, just like when you normally ride.

Good luck!

[draser]

Gene, I guess you have this covered, the BRC is indeed "basic" and I passed after a long hiatus and w/out any practice and using their bikes. Of course you can practice if you have a parking lot close by, but I wouldn't worry too much about it. Good luck!!

[Pete in PA]

You'll be starting REALLY basic.  You'll be pushing the bike for a while. Then when you finally get to start the engine you'll be finding the clutch friction zone forever.

Back in 84 I got my license in Tenn. There was no permit. You could just practice on the road then I took the (test)  basically ride around the DOT building without crashing, PASSED!

I still got good training to keep my base riding privileges every 2 years. That was the military advanced riders course.

[draser]

Truth be told, as some of us are getting into the "mature" part of life, yearly training becomes more important. I spend hours in the parking lot practicing every year, and last year I took an advanced course.

[Larry Fine]

https://www.ridelikeapro.com/

[Gene]

 I just finished the course and passed! I rode a Honda 125 dirt bike, year unknown. The instructers figured out I am not a beginner quickly.

[Northern Rider]

Congrats on passing the course. I guess the instructors figured you out when you didn't drop the bike - HA. Have a fun summer on the road again. Be safe on the road, there are some crazies out there.

[Gene]

 Yes, we have PLENTY of crazies in California, especially on the freeways. That's why I am NOT going to drive on them. It's dangerous enough in my truck.

Thanks for the advice guys, what a great group!

[Willie]

I know its been awhile since the last response, I thought I'd respond anyway as some of you might find what I have entertaining if nothing else.
I took the MSF course many decades ago when I lived in SoCal. I'd had many yrs of riding under my belt but figured I might learn something new. I attended the class by myself on a VERY trick GT750 that I still have. I didn't care what others thought of my riding skills and performed the riding exercises with that in mind. One exercise in particular was accident avoidance and emergency braking skills. It involved an instructor standing at the entrance to 2 different radius turns and another instructor at the end of each radius. The 1st instructor told the oncoming rider at the last possible second, which way to go. The other instructor would suddenly raise his arms when he wanted the oncoming rider to stop as quickly as possible. Naturally, the rules were explained to everyone beforehand and included the importance of coming to a stop upright with the bike pointed straight ahead.
When it came to my turn, I approached the 1st instructor a little faster than I was expected to. He pointed to the narrower of the 2 choices and I proceeded to lean into it. The 2nd instructor raised his hands while I was in the middle of the turn but I reacted appropriately. I got on the brakes hard enough that the rear broke loose. However, at the last second, I let up on the rear brake and clamped down hard on the front brakes. The bike straightened out, uprighted and came to a sudden stop. When I looked at the instructor his mouth was open. Come to think of it, so was everyone else's that witnessed what I'd just pulled off. LOL
After the outside "exercises" were over, everyone returned to the classroom for the rest of the lecture and a written test.
When all was said and done, the instructors commended the students on their skills and for being there in the 1st place. They went on to say that the highest grade was 86 and that grades would be given to each student as they exited the classroom to avoid any possible embarrassment or discomfort. At that point the class was dismissed and everyone stood up and made their way to the exit. When I stood up, one of the instructors told me to sit back down because they wanted to "talk to me" after the others had left. Naturally, I figured it was because of my hot dogging. lol
After the others had left, the head instructor looked at me and told me the highest score of the others was 86. He told me mine was 97 and asked if I'd like to be an instructor. LOL I politely declined because of everything else I had going on. They were understanding and invited me to ride with them sometime. I did and enjoyed it.
The End

[DesertDragon]

Great story.. Thanks for the post.