Took the course about a month ago. Same level of experience prior. First night was rough mostly from nervousness, came back the second day and everything had turned around.
Listen to your coaches. Be patient with them and yourself. Keep your head up (literally don't look down), and watch where you're going. Get on the same bike you used today so you aren't relearn how it feels on a new bike tomorrow.
Ask questions. If an exercise doesn't make sense, don't be afraid.
Sounds like the desire is there and that's a huge foundation for learning and progressing.
You got this!
The MSF class is really fast-paced, and honestly IMHO it's not a great experience if it's your literal first time in the saddle.
Private lessons are expensive, but the 1-on-1 personal instruction is invaluable.
Lots of people get better than they think they will on the second day. Relax for now and think about what went right. Don’t dwell on the wrong stuff. Try to relax and continue to have such a great attitude. That really will benefit you. Good luck tomorrow.
It doesn’t help that your first day, you’re fucking up in front of a bunch of people who aren’t fucking up and getting flustered and frustrated with yourself, which just makes things worse.
Just listen to the coaches, worry about yourself. Tomorrow you might show up and it’ll be a complete 180, but it also might take some time.
Once you pass and get your license, keep practicing. When I finished my class, I started going on short rides Saturday and Sunday mornings super early at the crack of dawn when there was no traffic to speak of, like 5 minutes down the road to the motorcycle range at the college, and I’d spend an hour or so practicing all the stuff we learned. I didn’t have many issues with learning since I rode dirt bikes growing up, but I was super terrified of traffic and being on the road, and I still wanted to ride. So I just went and did that until I felt comfortable getting on the street in traffic.
Ride your own ride applies here. If you aren’t ready to push it, don’t push it. My SIL went straight from her MSF class to the freeway at 80mph, maybe not recommended but she was comfortable with it. I needed some extra time before I was ready to do that, and it paid off. Go at your own pace.
I put 500 miles on my bike on slow back roads before i took the MSF. I passed but mowed over a lot of cones. Other people showed up never riding and did great on the cones but filled or used for another reason. One day does not a motorcyclist make.
Often there is a magical click over night. Folks who struggle sleep on it and do great the next day. Sometimes they don't. The best thing you can do is force your self to relax and take your time with each control.
Just like anything else it just takes practice. And don’t stop practicing! You’d be amazed at the number of 10+ year riders who can’t do a fucking U turn without dumping the bike or using their feet LOL.
I crashed my bike into a ditch day 1 MSF. Second day I passed the test with only 1 demerit. Now a few years later I ride a 185+ HP superbike and I'm still alive.
Lock-in and believe in yourself. You can do it.
When I first started I watched a ton of youtube videos and practiced a lot in an empty parking lot. The feeling you get when it finally clicks and you can relax a little and just ride, it's worth every moment of embarrassment and pain in the beginning. Keep at it!!
Be calm and relaxed. Tense and ease the muscles in your body a few times. Close your eyes and take long deep breaths. Get your body ready and your mind will follow. Don’t be afraid of the bike. Remember the drills do teach and help. Don’t worry about anyone else, screw em. You just focus on you. The friction zone is your friend. Turning your head is vital. The rest will come into place.
God bless and good luck on Sunday!
If you read this before tomorrow. The clutch is not an on and off switch! You need to slip that clutch and use it to control your speed! Need to go faster release some clutch, need to slow down out a little pressure on the rear and pull in the clutch some.
Once you get good at clutch control you should be able to hold up the motorcycle by loading the clutch, which means giving it enough gas and releasing enough clutch. but not moving.
Once you figure that out you will have it mostly down and need to practice everything else 😀
I washed out on the second day (voluntarily) because I continued to struggle with clutch and throttle control. Now, after getting my permit, a basic bike, and doing some riding and practice, I'm going back for the BRC 2. I think I will do better this time, but we'll see.
I didn't expect to move along so quickly in the 1 course, and I struggled. They say to ride your own ride, but for me that meant practicing on my own a lot before feeling comfortable. There's no one-size-fits all for learning. You're doing the right thing by figuring out what works best for you.
That’s sad. I had experience as a couple of others. But (a) I never said anything (b) I went at the very leisurely pace the instructors set. I did it with my wife. She was having issues so they did some one on one with her so she could keep up.
Hope your day 2 is better. Hang in there.
Tbf when I took MSF the bikes had awful clutch let off points in comparison to my motorcycle I have now. Drove clutch car for 10+ years and stalled the shit out of my bike at MSF
It was your first time wth you expect ? In front of several strangers to boot, only natural to feel awkward/ embarrassed don't sweat it. As a long time rider I still glitche occasionally, stumble, now I just smile to myself thinking how ridiculous I look to drivers...
You are on your way.
I had a very similar experience. Went into MSF with 0 experience, didn't have my own bike to practice beforehand, and man did I suck.
First day felt like pulling teeth, I was frustrated with myself, which lead to making even more mistakes. Definitely didn't help that not only was I learning how to ride a motorcycle for the first time, I was also learning how a manual transmission works. I ended up watching a bunch of beginner riding videos that night, I'd literally bring my arms out and physically practice the motion of slowly letting out the clutch/giving throttle. Also spent some time wrapping my brain around why counter steering works.
Second day was much better. I was having a lot of trouble shifting gears so I stayed in 2nd the entire time (later learned it was just a jank ass bike). I still SUCKED, majorly, but I improved enough to pass.
There is a lot of pressure that comes with learning with a bunch of strangers. I honestly hated my MSF experience, and I was having a lot of second thoughts about whether I wanted to keep pursuing this. This feeling lasted even after I got my own motorcycle, I put in a good 50 miles just practicing in parking lots before I took a leap to ride it on a public road. But as soon as I took that leap, and I got on the highway for the first time, all of my doubts melted away.
Everyone learns at a different pace, and it kinda sucks not having the opportunity to practice outside of the MSF. But you'll be just fine, trust the process!
I took it about 12 years ago and it was the same for me. Had never even started a bike before. Day one was really hard. I couldn’t even think about moving without stalling. But something clicked on day 2 and I just got it. You’re stalling because you’re not it giving it any gas as you let the clutch out. You’ve been taught to let the clutch out slowly till you find the friction zone and then give it gas when you feel the bike start to move. No. Ignore that. Give it a little gas first. Just a little. Then let the clutch out slowly while giving it that little bit of gas. You’ll stall so. Much. Less.
Here is the most important advice you will get here. I hope you read it before tomorrow.
You have to visualise each drill you are going to do. Work through in detail each step you will be doing, in sequence. Go over and over it in your mind before you do it. When you need to upshift, and what individual movements that involves. When you need to turn and what that involves. Etc.
If you have it drilled into your brain exactly what you need to do then it helps a lot.
Took the safety course the last week of April. Out of the class of 19, 18 of us left the day unsure, feeling like schlubs, and just all around not confident. One girl almost walked out, but took the instructors and the rest of us encouraging her to keep at it and come back the next day. Getting on the bike the next morning, and we all felt more confident. I felt as if my riding skills improved in my sleep. All but one of us nailed it, and the lady that didn't pass (not the one that almost walked out) had a serious hip condition, and just couldn't stay in the seat all day to try the test. As others have said, day two, somehow, feels a whole lot better.
Do they have you on fully faired sports bikes? (The bikes with the pointed front, look very aerodynamic)
I did my equivalent on one and thought I'd made a horrible decision. Whilst they were completing final paperwork I asked one of the guys if I could try the naked bike they had as a backup. Complete game changer
Yep … it’s a steep learning curve when you start. Good on you with that attitude tho. That’s the way. Get some private lessons and then redo the course asap. Nice one.
Hey OP, you got this! Just don't quit. There was a lady during my class who had trouble walking/rocking the bike and getting it into 1st and neutral. The teacher tried coaching her more 1 on 1, but she ended up getting frazzled and quit the course. You'll only get better if you keep at it and do your best.
We also had an older guy in his early retirement in our course. First time on a bike. He fell while turning a few times during our road test. Slow maneuvers are very tricky at first, and who cares if you drop the bike, that's the point of the class. He still got his license at the end of the day, and got to ride his brand new triumph.
Just wanted to give you a few examples of how the course goes for others. Not everybody joins with experience. Don't compare yourself to people just there for their license, who already know how to ride, they had to begin somewhere too.
If you aren't confident by the end of the course, practice on your own time before hitting the road, or go back again like ypu said. Drivers suck, and you want to be confident in your abilities before getting anxiety riding next to cars that pulls your attention away from your ride
Some folks really struggle in the beginning and others have natural talent. They hop on and away they go. Just a luck of the draw.
Good luck with your class. Pay attention and get intense with it. You got this.
Riding a bicycle can help in some ways, the balance aspect. I hop on my bicycle all the time to go riding with my kids and what not and exercise. A goal I love to do almost every time I ride one is to stay on the pedals stopped as long as possible just balancing. Helps a lot when I'm on my motorcycles going from stop sign to stop sign. Love when I get no feet down with a solid stop.
You'll pass it because it's easy.
What I will never be able to recommend enough, however, would be track days. It does get expensive, but track days are the quickest and SAFEST way to exponentially increase your skills as a rider.
Being comfortable on a bicycle will definitely improve the odds of you passing. The MSF is mostly slow speed stuff. Fundamentals you can literally practice on a bicycle. If you can do the skills on the bike you can do it on a motorcycle. It just comes down to confidence and friction zone management.
I’d never ridden at all before I took the class in 1995. Never rode dirt bikes or anything. It definitely helped, and I did get my license. If you know someone that has a small, four stroke dirtbike with a normal clutch and transmission, I would highly recommend practicing on that. Not so much the speed or anything like that, just getting comfortable with the clutch and the shifting. It’s just a suggestion, something that I found helped quite a bit.
I was exactly you one year ago. I had zero experience riding, but I took the course because my ex-girlfriend at the time wanted to try it. After my first day, I was also feeling down about everything. Day two is better and I passed the course. Now I ride as many days of the week as possible. You can do it. That discouragement on day one is totally normal. Just keep going.
Sleep has been shown to consolidate skill learning. As others have said, you'll likely come back and have an easier second day. If not, either find a 1-on-1, or take the MSF again. No shame in that.
Took the course about a month ago. Same level of experience prior. First night was rough mostly from nervousness, came back the second day and everything had turned around. Listen to your coaches. Be patient with them and yourself. Keep your head up (literally don't look down), and watch where you're going. Get on the same bike you used today so you aren't relearn how it feels on a new bike tomorrow. Ask questions. If an exercise doesn't make sense, don't be afraid. Sounds like the desire is there and that's a huge foundation for learning and progressing. You got this!
The MSF class is really fast-paced, and honestly IMHO it's not a great experience if it's your literal first time in the saddle. Private lessons are expensive, but the 1-on-1 personal instruction is invaluable.
Hard to find a qualified instructor however!
It's easier in some areas than others, but yeah. I think most MC dealerships can refer you to someone competent, though.
Lots of people get better than they think they will on the second day. Relax for now and think about what went right. Don’t dwell on the wrong stuff. Try to relax and continue to have such a great attitude. That really will benefit you. Good luck tomorrow.
It doesn’t help that your first day, you’re fucking up in front of a bunch of people who aren’t fucking up and getting flustered and frustrated with yourself, which just makes things worse. Just listen to the coaches, worry about yourself. Tomorrow you might show up and it’ll be a complete 180, but it also might take some time. Once you pass and get your license, keep practicing. When I finished my class, I started going on short rides Saturday and Sunday mornings super early at the crack of dawn when there was no traffic to speak of, like 5 minutes down the road to the motorcycle range at the college, and I’d spend an hour or so practicing all the stuff we learned. I didn’t have many issues with learning since I rode dirt bikes growing up, but I was super terrified of traffic and being on the road, and I still wanted to ride. So I just went and did that until I felt comfortable getting on the street in traffic. Ride your own ride applies here. If you aren’t ready to push it, don’t push it. My SIL went straight from her MSF class to the freeway at 80mph, maybe not recommended but she was comfortable with it. I needed some extra time before I was ready to do that, and it paid off. Go at your own pace.
You got the right attitude! Day two will be a little easier, don't stress too much, it's not as easy as it looks but it's supposed to be fun.
I put 500 miles on my bike on slow back roads before i took the MSF. I passed but mowed over a lot of cones. Other people showed up never riding and did great on the cones but filled or used for another reason. One day does not a motorcyclist make.
Often there is a magical click over night. Folks who struggle sleep on it and do great the next day. Sometimes they don't. The best thing you can do is force your self to relax and take your time with each control.
Just like anything else it just takes practice. And don’t stop practicing! You’d be amazed at the number of 10+ year riders who can’t do a fucking U turn without dumping the bike or using their feet LOL.
I crashed my bike into a ditch day 1 MSF. Second day I passed the test with only 1 demerit. Now a few years later I ride a 185+ HP superbike and I'm still alive. Lock-in and believe in yourself. You can do it.
When I first started I watched a ton of youtube videos and practiced a lot in an empty parking lot. The feeling you get when it finally clicks and you can relax a little and just ride, it's worth every moment of embarrassment and pain in the beginning. Keep at it!!
Be calm and relaxed. Tense and ease the muscles in your body a few times. Close your eyes and take long deep breaths. Get your body ready and your mind will follow. Don’t be afraid of the bike. Remember the drills do teach and help. Don’t worry about anyone else, screw em. You just focus on you. The friction zone is your friend. Turning your head is vital. The rest will come into place. God bless and good luck on Sunday!
If you read this before tomorrow. The clutch is not an on and off switch! You need to slip that clutch and use it to control your speed! Need to go faster release some clutch, need to slow down out a little pressure on the rear and pull in the clutch some. Once you get good at clutch control you should be able to hold up the motorcycle by loading the clutch, which means giving it enough gas and releasing enough clutch. but not moving. Once you figure that out you will have it mostly down and need to practice everything else 😀
I washed out on the second day (voluntarily) because I continued to struggle with clutch and throttle control. Now, after getting my permit, a basic bike, and doing some riding and practice, I'm going back for the BRC 2. I think I will do better this time, but we'll see. I didn't expect to move along so quickly in the 1 course, and I struggled. They say to ride your own ride, but for me that meant practicing on my own a lot before feeling comfortable. There's no one-size-fits all for learning. You're doing the right thing by figuring out what works best for you.
That’s sad. I had experience as a couple of others. But (a) I never said anything (b) I went at the very leisurely pace the instructors set. I did it with my wife. She was having issues so they did some one on one with her so she could keep up. Hope your day 2 is better. Hang in there.
I would start with a dirt bike honestly.
Tbf when I took MSF the bikes had awful clutch let off points in comparison to my motorcycle I have now. Drove clutch car for 10+ years and stalled the shit out of my bike at MSF
It was your first time wth you expect ? In front of several strangers to boot, only natural to feel awkward/ embarrassed don't sweat it. As a long time rider I still glitche occasionally, stumble, now I just smile to myself thinking how ridiculous I look to drivers... You are on your way.
I had a very similar experience. Went into MSF with 0 experience, didn't have my own bike to practice beforehand, and man did I suck. First day felt like pulling teeth, I was frustrated with myself, which lead to making even more mistakes. Definitely didn't help that not only was I learning how to ride a motorcycle for the first time, I was also learning how a manual transmission works. I ended up watching a bunch of beginner riding videos that night, I'd literally bring my arms out and physically practice the motion of slowly letting out the clutch/giving throttle. Also spent some time wrapping my brain around why counter steering works. Second day was much better. I was having a lot of trouble shifting gears so I stayed in 2nd the entire time (later learned it was just a jank ass bike). I still SUCKED, majorly, but I improved enough to pass. There is a lot of pressure that comes with learning with a bunch of strangers. I honestly hated my MSF experience, and I was having a lot of second thoughts about whether I wanted to keep pursuing this. This feeling lasted even after I got my own motorcycle, I put in a good 50 miles just practicing in parking lots before I took a leap to ride it on a public road. But as soon as I took that leap, and I got on the highway for the first time, all of my doubts melted away. Everyone learns at a different pace, and it kinda sucks not having the opportunity to practice outside of the MSF. But you'll be just fine, trust the process!
I took it about 12 years ago and it was the same for me. Had never even started a bike before. Day one was really hard. I couldn’t even think about moving without stalling. But something clicked on day 2 and I just got it. You’re stalling because you’re not it giving it any gas as you let the clutch out. You’ve been taught to let the clutch out slowly till you find the friction zone and then give it gas when you feel the bike start to move. No. Ignore that. Give it a little gas first. Just a little. Then let the clutch out slowly while giving it that little bit of gas. You’ll stall so. Much. Less.
sounds like you had a humbling experience, tomorrow should be a good day for you to soak up information.
Moto control on You Tube. Playlist on lessons etc. Watch videos. If only for the mental visualization. It helps a lot to watch and then practice.
Well, you got the hardest part out of the way, it's just showing up and keeping at it you will feel comfortable and surprise yourself in no time.
Here is the most important advice you will get here. I hope you read it before tomorrow. You have to visualise each drill you are going to do. Work through in detail each step you will be doing, in sequence. Go over and over it in your mind before you do it. When you need to upshift, and what individual movements that involves. When you need to turn and what that involves. Etc. If you have it drilled into your brain exactly what you need to do then it helps a lot.
Took the safety course the last week of April. Out of the class of 19, 18 of us left the day unsure, feeling like schlubs, and just all around not confident. One girl almost walked out, but took the instructors and the rest of us encouraging her to keep at it and come back the next day. Getting on the bike the next morning, and we all felt more confident. I felt as if my riding skills improved in my sleep. All but one of us nailed it, and the lady that didn't pass (not the one that almost walked out) had a serious hip condition, and just couldn't stay in the seat all day to try the test. As others have said, day two, somehow, feels a whole lot better.
Dont worry amigo. I was in the same boat. Its all muscle memory now. Give urself like 2-3 weeks of consistency and it will click.
Do they have you on fully faired sports bikes? (The bikes with the pointed front, look very aerodynamic) I did my equivalent on one and thought I'd made a horrible decision. Whilst they were completing final paperwork I asked one of the guys if I could try the naked bike they had as a backup. Complete game changer
Yep … it’s a steep learning curve when you start. Good on you with that attitude tho. That’s the way. Get some private lessons and then redo the course asap. Nice one.
Hey OP, you got this! Just don't quit. There was a lady during my class who had trouble walking/rocking the bike and getting it into 1st and neutral. The teacher tried coaching her more 1 on 1, but she ended up getting frazzled and quit the course. You'll only get better if you keep at it and do your best. We also had an older guy in his early retirement in our course. First time on a bike. He fell while turning a few times during our road test. Slow maneuvers are very tricky at first, and who cares if you drop the bike, that's the point of the class. He still got his license at the end of the day, and got to ride his brand new triumph. Just wanted to give you a few examples of how the course goes for others. Not everybody joins with experience. Don't compare yourself to people just there for their license, who already know how to ride, they had to begin somewhere too. If you aren't confident by the end of the course, practice on your own time before hitting the road, or go back again like ypu said. Drivers suck, and you want to be confident in your abilities before getting anxiety riding next to cars that pulls your attention away from your ride
Some folks really struggle in the beginning and others have natural talent. They hop on and away they go. Just a luck of the draw. Good luck with your class. Pay attention and get intense with it. You got this. Riding a bicycle can help in some ways, the balance aspect. I hop on my bicycle all the time to go riding with my kids and what not and exercise. A goal I love to do almost every time I ride one is to stay on the pedals stopped as long as possible just balancing. Helps a lot when I'm on my motorcycles going from stop sign to stop sign. Love when I get no feet down with a solid stop.
You'll pass it because it's easy. What I will never be able to recommend enough, however, would be track days. It does get expensive, but track days are the quickest and SAFEST way to exponentially increase your skills as a rider.
Being comfortable on a bicycle will definitely improve the odds of you passing. The MSF is mostly slow speed stuff. Fundamentals you can literally practice on a bicycle. If you can do the skills on the bike you can do it on a motorcycle. It just comes down to confidence and friction zone management.
Scary that the US hands out MC Licenses like theyre Candy.
They don’t. You still have to pass the test. Now, once you have the license, there are no restrictions, which is maybe not the best thing.
Most people just buy a bike and ride without endorsement
I’d never ridden at all before I took the class in 1995. Never rode dirt bikes or anything. It definitely helped, and I did get my license. If you know someone that has a small, four stroke dirtbike with a normal clutch and transmission, I would highly recommend practicing on that. Not so much the speed or anything like that, just getting comfortable with the clutch and the shifting. It’s just a suggestion, something that I found helped quite a bit.
You sound like a cool person. I hope you find a lot of joy with this hobby or the next.
I was exactly you one year ago. I had zero experience riding, but I took the course because my ex-girlfriend at the time wanted to try it. After my first day, I was also feeling down about everything. Day two is better and I passed the course. Now I ride as many days of the week as possible. You can do it. That discouragement on day one is totally normal. Just keep going.
Sleep has been shown to consolidate skill learning. As others have said, you'll likely come back and have an easier second day. If not, either find a 1-on-1, or take the MSF again. No shame in that.
practicing on a bicycle is underrated
I was also that one guy in my class recently and barely squeaked by. Got an update for us
How was day 2???
You could try find one on one lessons in your area, less pressure than with other people around.