I’ve all the time been interested in bikes—however not as a result of I needed to cruise the open freeway or gather chrome. My gateway was electrical. Particularly, I needed 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) Primary RiderCourse, hosted on the Harley-Davidson Using Academy in Villa Park, Illinois. I figured it will be a weekend of studying to trip. What I didn’t anticipate 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 all good system, the MSF course doesn’t simply throw you on a motorbike. 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 accomplished greater than 30 days forward of your first session, otherwise you’ll should redo it.
You additionally want an Illinois M-Class Learner’s Allow to take part—until you’re already licensed in one other state. That is non-negotiable. The State of Illinois doesn’t supply waivers for the highway 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 despite the fact that I heard the failing charge is sort of excessive. However spend per week studying the e-book, do some on-line quiz assessments and also you’ll be positive.
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 huge. This wasn’t some pleasant little scooter. It was a authentic 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, danger administration, group dialogue, and fundamental highway technique. Nothing flashy, but it surely 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 actual 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 grew to become our second residence.
After a fast security briefing and equipment examine, we have been launched to the Avenue 500 once more, this time as our coaching bike. It’s particularly designed for newbies—with decrease suspension, beginner-friendly throttle tuning, and protecting crash bars—but it surely’s nonetheless a giant bike for a newbie. Particularly for the smaller college students within the group, stability and luxury have 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 several other stalls later, I lastly started to determine methods 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’re. And with every using train, my confidence started to meet up with my enthusiasm. Each session constructed regularly on the final:
- First, it was simply beginning, stopping, and utilizing the friction zone
- Then got here shifting, fundamental cornering, and throttle management
- Finally, we progressed to lean initiation, tight turns, and fast stops
These have 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 method that allow the fundamentals sink in whereas giving every pupil a good shot at mastering the basics.
By the top of the day, we weren’t simply studying—we have been using. Not nicely. Not confidently. However we have 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 underneath you, day three was about making ready for the highway forward—each actually and figuratively. This was crucial day of the course, and it felt prefer it. The curriculum grew to become extra superior, extra life like, and extra mentally demanding. However by then, one thing had shifted: the strain within the group was gone. Everybody appeared looser, extra talkative. The nervous laughter from day one had grow to be camaraderie. We had began to really feel like riders.
We started the morning with some evaluation workouts—tight turns, slow-speed clutch management, fundamental cornering—and from there, we moved into situations that mimicked real-world highway conditions. It wasn’t nearly maneuvering anymore; it was about decision-making. How briskly do you brake in a nook with out shedding traction? What do you do when a automobile cuts into your lane? How do you react while you abruptly should swerve?
These weren’t hypotheticals. We did them—time and again—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 really management. I wasn’t simply surviving the workouts—I used to be studying to trip with intention.
One of the revealing drills was the short cease and swerve maneuver. You speed up to a average velocity, then a coach alerts 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 ultimately, one thing clicked. My physique began doing what my mind had discovered. Positive, there have been some mishaps, however for this reason the security bars assist so much.
One other drill that stood out was braking in a curve. You’re using by means of a delicate flip, and midway by means of, it’s a must to brake easily whereas nonetheless leaned over. It teaches you to handle weight switch, stability, and throttle management . It’s tougher than it sounds, particularly when your instincts scream “stand the bike up!” However once more, with follow 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 closing day. Their suggestions was extra personalised, 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 workouts:
- A cone weave
- A fast cease
- A flip from a cease
- A U-turn in a field
- A swerve maneuver
- And a closing cornering move
It’s move/fail, however each transfer is graded. You get factors deducted for hesitation, working extensive, 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 speak: “You’ve already accomplished each one among these workouts a number of occasions. what to do.”
And so they have 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 have been greater than ever. One pupil who had struggled with the clutch on day two let loose 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 by means of the DMV scheduling course of. If you happen to handed the course, you have been eligible to return to the dealership on a scheduled day and take the official Illinois DMV highway take a look at on the identical bike you educated on. No methods, no surprises—simply familiarity and a closing step towards your license.
However what mattered most was that feeling: the satisfaction of getting discovered one thing that when felt inconceivable. We didn’t simply study to trip—we grew to become newbie riders.
Was It Price It?
The parents at MSF gave us a coupon for this course which prices $350, however I advised them the evaluation shall be purely based mostly on my expertise and what I “really feel” in the course of the class. If you happen to’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 when it comes to studying a brand new talent, however in confidence, self-discipline, and perspective.
Most significantly, the course gave me a strong basis for ultimately using the form of electrical bikes I’ve all the time needed to check. The BMW CE 04 continues to be on my radar—however now I’m prepared for it.
What You’ll Be taught: MSF’s 14 Core Using Workouts
- Motorbike Familiarization – Be taught the controls, posture, and security checks
- Friction Zone Management – Grasp slow-speed clutch work
- Beginning & Stopping – Be taught throttle-brake coordination
- Shifting & Stopping – Observe clear gear adjustments and halts
- Primary Talent Observe – Superb-tune low-speed dealing with
- Initiating Lean – Perceive physique place and steering
- Fast Stops & Tight Turns – Grasp management underneath stress
- Stopping Distance Demo – See how velocity impacts security
- Restricted-House Maneuvers – Be taught U-turns and stability
- Stopping in Curves – Handle braking whereas leaned over
- Curve Judgment – Navigate a number of turns with precision
- Lane Modifications – Observe shifting safely by means of site visitors
- Impediment Crossing & Swerving – Be taught evasive maneuvers
- Last Talent Observe – Mix every thing in a single session
Gear Necessities: Don’t Present Up Unprepared
The MSF and state pointers are clear: you should put on full protecting gear otherwise you received’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)
