I’ve all the time been interested by bikes—however not as a result of I wished to cruise the open freeway or acquire 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 expertise. I wanted a license.
So I signed up for the Motorbike Security Basis (MSF) Fundamental RiderCourse, hosted on the Harley-Davidson Using Academy in Villa Park, Illinois. I figured it will be a weekend of studying to journey. 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 motorbike. Earlier than even setting foot on the vary, you’re required to finish a three-hour on-line eCourse, centered on idea, security, and using fundamentals. It’s self-paced however obligatory—and may’t be performed 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 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 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 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 just a little nervous. I had by no means ridden a bike earlier than—not even a dust bike. And once I first laid eyes on the Harley-Davidson Road 500, it felt large. This wasn’t some pleasant little scooter. It was a official 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 off-the-cuff classroom session contained in the dealership. It was three hours of guidelines, threat 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 a few of 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 grew to become our second dwelling.
After a fast security briefing and kit verify, we have been launched to the Road 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 an enormous 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 a number of other stalls later, I lastly started to determine learn 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’re. And with every using train, my confidence started to meet up with my enthusiasm. Each session constructed steadily on the final:
- First, it was simply beginning, stopping, and utilizing the friction zone
- Then got here shifting, fundamental 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 together 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 tip 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 below you, day three was about making ready for the highway forward—each actually and figuratively. This was an important day of the course, and it felt prefer it. The curriculum grew to become extra superior, extra lifelike, 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 turn out 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 eventualities 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 all of a sudden must swerve?
These weren’t hypotheticals. We did them—repeatedly—on a course arrange with cones, curves, and shock cease cues. The Road 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 journey with intention.
Some of the revealing drills was the fast cease and swerve maneuver. You speed up to a reasonable 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 arduous or didn’t lean sufficient. However finally, one thing clicked. My physique began doing what my mind had realized. Certain, there have been some mishaps, however this is the 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, you must brake easily whereas nonetheless leaned over. It teaches you to handle weight switch, stability, and throttle management unexpectedly. 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 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. Just some phrases, however they made a distinction. The following 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 Take a look at 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 remaining cornering cross
It’s cross/fail, however each transfer is graded. You get factors deducted for hesitation, operating extensive, placing a foot down, or lacking the mark. Watching your classmates go earlier than you, it’s straightforward to psych your self out. However the instructors offer you one final pep discuss: “You’ve already performed each certainly one of these workouts a number of instances. You recognize what to do.”
They usually have been proper.
My take a look at wasn’t excellent—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 greater 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 by means of the DMV scheduling course of. Should you 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 remaining 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 grew to become newbie riders.
Was It Price It?
The oldsters at MSF gave us a coupon for this course which prices $350, however I advised them the evaluation will probably be purely primarily based on my expertise and what I “really feel” throughout the class. Should you’re paying for it, I can say with confidence that this is among the greatest investments you may make if you wish to journey bikes. Not simply by way of studying a brand new talent, however in confidence, self-discipline, and perspective.
Most significantly, the course gave me a strong basis for finally using the type of electrical bikes I’ve all the time 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 Using Workout routines
- 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 – Apply clear gear adjustments and halts
- Fundamental Talent Apply – Advantageous-tune low-speed dealing with
- Initiating Lean – Perceive physique place and steering
- Fast Stops & Tight Turns – Grasp management below 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 – Apply shifting safely by means of site visitors
- Impediment Crossing & Swerving – Be taught evasive maneuvers
- Remaining Talent Apply – Mix every little thing in a single session
Gear Necessities: Don’t Present Up Unprepared
The MSF and state tips are clear: you should put on full protecting gear otherwise you gained’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)
