Got my motorcycle license today!

"Pearson Hurst" (phurst)
08/14/2016 at 21:47 • Filed to: None

Finished day two of my Motorcycle Safety Center rider safety class today, which in Virginia, means you now have a motorcycle license. Just have to take the slip from class to DMV and they add the endorsement to your license.

Of course I managed to sign up for class on two of the hottest days of te year so far. 95 yesterday with a heat index of 104 and 97 today with a heat index of 110. Nothing like spending 5 hours a day out on a giant swath of blacktop, mostly idling on a hot bike.

Overall, I thought the class was really helpful for someone who has spent all of 3 minutes on a bike. I don’t think they taught me anything I didn’t already know, but the seat time was really helpful. Of course all of the “beginner” bikes there have at least TWICE the displacement of my little Honda, but still, the mechanics of it all are the same. I also got to try out a Honda Grom, which was a blast. If I had the cash for another toy, I’d seriously consider it.

While the class was helpful, I feel like it’s far too easy to pass. I don’t give a crap about the written portion of the test, but there were people out on the range that passed the test, that I wouldn’t let near my bicycle. We had one lady who still hadn’t quite figured out the clutch by the end of class, and someone else who launched a Ninja across the range without her on it on day 1. Then of course was the kid who already had a down payment on a ‘Busa. That kid will be dead in a month.

Anyways, I’m pleased. Back to trying to rehydrate and dreading having to work tomorrow in my exhausted, dehydrated, sunburned state. If you’re thinking about taking one of these classes, do it in April or October :)

DISCUSSION (14)

atfsgeoff > Pearson Hurst
08/14/2016 at 22:02

Congratulations, and happy riding!

sdwarf36 > Pearson Hurst
08/14/2016 at 22:22

Good luck + be safe!

I’ve worked at bike shops thru the years-and whatever shop I was at seemed to get the dreded MSF bikes in the fall. Levers-pegs-blinkers-handlebars-etc. It usually took longer to look up the part numbers than actually change the parts.

BJ > Pearson Hurst
08/14/2016 at 22:23

Perhaps the course isn’t serious enough? I took a privately-run motorcycle course years ago where I learned a ton, and I had some enduro bike experience as a kid.

There were lots of different One guy in the course was there because he nearly died hanging off the back of his Harley on the highway with no idea how to stop...

In any case, congrats! Have fun and keep the shiny side up.

jimz > Pearson Hurst
08/14/2016 at 22:26

I wouldn’t be so dismissive of the first person. If you’re like me and you have decades of muscle memory of driving a stick shift car (clutch left foot, shift right hand, brake right foot) it can take a while to readjust to how motorcycles change all that up (clutch left hand, shift left foot, front brake right had, rear brake right foot.) though most of my difficulty was in the low speed maneuvers because I had to consciously think about what each of my limbs was doing, and I’d quickly lose track of one. Now that I have more experience, I’ve been able to get more comfortable with just doing it without having my brain micromanage it.

At any rate, welcome to the club and be safe.

Sneaky Pete > Pearson Hurst
08/14/2016 at 23:11

I did mine last weekend...agree it was a bit too easy to pass. There were 2 women and 1 guy that had no business operating a motorcycle on public roads, but they passed.

shop-teacher > Pearson Hurst
08/14/2016 at 23:13

Congrats! I got my M-class license last week. Took the test on my scooter. I think I’m going to take the MSF class anyways.

valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option > Pearson Hurst
08/14/2016 at 23:34

Uhmm Busa’s are the perfect beginner bike they’re quick so you can get out of harm’s way

bob and john > Pearson Hurst
08/15/2016 at 01:28

Busa kid is dead within 2 weeks.

Congrats! One of us! One of us!

Im not entirely familiar with the US guidelines, but did they teach you about dragging the rear brake for slow speed stuff?

Manny05x > Pearson Hurst
08/15/2016 at 06:59

Congrats. I had the same situation in my class only that it was a kid that ran a bike a cross the lot and almost into some parked cars.

Manny05x > Sneaky Pete
08/15/2016 at 07:01

This.

Pearson Hurst > bob and john
08/15/2016 at 09:19

Yes, one of the more helpful tips from the class. EVERYONE sucked at the excercise where we had to do a figure 8 inside a predetermined space. I ended up pulling it off without crossing the line during the actual test, but that was by far the hardest part.

Pearson Hurst > BJ
08/15/2016 at 09:20

I imagine there probably are private places to take lessons, but this is the one the state is partnered with, meaning you pass, you get your license. Private instruction would still require you to hold a learners permit for 60 days, then go take the written and road tests at the local DMV.

Pearson Hurst > shop-teacher
08/15/2016 at 09:21

Like I said, the seat time is, or at least was to me, very beneficial, plus, at least here, you get a break on insurance for taking the class.

BJ > Pearson Hurst
08/15/2016 at 10:39

In Alberta, where I took the test, DMV services are fully privatized so the school was able to offer the licenses as well as an approved trainer and service provider.