I’ve at all times been interested in bikes—however not as a result of I needed to cruise the open freeway or acquire 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 try 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 Driving Academy in Villa Park, Illinois. I figured it will 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 Experience
Like several 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 principle, security, and using fundamentals. It’s self-paced however obligatory—and might’t be achieved greater than 30 days forward of your first session, otherwise you’ll need to 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 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 strive though I heard the failing price is sort of excessive. However spend every week studying the ebook, do some on-line quiz checks and also you’ll be high-quality.
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 motorbike earlier than—not even a mud bike. And after I first laid eyes on the Harley-Davidson Road 500, it felt large. This wasn’t some pleasant little scooter. It was a professional 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, however it laid the groundwork for what was coming.
We additionally had a little bit of time to take a look at a number of 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 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 turned our second house.
After a fast security briefing and equipment test, we had been launched to the Road 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—however it’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 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 how you can 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 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 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 manner that allow 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 using. Not nicely. Not confidently. However we had 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 crucial day of the course, and it felt prefer it. The curriculum turned extra superior, extra reasonable, 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 change 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, 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 automotive cuts into your lane? How do you react if you all of the sudden need to swerve?
These weren’t hypotheticals. We did them—many times—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 truly management. I wasn’t simply surviving the workout routines—I used to be studying to experience with intention.
Probably the most revealing drills was the fast cease and swerve maneuver. You speed up to a average 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 arduous or didn’t lean sufficient. However finally, one thing clicked. My physique began doing what my mind had discovered. 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, it’s a must to brake easily whereas nonetheless leaned over. It teaches you to handle weight switch, stability, and throttle management . It’s more durable than it sounds, particularly when your instincts scream “stand the bike up!” However once more, with observe 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. 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 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 get factors deducted for hesitation, operating 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 achieved each certainly one of these workout routines a number of occasions. You realize what to do.”
They usually had 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 had been larger than ever. One scholar 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. 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 educated 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 discovered one thing that when felt not possible. We didn’t simply study to experience—we turned newbie riders.
Was It Value It?
The oldsters at MSF gave us a coupon for this course which prices $350, however I instructed them the assessment will probably 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 among the greatest investments you may make if you wish to experience 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 form of electrical bikes I’ve at all times needed to check. The BMW CE 04 continues to be on my radar—however now I’m prepared for it.
What You’ll Study: MSF’s 14 Core Driving Workouts
- Motorbike Familiarization – Study the controls, posture, and security checks
- Friction Zone Management – Grasp slow-speed clutch work
- Beginning & Stopping – Study throttle-brake coordination
- Shifting & Stopping – Follow clear gear adjustments and halts
- Fundamental Talent Follow – Wonderful-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 pace impacts security
- Restricted-Area Maneuvers – Study U-turns and stability
- Stopping in Curves – Handle braking whereas leaned over
- Curve Judgment – Navigate a number of turns with precision
- Lane Modifications – Follow shifting safely by means of site visitors
- Impediment Crossing & Swerving – Study evasive maneuvers
- Remaining Talent Follow – Mix all the things in a single session
Gear Necessities: Don’t Present Up Unprepared
The MSF and state tips are clear: it’s worthwhile to put on full protecting gear otherwise you gained’t experience. 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)
