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Aug. 20, 2010 11:49 p.m. BoxheadTim Dork

MSF course tomorrow, been spending the last 3-4 hours going over the cheap Suzuki DR650 I bought for this purpose (and give me a little time to get my bikes from the UK registered here). Boy does that thing need a service, but I hope I've bodged it well enough to last the next few weeks.

Anyway, one day course for experienced riders who somehow never got to get their license. If I pass the written and skills test at the end I shoulld be legally allowed to ride a bike on the road again.

Man am I missing that.
Aug. 21, 2010 12:58 a.m. alex Dork

You've got it, man. Keep in mind they're not looking to fail anybody. As long as you go in with a mindset to improve your skills, the instructors will work with you make you a better rider.

And I'm missing it, too. Both of my bikes have been broken for over a year, and not riding has been killing me. I'll be thrashing this weekend to get one of them back on the road, so here's you hoping you and I are both back on two wheels very soon.
Aug. 21, 2010 8:55 a.m. Armitage Reader

Good luck. If you already know how to handle a bike it's a breeze. If you're a complete uncoordinated novice who has no business being on a bike, chances are you'll pass anyway :)
Aug. 21, 2010 9:07 a.m. wbjones Dork

that's a scary thought...
Aug. 21, 2010 7:09 p.m. AngryCorvair SuperDork

good luck! i'm considering a reversal of my "i'm afraid of riding a street bike" position, as I currently ride my bicycle on the road and (aside from the obvious superman opportunity when some douche turns left in front of me on my cafe-style CB360) i think getting taken out by a truck mirror or a trailer fender is just as deadly.
Aug. 22, 2010 10:58 a.m. BoxheadTim Dork

Fortunately I was coordinated enough to pass so it's off to the DMV tomorrow morning at sparrowfart o'clock to get the m/c endorsement added to my license.

And that's with the bike vibrating off the license plate...
Aug. 22, 2010 2:55 p.m. Armitage Reader

'grats :)
Aug. 22, 2010 4:26 p.m. Dr. Hess SuperDork

Good job. What state makes you take the class? I've had a MC endorsement since about '79 and it just transfers to whatever state I've moved to with nothing more than the written. When we got my wife her MC endorsement in Texas, I rode behind her in the car with the DPS officer observing. That, not falling over, stopping at the stop signs, putting your feet down when you stop, making big head gestures left and right to show you are checking for traffic before you pull out and passing the written was all it took. In the PRC when I got mine, I had to ride around a little circle in the parking lot, do a figure 8, etc., on a Harley shovelhead dresser, of course, with me being 17 and about 128lbs soaking wet at the time.
Aug. 22, 2010 5:11 p.m. JThw8 SuperDork

Dr. Hess wrote:

Good job. What state makes you take the class?

Not sure if any states require the class. Here in NJ if you take the MSF you take your certificate from the class and they issue you your license. But you also have the option to take a driving test and not take the MSF class at all.
Aug. 22, 2010 6:43 p.m. zipty842 Reader

Oregon passed a law that will require all new riders under 30 to take the course starting in 2011, adding 10 years to the age per year until 2015 where it will be required for all new riders.
Aug. 22, 2010 10:27 p.m. BoxheadTim Dork

Dr. Hess wrote:

Good job. What state makes you take the class? I've had a MC endorsement since about '79 and it just transfers to whatever state I've moved to with nothing more than the written.

Yeah, but there are only 4-5 states out there that transfer the endorsements from a European (in my case UK) license. NV isn't one of them so I had to take all the tests again. Given that I've probably picked up enough bad habits in 12 years of road riding in the UK, I figured a day spent with the MSF guys with a test at the end instead of just taking the test at the DMV. Plus I figured the class might be something more useful after taking the car test at the DMV .
Aug. 23, 2010 9:17 a.m. 914Driver SuperDork

Dr. Hess wrote:

Good job. What state makes you take the class?

New York has a motorcycle written and road test as you describe. I believe as of 2008 you are required to take a MSF Course, take the road test with them for an additional $50 or set up an appointment with DMV.

Dan