I’ve all the time been interested by 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 experience 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 do 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 Using Academy in Villa Park, Illinois. I figured it might be a weekend of studying to experience. 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 Journey
Like all 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, centered on idea, security, and driving fundamentals. It’s self-paced however necessary—and may’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 regardless that I heard the failing fee is kind of excessive. However spend every week studying the e book, do some on-line quiz exams and also you’ll be tremendous.
Day One: From Nerves to Impartial
I confirmed as much as class feeling each excited and greater than a little bit nervous. I had by no means ridden a bike earlier than—not even a dust 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 reputable 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 a few of the Harley bikes on the ground. Sure, there was a contact of salesmanship—however actually, 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 strains, and stopwatches grew to become 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 learners—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 had 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 tips on how 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, fundamental cornering, and throttle management
- Ultimately, we progressed to lean initiation, tight turns, and fast stops
These had been damaged up by frequent “Roadbook” breaks—probabilities to relaxation, hydrate, and chat along with your classmates. There was no rush, no strain 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 permit the fundamentals sink in whereas giving every scholar a good shot at mastering the basics.
By the top of the day, we weren’t simply studying—we had been driving. Not properly. Not confidently. However we had been doing it. And that’s an enormous leap from the place we began.
Day Three: Journey Like You Imply It
If day two was about understanding how the bike labored underneath you, day three was about getting 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 grew to become extra superior, extra real looking, 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 evaluate 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 automotive cuts into your lane? How do you react if you abruptly should swerve?
These weren’t hypotheticals. We did them—many times—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 experience with intention.
One of the revealing drills was the short cease and swerve maneuver. You speed up to a reasonable pace, then a coach alerts 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 ultimately, one thing clicked. My physique began doing what my mind had realized. Positive, there have been some mishaps, however this is the reason the protection bars assist loads.
One other drill that stood out was braking in a curve. You’re driving by a mild flip, and midway by, it’s a must to 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 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 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 broad, 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 speak: “You’ve already carried out each one among these workouts a number of occasions. You already know what to do.”
And so they had 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 many of the class. The grins had been greater than ever. One scholar 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 the DMV scheduling course of. In the event you handed the course, you had 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 remaining step towards your license.
However what mattered most was that feeling: the satisfaction of getting realized one thing that after felt unattainable. We didn’t simply study to experience—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 evaluate shall be purely based mostly on my expertise and what I “really feel” throughout the class. In the event you’re paying for it, I can say with confidence that this is without doubt one of the finest investments you can also make if you wish to experience 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 stable basis for ultimately driving the sort 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 – Apply clear gear modifications and halts
- Fundamental Talent Apply – Advantageous-tune low-speed dealing with
- Initiating Lean – Perceive physique place and steering
- Fast Stops & Tight Turns – Grasp management underneath strain
- Stopping Distance Demo – See how pace 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 transferring safely by site visitors
- Impediment Crossing & Swerving – Be taught evasive maneuvers
- Last Talent Apply – Mix all the things in a single session
Gear Necessities: Don’t Present Up Unprepared
The MSF and state pointers are clear: you might want to put on full protecting gear otherwise you gained’t experience. This contains:
- 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)
