I’ve at all times been inquisitive about bikes—however not as a result of I wished to cruise the open freeway or gather chrome. My gateway was electrical. Particularly, I wished to check journey 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 RiderCoursehosted on the Harley-Davidson Driving Academy in Villa Park, Illinois. I figured it might be a weekend of studying to journey. What I didn’t count on was how a lot I’d find out about myself—and the way a lot enjoyable I’d have within the course of.
Earlier than the First Experience
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, centered on principle, security, and driving fundamentals. It’s self-paced however necessary—and might’t be carried out 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—except you’re already licensed in one other state. That is non-negotiable. The State of Illinois doesn’t provide 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 although I heard the failing fee is kind of excessive. However spend every week studying the guide, do some on-line quiz exams and also you’ll be superb.
Day One: From Nerves to Impartial
I confirmed as much as class feeling each excited and greater than somewhat nervous. I had by no means ridden a bike earlier than—not even a mud bike. And once I first laid eyes on the Harley-Davidson Avenue 500, it felt large. This wasn’t some pleasant little scooter. It was a reliable 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 primary highway 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 couple of new Harleys was extra enjoyable than I anticipated. It made the entire thing really feel much less like a course and extra like coming 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 parking zone—what MSF calls “the vary”—the place cones, chalk strains, and stopwatches turned our second house.
After a fast security briefing and kit verify, we have been launched to the Avenue 500 once more, this time as our coaching bike. It’s particularly designed for rookies—with decrease suspension, beginner-friendly throttle tuning, and protecting crash bars—nevertheless it’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 tough 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 satisfy you the place you might be. And with every driving 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 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 means 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 driving. Not effectively. Not confidently. However we have been doing it. And that’s an enormous leap from the place we began.
Day Three: Experience 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 a very powerful 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 strain 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 assessment workout routines—tight turns, slow-speed clutch management, primary 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. For instance, there may be the “braking in a flip” train which it’s much less centered on how briskly you may brake in a nook and extra about various kinds of braking in a nook. There’s the gradual cease the place you apply extra brake stress as you stand the bike upright and the straighten-then-brake train, the place you straighten up the bike first, then you may brake with extra stress since you’ve extra traction.
Additionally, you’ll study what do you do when a automotive cuts into your lane or how do you react once you abruptly should 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 may truly management. I wasn’t simply surviving the workout routines—I used to be studying to journey 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 automotive brakes in entrance of you or an impediment seems in your path. At first, I overthought it—grabbed the brakes too laborious or didn’t lean sufficient. However finally, one thing clicked. My physique began doing what my mind had realized. Positive, there have been some mishaps, however because of this the protection bars assist so much.
One other drill that stood out was braking in a curve. You’re driving via a mild flip, and midway via, it’s important to brake easily whereas nonetheless leaned over. It teaches you to handle weight switch, steadiness, and throttle management all of sudden. 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 seen 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 Ability Take a look at 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 closing cornering move
It’s move/fail, however each transfer is graded. You will get factors taken off in the event you run too sluggish on one of many exams, or in the event you anticipate, like decelerate earlier than the swerve or fast cease. You get two possibilities at that, however in the event you nonetheless do it, you get factors. 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 carried out each certainly one of these workout routines a number of instances. You already know what to do.”
They usually 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 a lot of the class. The grins have been larger than ever. One pupil 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 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 skilled on. No tips, no surprises—simply familiarity and a closing step towards your license.
However what mattered most was that feeling: the satisfaction of getting realized one thing that when felt not possible. We didn’t simply study to journey—we turned newbie riders.
Was It Price It?
The parents at MSF gave us a coupon for this course which prices $350, however I instructed them the assessment shall be purely primarily based on my expertise and what I “really feel” throughout the class. For those who’re paying for it, I can say with confidence that this is likely one of the greatest investments you may make if you wish to journey 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 stable basis for finally driving 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 Be taught: MSF’s 14 Core Driving 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 – Follow clear gear adjustments and halts
- Primary Ability Follow – 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 and distraction impacts security
- Restricted-Area Maneuvers – Be taught U-turns and steadiness
- Stopping in Curves – Handle braking whereas leaned over
- Curve Judgment – Navigate a number of turns with precision
- Lane Adjustments – Follow shifting safely via visitors
- Impediment Crossing & Swerving – Be taught evasive maneuvers
- Remaining Ability Follow – Mix every little thing in a single session
Gear Necessities: Don’t Present Up Unprepared
The MSF and state pointers are clear: you’ll want to put on full protecting gear otherwise you received’t journey. 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)
