Interested in learning to ride, lessons anyone?

[Guest]

hey everyone, i'm a 20 yr old who's never ridden before. I don't have a bike, but would like to get one eventually. I was just wondering if anyone cared to give me some instruction for monetary compensation. It's just something i really want to get into, so if anyone has any advice for me that would be much appreciated also. the best way of contacting me would be to email rockandrollprofessional@hotmail.com but i'll check back here too. thanks!

[elfboy]

Re: Interested in learning to ride, lessons anyone

Take the MSF Course (Motorcycle Safety Foundation)

http://www.msf-usa.org/

http://www.ca-msp.org/RiderCourse_Locations/erc.asp


They provide the bike and a helmet (you provide basic gloves, long sleaves and pants). In CA passing the MSF course waives the Riding part of the M1 License Test. (and sometimes gets a 10% discount on your insurance)

One of the local class areas is right over at Cabrillo College.

Actually If I recall correctly, being under 21 you are required to take this (though you do get the massive price break on it)

[ro-monster]

Re: Interested in learning to ride, lessons anyone

Yeah, you are required to take MSF in order to get a California moto license if you are under 21. It's worth the money even if it wasn't required.

[Guest]

Re: Interested in learning to ride, lessons anyone

great, thanks a lot guys

[Frenchmillerlover]

Re: Interested in learning to ride, lessons anyone

And winter time is good, not sure about the SC one but during summer it's quite impossible to get in the MSF class in SF. In winter there is more room. In any case don't hesistate calling them a billion times. Definitely the best way to go!

[bunny]

Re: Interested in learning to ride, lessons anyone

You register 3 mos in advance for the class at Cabrillo. For example, you register Oct. 3 for the January 3 class.  I think you can get put on a cancellation list.

Just a tip, try to get into the morning riding session because it get's warm riding around on the  hot asphalt in circles.  It's worth getting out of bed early on 2 Saturdays.  Plus, you get to take your skills test first and then you can say  :P na na na to other people who have to take their test in the afternoon.    Oh wait, maybe that was just me.

[Frenchmillerlover]

Re: Interested in learning to ride, lessons anyone

She is so right! I remember being in the afternoon group and watching the morning group finishing, ur like "Oh I will never be able to do it, they are so good" haha and then they give you the yellow sticker and it's the best time ever!!!.. until you get a 700cc that weighs ten times more than the little nighthawks.. and ur first time freaking out on the highway! oh sweet memories!

[maimsexneighbor]

Re: Interested in learning to ride, lessons anyone

Passing the MSF was just as good as any orgasm I've ever had.. yes.. found memories!

[beauregard]

Re: Interested in learning to ride, lessons anyone

Passing the MSF was just as good as any orgasm I've ever had.. yes.. found memories!  

"Best orgasm???" you must be having some shitty sex.

[maimsexneighbor]

Re: Interested in learning to ride, lessons anyone

Actually.. Mr. Beau Jingles-A-Lot.... I'm having great sex.. I'm in my prime...thanks for your concern though, it's really sweet of you. :-*

My point was.. getting my MC license, passing the MSF course.. learning to ride.. and conquering that fear... all on my own accord was as good as any orgasm I've had... call it a mental fuck w/good results. And, that's saying A LOT coming from me.

:P buttmunch....

[Frenchmillerlover]

Re: Interested in learning to ride, lessons anyone

Char, I think by now you convinced Adam to sign up for the MSF... Fine prints: these are not typical results and the orgasm is not guaranteed, This does not reflect the MSF commitment and no refund will be given to those who cant get an orgasm at 7am riding an old 300cc on a freezing parking lot..
As for Beau, in my class there were 70% of girls and such a concentration of biker chicks can lead to non shitty sex!

[Marra]

Re: Interested in learning to ride, lessons anyone

Ok, my 2 cents....

Having taken the course this year, I just want to say..DON'T TAKE THE COURSE IN SALINAS!!! The (main) instructor is quite possibly the most annoying person with whom I've had the displeasure of spending 2 looooong days in the same room. Yes, there was a shorter wait list than the classes in the Bay area, but it was slightly more expensive, and the instructor, besides being unbearably annoying, also said some things that were FLAT OUT wrong, things which, when I told them to much more experienced riders, I was told to disregard completely. He also belittled everyone in the class, and he did everything he could to make himself feel superior (probably because he was pretty much a total wanker, and this was the one place where he had some inkling of authority over other people.)

Some other facts about my particular class:
*12 students total
*4 (including me) were female
*4 students dropped, 3 the first day and 1 the second; 1 was female, 3 were male
*The female that dropped did so because of the instructors' attitudes toward her; one actually yelled at her (I was on the bike next to her as he did so).

I'm not saying any of this to discourage anyone from taking the class, I'm just discouraging them from taking THIS class.

And no, I'm not bitter.

[maimsexneighbor]

Re: Interested in learning to ride, lessons anyone

I went to Gavalan in Gilroy (I think that's where that is). Wasn't too far.. and it was great. The instructor we had was really honest, and real about the course. Being that it is literally for people who've never ridden before. And, that the DMV test is a pile and not realistic at all.. but that he taught us both what was necessary to pass and what was necessary to start to learn. He was up front abou the fact that the class was basically going to get you familiarized, and you would not walk away from the class some kind of expert. It rocked... especially for those of us who were clueless. There were definitely people there who were only doing the class to avoid the DMV test, and they were annoyed w/all the beginner stuff. I was worried that the majority of the class I got was male, and that they wouldn't be very nice. But, they were, and helpful too. Really depends on who you get in your class... and I think that's just pure luck (or lack there of).

bla bla... tele-bla.

[Frenchmillerlover]

Re: Interested in learning to ride, lessons anyone

Mine was in San Francisco, at the old reservoir next to the city college. The instructors were really good, although they could get tough from time to time. The classes were pretty big. I would say 5 people dropped off. And ALL the girls in the class passed the exam (except one who showed up too late / her spot was given to a stand by guy). Only failures were two or three guys. This is by far the best and financially less commiting way to learn how to ride. If u dont; like it, u walk away, and that's it. No bike, no helmet, no big purchase necessary. Don't give up at the beginning. Once one starts controlling the bike, it is just a blast. Until that point it can be frustrating.

[timmeh]

Re: Interested in learning to ride, lessons anyone

Response to previous 3 posts:

"...call it a mental fuck w/good results."
Reason #12 why women should not be Secretary of State.

"And no, I'm not bitter"
As long as Kenyon loves me more, of course you will be. And I need those batteries back.

And to the original post by Adam-
Hit up people here or on BARF to find a small dirt bike and an open place to practice in. That'll give you a good first exposure to see if you really want to get into riding or not, and is much more rewarding / fun and less painful / expensive (long term damage-wise) than trying out on someone else's street bike first. And if you can find 2-3 others interested as well, at say $10-20 a piece, we (Vampires) can make that happen.