I’ve at all times been inquisitive about bikes—however not as a result of I wished to cruise the open freeway or accumulate chrome. My gateway was electrical. Particularly, I wished to check trip BMW’s CE 04 electrical scooter—an ultra-modern, zero-emissions two-wheeler that appears prefer it got here straight out of a sci-fi film. However to try this, I wanted greater than curiosity. I wanted abilities. I wanted a license.
So I signed up for the Motorbike Security Basis (MSF) Fundamental RiderCourse, hosted on the Harley-Davidson Driving Academy in Villa Park, Illinois. I figured it could be a weekend of studying to trip. What I didn’t count on was how a lot I’d study myself—and the way a lot enjoyable I’d have within the course of.
Earlier than the First Trip
Like every good system, the MSF course doesn’t simply throw you on a motorcycle. Earlier than even setting foot on the vary, you’re required to finish a three-hour on-line eCourse, targeted on concept, security, and using fundamentals. It’s self-paced however necessary—and might’t be achieved greater than 30 days forward of your first session, otherwise you’ll must redo it.
You additionally want an Illinois M-Class Learner’s Allow to take part—except you’re already licensed in one other state. That is non-negotiable. The State of Illinois doesn’t supply waivers for the street take a look at both, so everybody within the course is there to genuinely put together for a DMV examination. Fortunately, I aced the examination on the primary attempt regardless that I heard the failing price is sort of excessive. However spend every week studying the e-book, do some on-line quiz checks and also you’ll be high quality.
Day One: From Nerves to Impartial
I confirmed as much as class feeling each excited and greater than a bit of nervous. I had by no means ridden a bike earlier than—not even a mud bike. And after I first laid eyes on the Harley-Davidson Avenue 500, it felt large. This wasn’t some pleasant little scooter. It was a respectable machine, with weight, presence, and energy. For somebody with zero expertise, simply sitting on it was intimidating.
Our instructors—licensed RiderCoaches following the MSF curriculum to the letter—welcomed us with an informal classroom session contained in the dealership. It was three hours of guidelines, threat administration, group dialogue, and primary street technique. Nothing flashy, nevertheless it laid the groundwork for what was coming.
We additionally had a little bit of time to take a look at among the Harley bikes on the ground. Sure, there was a contact of salesmanship—however truthfully, sitting on a number of new Harleys was extra enjoyable than I anticipated. It made the entire thing really feel much less like a course and extra like getting into a brand new world.
Day Two: The First Clutch Pull
This was the true deal: our first day on the bike. From 8 a.m. to five p.m., we lived within the car parking zone—what MSF calls “the vary”—the place cones, chalk traces, and stopwatches turned our second dwelling.
After a fast security briefing and kit test, we had been launched to the Avenue 500 once more, this time as our coaching bike. It’s particularly designed for inexperienced persons—with decrease suspension, beginner-friendly throttle tuning, and protecting crash bars—nevertheless it’s nonetheless an enormous bike for a newbie. Particularly for the smaller college students within the group, stability and luxury had been particular challenges. Even I discovered the clutch difficult at first. It took me some time to really feel the place the friction zone was, and a number of other stalls later, I lastly started to determine find out how to feather it correctly. It felt awkward, even unnatural.
However that’s the purpose. The MSF course is designed to fulfill you the place you might be. And with every using train, my confidence started to meet up with my enthusiasm. Each session constructed progressively on the final:
- First, it was simply beginning, stopping, and utilizing the friction zone
- Then got here shifting, primary cornering, and throttle management
- Ultimately, we progressed to lean initiation, tight turns, and fast stops
These had been damaged up by frequent “Roadbook” breaks—possibilities to relaxation, hydrate, and chat along with your classmates. There was no rush, no stress to carry out. Regardless of the time administration (sure, they do use stopwatches to remain on schedule), the pacing by no means felt unfair. It was structured in a means that allow the fundamentals sink in whereas giving every scholar a good shot at mastering the basics.
By the tip of the day, we weren’t simply studying—we had been using. Not properly. Not confidently. However we had been doing it. And that’s an enormous leap from the place we began.
Day Three: Trip Like You Imply It
If day two was about understanding how the bike labored beneath you, day three was about making ready for the street forward—each actually and figuratively. This was an important day of the course, and it felt prefer it. The curriculum turned extra superior, extra life like, and extra mentally demanding. However by then, one thing had shifted: the stress within the group was gone. Everybody appeared looser, extra talkative. The nervous laughter from day one had develop into camaraderie. We had began to really feel like riders.
We started the morning with some overview workout routines—tight turns, slow-speed clutch management, primary cornering—and from there, we moved into situations that mimicked real-world street conditions. It wasn’t nearly maneuvering anymore; it was about decision-making. How briskly do you brake in a nook with out dropping traction? What do you do when a automobile cuts into your lane? How do you react once you all of the sudden must swerve?
These weren’t hypotheticals. We did them—repeatedly—on a course arrange with cones, curves, and shock cease cues. The Avenue 500, which felt so intimidating simply 48 hours earlier, now felt like one thing I might truly management. I wasn’t simply surviving the workout routines—I used to be studying to trip with intention.
One of the vital revealing drills was the fast cease and swerve maneuver. You speed up to a reasonable velocity, then a coach indicators both a tough cease or a quick directional swerve. It’s meant to simulate what occurs when a automobile brakes in entrance of you or an impediment seems in your path. At first, I overthought it—grabbed the brakes too onerous or didn’t lean sufficient. However finally, one thing clicked. My physique began doing what my mind had discovered. Positive, there have been some mishaps, however that is why the security bars assist quite a bit.
One other drill that stood out was braking in a curve. You’re using via a delicate flip, and midway via, you need to brake easily whereas nonetheless leaned over. It teaches you to handle weight switch, stability, and throttle management suddenly. It’s more durable than it sounds, particularly when your instincts scream “stand the bike up!” However once more, with apply and training, you begin to belief the method—and your self.
The instructors, who had been nice all through the course, actually got here into their very own on this remaining day. Their suggestions was extra customized, extra focused. One coach observed I used to be nonetheless hesitating barely earlier than leaning into sharper turns. He pulled me apart between drills and gave me a fast tip about head place and throttle stability. Only a few phrases, however they made a distinction. The subsequent lap across the curve, I felt smoother, extra in sync with the bike.
After which got here the take a look at.
The MSF Talent Check consists of 5 scored workout routines:
- A cone weave
- A fast cease
- A flip from a cease
- A U-turn in a field
- A swerve maneuver
- And a remaining cornering go
It’s go/fail, however each transfer is graded. You get factors deducted for hesitation, working huge, placing a foot down, or lacking the mark. Watching your classmates go earlier than you, it’s simple to psych your self out. However the instructors provide you with one final pep discuss: “You’ve already achieved each considered one of these workout routines a number of occasions. You already know what to do.”
They usually had been proper.
My take a look at wasn’t good—I dropped a degree on my U-turn for coming too near the road—however I handed. And so did many of the class. The grins had been larger than ever. One scholar who had struggled with the clutch on day two set free an precise cheer after ending his swerve. We’d all been rooting for him.
After the take a look at, the coaches handed out completion playing cards and talked us via the DMV scheduling course of. For those who handed the course, you had been eligible to return to the dealership on a scheduled day and take the official Illinois DMV street take a look at on the identical bike you skilled on. No tips, no surprises—simply familiarity and a remaining step towards your license.
However what mattered most was that feeling: the satisfaction of getting discovered one thing that when felt not possible. We didn’t simply study to trip—we turned newbie riders.
Was It Value It?
The oldsters at MSF gave us a coupon for this course which prices $350, however I advised them the overview will likely be purely based mostly on my expertise and what I “really feel” in the course of the class. For those who’re paying for it, I can say with confidence that this is among the finest investments you can also make if you wish to trip bikes. Not simply by way of studying a brand new ability, however in confidence, self-discipline, and perspective.
Most significantly, the course gave me a strong basis for finally using the form of electrical bikes I’ve at all times wished to check. The BMW CE 04 remains to be on my radar—however now I’m prepared for it.
What You’ll Study: MSF’s 14 Core Driving Workouts
- Motorbike Familiarization – Study the controls, posture, and security checks
- Friction Zone Management – Grasp slow-speed clutch work
- Beginning & Stopping – Study throttle-brake coordination
- Shifting & Stopping – Apply clear gear modifications and halts
- Fundamental Talent Apply – Positive-tune low-speed dealing with
- Initiating Lean – Perceive physique place and steering
- Fast Stops & Tight Turns – Grasp management beneath stress
- Stopping Distance Demo – See how velocity impacts security
- Restricted-Area Maneuvers – Study U-turns and stability
- Stopping in Curves – Handle braking whereas leaned over
- Curve Judgment – Navigate a number of turns with precision
- Lane Adjustments – Apply transferring safely via visitors
- Impediment Crossing & Swerving – Study evasive maneuvers
- Last Talent Apply – Mix every part in a single session
Gear Necessities: Don’t Present Up Unprepared
The MSF and state pointers are clear: that you must put on full protecting gear otherwise you gained’t trip. This consists of:
- A DOT-approved helmet
- Eye safety (visor or glasses)
- Over-the-ankle boots
- Lengthy sleeves and full-length pants
- Full-fingered gloves (ideally motorcycle-specific)
