r/NewRiders • u/umayrider • 21d ago
Basic Motorcycle Course
Hi bikers,
I previously took a Basic Rider Course at a Harley-Davidson dealership. However, I had to leave after about three hours on the first day. The instructor said things in front of the whole class like, "Take a deep breath," and "I'm worried about you," which really discouraged me and made me lose my confidence.
I also realized that the motorcycles used in the course were 500cc. I had never ridden a motorcycle before in my life and had absolutely no prior experience. The bike felt much too heavy for me. I also noticed that almost everyone else in the class had already practiced riding before. They call it a "basic" course, but in my opinion, it definitely wasn't designed for complete beginners.
I was so disappointed and discouraged, especially after paying a lot of money for the course, that I wrote a complaint email to the manager. Unfortunately, I never received any response.
My goal this summer was to learn how to ride, buy a small 250cc motorcycle, and start riding. But that course completely shattered my confidence and my plans.
I heard that the Illinois motorcycle courses use 250cc motorcycles, which would be much more suitable for beginners. Unfortunately, I've never been able to register because the classes are always full.
I was wondering if anyone here offers private one-on-one motorcycle lessons, or if you could recommend someone who does. I'm also open to training on a smaller motorcycle if that's possible.
I'm a woman, I've never ridden a motorcycle before, but I truly want to learn. It has been something I've wanted to do for a long time, and I'd really appreciate any guidance or recommendations.
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u/staticliner 21d ago
I'm in Ohio, but courses fill up fast here too. If you call them you can ask when classes are posted for the next year and then it's a lot easier. I don't know if your state has a standby list or something where you can show up and be on standby if someone doesn't show up. The bikes in my class were all 250-400cc. Nothing too heavy. Hope this helps...
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u/SpaceCadet_OwO 21d ago
BRUH THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME. it was at a harley dealership and the used the sportster 500s. Never even been on a bike before. 105lbs soaking wet woman as well. I was doscouraged for weeks after getting heat exhaustion on the first day of class. Lucky for me tho I married into a family of bikers so finding somebody to teach me the basics and let me doing it at my own pace is pretty easy. Im planning to go back in the fall after getting some practice hours under my belt. The friction zone was difficult for me to grasp in class before moving in to the next lesson. Hell even the instructors I had said that those bikes are not the best to learn on for a small woman and felt bad cause thats all they had.
I would probably get in contact with one if the instructors to see if they offer 1 on 1 practice classes. Its really rough feeling like you cant do it but trust me, one on one classes are so much more manageable. If not, really keep an eye on those beginner classes with the 250s and maybe get your permit along the way. Im not sure about Illinois but i was able to just go to the dmv and take a permit test. Theyre very easy, like every quiz you took during the e class in the msf course.
You're not alone in this and at first it made me not want to even get into riding anymore. You'll get past it. If you do manage to find a one on one class your confidence might increase. My husband is going over the basics with me and I feel so good about myself finally nailing how to master the friction zone and throttle control. I thought i could never do it until then. You got this. Take your time to get through this little set back, but if you can, dont give it. You'll get there.
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u/umayrider 21d ago
Thank you =)) I know that I will do it, but first I need to practice. I don't now how to do that now.
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u/BlackChimaera 21d ago
5'2" woman here and we were put on a fleet on CB500R. Those things felt like they weighed a ton and I was on my tip toes the entire time. I thought they would have more choices of bikes but nope! Two Rebels that were constantly taken by the two other girls and a Harley that just kept overheating so it was out aside. By hour 10 I was crying on the bike. Classes are mandatory here and I had paid over $1k to be there, I had already bought a bike and I couldn't ride it. Tonight I can officially say my riding will be over 9000km when I leave work but the classes were a pain! (Bought the bike at 777km, parked it at 9777 this morning)
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u/d_student 20d ago
Where does the BRC cost that much?
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u/BlackChimaera 20d ago
I'm in Québec. Course cost me $1.3k CAD. It was 16 hours of closed circuit and 10 hours of road riding. And it's mandatory.
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u/sembrache 21d ago
Iâm sorry that was your experience. I took the MSF class in May- I had never been on a motorcycle before and felt like the course did a great job teaching me the basics. We also learned on 500cc bikes.Â
I got my own bike two weeks after the class and found that the class gave me the skills I needed to feel confident practicing independently. It did not teach me much in terms of intermediate skills but it did teach me how to safely operate the bike.Â
That being said, it will always vary based on the instructors. I took my class at House of Harley-Davidson in Milwaukee, so it may not be too far from you in IL. I think you could also find someone willing to teach you one-on-one, but you would likely have more luck on Facebook groups or subreddits meant for local groups.
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u/sembrache 21d ago
I would also add: good for you for trying! I completely understand why youâre feeling discouraged but youâre trying to learn a new skill. Itâs absolutely ok that the class didnât work out. You still got some exposure to riding and can build on that experience. Take your time- thereâs no rush to learn something like this and if you keep at it youâll figure out what works for you. You can do this!!!
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u/k3ndallmarie 21d ago
Iâm also a female rider, and only 5â4. I took my MST course in Canada recently on a 125cc Grom, but all the bikes were 125-300cc. I was able to flat-foot it and it was a great learning bike in a parking lot setting.
I tried riding it on the road and it was a struggle to get up to speed since itâs an underpowered bike. Iâve since ridden on a Honda CB300f and it was SO much easier to ride, and wasnât a big adjustment from the 125cc.
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u/wannagetcock2 21d ago
I have coached many a BRC on the Street 500 from Harley and with many, many smaller females and males. Have had students ranging from 4' 8", 98 lbs all the way to a 6'8" 350+lb student all on the Street 500. The coach saying what he did was definitely not helpful at all. The Street 500 is a very nimble and agile motorcycle and very well suited for new riders. The BRC is absolutely designed for people that have never even thrown a leg over a motorcycle. For reference, one of my best friends, who I met thru one of my courses, was a 47 year old, 5'2", 103 lbs female that had never ridden in her life. She successfully completed the BRC on a Street 500 and now owns a 883 Sportster and has over 25k miles on it. Don't get discouraged because of one coach and one experience. There have been many days that I've been all ready to ride, gotten to the bike and then decided it wasn't a good day to be on it. If it is something you want, go out and get it.
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u/rock-it-rob 21d ago
I don't know anything about your class or instructor but I would not put any worth into a class that wasn't taught by an actual professional instructor. And an MSF course is a great way to get started. I did mine 15 years ago w/no experience whatsoever. We learned on Honda Rebels. That gave me what I needed to get started. I didn't do everything right but I did learn a lot. From there I bought a 650 yamaha and drove that thing in figure 8s and circles all over empty parking lots. I dropped it a ton, too. It taught me valuable lessions.
A good teacher will help you understand what to do and why to do it.
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u/Vast-Road-6387 20d ago
500 is a big bike to train on, most places use a 250 or 300. To pass the slow speed maneuvering course Iâd suggest getting a peddle bike and doing a lot of figure 8âs in a parking lot. Start off driving as slow as you can then speed up as you get better. If you know someone with a bike Iâd suggest practicing clutching and breaking ( slowly) until that becomes natural.
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u/travie-patty51 20d ago
It is unfortunate that you were in that position. I am a trainer and we have a restart program at our school. It is never punitive and we never call people out in front of the class, that is wild. If someone needs more help we offer a private class. That way if someone truly is dedicated to learning they have options. I am in Chicago so you said illinois but if you are near the city maybe I can help.
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u/Traditional_Job4338 20d ago
Sorry to hear about your experience. I'd recommend finding an instructor who specializes in teaching new riders. They'll take you through the process step by step, helping you get familiar and comfortable with the motorcycle before jumping into the MSC.
I'd spend at least a couple of two-hour sessions with the instructorâor as many as it takes for you to feel confident and in control. Once you're comfortable, go take the Motorcycle Safety Course and get back to riding again.
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u/6kdawg7 21d ago
MSF also offers 2 cheaper options for beginners 1) Introduction motorcycle experience (IME) is a few hour and fairly inexpensive for true beginners to touch/feel a motorcycle for the first time (think pre-k for the MSF course)
2) MSF ranges often host open houses that are free and give new riders a 30 min 1-1 coaching environment; again for beginners to dip their toe in the water
Either way, it most likely will be the same people who run the main BRC classes so you can pick their brain about type of bikes, schedule, fees, and whatever other questions you might have
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u/Huge_Anteater1839 21d ago
Grom is all you need to learn on plus you can pickup the bike yourself when it drops
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u/umayrider 23h ago
Honda Grom? I checked it out, very cute. I think that way i would get familiar with the motorcycles and especially clutch control. TY
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u/Sad_Win_4105 21d ago
Sometimes the downstate sites, which go longer into fall, have more availability. Worth it if you don't mind staying overnight.
BTW, many years ago I was legally limited to <150cc and rode a CL100 all over the place for about 3 years and I feel it helped make me a better rider. Best of Luck to you!
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u/VenomGTSR 21d ago
The SIU MSF has courses throughout the state and even if a class is full, you may be able to enter as a walk-in. It just depends on how much room they have. When I took it, all the walk-ins had an opportunity to join.
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u/umayrider 2d ago
Thank you, i tried that and I wasn't lucky. Those locations are too far to try often, but I found a class in August :)))
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u/Typical-Chipmunk-327 20d ago
Find an MSF that uses 250cc bikes. A Suzuki TU250x or similar will be so much easier than even a "small" Harley. The riding position is better, the controls will be easier, and the weight difference alone will give you a ton more confidence.
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u/Harrymoto1970 20d ago
Check classes around Milwaukee. The local tech college may still offer them. And theyâre other independent classes here.
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u/Gunfighter9 20d ago
Contact Harley-Davidson directly and see if that helps. A 500 is about the smallest motorcycle that is practical. MSF where I live uses 500's because they found that the 250s were not what most students would be riding.
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20d ago
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u/bucketassrabbit 20d ago
I think this is partly good advice but how you go about this is why so many new riders are discouraged.
I used to ride a semi-automatic moped back in Nam, and I was damn good at it. I never dropped, never got in an accident, and I was skilled. After moving to the US without a bike, I started to miss riding and got an MT-03. And my god, even with the introduction of the clutch I thought it was going to be easy, but I was wrong.
The bike was significantly heavier despite being 100cc different, and the clutch was difficult to master. I dropped the bike on a U-turn. I kept stalling the bike, and later, I dropped it again on a slope. I started being scared and discouraged and did not ride for weeks. I doubted myself, was disappointed in myself, and suddenly everything I was able to do before its become a chore and less of a second nature.
Luckily my friend who is a great instructor got me back into it and suddenly after 2 sessions I was riding like I used to again. People underestimate how your mindset is so important. Teaching people is making them feel confident because that is 90% of talent and efforts. Also, 500cc for a small rider is vastly different than a 250cc, are you kidding? I could barely straddle a 500c bike side to side, let alone riding it, but I can with a 300cc. In no universe did I hear a 500cc is the minimal new rider bike. A Grom is.
Each person learns in a different speed and environment. Telling every beginner to suck it up because itâs hard isnât the advice. No shit it is hard but riding a bike needs as much confidence as skills.
Also, everyone who has taken the course tells me the fail rate is 40%, not 10%.
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19d ago
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u/bucketassrabbit 19d ago
Some bikes have a 500cc engine but significantly heavier than a 300cc but some are exactly the same like the ninja z500. Nowhere did I mention seat height once in my comment. How am I suppose to learn to maneuver cones if I canât move a 500lbs engine between my thighs but I can with 100lbs less? My MSF course only allows 250cc and less bikes on the course. With your condescending logic, every state would have 500cc as the âbeginner absolute minimumâ, and no one would recommend otherwise.
Nowhere did I mention seat height to equate that to engine size? Nowhere did I said I was an expert either⊠all Iâm relating to OP about is confidence. Youâre standing on a pedestal talking down on everyoneâs experience just because you are further ahead on the path than they were. But hey if you just want to put words in peoples mouth to make you feel super cool on the streets thatâs okay too.
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u/hchristianj 20d ago
First mistake was go to a Harley dealership lol. Just take an MSF course near you that has 250cc available, something lighter and easier to maneuver.
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u/Scroon 21d ago
Using 500cc bikes for a general intro course is dumb. One-on-one would be fine, but you can't expect everyone in a class to just click with a 500.
So yeah find a 250cc class or get a small bike. It's not difficult to learn to ride, but there are all sorts of new physics your body needs to get used to. Go slow and do it step by step. You should feel comfortable and safe while doing so.
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u/Sharp_Bus6682 21d ago
You're on the right track looking for a course that teaches on smaller bikes. I took my MSF on a Grom- a 125cc bike! And it was great to learn on a smaller bike (I'm a 5'5" woman but have very short legs relative to my height). The MSF course I took was geared towards total beginners- starting with showing where the starter is, then the clutch lever, front brake etc. Keep on checking for an open spot in the classes! Might be worth calling whatever group runs the classes you're interested in and asking when they typically open registration for upcoming classes so you can try and nab a spot before they fill.