If you are even slightly considering ever wanting to ride a motorcycle, PLEASE go to Street Skills for a Basic Rider Course! If you have been riding for a while but never took the course, PLEASE go here anyway and take it for fun!
First, it's not that expensive. Second, they have a TON of classes to pick from so you can work this into your schedule. Third, you'll learn the RIGHT way to ride and not develop bad habits. And, if you pass, you'll get a waiver from the DMV so that you don't have to take the 'skills' portion of the test when you apply for your M1 license (you will still have to take the written portion). As if all that weren't enough, you may even get a discount on your insurance. BUT WAIT - THERE'S MORE! Having an MSF card gets you some nifty discounts at local motorcycle outfitting stores :-) And who doesn't love a discount?
The instructors here are all 5-star instructors. I have taken the class a few times (if you pass the first time but want/need extra practice, you can take the range portion for only $99!). Five different instructors taught me over the course of those two classes. Each one of them WANTS you to succeed. They will cheer you on when you do something right, and if you don't - they can tell almost exactly what you are having difficulty with, and will tell you different tips and tricks unique to YOUR riding style that they've seen that help you overcome those difficulties. I learned something new from each instructor that helped me overcome my challenges as a new rider, and still use their personalized tips to this day. They even know how to calm poeple down when a student is scared or freaked out by experiencing something new.
Dave, the one instructor, even showed me how to adjust the idle on the bike I had in class because I had mentioned that I had that same make and model bike at home.
My other instructors have been JP, Reese, Dan, and John. I can't say enough about these guys and Bill who runs Street Skills. Because of them, I'm a confident, competent, and safe rider - and having a lot of fun! read more