Motorcycle Safety Course

Or how I spent my weekend…

I had never ridden a motorcycle or scooter. But wanting to take advantage of a lousy new commute situation and save about $40 a month on gas I finally got one. I waited a long time to get into a class of the Motorcycle Safety Course sponsored by the MSF. There were about 24 of us in the course the first day and I was surprised that about 3/4th of the class were new riders with about 50% of them waiting to purchase a bike until after they passed the motorcycle licensing test.

The first day was very rainy and I was glad I had my own helmet with a full-face shield. With a combination of that helmet, my motorcycle coat, and some waterproof pants, I didn’t get wet or cold. The worst part of the whole experience was both the highways to the course and the classrooms sessions were closed to two lanes for repairs. That meant a 10 minute trip became and 45 minute trip.

The hardest event was doing a figure eight inside of a 20 X 40 foot square box painted on the asphalt. I got to try it a number of times but only successfully completed it during the actual test. Wahoo! I’d say a third of the class failed to pass the first time. Apparently they have the opportunity to retake for free within the next 90 days. I’m not sure what they failed for, the written or the driver skills test.

So I am the proud graduate of the MSF motorcycle safety course and test and wear the MSF sticker with pride on my ride. I immediately called my grandson Nicky to let him know I passed. Then we talked about his new Jr. High Jazz Band.  :o)

See ya on the roads.